Examining Income Patterns and Time Allocation in Nutmeg (Myristica Fragrans) Farmint: A Case Study of Padang Selatan District, Padang, West Sumatra, Indonesia

This research aims to determine the income and profits of Pala (Myristica Fragrans)  products and analyze the working time allocation in producing Pala products in Padang Selatan District. The study was conducted from September to November 2022. The research method used was descriptive with a survey approach. The data collected consists of two types, namely primary data and secondary data. The selction of respondent is done by simple random sampling method. The samples were 34 farmers. From the Pala tree the farmers can harvest the seeds, mace, and fruit meat which was processed into Pala syrup. The products most widely used by farmers are seeds and mace. From on the three Pala products produced, the highest average income is from the seed with an average income of Rp. 3,209,252 (70.53%), followed by Pala syrup of Rp. 767,310 (16.86%) and the lowest income is mace products which was 573,356 (12.60%). The highest working time allocation was found in processing of Pala seed products which was 8.85 working time allocation / year (54.16%), mace products of 5.83 working time allocation / year (35.68%) and the lowest in Pala syrup products of 1.66 working time allocation / year (10.16%). The  farmers should cultivate Pala in accordance with the recommendations, as well as processing the fruit meat into various preparations so that farmers' income can increase.Keywords: Income analysis, working time, pal

Comparative Performance of New Agronomic Technology on the Yield Potential of Groundnuts (Arachis hypogaea L.) under Rainfed Agriculture in Guruve District, Zimbabwe

The study was carried out to assess the yield performance of groundnuts grown on ridges and non-ridges by communal farmers of ward 8 in the Guruve district of Mashonaland Central province, Zimbabwe. Interviews, surveys, questionnaires, and observation methods were used for data collection. A sample of 60 respondents was selected from a list of groundnut farmers in the ward. The results showed that 43% of the respondents were growing groundnuts on ridges, while 57% of the respondents were growing groundnuts on non-ridges. No farmers used both farming practices. The results showed that more yield per hectare was obtained by farmers who used ridged farming practices than nonridging techniques. The area planted with groundnuts varied significantly (P<0.001) with the farming practice (ridging and nonridging) and the farming seasons. The rate of adoption of the ridging farming technology was affected by the age of the household head, level of education of the household head, sex, and age of the household head. More females participated in the growing of groundnuts than their male counterparts. In conclusion, groundnut yield was comparatively higher on ridged farming technology than on non-ridging technology; farmers are encouraged to plant groundnuts on ridges to cherish the highest production benefits. However, more training is needed for farmers to take upon new farming technology and regard groundnuts as a cash crop rather than a women's crop as well as to improve the household income

Management and Development of Community-Based Ecotourism Destinations in West Sumatra

This research is based on the assumption that the government and the private sector are in control of the tourism industry which results in the position of the community being neglected and alienated. Therefore there is a need for efforts to empower local communities in managing and developing tourism potential in their area. The concept of Community based tourism is an alternative solution to restore the role and participation of the community in managing and developing this tourism sector. Based on this problem, the researcher tries to formulate research questions, namely; how is the management and development of community-based ecotourism destinations in West Sumatra? The objectives of this research include: 1) To describe and analyze how community-based ecotourism is managed and developed. 2) To describe the impact of community-based ecotourism management and development on the social, economic, and surrounding environment. The research method uses a qualitative approach with data collection techniques through field studies by collecting primary and secondary data. The data obtained will be reduced, presented and conclusions drawn which are the relationship between the existing theory and qualitative analysis which can provide an overview of the research problem. The results of the study explain that the management of ecotourism destinations in the research location is based on the community through tourism awareness groups formed by the community itself. The level of community participation is quite high both in planning, implementing, and evaluating management and development activities. As for the impact felt by the surrounding community, it is quite positive socially, economically and environmentally. In the future, there is a need to increase the capacity of tourism awareness groups as well as improve management and collaboration with other parties in improving suggestions and better ecotourism destinations

Effect of Zeba (Super absorbent polymer) to combat the impacts of increased temperature and irrigation interval on growth and yield attributes of Chilli (Capsicum annum)

It is very important to use adaptation technologies in crop fields to mitigate the adverse effect of increasing temperature and limited amount of water on crop growth and yield. Application of Super Absorbent Polymers is one of the technologies which can be used to overcome the impacts. This study was conducted at the Open University of Sri Lanka, during the period of 2019 to 2021. Experimental design consisted with three factors, i.e. temperature conditions (32-33 0C and 35-360C), irrigation intervals (3days, 5days and 8days) and application of Zeba (Super Absorbent Polymers) (2g of Zeba and with not Zeba). Treatments were arranged in Complete Randomized Design with three replicates. Growth and yield parameters of chilli were collected and statistical analysis of the data (ANOVA) was performed using Three-Factor Factorial Design and compared for the significance by using a Revised Least Significant Difference  test at p=0.05. According to the results, Zeba positively influences to mitigate the adverse effect of increased temperature and water stress condition imposed by longer irrigation interval. Under ambient temperature condition, treatment with Zeba, three day irrigation interval showed the highest yield of chilli. However, the yield of that crop was not significantly different from the treatments with five day irrigation interval and eight day irrigation interval under ambient temperature condition with Zeba. Therefore, due to the no significant difference, treatment with Zeba and eight day irrigation interval can be named as the best cost-effective treatment which can be used to cultivate with limited amount of water under ambient temperature condition. Under increased temperature condition, treatment with Zeba, three day irrigation interval showed the highest yield. However, it is not significantly different from the treatment of five day irrigation interval, with Zeba under increased temperature condition. Therefore, under increased temperature condition, irrigation interval can be extended up to five day when plants were treated with Zeba

FARMLAND ACCESS AND INTERGENERATIONAL FARM TRANFER AMONG COCOA FARMERS IN SOUTH- WEST, NIGERIA

The study focused on the farmland access and intergenerational farm transfer among cocoa farmers in South-west, Nigeria. The objectives of the study were to investigate cocoa farmers ‘accessibility to land holdings, determine cocoa farmers’ perceived timing of intergenerational farm transfer among others. A multistage sampling procedure was used to select 342 cocoa farmers. The data were collected through interviewer administered questionnaire and analysed using descriptive statistics and multinomial logistic regression. Results showed that majority of the respondents were male (77.0%), having farm size of 5 ha and below (84.9%), the mean age of the respondents was 58 years while the mean household size was 6. The result shows that majority (89.6%) of the respondents had access to their cocoa farmland by purchase, perceived timing of intergenerational farm transfer plan is after the farmer‘s demise (72.2%) and preferred their son (86.4%) to be their successor. However, alternate plan for those who have not identified a successor preferred to sell off (45.6%) the farm. The highest ranked constraint to farmland access was high cost of land with the mean = 2.89. Result shows positive correlation between respondents ‘age (r =0.222, p =0.000), farm size (r= 0.051, p=value 0.000), and access to farmland. The study concluded that cocoa farmers had access to their farmland by purchase with majority having not identifying possible successor. The study recommended that relevant stakeholders should create awareness and train cocoa farmers on the need to identify and engage possible successors early in order to ensure family farm sustainability.Â

Synergism of Tephrosia vogelii and Piper aduncum Based Nanoemulation Against Spodoptera frugiperda

The botanical insecticide nanoemulsion is a pesticide having an oil phase and aqueous phase that spontaneously emulsify and range in size from 20 to 200 nm. Bio-combi extracts frequently contain intricate combinations of active ingredients that may work in concert to increase bioactivity. The goal of the study was to develop the optimal nanoformulation and investigate the physiological effects of a synergistic nanoemulsion made from Tephrosia vogelii leaves and Piper aduncum fruit extracts as a substitute pesticide for Spodoptera frugiperda larvae. Low-energy spontaneous emulsification with a magnetic stirrer was used to create nanoemulsions, which were then subjected to a toxicity and food absorption test. Malvern's Zetasizer Nano (ZN), which was used to analyze the insecticidal nano formulae for PSA, revealed that the particle sizes for the 1:1, 3:1, and 1:5 ratios were 204 nm, 4724 nm, and 97 nm, respectively. Only the 1:5 formula, which is classified as a nanoparticle, met the standards for a nanoemulsion and produced S. frugiperda mortality of 82.34% at a concentration of 0.56%, and the LC25, LC50, and LC95 values were 0.1, 0.22, and 1.59%, respectively. The analyzable results demonstrated that the mixed nanoemulsion was additive at the LC50 value was 0.95 while the LC95 value was 0.70%, meaning only marginally synergisti

Clove-Based Local Economic Development in Lede Sub-District, Taliabu Island District North Maluku Province

This study aimed to identify and describe the clove agribusiness system and its economic prospects in supporting local economic development in Lede District, Taliabu Island Regency, North Maluku Province. The research was conducted using descriptive qualitative method. The results of this study suggest that Lede sub-district is one of the sub-district areas that is the base of clove agricultural development in Taliabu Island district. The developed clove commodity involves most of the farmers in the Lede Sub-district area, with a large development area, coupled with a high level of productivity. The clove commodity has potential economic value and has contributed to household income and the quality of clove farmers' welfare. To realize local economic development efforts based on the clove commodity, it is necessary to have the intervention of various parties, especially the local government and the private sector, both on the intervention in the scale of on farm and off farm activities, especially on a number of interventions related to infrastructure and superstructure supporting agricultural production activities, capital, to marketing management aspects and efforts to increase the economic added value of the clove commodity developed

Traditional institution for enhancing the sustainability of irrigation management in West Sumatra Indonesia

Indigenous institutions that have been existing within the community for hundreds of years ago can contribute to effective natural resources management, especially by encouraging farmers' participation in irrigation activities. However, due to a new institution introduced by the Indonesian government, such as the water users' Associations ("P3A" in Bahasa), institutional problems, such as low participation from farmers in irrigation activities, have occurred in some regions where the traditional institution has been disappearing from irrigation management. Nevertheless, some communities appropriately manage the irrigation system by integrating traditional institutions into the current irrigation system. This study aims to re-assess the importance of the traditional institution in managing irrigation systems in West Sumatra. The qualitative method was used to collect data in Agam district from January 2022 to August 2022. Two P3As (P3A Karya Mandiri dan P3A Jorong Biaro) were selected to evaluate the traditional institution in irrigation management. This study found that matrilineal land ownership (ulayat kaum in Minangkabau language) can ensure irrigation water supply for each system and the continuity of rice farming. Furthermore, mufakat (deliberation to reach consensus) in determining irrigation management can encourage farmers' participation in irrigation activities and avoid conflict over water, especially during the dry condition. To re-implement indigenous institution in irrigation management, collaborative action must be performed to create mutual understanding regarding indigenous institutions between farmers and policy makers

Biobased Materials for Agricultural Applications

Zein-based biomaterials were used as alternatives to plastic to produce spray-on mulching films and horticulture pots. Spray-on zein-based mulching films were prepared using basic zein solutions in water solidified with either potassium salts or acetic acid. In the lab, zein mulching films decreased moisture loss by approximately 10% over a 16 days period, reduced phosphorus runoff by 70%, and prevented soil erosion upon exposure to simulated rainfall events. Healthy growth of cherry radishes and pickling cucumbers was observed with zein mulch solidified with potassium phosphate and glacial acetic acid, indicating that zein mulch is a promising alternative to plastic mulching films. Moreover, zein was used to produce horticulture pots in combination with either linseed or tung oil. Zein pots did not degrade upon exposure to either -18℃ for seven days or outdoor sun for seven days or when they were submerged in aqueous solutions at pH 4, 6, and 9. Food grade dyes were incorporated into the potting material to enhance visual appeal without affecting the integrity of the zein material. Heirloom radish seeds germinated in zein pots were taller compared to those grown in commercial peat pots, indicating that zein pots can be successfully use

Covid-19 Pandemic Impact on the Deteriorating Street Function

Since the pandemic hit the globe in 2020, it has changed the street's image. The street remains silent due to the COVID-imposed lockdown. The streets, usually bustling with people and activities, were near silent. The commencement practice of "social-distancing" has brought dramatic changes in street usage, where streets portray as a place for active travel, mobility, and connecting people. Thus, this paper reviews the present effect of changing street behavior based on existing literature. Qualitative analysis was performed using content analysis to elaborate on the impact of street function during this pandemic. Activities on the street such as walking, cycling, gathering, and social events have impacted and limited participation in public. However, the street plays a vital role in supporting physical and mental well-being, as mentioned in SDG 11: Make the cities and human settlements inclusive, safe, resilient, and sustainable. The findings of this study will help ensure that streets can become a public health approach and risk reduction for people to engage in outdoor activities. Therefore, streets serve as the primary hope in overcoming the pandemic and how the city and people can have inclusive and safe access to the streets throughout the pandemic. We believe that social distancing should not preclude social interaction