Understanding Farmers’ Use of Improved Maize Seeds in Uganda.
Abstract
While maize is a key crop for national food security and employment, most maize-growing households have small overall average farm sizes and remain highly vulnerable. The overall cultivated area of maize has been increasing, although such growth has not seen a commensurate gain in yields. The government of Uganda is concerned with this situation and has supported farmers with policies and projects to improve maize yields and, thereby, farm incomes. These projects have generated solid evidence showing that the use of improved seed generates higher productivity and financial returns compared with the use of traditional seeds. In spite of this, the use of improved seeds remains low in Uganda.
This paper examines the key factors that influence farmers’ decisions to adopt the use improved maize seeds. To address this objective, a large sample of more than 3,600 maize farmers was analyzed using a binary logistic regression model. We found that maize farmers tend to use improved seeds when they also use fertilizers and pesticides, when improved seeds are obtained from the government and/or purchased from reputable agro-input dealers, and when credit services are readily available.
However, a key factor that prevents small maize farmers from using improved seeds is their overall level of vulnerability. For the majority the risk is too high; rather than embarking on investing in seeds with a promise of higher net returns, they prefer to continue using the relatively cheaper traditional seeds that reduce the risk of family members experiencing hunger and poverty. The government needs to provide an enabling environment to make agricultural insurance available to small farmers if the use of improved seeds is to be expanded significantly.
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Author(s):
Esiobu Nnaemeka Success, Nwaiwu Chinatu Juan, Nwaodu Kingsley Tobechukwu, Nzeadibe Uchechi Ursula, Ubaferem-Nwaoha Odinakachukwu Peace , Agunanne Uchenna Theresa, Osuagwu Chizoma Olivia, Akanda Ndidi Stella, Ugochukwu Goodness Chinmeri.
Page No : 24-42
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What Determines Arable Crop Farmers Climate Change Adaptation Decision? Evidence from Nigeria.
Abstract
Empirical evidence suggests that there has been an increasing negative impact of climate change on the production of arable crops in Sub-Saharan Africa (SSA), particularly in Nigeria. Farmers must critically evaluate and adjust to the challenges presented by climate change in order to build resilience. Global, national, and local adaptation efforts have progressed through international debate, national programs, and community-based initiatives.Adaptation has been seen as a vital component of the all-encompassing, long-term global response to climate change, protecting farmers, livelihoods, and ecosystems. However, even though there are several studies regarding the factors influencing farmers' decisions to adapt to climate change. There is still a need for the present study for a deeper understanding and new knowledge about the discourse. Therefore, it is critical to understand the factors that influence farmers' decisions about climate change adaptation in order to guarantee that the right policies are put in place to support their efforts.In light of this, our study examined the factors that influence arable crop farmers' decisions about climate change adaptation. We made use of cross-sectional data from 144 arable crop farmers who were chosen from critical farming villages in Southeast Nigeria using a standardized questionnaire. To choose farmers who farmed arable crops, we used purposive and multistage sampling techniques. The purposive sampling approach was employed in order to identify regions with a high concentration of farmers producing arable crops.Multinomial logit regression and descriptive statistics were used to analyze the gathered data. Our study found that the arable crop farmers employed a variety of adaptation strategies to manage the climate risks, including migration (Y1), changing the dates of planting and harvesting (Y2), altering tillage operations (Y3), intercropping crops (Y4), crop rotation (Y5), mixed cropping (Y6), agroforestry practices (Y7), introducing well-acclimated crop varieties (Y8), mulching (Y9), and crop and livelihood diversification (Y10). Our study also demonstrates that the following factors influenced the climate change adaptation strategies of arable crop farmers in the study area: sex (X2), age (X1), education (X3), farming experience (X4), household size (X5), farm income (X6), participation in a cooperative (X7), and extension contact (X8). We found that the high cost of climate change adaptation strategies and inadequate knowledge on adaptation strategies, among others, were the barriers facing arable crop farmers adaptation decisions to climate change in the study area. Our study recommended that the arable crop farmers should take advantage of their various cooperative societies so as to jointly pool productive resources and adapt adequately to climate change in the area. Ultimately, it is important that the government strengthen the agricultural extension service system so as to provide up-to-date modern climate change information, training, and capacity building to arable crop farmers for improved yield, income, and standard of living in the study area.
Small Ruminant Animal Rearing as a Strategy for Alleviating Rural Poverty Among Women in Takakume and Falalia Villages, Goronyo Local Government Area Sokoto State.
Abstract
The study was conducted to examine the effect of small ruminant animals production in alleviating rural poverty among women in Takakume and Falalia villages of Goronyo Local Government Area, Sokoto State, Nigeria. In order to achieve the objective of the study, which is to assess the effect of small ruminant animals kept by Women in alleviating poverty in the study area structured questionnaire, were administered to 100 respondents. Multi stage sampling technique was used in the study involving 20 households, 10 from each village. 5 respondents were selected from each household. Socio economic data of livestock keepers was mainly used. Descriptive and inferential statistics were used to analyze the data. The results showed that age, and family size had negative and insignificant effect on the flock size, while education and income had a positive and significant effect on flock size. The study based on its findings concluded that size of the flock kept translates to more income and therefore large number of animal holdings, which is a proxy for poverty alleviation.
