Climate Change and Small-Scale Farming: Exploring the Connection between Awareness, Adaptation, and Food Security in the Eastern Cape Province | Chapter 11 | Agricultural Sciences: Techniques and Innovations Vol. 3

 

The agriculture sector plays a crucial role in many African economies, employing around 65–70% of the workforce, supporting 90% of household livelihoods, and accounting for about a quarter of the continent’s gross domestic product. Climate change poses a significant threat to global agriculture, particularly for small-scale farmers who often lack the resources and knowledge to adapt. Ineffective adaptation strategies could exacerbate poverty and food insecurity. This chapter investigated the relationship between climate change awareness, adaptation strategies, and food security among small-scale farmers in the Eastern Cape Province. It aimed to understand the influence of farmers’ climate change awareness on their adaptation decisions and the subsequent effects on agricultural productivity and food security. The study employed a quantitative approach, using multi-stage sampling to survey 200 small-scale farmers through semi-structured questionnaires. Logit regression and endogeneity switching regression models were applied for data analysis. The study results show that small-scale farmers in the Eastern Cape are well aware of climate change and its impacts, particularly reduced farm returns (38%) and yields (36%), which threaten both agricultural productivity and food security. In response, farmers have adopted various strategies, such as crop rotation, improved crop varieties, adjusted planting dates, and mulching or fertilizer application.  For the study site factors such as age, access to climate information, education, proximity to markets, drought frequency, perceptions of temperature and rainfall changes, radio ownership, farm income, farm size, household size and availability of extension services significantly influence adaptation choices. The results indicate that these adaptation strategies have contributed to improved agricultural yields and farm returns, thereby enhancing food security in the area. The chapter concludes with recommendations for governments, agencies and policymakers to support small-scale farmers through targeted policy interventions, strengthen extension services, and develop educational programs aimed at increasing adaptive capacity and building resilience among small-scale farmers.

 

Author(s) Details

Lungile S. Gidi
Department of Agricultural Economics and Animal Science, University of Limpopo, Private Bag X1106, Sovenga 0727, South Africa.

 

Lelethu Mdoda
Discipline of Agricultural Economics, University of KwaZulu-Natal, Private Bag X01, Scottsville, Pietermaritzburg 3209, South Africa.

 

Zoleka Ncoyini-Manciya
Discipline of Agrometeorology, University of KwaZulu-Natal, Private Bag X01, Scottsville, Pietermaritzburg 3209, South Africa.

 

Lwandiso Mdiya
Department of Sustainable Food Systems and Development, University of Free State, Bloemfontein 9300, South Africa.

 

Please see the book here:- https://doi.org/10.9734/bpi/asti/v3/4747

 

Determinants of Compliance with Safety Measures in Pesticide Use among Small-Scale Farmers in Uganda | Chapter 2 | Current Research Progress in Agricultural Sciences Vol. 7

Globally, the use of pesticides is growing day by day, but adequate compliance to safety measures of pesticide use in developing economies is still low and farmers are directly exposed to chemicals which have a negative impact on their health. There is a global challenge mainly manifested in developing economies where compliance to safety measures in the use of pesticides especially by farmers is very low resulting in health challenges. This study therefore aimed at assessing the determinants of compliance to safety measures in the use of pesticide among local farmers in Miirya Sub County of Masindi District, Uganda. The objectives of the study were to identify the individual and institutional determinants related to compliance, then establish the level of compliance and finally determine the association between the different factors and compliance to safety measures in the use of pesticides among small-scale farmers. The target population are the farmers in the Miirya sub-county in the three parishes of Bigando, Isimba and Kigulya parishes and there are 3562 farmers. Systematic random sampling was used to select the final 387 respondents, and a research-administered questionnaire was used to collect data. Data were analysed using both descriptive and inferential statistics, at a 95 % level of significance. Chi-square analysis and binary logistic regression analysis were used to test for significance.

The study found that compliance with pesticide safety measures was low (30.2%). Findings also showed that the majority of the respondents were 40 years and above (66.7%), primary graduates (61.8%), married (84.0%), had high knowledge level (94.8%), negative attitudes towards safe use of pesticides (70.8%), high-risk perception (91.7%), no influence of peers (57.9%), using pesticide toxicity classes II and III (66.7%), never been trained on PPEs (53.2%), never received inspection in the past year (70.5%), and SOPs in place (81.4%). The bivariate logistic regression analysis indicated that farmer’s attitudes, risk perceptions and standard operating procedures (SOPs) in place were significantly associated with compliance with pesticide safety measures (p < 0.05).

The most significant individual factors influencing compliance among the local farmers were established to be attitude and risk perception. These two factors are also critical in increasing compliance in general. The institutional factor most significant was established to be adherence to the standard operating procedures. This factor can easily be implemented through training and exposure of the farmers before and during farming activities. In conclusion, the level of compliance to safe measures in the use of pesticides among farmers was low. Most of the farmers were older than 40 years and had a primary school level of education, were married but had a high appreciation of risk in using pesticides. There is a need to work on improving farmers’ attitudes, sensitizing them about the risks attached to the use of pesticides, and providing SOPs for pesticide use on their farms.

Once the above-mentioned significant factors are targeted, there is bound to be a positive change in the adherence to safety measures. The study therefore strongly recommends that there is a need for local farmers to be made aware of the risks attached to improper use of pesticides and the reinforcement of provisions and adherence to standard operating procedures by the relevant authorities.

Author (s) Details

David R. Mutekanga
School of Graduate Studies, Bugema University, Kampala, Uganda.

 

Scovia Namande
School of Graduate Studies, Bugema University, Kampala, Uganda.

 

Please see the book here:- https://doi.org/10.9734/bpi/crpas/v7/3404

Towards Sustainable Maize Farming in Tanzania: Understanding Yield Predictors among Smallholder Farmers | Chapter 5 | Contemporary Research in Business, Management and Economics Vol. 4

Maize production plays a key role in ensuring global food security, particularly in providing important, low-cost, and nutritious staple food for communities worldwide. This study analyses the factors influencing maize yields among smallholder farmers in Mbinga District. Using a cross-sectional approach and multistage sampling, data were collected from 120 farmers using semi-structured questionnaires and key informant interviews. Analysis using descriptive statistics and multiple regression using the double log model highlights the critical role of farm size, seed quantity, fertiliser application, and units of labour on maize yields in the district. Recommendations from these findings advocate strengthening extension services for farmer education, improving access to affordable agricultural inputs such as seeds and fertiliser through supportive policies, and advocating modern agricultural practices for optimal input use and increased yields. It also suggests facilitating access to credit, promoting market linkages, and investing in infrastructure development to enhance productivity and competitiveness. Promoting research and innovation in agriculture is urged to tailor technologies, crop varieties, and management strategies to local conditions and build resilience to climate-related challenges. These actions can promote agricultural sustainability, livelihoods, and resilience in the study area and contribute to global food security efforts.

Author(s) Details:

Dickson Utonga,
Department of Project Planning and Management, Tengeru Institute of Community Development, P.O. Box 1006, Arusha, Tanzania.

Lusajo Japhet Kamwela,
Department of Project Planning and Management, Tengeru Institute of Community Development, P.O. Box 1006, Arusha, Tanzania.

Please see the link here: https://stm.bookpi.org/CRBME-V4/article/view/14074

Role of Media Technology in Food Production, Kenya Vision 2030 | Chapter 09 | Current Topics in Agricultural Sciences Vol. 6

 Developing countries have experienced higher human population increase in the twenty-first century than in previous centuries. Low food production also contributes to hunger and malnutrition. There are various reasons for insufficient food production, and one of the problems limiting farmers' food production is a lack of solid and useful information. Farmers have found it difficult to get technical assistance in the field due to a lack of clear policies on agricultural extension services. Due to a lack of extension services, a media forum has emerged to empower farmers through video sharing. Farmers are increasingly using media platforms to obtain information that will help them reach their food production goals. Video sharing is one such media outlet that has succeeded in empowering farmers all over the world. Access agriculture has created initiatives that are currently assisting farmers, particularly small-scale farmers, with innovative technologies to improve food production. Farmers are learning, sharing, and watching demonstration films from professionals and other small-scale farmers as a result of the new innovative technology adoption. Farmers can readily apply what they've learned after watching the videos. Access agriculture has produced basic videos in a variety of languages and cultural contexts that can be easily understood by farmers in any part of the world. Agricultural media shows are produced with a simpler content, which is less expensive, quicker, and more accessible to any farmer. The system is based on the use of mobile phones, which are ubiquitous among farmers. Internet connection, DVDs, audio recordings, and computers are just a few of the resources that are being utilised to help farmers improve their understanding of smart agriculture. Kenya is currently experiencing a food shortage, and over 45 percent of the country's population lives in poverty, with small-scale farmers making up the majority of the population. Extension services for farmers and agricultural training institutions have declined over time. The majority of small-scale farmers in rural areas confront significant obstacles when it comes to adopting innovative farming techniques that would otherwise boost food output. This paper investigates the role of Access agriculture's media technology innovation in increasing food production. Methodology Access agriculture data base, field observations from small-scale farmers practise, desk top review, and interactions with key informants in Kenya provided the data for this work. The media platform technology has [played a critical part in empowering farmers and building a media platform for sharing information on the best agricultural practises, which is now boosting farmers' skills and techniques and leading to food solutions in Kenya. More than half of Kenyan farmers have benefited from the distribution of training films. The majority of agricultural movies provide appealing and enticing information about agricultural demonstration techniques, changing farmers' perceptions and attitudes, particularly among young people, who are growing more interested in farming and thereby increasing food production. The outcomes of this research project will be utilised to develop methods to help farmers enhance food production by bringing in young farmers with the energy and technology to produce enough food for the country and beyond.

Author(S) Details

Eliud Garry Michura
Kabarak University, Kenya.

View Book:- https://stm.bookpi.org/CTAS-V6/article/view/6219