Article
Agriculture, Multidisciplinary
Immaculate Babirye, Florence Nakazi, Eliud Abucheli Birachi, Jackline Bonabana Wabbi, Michael Adrogu Ugen, Gabriel Elepu
Summary: In Kenya, the elites and middle classes are shifting towards consuming convenient processed foods. This study examines the structure and performance of the processed common bean market in Kenya, finding oligopolistic tendencies among processors and more competition among distributors. Initial investment and limited product market are barriers for new entrants, and medium-scale processors should be supported with tax exemptions to compete with established brands and break the oligopoly. There is a need for advertising locally-produced products and distribution strategies to maintain competition and low stock turnover.
COGENT FOOD & AGRICULTURE
(2023)
Article
Agriculture, Multidisciplinary
Belay Tolera, Andargachew Gedebo, Esayas Tena
Summary: The study aimed to estimate variability, heritability, and genetic advance for 196 sugarcane genotypes. Variance analysis showed significant variation among genotypes in all evaluated traits. Except for stalk length and single cane weight, the widest ranges of variability were found within the genotypes from fuzz. The traits of number of sprouted buds, number of tillers, and cane yield had high levels of heritable genetic variations, indicating the potential for improvement through phenotypic selection.
COGENT FOOD & AGRICULTURE
(2023)
Article
Agriculture, Multidisciplinary
Samuel Ochora, Junior Senyonga Kasima, Wilfred Marion Okot, Elly Kurobuza Ndyomugyenyi
Summary: Despite efforts to improve Uganda's chicken production, there has been limited research on the performance of local x improved chicken crosses under common management systems. This study aimed to assess the performance of these crosses under semi-intensive management in Northern Uganda. The results showed that the hatchability of crossbred chicken eggs was similar to that of local chicken eggs under the semi-intensive system.
COGENT FOOD & AGRICULTURE
(2023)
Article
Agriculture, Multidisciplinary
Alula Tafesse, Gezahagn Gechere, Alemayehu Asale, Abrham Belay, John W. W. Recha, Ermias Aynekulu, Zerihun Berhane, Philip M. M. Osano, Teferi D. D. Demissie, Dawit Solomon
Summary: Maize is a crucial crop for smallholder farmers in Africa, but its market penetration is hindered by various factors. This study, based on data from 360 smallholder maize growers in southern Ethiopia, used inferential statistics and the Heckman two-stage sample selection econometric model to analyze the factors influencing farmers' participation in maize trading. The findings revealed that factors such as household head age and sex, maize price, household size, farm experience, market distance, access to transportation, frequency of extension contact, land size, amount of credit received, market information, and off-farm income significantly impact market participation. Improving road infrastructure and access to market information in potential maize production areas are essential for increasing maize trading.
COGENT FOOD & AGRICULTURE
(2023)
Review
Agriculture, Multidisciplinary
Amrit Sharma, Shaurav Sharma, Pankaj Kumar Yadav
Summary: The use of entomopathogenic fungi (EPF) has been increasing in recent years for managing crop insect pests. EPF are considered safer and more sustainable than synthetic insecticides, as well as target-specific. They can control economically important pests, are cheaper in the long run, have lesser residual effects, and can overcome resistance issues. EPF degrade the host cuticle, secrete toxins, and produce spores capable of infecting other hosts. Different commercial formulations of EPF are available globally. Specialized research is necessary to optimize the formulation of mycoinsecticides and enhance their efficacy in sustainable agriculture.
COGENT FOOD & AGRICULTURE
(2023)
Article
Agriculture, Multidisciplinary
Abdillah Abdillah, Ida Widianingsih, Rd Ahmad Buchari, Heru Nurasa
Summary: This systematic literature review study aims to identify, review, and study the trend of scientific publications on urban farming in realizing the resilience of developing cities in Indonesia. The study explores urban farming as a response to food security and economic crisis, and examines its role in urban resilience. It provides guidelines and recommendations for urban agriculture studies in Indonesia, serving as scientific data and policy notes. The findings highlight the potential of urban farming in promoting urban resilience in Indonesia.
COGENT FOOD & AGRICULTURE
(2023)
Article
Agriculture, Multidisciplinary
Kinyili Mutua, Muendo M. Kavoi, Dagmar Mithoefer
Summary: This paper examines the determinants of retailers' awareness and attitudes towards baobab products. The findings indicate a low level of awareness but positive attitudes among retailers. The study recommends the development of educational and training programs to enhance awareness, as well as investment in the baobab value chain and infrastructure by governments and the private sector.
COGENT FOOD & AGRICULTURE
(2023)
Article
Agriculture, Multidisciplinary
Nana Danapriatna, Ismarani Ismarani, Moh Dede
Summary: This study aimed to assess the potential of biochar and biological fertilizers to improve soil quality and rice productivity. The optimal combination of 10 grams of biochar with three times of fertilizer (10BC+BF) was found to significantly affect N, P, and K in the soil and increase rice yield.
COGENT FOOD & AGRICULTURE
(2023)
Article
Agriculture, Multidisciplinary
Godfrey Obwina Atsiaya, Eric Obedy Gido, Kenneth Waluse Sibiko
Summary: With global climatic shifts and increase in greenhouse gases emissions, agriculture is largely affected, especially smallholder farmers. Climate-smart agricultural practices offer a solution to adapt to climate change and act as carbon sinks. However, the uptake of these practices among smallholder sorghum farmers in Busia County is still low.
COGENT FOOD & AGRICULTURE
(2023)
Article
Agriculture, Multidisciplinary
Nayda Patricia Arias Duque, Jose de Jesus Agustin Flores Cuautle, Pablo Fernando Grajales Carrillo, Oscar Giraldo-Osorio, Gemima Lara Hernandez
Summary: Social dependence on soil for fertility and food security has led to poor management practices worldwide. Understanding soil thermal properties, fertility, and chemistry is crucial for better crop planning in the context of a sustainable bioeconomy.
COGENT FOOD & AGRICULTURE
(2023)
Article
Agriculture, Multidisciplinary
Kamaru Abubakari, Gilbert Dagunga, Benjamin Tetteh Anang, Mawuli Yevu, Raymond Mwinwan Galyuon
Summary: E-Agriculture has become prominent in modernizing agriculture in developing nations, like Ghana, and utilizes ICT-mediated tools to promote agricultural production and productivity. Mobile phone usage in agriculture is a key component, however, there is little knowledge of the factors driving access and usage by farmers in Ghana. This study analyzed data from 2,662 respondents and found that factors such as cost of airtime, location of the household, and access to electricity significantly influenced mobile phone usage. Additionally, gender, educational status, and livestock ownership also played a significant role. The study recommends partnership between the National Communication Authority and telecommunication companies to ensure mobile network connectivity in rural areas, adoption of mobile phones by extension agents to reach more farmers, and reduction of tax on airtime for rural dwellers to promote mobile phone usage and increase crop income.
COGENT FOOD & AGRICULTURE
(2023)
Article
Agriculture, Multidisciplinary
Mavis Boimah, Daniela Weible
Summary: The growing exports of European dairy products to West Africa is raising concerns about its impact on the local milk sector in recipient nations. This study focuses on consumer perceptions and preferences, finding that purchase decision is largely influenced by product availability, encouraging the consumption of domestic and imported products.
COGENT FOOD & AGRICULTURE
(2023)
Article
Agriculture, Multidisciplinary
Gurpreet Kaur Dhillon, Amardeep Kour, Bong M. Salazar
Summary: The study used oyster mushroom powder (OMP) to improve the nutritional value of gluten-free (GF) muffins. The addition of 10% and 15% OMP significantly increased the protein, fiber, magnesium, and potassium contents of the muffins. The OMP-enriched muffins were highly accepted and preferred by both gluten-intolerant individuals and gluten-free processors.
COGENT FOOD & AGRICULTURE
(2023)
Article
Agriculture, Multidisciplinary
Vichar Chhom, Takuji W. Tsusaka, Avishek Datta, Mokbul M. Ahmad
Summary: This study examines the factors influencing the sale and profitability of paddy production in Battambang Province, Cambodia. The results demonstrate that paddy farming is profitable with a benefit-cost ratio of around 2.0. Smallholder farmers achieve higher profitability than medium and large-scale farmers due to diseconomies of scale. Education level, household size, land area, and various other factors significantly impact the sale and profitability of paddy production. Appropriate farm policies focusing on increasing paddy fields, expanding irrigation systems, promoting premium rice varieties, and supporting farm gate prices, while reducing input costs, are recommended.
COGENT FOOD & AGRICULTURE
(2023)
Article
Agriculture, Multidisciplinary
Yindong Tong, Xingchen Zhuge, Delin Fang, Jiawen Xie, Yiwen Liu, Yinxing Zhao, Xuejun Wang, Wei He, Peizhe Sun, Zhi Qiao
Summary: This study developed two new indexes, the distance to the nearest cropland (DTNC) of urban residents and the foodshed radius of urban residents (FRUR), to assess China's local food system. The results showed that per-capita DTNC increased by 53% from 1990 to 2015, with a total increase of 8.2 x 10(6) km on a national scale. The estimated FRUR was 10.1 km. The study also predicted that stress on local food supplies will continue to increase until the 2040s, particularly in mega-urban areas. Appropriate spatial planning is necessary for mega-urban regions to ensure long-term sustainability.
JOURNAL OF LAND USE SCIENCE
(2023)
Review
Agriculture, Multidisciplinary
Anh-Thu Nguyen, Carlos Oya, Alice Beban, Christophe Gironde, Rob Cole, Albrecht Ehrensperger
Summary: Agricultural commercialization in the Mekong region has been studied from three research traditions - neoclassical, Marxian political economy, and neopopulist approaches. The neoclassical literature argues for positive impacts on household incomes, while the Marxian political economy tradition highlights social differentiation and negative impacts. The neopopulist perspective finds negative impacts compared to traditional livelihoods. The implications for policy are discussed.
JOURNAL OF LAND USE SCIENCE
(2023)
Article
Agriculture, Multidisciplinary
Victoria Dietze, Peter H. Feindt
Summary: Producing enough healthy food for a globally growing urban population requires efficient and localized food production systems. Controlled-environmental food production systems (CEFPS) are a new approach discussed for sustainable urban food production, but little research has been done on innovation processes of CEFPS. This paper aims to fill this research gap with a conceptual framework called 'urban food production innovation systems' (UFoPrInS), applied to a case study in Berlin. The study identifies the challenges faced by UFoPrInS, including possible failures in infrastructure, interactions, actor capabilities, and institutions, and highlights the need for a comprehensive regulatory framework to support new food production innovations.
INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF AGRICULTURAL SUSTAINABILITY
(2023)
Article
Agriculture, Multidisciplinary
Lucinda Dunn, Tanya Latty, Floris F. Van Ogtrop, Daniel K. Y. Tan
Summary: Insect pests pose a serious threat to rice farmers in Cambodia, impacting livelihoods and food security. The reliance on broad-spectrum pesticides has created a situation of dependence, known as pesticide 'lock-in'. Our study aimed to understand the current pest management practices and underlying knowledge and attitudes of farmers. Results revealed that farmers solely depend on chemical insecticides and lack awareness of beneficial insects. Education and training on pest identification, safe pesticide use, and improved cropping practices are crucial to reduce pesticide dependency among farmers.
INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF AGRICULTURAL SUSTAINABILITY
(2023)
Article
Agriculture, Multidisciplinary
Jing Hua, Haoyu Wang, Mengzhen Kang, Xiujuan Wang, Shaoxin Guo, Fangle Chang, Fei-Yue Wang
Summary: Smallholder farms are prevalent in developing countries, and this trend is expected to continue in China. However, smallholder farmers face challenges such as excessive fertilizer use, low education levels, aging population, limited credit information, and a digital divide. This paper presents a distributed agriculture service system utilizing information and communication technology to bridge the digital gap and provide decision support to smallholder farmers. The system is lightweight, low-cost, and intelligent, offering services such as crop planning, production guidance, and equipment control.
INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF AGRICULTURAL SUSTAINABILITY
(2023)
Article
Agriculture, Multidisciplinary
Boundia Alexandre Thiombiano, Quang Bao Le, Denis Ouedraogo
Summary: Sustainable soil nutrient management (SNM) is crucial for improving soil resources and food security in sub-Saharan African countries. Household behavior in adopting SNM practices varies due to inherent livelihood diversity, which poses a challenge for uniformly implemented policy interventions. This study aims to investigate the heterogeneity in household behavior regarding the adoption of fertilizer use by farmers. Determinants of fertilizer use were analyzed across different farm types, revealing that both common and specific factors influence the adoption of SNM. Taking into account the responsive heterogeneity in SNM adoption behavior is essential for effective policy interventions.
INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF AGRICULTURAL SUSTAINABILITY
(2023)