April 2015

Characterization of crop production and marketing to improve food security in Arsi Zone, Ethiopia

Crop production provides food and feed; the community generates income from it to cover household expenses and savings. To improve the productivity of the sector, identification of crop production and marketing constraints in Arsi Zone is important to enhance crop production as intended in the Growth and Transformation Plan. This article aims to characterize the crop production, marketing systems and constraints so as...

Author(s): Bedada Begna, Messay Yami and Eshetu Lemma, Tesfaye Solomom and Tarekegn Etana

April 2015

Managing of risks in agriculture: Benefits of conservation of forest resources in Anambra State, Nigeria

Forest management offers a promising alternative to depletion of forest resources. Continuous degradation of the forest reserve base has major effects on other segments of the economy. This includes reduction of forest cover leading to erosion and soil degradation. This study assessed the roles of farmers in conservation of forest resources; benefits of conservation of forest resources in the area and reasons for loss...

Author(s): E. A. Onwubuya, O. I. Ogbonna, O. C. Ezeobiora and E. N. Ajani

April 2015

Preparing agricultural product marketing for the new AEC market: A case study for improving the marketing organization for farmers in Chiang Rai Province, Thailand

The ASEAN Economic Community (AEC) will be established in 2015 providing challenges both advantageous and otherwise to the agricultural economy of Thailand. The Marketing Organization for Farmers (MOF) intends to develop an integrative business model based on contract farming of native rice turned into a unique product. This study explored the unique agricultural product especially native rice Kiaw Ngu native glutinous...

Author(s): Kanokon Seemanon, Vijitsri Sanguanwongse, Boonjit Titapiwatanakun, Prapinwadee Sirisupluxana, Pornprapa Kikuchi and Masahiro Yamao

April 2015

Influence of demographic characteristics on adoption of improved potato varieties by smallholder farmers in Mumberes Division, Baringo County, Kenya

Potato (Solanum tuberosum L.) is widely consumed as a staple world over with direct consumption by humans as food being 31.3 kg per capita. Ministry of Agriculture through collaborative efforts with other stakeholders has developed improved potato varieties and released them for farmers to plant in Kenya. The main aim of this study was to investigate the influence of selected factors on adoption of improved potato...

Author(s): Isaac Mwaura Njuguna, Catherine Ng’endo Munyua and Susan Kamuru Makal

April 2015

Agricultural extension reforms and development in Uganda

This study was done with the objective of contributing to the policy debate on the changing landscape of agricultural rural services in Uganda. The study examines the perception of Agricultural Extension providers on the new changes in provision of agricultural extension services. Data was collected from twenty two key informants. Result show that political interference is negatively affecting the image of the National...

Author(s): Nana AfranaaKwapong and Ephraim Nkonya

April 2015

Assessment of farm families’ acceptability of small ruminants’ milk for consumption in selected rural communities in Ogun State, Nigeria

A total of 150 rural families were selected to ascertain acceptability of small ruminants’ milk for consumption by rural dwellers in selected rural communities of Ogun State. The result of the study showed that majority of the respondent (38%) consumed milk products such as local cheese commonly referred to as ‘wara’, and this was largely consumed either fresh (38%) or fried (32%). Other milk products...

Author(s): Adewumi, O. O., Lawal-Adebowale, O. A. and Adegbemile, D. A.