Mineral fertilizer use in land-scarce conditions: case of Rwanda

Open Access Journal; Published online: 20 Oct 2020This study was undertaken to investigate the use of mineral fertilizer by smallholder farmers in order to understand the set of factors influencing the decisions of smallholder farmers to use fertilizers in land-scarce conditions. Using descriptive analysis and the Cragg’s double-hurdle model, the study identified and analyzed factors that determine smallholder farmer adoption of mineral fertilizers and those that affect the intensity of household mineral fertilizer use. From factors that only influence the decision of smallholder farmers to use mineral fertilizers, distance to fertilizer market and livestock affects it negatively; while farmer association membership, landholding per capita, access to extension services and the size of household affect it positively. The variable “domestic assets” which is a proxy variable for smallholder farmers’ wealth affects only the intensity of use of mineral fertilizers. Literacy of head of household, share of potatoes sold and extension services have an effect on the probability of adoption and intensity of mineral fertilizer use. Improving smallholder farmers’ access to information (extension services and education) and increasing mineral fertilizer profitability through improving agricultural commodity markets are essential for raising both the adoption of mineral fertilizers and the extent of mineral fertilizer use among smallholder farmers in Rwanda

Determinants of productivity of smallholder farmers supplying cassava to starch processors in Nigeria: a baseline evidence

Open Access JournalThe influence of socioeconomic and other household characteristics on the productivity of smallholder farmers supplying cassava to the major commercial starch processors in Nigeria were examined. A multi-stage random sampling technique was used to select 96 farmers working in clusters in selected eight cassava producing states. Data were analyzed using a combination of descriptive and inferential statistics, and multivariate regression techniques. Results revealed the calculated average yield to be 12.39 t/ha thereby leaving an average yield-gap of 7.61 t/ha when compared with an average of 20 t/ha being promoted for farmers under the project. Use of improved varieties (p<0.01) and full-time farming (p<0.05) had significant positive influence on productivity. Also, training, credit use and marital status of farmers influenced productivity positivity at p<0.10 levels. Productivity increased with increase in the variables, but the degree of responsiveness was inelastic in each case. Together the included variables explained 72.1% of the variation in the productivity model. The use of improved cuttings should be accompanied by rigorous but appropriate capacity enhancement programmes to update farmers on modern issues on cassava production and farm management. Empowerment of farmers through linkage to sources of soft loan and other microcredit facilities was recommended, but such efforts should be targeted more on the married and full-time farmers for greater impact

Gender differences in labor allocation in West Africa : A case study of the savannas of Northern Nigeria

Boserup’s in?uential book ‘Women’s Role in Economic Development’ generated debate on gender and development in Africa. Based on a survey of 322 households in northern Nigeria, this paper evaluates gender differences in labor allocation to eight enterprises (crop production, livestock production, processing, fuelwood activities, food gathering, trading, non-farm activities and salaried job) using weighted arithmetic mean. Results indicate that labor allocation to crop production and processing followed sex lines: men allocated most of their labor to crop production (71% by male children, 81% adult males). Women allocated most of their labor to processing (36% female children, 57% adult females). The high concentration of men’s labor on crop production is strong evidence that men, not women alone (as earlier suggested) play important role in agricultural production. The study concluded With research and policy implications ofthe observed labor allocation patterns

Livelihoods and rural wealth distribution among farm households in western Kenya : Implications for rural development, poverty alleviation interventions and peace

The study examined livelihoods and wealth distribution among farm households in western Kenya. Stratified random sampling was used to select 252 households from eight districts. Focus group discussions were used to collect complementary community-level data. Results indicate that average household size was seven persons. The cropping system was over 70% mixed. Agriculture was the main source of livelihoods. Labour was mainly allocated to crop enterprises, with household heads allocating > 50% of their labour to it. Maize (Zea mays) and common beans (Phaseolus vulgaris) were the most important staple/traded food crops. Poultry, followed by cattle dominated livestock enterprises. Few households diversified into small businesses, employment and artisan to enhance livelihoods. Despite this, 5 – 95% of people remained food insecure. Lack of cash and limited land access were the most important factors constraining agricultural development. Although, most households preferred selling produce in markets where prices were better, many not only sold produce but purchased inputs from nearest towns due to high costs of accessing better price markets. Wealth inequality among households was very high, with household wealth Gini-coefficient of 0.52 and per capita wealth Gini-coefficient of 0.55, calling for better interventions targeting to reach most vulnerable/marginal groups and create all-inclusive opportunities