Education and Knowledge Transfer: A Priority for the Future

This is an Executive Interview with Lucas Vokurda, Research Coordinator School of Agriculture and Technology, INHOLLAND University, Netherlandsresearch, capacity building, knowledge transfer, chain management, Food Security and Poverty, Teaching/Communication/Extension/Profession,

EAST AFRICAN COMMUNITY'S TRADE POTENTIAL AND PERFORMANCE WITH EUROPEAN UNION: A PERSPECTIVE OF SELECTED FRUIT AND VEGETABLE COMMODITIES

Based on the impressive growth trend within the export-driven horticulture sector over the past 2-3 decades among the East African Community (EAC) member states, this paper aims at predicting the trade potential and performance of a selected fruits and Vegetables (FVs) within the European market. Within the gravity model framework, based on the Zero Inflated Poisson (ZIP) estimator, we use the out-of sample approach to predict potential trade flows of FVs by using highly disaggregated panel data. In light of ascertaining trade performance of EAC member states' FV commodities within the EU market, we use the Relative Difference index. Empirical results reveal that Asparagus from Kenya has room for trade expansion across all the EU-member states while Beans and pepper from Uganda also have a large un-exploited market within the EU market. Similarly, Beans from Tanzania also have room for trade expansion across many EU member states. Results further revealed that EAC member states exhibit poor trade performance within the EU-market in the various FV commodities, which suggests that there exists some barriers to trade between the EAC and EU. Thus, it is incumbent upon EAC member states to foster trade cooperation in horticultural commodities with the EU member states

Resource Use Efficiency of Millet/Cowpea Intercropping in Niger State, Nigeria

The study examined the profitability and resources-use efficiency of millet/cowpea mixed farmers production in Niger state Nigeria. The primary data for the study was obtained using structured questionnaire administered to 80 randomly sampled farmers in Kotangora Local Government Area of Niger State. Farm budgeting technique and exponential production function were used to analyze the data. The results showed that the estimated gross margin, net farm income, gross ratio, operating ratio and returns on investment are N57,542.42 per hectare, N54,240.40 per hectare, 0.37, 0.31 and 2.15. The regression result shows that seed and family labour were statistically significant at 1% level of probability, while farm size and hired labour were statistically significant at 5% level of probability. The allocative efficiency results show that seeds, family labour and agrochemicals were under-utilized. Farm size and hired labour were over-utilized. Efficiency and productivity could be improved if the farmers use more seed, family labour, agrochemicals, less of hired labour and land.Crop Production/Industries,

Editorial: Climate change, variability and sustainable food systems

Peer Reviewe

Impact of access to credit on farm income: policy implications for rural agricultural development in Lesotho

In this era of rapidly increasing food demand, a sustainable food supply is required to meet such demand. This suggests that capital investment through adequate access to credit is needed to develop the agricultural sector in developing countries including Lesotho. Therefore, this paper examined farmers’ access to credit and its impact on farm income using a three-stage model, namely: Probit, Tobit, and propensity score matching. The study was conducted in Lesotho with a sample size of 100 farmers. The empirical results reveal that access to credit increases net farm revenues by US$116.608 to US$136.894. Furthermore, savings, scale of production, membership of farmer associations and financial record keeping exert significant positive effects on access to credit, while higher interest rates reduce farmers’ likelihood of securing credit from a financial institution. We conclude that adequate access to credit is necessary to promote a sustainable agricultural development and the livelihoods of rural farmers in Africa

Marketing Information Needs and Seeking Behaviour of Smallholder Livestock Farmers in the Eastern Cape Province, South Africa

Profitable marketing and production activities in agriculture depends on the availability of reliable and targeted information, which satisfies the information needs and aligned to the information-seeking behaviour of farmers. This study examined the information needs and information seeking behaviour among 150 smallholder livestock farmers, from a selected province in South Africa. With a survey research design, structured questionnaires were used to collect data from the sample population and analysed using counts, percentages, weighted means for ranking, cross-tabulation and chi-square for tests of significance. The results show a dominance of market price information requirement among farmers (65%), immediate market price information need (38%), high level of need (48%), and a strong reliance on inter-personal sources such as other farmers (36%), phone calls (24%) and auctions (23%) for market information. In addition to this, the listed demographic characteristics of farmers namely age, gender, education, marital status, household size, income and herd size strongly influenced their information seeking behaviour (p<0.05). The study recommends the provision of additional sources of market price information for farmers, and ensuring that personal features of farmers are taken into consideration when designing information service interventions

Marketing Information Needs and Seeking Behaviour of Smallholder Livestock Farmers in the Eastern Cape Province, South Africa

Profitable marketing and production activities in agriculture depends on the availability of reliable and targeted information, which satisfies the information needs and aligned to the information-seeking behaviour of farmers. This study examined the information needs and information seeking behaviour among 150 smallholder livestock farmers, from a selected province in South Africa. With a survey research design, structured questionnaires were used to collect data from the sample population and analysed using counts, percentages, weighted means for ranking, cross-tabulation and chi-square for tests of significance. The results show a dominance of market price information requirement among farmers (65%), immediate market price information need (38%), high level of need (48%), and a strong reliance on inter-personal sources such as other farmers (36%), phone calls (24%) and auctions (23%) for market information. In addition to this, the listed demographic characteristics of farmers namely age, gender, education, marital status, household size, income and herd size strongly influenced their information seeking behaviour (p<0.05). The study recommends the provision of additional sources of market price information for farmers, and ensuring that personal features of farmers are taken into consideration when designing information service interventions

Marketing Information Needs and Seeking Behaviour of Smallholder Livestock Farmers in the Eastern Cape Province, South Africa

Profitable marketing and production activities in agriculture depends on the availability of reliable and targeted information, which satisfies the information needs and aligned to the information-seeking behaviour of farmers. This study examined the information needs and information seeking behaviour among 150 smallholder livestock farmers, from a selected province in South Africa. With a survey research design, structured questionnaires were used to collect data from the sample population and analysed using counts, percentages, weighted means for ranking, cross-tabulation and chi-square for tests of significance. The results show a dominance of market price information requirement among farmers (65%), immediate market price information need (38%), high level of need (48%), and a strong reliance on inter-personal sources such as other farmers (36%), phone calls (24%) and auctions (23%) for market information. In addition to this, the listed demographic characteristics of farmers namely age, gender, education, marital status, household size, income and herd size strongly influenced their information seeking behaviour (p<0.05). The study recommends the provision of additional sources of market price information for farmers, and ensuring that personal features of farmers are taken into consideration when designing information service interventions

Adaptation to Climate Change and Impact on Smallholder Farmers&rsquo; Food Security in South Africa

If not adequately managed, climate change is predicted to have a large negative impact on smallholder subsistence farmers, posing a significant danger to household food security. However, the role of adaptive techniques used by farming households to reduce these negative effects and, as a result, their food insecurity status has not been sufficiently evaluated. This study explores the factors that influence smallholder farmers&rsquo; adoption of climate change adaptation measures, as well as their impact on household food security. Using an endogenous treatment-effect ordered probit model, agricultural households&rsquo; food security status is likely to significantly improve when they employ measures to adapt to adverse climatic conditions. The empirical findings also show that the gender makeup of the household, age, tropical livestock unit, and access to climatic information improve the likelihood of smallholder farmers adopting climate change adaptation measures. Based on the findings, this study advocates that governments and non-governmental organizations (NGOs) support smallholder farmers&rsquo; Indigenous adaptation options with various institutional, regulatory, and technological assistance, with a particular emphasis on female-headed households

Education and Knowledge Transfer: A Priority for the Future

Education is and remains the principal means of building capacity which in turn contributes to the development of society. It is also the single most important factor in determining one's standard of living and income potential. The phrase "knowledge is power" holds a lot of truth. On the other hand, it is a strong driver for value chain improvement, while also contributing to the education system. For an economy to compete in the global marketplace, knowledge transfer and collaboration need to be increased to get research into practice. If the knowledge and learning is to be useful it has to be applied to the areas of life where it can make differences. The focus of this report is on education and knowledge transfer from research or research-related activity. It also discusses the activities of INHOLLAND University in building network with other universities in Visegrad countries with the objective of building capacity in the countries with respect to food safety, quality and chain management