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The agricultural production in China is gradually transitioning from extensive agriculture to green agriculture. In this context, identifying the driving factors and dimensions of farmers’ green production behaviour can contribute to promoting sustainable agricultural development. Existing studies lack investigation into the identification of driving factors and dimensions of green production behaviour among farmers of different scales. This study examined 1 142 farm households from five major grain-producing provinces in the North China Plain in 2019. We employed probit-ISM (interpretive structural modelling) models to analyse the driving factors of green production behaviour among farmers of different scales and identify dimensional differences. The study concluded the following: i) Personal characteristics, household characteristics, operational characteristics, social network characteristics, organisational characteristics, and cognitive characteristics were factors driving green production behaviour among small-scale farmers. However, social network characteristics and organisational characteristics had insignificant effects on green production behaviour among large-scale farmers. ii) Personal characteristics, number of agricultural workers, scale of operation, degree of land fragmentation, and whether relatives and friends are civil servants were the deep-rooted factors driving farmers’ green production behaviour. Part-time farming status, proportion of grain income, types of agricultural machinery, relationship with local farm machinery operators, and organisational characteristics were middle indirect factors. Cognitive characteristics represented the direct surface factors. This study can provide crucial information for government departments, which formulate differentiated policies to promote green production behaviour among farmers of different scales. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Smallholder layer-chicken farming in Indonesia is essential to ensure national food production, food security, and economic resilience. During the COVID-19 pandemic, small-scale layer-chicken farming exhibited adaptability. This study aims to assess the smallholder layer-chicken farmers resilience in Indonesia during the challenges posed by the COVID-19 pandemic. This research employed cross-sectional data collected from February to July 2023 from 114 smallholder layer chicken farmers in West Java, Central Java, and East Java using a purposive sampling technique. Data analysis used descriptive statistics, financial analysis, and the Wilcoxon Signed Rank Test. The results showed that the COVID-19 pandemic impacted the decline in the population and production of layerchicken at the beginning of the COVID-19 pandemic but subsequently demonstrated an increase afterward. Financial analyses showed an increase in operational costs, specifically feed and labor, during the COVID-19 pandemic. The layer-chicken farms could adapt and maintain profitability amidst increasing operational costs. The findings showed that the COVID-19 pandemic significantly impacted increasing feed costs (p<0.05) and labor costs (p<0.05). The revenue-cost ratio remained relatively stable. The study also showed significant differences in profit levels before, during, and after the COVID-19 pandemic (p<0.05). Profit levels decreased during the beginning of the COVID-19 pandemic and recovered afterward, showcasing the smallholder layer chicken farmer's resilience during the COVID-19 pandemic. These findings offer valuable insights for policy formulation aimed at fortifying the resilience demonstrated by smallholder layer-chicken farming in Indonesia amidst the challenges posed by the COVID-19 pandemic and other potential crises in the future. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Copyright of International Journal of Professional Business Review (JPBReview) is the property of Open Access Publications LLC and its content may not be copied or emailed to multiple sites or posted to a listserv without the copyright holder's express written permission. However, users may print, download, or email articles for individual use. This abstract may be abridged. No warranty is given about the accuracy of the copy. Users should refer to the original published version of the material for the full abstract. (Copyright applies to all Abstracts.)

Copyright of International Journal of Professional Business Review (JPBReview) is the property of Open Access Publications LLC and its content may not be copied or emailed to multiple sites or posted to a listserv without the copyright holder's express written permission. However, users may print, download, or email articles for individual use. This abstract may be abridged. No warranty is given about the accuracy of the copy. Users should refer to the original published version of the material for the full abstract. (Copyright applies to all Abstracts.)

Copyright of International Journal of Professional Business Review (JPBReview) is the property of Open Access Publications LLC and its content may not be copied or emailed to multiple sites or posted to a listserv without the copyright holder's express written permission. However, users may print, download, or email articles for individual use. This abstract may be abridged. No warranty is given about the accuracy of the copy. Users should refer to the original published version of the material for the full abstract. (Copyright applies to all Abstracts.)

Copyright of International Journal of Professional Business Review (JPBReview) is the property of Open Access Publications LLC and its content may not be copied or emailed to multiple sites or posted to a listserv without the copyright holder's express written permission. However, users may print, download, or email articles for individual use. This abstract may be abridged. No warranty is given about the accuracy of the copy. Users should refer to the original published version of the material for the full abstract. (Copyright applies to all Abstracts.)

Iran’s vulnerable geographical location and proximity to the drought belt expose the country to various natural disasters. In response, different measures have been taken, including the resilience demonstrated by farmers. Recognizing resilience as a potential approach to coping with natural disasters, the objective of the present study was to identify and examine the factors that influence the resilience of small-scale farming units in Hamedan Province. This study employed a sample comprising 300 people as a representative of smallholder farmers active in the area of study. The respondents were selected using a two-stage sampling technique, involving cluster and simple random sampling methods to select the counties and farmers, respectively. The data gathered from interviews with farmers underwent analysis using the SMART PLS 3 tool, employing a partial least squares approach. The primary research instrument was a questionnaire developed by the researcher, which demonstrated reliability (Cronbach’s alpha coefficient = 0.90) and content validity confirmed by a panel of experts. The study findings revealed that the resilience of small farmers in Hamedan is primarily influenced by the interplay of water, energy, and food (WEF) factors (0.618), followed by socio-economic characteristics (0.331), and farm-related attributes of the farming units (0.072). These factors were found to be the most significant explanatory variables for the resilience of farming units. To enhance the resilience of small farms, it is crucial to provide training to farmers on the interconnectedness and inseparable relationship of water, energy, and food, while also ensuring accessibility and security for vulnerable farmers. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Abstract In 2014, Tanzania became a signatory of the African Union Postharvest Loss Management Strategy (AU-PHLMS) under the Malabo Declaration, a policy framework of the African Union aimed at reducing the continent's postharvest food losses by 50 percent by 2025. Though Tanzania has several agriculture development policies, very little research exists on to what extent the postharvest food loss agenda is reflected and integrated into Tanzania's agriculture policy framework, making it difficult to assess Tanzania's commitment and progress made to realize these ambitious targets in 2025. Using a scoping review method, this study reviews agriculture-food security policies and programs enacted by the government of Tanzania from the 1990s to 2022. Findings reveal that despite high postharvest food losses, policies, and agriculture development programs in favor of increasing food production remain the central focus of the government, while interventions to eliminate food loss and waste have not been prioritized. Results also show that with nearly half of the food produced not reaching consumers, Tanzania's ambitions to be food secure may only be realized if policy measures to increase crop productivity go hand in hand with preventing postharvest food losses. The study calls for full policy integration of postharvest management programs and more investment in farmer-focused interventions to reduce food loss and waste in Tanzania.

Organizations of small-scale farmers in organic farming are typically formed through close bonds among members involved in specific regional groups. These farmer groups are established to facilitate members in adhering to the applicable rules and standard regulations implemented in organic farming. The level of compliance of farmer groups in implementing rules varies depending on many sociological factors. This study attempts to uncover the arguments behind the fact of how a group of small-scale farmers can comply with enforced regulations while other groups fail to adapt. The research aims to analyse the typology of suitability of pioneering organic rice farmer groups consisting of small-scale farmers in meeting the governance standards of organic agriculture in Tasikmalaya Regency. This research utilizes a qualitative approach using case study. The research results indicate that there are three types of conformity among small-scale organic rice farmers, namely: (1) fully compliance with regulations, (2) partially compliance with regulations, (3) non-compliance or rejecting compliance with regulations and provisions. This study also reveals the diversity of motivations, interests, and rational choices of each farmer that affect conformity. Based on this, it is known that local farmers have different compliance with organic farming rules. Therefore, policies are needed that are in accordance with group typologies that accommodate diversity in the implementation of organic farming practices. One of them is a policy that is able to support the sustainability of organic farming implementation in local communities. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Indigenous village chickens, or (IVCs), significantly contribute to rural livelihoods. Although natural selection has a disproportionate impact on the genetic structure of IVCs, farmers have developed locally tailored breeding practices to get the most out of their flocks. Objectives: Small‐scale farmers' insights on trait breed preferences and family flock breeding practices are presented in this cross‐sectional study. Methods: A cross‐sectional study was conducted in two agroecological zones using face‐to‐face individual interviews with 119 general informants. Results: Farmers prefer IVCs because they are multipurpose birds. Unlike policymakers, who usually underestimate the importance of IVCs, small‐scale farmers acknowledge the coexistence of local and commercial chickens. Only 15.7% of farmers recruited homegrown cocks, whereas 47.9% outsourced breeding cocks from local markets and 36.4% from neighbours (χ‐squared = 15.976, df = 2, p = 0.0003395). About 49.2% of small‐scale farmers believed that consanguineous mating‐induced inbreeding has only trivial effects. High flock turnover significantly reduces inbreeding. Regardless of the low production capacity, small‐scale farmers prefer local (rank = 1.47) chickens to commercial (rank = 1.61). For cocks, fertility and growth traits were highly sought after, whereas for hens, maternal instincts and laying performance were prioritized. Compared to the highlands, the lowlands had a longer egg storage period (t = 2.677, df = 117, p = 0.009, 95% CI: −3.7607, −0.5622). Conclusions: This study documented the wisdom of small‐scale farmers and encouraged the incorporation of their insights into a sustainable genetic improvement program. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Small-scale food producers can benefit significantly from the adoption and effective utilization of Information and Communication Technologies (ICTs). For example, ICTs can help improve food production and access to markets, which is particularly valuable in many Sub-Saharan African countries that both urbanize rapidly but whose food systems still rely significantly on small-scale food producers. This study examines the adoption patterns and desirable characteristics of ICTs, as well as the factors influencing them, among small-scale food producers engaged in urban agriculture in South Africa. We administered 85 in-person surveys through referrals from local producers' network in disadvantaged areas of Cape Town (n =21; Gugulethu, Philippi, Khayelitsha) and Johannesburg (n = 64; Central Business District, Soweto, Orange Farm). A substantial proportion of the respondents articulated the need for food- related mobile applications with functions that facilitate price comparisons, and the sharing of best practices and health advice. User-friendliness, low internet data use, and affordability were perceived as the most important characteristics for such food-related mobile applications. Redundancy analysis (RDA) reveals that the socioeconomic and demographic characteristics of respondents significantly influence the desired functionalities of food apps and their preferred activities among the respondents. Producers that are married and have more children, have higher income and education, and own larger land holdings, show very distinct patterns in terms of desirable functions and uses for food apps. Our research underscores the need for comprehensive approaches to the development and promotion of food-related ICTs when targeting small-scale food producers. The barriers and needs identified here can help ICT developers, development agencies and policy-makers design fit-for-purpose interventions and policies to facilitate ICT adoption among urban small-scale food producers in rapidly urbanizing areas. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Solar-powered irrigation system (SPIS) is a sustainable technology that utilizes renewable energy to pump water for agricultural production. Despite its environmental benefits, its adaptation is challenged by its high investment cost, particularly for small-scale farmers in most developing countries. This study aims to evaluate the attractiveness of shifting to SPIS from diesel-powered irrigation using the case of small-scale farmers in the Philippines. Considering the cost savings from adopting SPIS, this study analyzes the economic viability and optimal timing of investment under diesel price uncertainty. Results found that SPIS is economically attractive with USD 556.26/ha annual cost savings, USD 229.68/ha net present value, 12.49% internal rate of return, and a 5.58-year payback period. Considering the uncertainty in diesel prices, it is more optimal to invest immediately as waiting incurs losses. Investment decisions for SPIS are further favored by decreasing technology costs for solar PV systems, multiple utilization, cost-sharing among farmers, and negative externality of diesel. Findings provide recommendations for the widespread adoption of SPIS for more environment-friendly and sustainable production in agricultural countries. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Objective: The aim of the current study was to investigate the smallholder farmers' perceptions of climate-resilient agriculture (CRA) on livestock and crop production in the Eastern Cape province, South Africa. Materials and Methods: The data on CRA practices were collected from March 2016 to September 2023 through in-depth discussions using open-ended questionnaires, focus group discussions, and participant observation with 92 purposively selected small-scale farmers in six villages in the Eastern Cape province, South Africa. Results: At least 88.0% of the participants were aware of CRA practices, while 67.4% were adopting them. The need for enhancing the resilience of agricultural activities to cope with climate variability and climate change was ubiquitously perceived, with all participants reporting the contribution of CRA practices towards the livelihood security of several households. Conclusion: Smallholder farmers should consider CRA practices as a valid option to promote and increase agricultural productivity and smallholders' income while reducing their vulnerability. These findings, therefore, provide important information to policymakers that are required to develop conducive policies, investments, and institutional actions needed for the effective use and adoption of CRA practices. [Vet. Res. Notes 2024; 4(5.000): 48-55]

Purpose – The main aim of this study is to explore the appropriate factors in measuring COVID-19-induced supply chain disruptions and the impact of these disruptions on the economic vulnerability of small-scale farmers in Sri Lanka. Findings – The findings revealed that most of the farmers have continued to cultivate even during the pandemic despite several challenges which affected their economic status. Therefore, it is concluded that COVID-19-induced transportation and demand disruptions exacerbated the economic vulnerability of small-scale farmers over the disruptions in supply and production. Practical implications – The findings of this study are crucial for formulating novel policies to improve the sustainability of the Sri Lankan agricultural sector and alleviate the poverty level of Agri-communities in the countryside. As farming is a vital sector in the economy, increased attention ought to be given on facilitating farmers with government-encouraged loans or allowances for their financial stability. Further, the respective government authorities should develop programs for importing and distributing adequate quantities of fertilizers among all the farmers at controlled prices so that they can continue their operations without any interruption. Moreover, the government could engage in collaboratively work with private organizations to streamline the Agri-input supply process. There should be a government initiative for critical consideration of the issues of farming families and their continued motivation to engage in agriculture. Thus, farmers' livelihoods and agricultural prosperity could be upgraded through alternative Agri-inputs and marketing strategies, providing financial assistance, encouraging innovative technology, etc. Originality/value – Despite the significance and vulnerability of the vegetable and fruit sector in Sri Lanka, there is a limitation in the empirical studies conducted on the supply chain disruptions caused by COVID-19 measures and their implications on the farmers' livelihood. Furthermore, previous empirical research has not employed adequate quantitative tools to analyze the situation or appropriate variables in evaluating COVID-19-induced disruptions. Hence, the current study explored the appropriate factors for measuring COVID-19-induced supply chain disruption using exploratory factor analysis. Then, the impact of those factors on the economic vulnerability of the small scale farmers was revealed through the ordinal logistics regression analysis.

Climate risks pose significant challenges to farmers' livelihoods, particularly in sub-Saharan Africa, where the complex interplay of factors intensifies the impact on small-scale farmers (SSFs). While there is a broad understanding of climate change's effects on agriculture, there is a need for deeper insights into the key determinants and preferences influencing SSFs' adaptation strategies in vulnerable regions to better inform agricultural policy and planning. Data were collected from 325 SSF randomly selected in Juaben Municipality, Ghana. Quantitative analysis was done using descriptive and inferential statistics, while qualitative data were analyzed through content analysis. The study identified shifting planting dates, altering farm operation timings and mulching as primary adaptation strategies. Significant associations were found between socio-economic factors and the adaptation strategies employed by SSFs, with the Relative Importance Index highlighting affordable tools, land ownership and access to fertile land as crucial for enhancing livelihoods and adaptation. The findings underscore the need for training programmes to equip extension officers with the knowledge to support SSFs in developing skills and efforts related to adaptation and viable livelihood options.

The determinants of livelihood diversification have been studied by several researchers globally. However, these factors are not well understood in the ANDM and KCDM, because they are given little attention. The specific objective of the study was to examine the determinants of livelihood diversification in ANDM and KCDM. The cross-sectional dataset was collected from 268 and 264 participants who were randomly selected in ANDM and KCDM, respectively. A structured questionnaire was utilized to collect data on socio-economic and demographic factors among small-scale rural farmers in ANDM and KCDM. The data collection commenced in March to April 2022 in KCDM and started in August to September 2022 in ANDM. Stata version 14.0 was employed to estimate a Quantile regression. The results show that 66.04% of participants in ANDM were female-headed households, whereas 53.79% in KCDM were headed by males. The findings from a Quantile regression show that livelihood diversification was influenced by the household head’s gender, age, marital status, access to extension services, access to credit, employment status, food security, education, household size, farm size, poverty status, farm experience, and improved seeds. To promote livelihood diversification, policymakers should create policies that will target all factors that are significant in the study.

While climate services for small-scale farmers are gaining recognition for contributing to adaptation and resilience to climate variability and change, their provision in developing countries remains a critical challenge. Effective climate services consider why and how farmers of varied socioeconomic background make relevant decisions avoiding the traditional prescriptive forms of transfer that merely focus on delivering climate information. Evidence from sub-Saharan Africa shows that climate services for agriculture generates transformations in how farmers access and use climate information, as well as changes in farmer decision-making. In this paper, we address the question of whether the same effect is also seen in Latin America, where farming systems, farming decisions, socioeconomic contexts and non-climate constraints are very different to those of Africa. A group of 209 farmers in the dry corridor in Honduras was studied. We find that 98% of the trained farmers did uptake and use the climate information, and some 73% expressed that the agroclimatic information was key to the success of their harvest despite the challenging 2019 season. Some 43% of the farmers made changes in farming practices. In particular, farmers changed the crop they grew, the crop and land management, the planting dates, inputs and crop varieties. These changes reportedly had positive effects on their food security, and income. These findings support the hypothesis that Participatory Integrated Climate Services for Agriculture (PICSA) plays a positive role in providing effective climate services in Central America, improving decision-making, and enabling farmers to make their own decisions based on the analysis of information and their demands regardless of their level of literacy. We pose that participatory climate services in agriculture can catalyse processes of long-term transformation in farming systems, notably through lifting farmers out of poverty and food insecurity and providing an integrated approach to make informed decisions in the face of climatic variation. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Nowadays, the agricultural sector is poised to undergo significant transformations towards sustainability. Small-scale farmers' restricted accessibility to resources hinders their ability to effectively adapt to such advancements. This research paper investigates the potential role of agricultural cooperatives as deus ex machina, offering an idea for solving the challenges faced by small-scale farmers. Additionally, it examines the potential benefits agricultural cooperatives could provide to large-scale farmers while simultaneously advocating sustainable agricultural practices. To gather accurate data, individuals who were members of cooperatives in the Larissa region of Greece were interviewed using questionnaires. The sixty qualitative interviews conducted shed light on the fact that cooperatives play a significant role in promoting sustainable agriculture and offer numerous benefits to their members, particularly small-scale farmers. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Globally, climate change remains one of the most pressing challenges, and it is also an obstacle to the fundamental achievement of the Sustainable Development Goals. The purpose of the study was to examine the determinants of small-scale farmers' participation in social capital networks to enhance adoption of climate change adaptation strategies. Multistage and purposive sampling were used to carry out the study. A cross-sectional research design was used to carry out the study and structured questionnaires were used as a data collection tool. The data collected were analyzed using descriptive statistics, the Binary Logit model, and the Ordered Logit model. The findings of the study show that gender, household size, age, marital status, education, and employment status affect a farmer's participation in social capital networks. The results also show that household size, employment status, and income level affect the extent of participation in social networks. As the paper is the first to look at the determinants of the participation of farmers in social capital networks in Eastern Cape, the results are of paramount importance to policy formulators in order to formulate policies that will encourage farmers to join localized farmer-based social capital networks to adopt climate change adaption measures. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Abstract Background Indigenous village chickens, or (IVCs), significantly contribute to rural livelihoods. Although natural selection has a disproportionate impact on the genetic structure of IVCs, farmers have developed locally tailored breeding practices to get the most out of their flocks. Objectives Small‐scale farmers’ insights on trait breed preferences and family flock breeding practices are presented in this cross‐sectional study. Methods A cross‐sectional study was conducted in two agroecological zones using face‐to‐face individual interviews with 119 general informants. Results Farmers prefer IVCs because they are multipurpose birds. Unlike policymakers, who usually underestimate the importance of IVCs, small‐scale farmers acknowledge the coexistence of local and commercial chickens. Only 15.7% of farmers recruited homegrown cocks, whereas 47.9% outsourced breeding cocks from local markets and 36.4% from neighbours (χ‐squared = 15.976, df = 2, p = 0.0003395). About 49.2% of small‐scale farmers believed that consanguineous mating‐induced inbreeding has only trivial effects. High flock turnover significantly reduces inbreeding. Regardless of the low production capacity, small‐scale farmers prefer local (rank = 1.47) chickens to commercial (rank = 1.61). For cocks, fertility and growth traits were highly sought after, whereas for hens, maternal instincts and laying performance were prioritized. Compared to the highlands, the lowlands had a longer egg storage period (t = 2.677, df = 117, p = 0.009, 95% CI: −3.7607, −0.5622). Conclusions This study documented the wisdom of small‐scale farmers and encouraged the incorporation of their insights into a sustainable genetic improvement program.

Bovine mastitis is among the major diseases of economic importance in the dairy industry worldwide. Hygienic conditions during milking and housing are important determinants of mastitis infections. However, arid and semi-arid areas have a scarcity of water, which is an essential component of cleanliness. Thus, the study determined the prevalence of mastitis and associated factors in Dodoma, a semi-arid region in Tanzania. Three hundred and sixty-eight lactating cows were selected randomly from 114 farms in the Dodoma urban district for mastitis determination based on clinical signs and the California Mastitis Test. About 59.8 % of the cows had mastitis, and the subclinical type dominated. Factors associated with mastitis prevalence were cleanliness (hand and udder washing before milking), farmers' awareness of mastitis, the cow's parity and lactation stage, and herd size. Milk yield was not associated with the mastitis status of the cow but was related to the breed of the cow, whether warm or cold water was used to wash the cow's udder, parity, and lactation stage. Improvement in education on the importance of hygiene is necessary, as 38.6 % of the farmers were unaware of mastitis. Further detailed studies on microbiology, such as bacteriologic culture and polymerase chain reaction, are recommended to formulate interventions.

Small-scale food producers can benefit significantly from the adoption and effective utilization of Information and Communication Technologies (ICTs). For example, ICTs can help improve food production and access to markets, which is particularly valuable in many Sub-Saharan African countries that both urbanize rapidly but whose food systems still rely significantly on small-scale food producers. This study examines the adoption patterns and desirable characteristics of ICTs, as well as the factors influencing them, among small-scale food producers engaged in urban agriculture in South Africa. We administered 85 in-person surveys through referrals from local producers’ network in disadvantaged areas of Cape Town (n = 21; Gugulethu, Philippi, Khayelitsha) and Johannesburg (n = 64; Central Business District, Soweto, Orange Farm). A substantial proportion of the respondents articulated the need for food-related mobile applications with functions that facilitate price comparisons, and the sharing of best practices and health advice. User-friendliness, low internet data use, and affordability were perceived as the most important characteristics for such food-related mobile applications. Redundancy analysis (RDA) reveals that the socioeconomic and demographic characteristics of respondents significantly influence the desired functionalities of food apps and their preferred activities among the respondents. Producers that are married and have more children, have higher income and education, and own larger land holdings, show very distinct patterns in terms of desirable functions and uses for food apps. Our research underscores the need for comprehensive approaches to the development and promotion of food-related ICTs when targeting small-scale food producers. The barriers and needs identified here can help ICT developers, development agencies and policy-makers design fit-for-purpose interventions and policies to facilitate ICT adoption among urban small-scale food producers in rapidly urbanizing areas.

This paper characterizes the evolution of Mexican coffee policies, addressing how the state’s interest and its mechanisms for supporting coffee production have changed significantly over time. Three major phases of coffee policies were identified. First, during the late XIX and early XX centuries, the state was focused on expanding the number of hectares for coffee and facilitating land acquisition by large-scale farmers. Second, from 1958 to 1989, the state was interested in expanding coffee plantations and increasing productivity with higher-yield varieties and fertilizer. The state played a strong regulatory role in overseeing coffee prices and collecting farmers’ harvests; during this phase, small-scale farmers were the main target of support. Third, from 1989 to 2018, the state continued to promote increased productivity, but it also began to focus on improving quality. While small-scale farmers continued to be the principal target of support, the state significantly reduced its intervention in the coffee sector and primarily aided small-scale farmers through programs supplying plants and fertilizer.

This study was conducted with the general purpose of the effects of adaptation behaviors of small-scale farmers in drought conditions on the level of household food security. The statistical population of the study included all small-scale farmers in West Azerbaijan province. The sample size was estimated using Krejcie and Morgan table of 430 small-scale rural household heads. The main research tool was a questionnaire whose validity was confirmed by a panel of experts and its reliability was confirmed by Cronbach's alpha coefficient. Data analysis was performed by SPSS19 software. The results showed that the rural households studied did not have adequate food security in drought conditions. In addition, factor analysis classified adaptation behaviors into three categories: active adaptation strategies, self-control, and integration. The results of ordinal regression also showed that adaptation classes have positive and significant effects on improving food security of rural households.

Countries which imposed strict containment measures in response to the COVID-19 pandemic are thought to have faced particular socio-economic challenges. This study assesses the implications of COVID-19 disruptions on local agri-food value chain actors in Kenya and Uganda, as both countries enacted strict lockdowns to limit the spread of the virus. Using survey data from 527 smallholder farmers and 107 small-scale market actors, the study analyses these actors' vulnerability and resilience. This is operationalised as (1) the exposure of respondents to COVID-19 containment measures, (2) effects of these measures as observed by respondents (e.g. on production or trade and income), and (3) (short-term) coping strategies used by respondents to deal with such impacts. Our results show how containment measures have restricted personal movement and transport options and have limited access to agricultural inputs and markets. This led to a decrease in agricultural production and local trading activities. While both farmers and market actors experienced massive negative income effects, market actors were being hit particularly hard as their livelihoods depend on free movement which was severely curtailed during the pandemic. Actors from both categories often tried to cope by selling livestock, using savings and lowering both food intake and food diversity. Coping strategies were thus short-term and further reduced actors' resilience by exhausting their buffering capacity and exposing them to the risk of food insecurity. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The genetic modification (GM) of maize to contain proteins that act to control insects has become a widespread agricultural practice. Although the reduction of insect damage to maize ears could potentially increase crop yield, rural small-scale farmers might be reluctant to buy expensive GM seed every season even when the lower fungal infection of the GM maize might also result in health benefits. This study was conducted over 5 years in three districts of northern KwaZulu-Natal, South Africa, to study the Fusarium verticillioides and F. proliferatum infection and fumonisin contamination levels in Bt maize, Roundup- Ready® maize, conventional commercial maize and traditional landrace maize planted by rural farmers following their traditional agricultural practices. Mean Fusarium infection rates varied between 3.0% and 38.3% with large standard deviations. Fusarium infection was not significantly different (p>0.05) between the various genotypes, possibly due to the wide variation in results and low sample numbers. Although the fumonisin results also showed wide variation, the trend of contamination was lower in Bt maize compared to conventional commercial genotypes. The mean fumonisin levels in Bt hybrids were mostly <300 µg/kg, ensuring a safe maize supply in populations consuming maize as a dietary staple. The wide variations in Fusarium and fumonisin levels within each district point to the influence of local agricultural practices, local environmental conditions, and seasonal variations. Reducing exposure to fumonisins in these communities requires both further attention to the possible influence of these factors, as well as the use of appropriate post-harvest strategies. Significance: This study was the first in South Africa to follow rural farmers planting Bt and commercial maize hybrids as well as open-pollinated landrace maize, according to their traditional agricultural practices. The results show that in some instances the Bt maize had the lowest fumonisin levels. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This research article aims to give a description of the level of rice production in Albuera, Leyte, Philippines, and determine the statistically significant predictors affecting it. The study used primary and cross-sectional data from small-scale farmers (with 2-hectare rice farms or less) through a face-to-face interview with the aid of a constructed questionnaire. The gathered information was summarized with the assistance of descriptive metrics and presented in a tabular form. In addition, binary logistic modeling was constructed to extract influencing predictors of the level of rice production and tested its significance. Results portrayed that more farmers in Albuera, Leyte are experiencing a low level of rice production. The findings of the study depicted that small-scale farmers do not have enough capital to buy the necessary agricultural inputs due to their high prices in the market. Plus, farmers do not have sufficient credit facilities that they may use for their farming process and it is also shown that farmers are adversely affected by pests and diseases that destroy their rice cultivation. The binary logistic model shows that a married farmer, with a lower monthly income and with a smaller paddy farm tends to have a higher production level. Moreover, another regression model revealed that the presence of pests and diseases, and being provided with solutions by extension agents are significant predictors of high production levels in rice farming. The study suggests that small-scale farmers in rural areas must be supported regarding their capital and farming facilities, and must be guided and facilitated by expert extension agents in solving different problems. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Existing reapers for farming purposes are out of reach for small-scale farmers due to their high cost, and they are also unavailable in most rural locations due to transportation or financial constraints. There has recently been a demand for a compact, cost-efficient, more accessible, and effective crop reaper that can be operated by small-scale farmers. As a result, a cost-effective, farmer-friendly, and efficient crop reaper was developed in the present work, and its cutting efficiency was found to be improved as compared to the existing self-propelled reaper. Moreover, earlier works were either based on development of farm-based machinery and their performance or ergonomic aspects' evaluation without any emphasis on its sustainability in agriculture. Thus, in this study, apart from performance, an ergonomic evaluation and "strength, weakness, opportunity, and threats (SWOT)" analysis were performed on the existing and modified reapers. Furthermore, for the framework design and assessment of the sustainability of the modified reaper in the agricultural sectors, both "fuzzy logic" and metaheuristics-based optimization algorithms such as "Particle Swarm Optimization (PSO)" were utilized. Given the prevalence of small-scale farmers with limited farm sizes, the findings of this study may be relevant for more sustainable developments in the existing tools and equipment used in agriculture that can be easily affordable and utilized by all the farming community around the world. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Bamboo is an important agroforestry and forest plant managed and utilized by rural communities in some countries in the Asia Pacific region, which can generate various benefits to meet social and environmental needs. In rural areas of China, as a large number of forest land management rights have been allocated to small-scale farmers, the willingness of small-scale farmers to reinvest in bamboo forest management has become a key factor for bamboo forest ecosystems to be able to sustainably supply quality ecosystem services. Therefore, it is necessary to answer the question of how to enhance small-scale farmers' willingness to reinvest in bamboo forest management in the current policy and market context. Combining the prospect theory, the mindsponge theory, the theory of planned behavior (TPB), and the technology acceptance model (TAM), this study constructs theoretical models of perceived property rights security, perceived bamboo forest certification, government support, group decision making, risk perception, perceived value, geographic conditions, and resource endowment affecting willingness to reinvest in bamboo forest management. Based on 1090 questionnaires from a field study in Fujian, China, in 2021, structural equation modeling (SEM) was used to test the theoretical model. The results show that, under the current policy and market environment, government support is the key to enhance small-scale farmers' willingness to reinvest in bamboo forest management, and their perception of ecological certification also has a facilitating effect on small-scale farmers' willingness to reinvest in bamboo forest management, in which risk perception plays a significant mediating role. The government can enhance small-scale farmers' willingness to reinvest in bamboo forest management by maintaining stable land property rights policies, increasing the publicity and promotion of bamboo forest certification, and enhancing information exchange among farmers. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The global agricultural paradigm is witnessing a transformative shift with the advent of precision agriculture. While large-scale agricultural enterprises have been swift in their embrace of this innovation, its uptake among small-scale farmers remains nuanced and complex. This study elucidates the multi-faceted determinants that influence the adoption of precision agriculture within the small-scale farming sector. The study adopts a systematic literature review approach, meticulously selecting and analysing 29 relevant papers. Drawing upon an exhaustive literature review and empirical analyses, the research presents a composite framework weaving economic, technological, social, and environmental factors. Among these, the social dynamics emerge as the most significant factor, shaped by awareness levels, knowledge dissemination pathways, and entrenched cultural norms. These social elements often intertwine with ingrained traditional practices and perceptions, forming the most intricate layer shaping adoption attitudes. Notably, although economic factors like substantial initial investments and the calculus of Return on Investment are present, they are overshadowed by social considerations. The technological landscape is characterised by the challenges of digital literacy, infrastructural readiness, and technological interoperability. Lastly, environmental imperatives, underscored by resource scarcity, climate change resilience, and ecosystem services, offer both challenges and motivations. Together, these factors delineate the intricate roadmap guiding small-scale farmers in their journey toward precision agriculture adoption. This comprehensive exploration provides stakeholders with actionable insights, fostering informed decision-making and strategic interventions to augment precision agriculture's integration within the small-scale farming tapestry. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In Pakistan, surface water supply for irrigation is decreasing, while water demand is increasing for agriculture production. Also, due to the fast rate of population growth, land holding capacity is decreasing. So, there is a need to develop appropriate technologies and design approaches for small-scale farmers to improve modern irrigation practices. In this study, a hydraulic and structural layout of CPIS was designed for small-scale farmers with some modifications. The hydraulic parameters and structural design of the CPIS were designed using IrriExpress and SAP2000 software, respectively. An economic analysis of the modified CPIS was carried out. The results revealed that in one complete revolution of the whole system, its span slope varied from 2.98 to 0.1%, and the wheel slope varied from 2.35 to −2.4%. The timing setting was 60% for one revolution, and the irrigation depth was 10 mm. When the time setting was reduced from 100% to 10%, the irrigation hours per cycle and irrigation depth both increased. Variendeel type-II trusses were designed for structural purposes using SAP2000 software. This design led to a 17% reduction in weight by lowering it from 1.916 to 1.5905 tons and a 44% reduction in joint count, decreasing it from 32 to 18. Our economic analysis revealed that the structural part of the system is more expensive than the hydraulic, electric and power parts for small-scale design. So, it was suggested that CPIS is suitable for land holdings from 100 to 250 acres, because when the area increases to more than 250 acres, there is no significant change in the cost. A towable system is more economical for small-scale farmers due to its lower cost per acre. This study will be helpful for the optimization of CPISs to improve water use efficiency and crop yield. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

IntroductionAccess to credit and information and communication technology (ICT) plays a pivotal role in enhancing the practices of small-scale sugarcane farmers, impacting their financial, social, and economic wellbeing. However, many small-scale farmers need help accessing these resources, thereby affecting their ability to generate sustainable income. This study aimed to assess the factors influencing the adoption of ICT and access to credit and their subsequent impact on small-scale farmers' income.MethodsEmploying a multistage sampling technique, 300 small-scale farmers were selected as participants in the study. The recursive bivariate probit regression model was used to assess the factors affecting adoption ICT and a selectivity-corrected ordinary least square regression model was utilized to estimate the synergistic effect of ICT adoption and access to credit on the income of small-scale sugarcane farmers.Results and discussionThe findings revealed that approximately 77% of small-scale farmers had access to credit, while more than 80% had adopted ICT. The results derived from the recursive bivariate probit (RBP) regression model indicated that access to credit, education, and extension support positively and significantly influenced the adoption of ICT. Conversely, marital status and non-farm income exhibited a negative and significant influence on the adoption of ICT. Gender and marital status were positively and significantly associated with access to credit, whereas age, education, and non-farm income showed a negative and significant relationship on access to credit. Subsequently, a selectivity-corrected ordinary least square regression model analysis revealed that factors such as gender, marital status, extension, government support, and transportation costs positively and significantly influenced farmer's income. In contrast, education, employment status, and non-farm income exhibited a negative and significant influence on income.Conclusion and recommendationsThe study concludes that socio-demographic factors, such as gender, marital status, extension support, government support, and transportation costs, positively contribute to farmers' income. Small-scale sugarcane farmer involvement in other non-farm activities is associated with reduced farm income. This implies that farmers' livelihoods options are reduced as they can only focus on sugarcane development as a source of income. There is a pressing need to educate small-scale farmers on ICT and provide them with access to agricultural credit. Additionally, extension workers should offer advisory support to small-scale farmers requiring assistance in accessing agricultural credit. There is a need to train sugarcane farmers on different agricultural income generating activities to reduce their over-reliance on sugarcane development. By addressing the identified socio-demographic factors and implementing targeted policy interventions, stakeholders can foster an enabling environment for small-scale farmers to thrive, ultimately contributing to the sustainable development of the sugarcane sector and the broader agricultural landscape in South Africa.

Climate information services are foundational means of building the farmer’s resilience. However, studies are scarce about the accuracy of climate information services in dryland regions such as the West Africa Sahel, like in Mali and Niger. Thus, this study examined the accuracy of climate forecasts and their socio-economic benefits in these two countries. For rainfall forecasts and alerts, we collected the 2022 data from the ‘SMS Sandji’ platform in Mali (Nara) and the national meteorological agency alert database in Niger (Zinder). The socio-economic benefits of climate information were determined using a sample of 900 individuals in Niger and 227 in Mali. The results indicate that both seasonal and daily climate forecasts have high to moderate accuracy from 0.7 to 0.58 for CSI and 0.11 to 0.43 for BS index in Niger, and 0.94 to 0.91 for CSI, and 0.06 to 0.25 for BS in Mali. The results of field survey show that, in general, 87 to 100% of the respondents in Niger and 100% in Mali received the seasonal forecasts. ANOVA also reveals with high significance (p value = 0.0001) that the utilization of climate information plays a crucial role in improving farmers’ average financial incomes with FCFA 24,943 per hectare at season onset to FCFA 15,355 per hectare during the cropping season, and FCFA 6204 per hectare at the end of the season, and time-saving of 36 h per hectare to 8 h per hectare, depending on the period when the information was used. Globally, this work underscores the importance of climate information services and highlights their positive socio-economic impacts to the livelihood of farmers.

From the dawn of agriculture, small-scale farmers have been selecting, storing, using, and exchanging common seeds as a result of their successive harvests, and at the same time adopting new methods using the knowledge gained along the way to produce better quality crops. Since Seeds are a staple of food systems around the world, today the vast majority of people, especially those living in developing countries, continue to rely on the same food system and seeds from farmers to ensure food security and biodiversity. From this point of view, recognition of the right to seed is essential for small-scale farmers; This is included in some international documents. On the other hand, after the Industrial Revolution and the establishment of the World Trade Organization, attention to the global seed market, a growing trend towards breeding and new technologies in this field was created and business models of improving the conditions related to intellectual property rights seem to be an incentive to grow. Since the seed is a common point for the basic needs of farmers and breeders on the one hand and a very important case for biodiversity and food security, on the other hand, This article addresses the fundamental question of how intellectual property right on seeds affects the rights of small-scale farmers.

The article showcases the nature of climate colonialism by examining the transitions in heirloom seed conservation practices in the context of climate change. Insights for this article are drawn from an action research project implemented among heirloom seed keepers and small-scale farmers in Tamil Nadu, India. Local knowledge systems and indigenous seed conservation practices play a crucial role in strengthening the resilience of small-scale farmers to climate variability and extreme weather events. Throughout India, traditional seed keepers have voluntarily taken up the responsibility of collecting and conserving native and heirloom seeds for future generations. These practices also ensure that sustainable farming practices are adopted. However, the modernization and commercialization of agriculture since the colonial and post-independence periods have displaced several such practices, paving the way for the mass consumption of hybrid seed varieties and chemical fertilizers and pesticides. With the advent of climate change as both global discourse and locally experienced phenomena, yet another layer of dispossession and the cheapening of nature has occurred. The key argument of this article is that climate change adaptation has become a new commodity frontier, dispossessing and alienating small-scale producers.

The genetic modification (GM) of maize to contain proteins that act to control insects has become a widespread agricultural practice. Although the reduction of insect damage to maize ears could potentially increase crop yield, rural small-scale farmers might be reluctant to buy expensive GM seed every season even when the lower fungal infection of the GM maize might also result in health benefits. This study was conducted over 5 years in three districts of northern KwaZulu-Natal, South Africa, to study the Fusarium verticillioides and F. proliferatum infection and fumonisin contamination levels in Bt maize, Roundup- Ready® maize, conventional commercial maize and traditional landrace maize planted by rural farmers following their traditional agricultural practices. Mean Fusarium infection rates varied between 3.0% and 38.3% with large standard deviations. Fusarium infection was not significantly different (p>0.05) between the various genotypes, possibly due to the wide variation in results and low sample numbers. Although the fumonisin results also showed wide variation, the trend of contamination was lower in Bt maize compared to conventional commercial genotypes. The mean fumonisin levels in Bt hybrids were mostly

Tomatoes are one of the most significant fruit and vegetable crops in Nigeria. This could be ascribed to the fact that it helps many farmers support their way of life and improve their financial status. However, due to ineffective production management techniques, restrictions on the supply of pesticides and fungicides, access to information, market fluctuations, and crop shelf life, the yield of tomatoes is low. There is a need for powerful institutions like agricultural cooperatives to increase tomato yield. Agricultural cooperatives have been promoted in Nigeria as an agricultural development strategy that will increase crop yield and farmer income. Therefore, this study investigates the impact of membership in agricultural cooperatives on the yields of smallholder tomato farmers in rural Nigeria. A multistage sampling procedure is used to collect data for the study. The Endogenous Treatment Regression model was used to analyze the data. According to the findings of the first regression (Probit regression), age, years of formal education, main occupation, years of farming experience, farm size, years of experience in tomato farming, aged dependents, distance to market, access to credit service and access to extension service have a positive and significant impact on the membership of farmers in the agricultural cooperative. The results of the endogenous treatment regression model reveal marital status, age, years of formal education, years of informal education, main occupation, years of farming experience, farm size, years of tomato farming, aged dependents, distance to market, access to credit services, cost of processing, access to extension service and agricultural cooperative membership are all statistically significant variables influencing tomato yield. According to the ATE estimate, the average farmer would produce 9.159 times more when he/she joined an agricultural cooperative. The conditional treatment effect (ATT), which assesses the impact of membership in agricultural cooperatives on tomato yield, was correspondingly approximately 9.447 and statistically significant at 1%. As a result, the typical farmer who is a member of an agricultural cooperative would produce a yield that is 9.447 times more than it would be if he/she was not a member of an agricultural cooperative. The study found that membership in agricultural cooperatives has a positive impact on tomato yield among smallholder farmers in rural Nigeria in contrast to what it would have been in the absence of being a member of agricultural cooperatives after adjusting for both observable and unobserved factors. Tomatoes farmers must be encouraged to join an agricultural cooperative to boost their yield.

Irrigation is widely accepted as an effective adaptive management strategy for small-scale farmers of traditional rain-fed crops in areas experiencing climate change. These changes include timing of onset of the rainy season and the amount and intensity of rainfall—both issues of concern to rural farmers in northern Ghana. Despite obvious benefits, it is not apparent if farmers in this area perceive irrigation as a viable or attainable option to deal with potential food insecurity related to climate change. In this article, we examine three main issues: (1) dry spells during the early parts of the farming season, (2) impacts of these dry spells on farming systems, and (3) farmer adaptation through different agricultural water management practices. A geographic information system and remote sensing analysis using Landsat 8 and field Global Positioning System data supports findings from seventy-two in-depth interviews with smallholder farmers. Results from this integrated assessment reveal sociocultural and physical barriers to manual irrigation, including labor needs, water source proximity, and size of operational land holding. Increasing climate variability in this region will necessitate adaptation by local farmers; however, we argue that irrigation projects should not be initiated without detailed understanding of local sociocultural contexts. Effectively moving water from source to crop will require integrative knowledge of local hydrogeology and sociocultural norms. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Globally, climate change remains one of the most pressing challenges, and it is also an obstacle to the fundamental achievement of the Sustainable Development Goals. The purpose of the study was to examine the determinants of small-scale farmers’ participation in social capital networks to enhance adoption of climate change adaptation strategies. Multistage and purposive sampling were used to carry out the study. A cross-sectional research design was used to carry out the study and structured questionnaires were used as a data collection tool. The data collected were analyzed using descriptive statistics, the Binary Logit model, and the Ordered Logit model. The findings of the study show that gender, household size, age, marital status, education, and employment status affect a farmer’s participation in social capital networks. The results also show that household size, employment status, and income level affect the extent of participation in social networks. As the paper is the first to look at the determinants of the participation of farmers in social capital networks in Eastern Cape, the results are of paramount importance to policy formulators in order to formulate policies that will encourage farmers to join localized farmer-based social capital networks to adopt climate change adaption measures.

Indigenous Village Chickens (IVCs) obtain most of their feed from a scavenging feed resource base. Free roaming makes IVCs express their instincts at will, which could enhance their welfare. Free-ranging has also endowed IVCs with excellent explorative behavior. However, predators might have also co-evolved, which necessitates special interference from smallholder farmers to reduce the adverse impact of predators. This study identified the main predators of IVCs and the evading strategies adopted by smallholder farmers. This cross-sectional study involved a general interview with 119 smallholder farmers. The prevalence of enset, Ensete ventricosum (Welw.) Cheesman, around the farmer's backyard can impose a significant threat because it shelters terrestrial predators. Smallholder farmers evade predators through patrolling, guarding dogs, fencing, confinement, and, in rare cases, killing. An unplanned conversation made with an informant revealed that men with some clerical ability but no priesthood title incantate on whole grains of black wheat. When the chicken is fed this grain, reportedly, the aerial predator becomes weak and cannot catch the chicken. The agroecological zone has a statistically significant impact on the proportions of predators encountered and the types of evading strategies adopted by smallholder farmers. This association entails the need for developing agroecology-based predator-evading methods. Predators' evading methods, however, need to be refined further to reduce the recurrent losses of chickens. The threats associated with predators' challenges must be thoroughly investigated to advance their evading strategies. Another problem that leads to the significant loss of family poultry is theft. In addition to the strategies used to avoid predators, which may also apply to controlling theft, the legal system must be well-organized to punish such misdeeds.

Indigenous Village Chickens (IVCs) obtain most of their feed from a scavenging feed resource base. Free roaming makes IVCs express their instincts at will, which could enhance their welfare. Free-ranging has also endowed IVCs with excellent explorative behavior. However, predators might have also co-evolved, which necessitates special interference from smallholder farmers to reduce the adverse impact of predators. This study identified the main predators of IVCs and the evading strategies adopted by smallholder farmers. This cross-sectional study involved a general interview with 119 smallholder farmers. The prevalence of enset, Ensete ventricosum (Welw.) Cheesman, around the farmer's backyard can impose a significant threat because it shelters terrestrial predators. Smallholder farmers evade predators through patrolling, guarding dogs, fencing, confinement, and, in rare cases, killing. An unplanned conversation made with an informant revealed that men with some clerical ability but no priesthood title incantate on whole grains of black wheat. When the chicken is fed this grain, reportedly, the aerial predator becomes weak and cannot catch the chicken. The agroecological zone has a statistically significant impact on the proportions of predators encountered and the types of evading strategies adopted by smallholder farmers. This association entails the need for developing agroecology-based predator-evading methods. Predators' evading methods, however, need to be refined further to reduce the recurrent losses of chickens. The threats associated with predators' challenges must be thoroughly investigated to advance their evading strategies. Another problem that leads to the significant loss of family poultry is theft. In addition to the strategies used to avoid predators, which may also apply to controlling theft, the legal system must be well-organized to punish such misdeeds. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]