This paper examines the determinants of participation in an outsourced extension programs and its impact of smallholder farmers' net farm income in Msinga, KwaZulu-Natal, South Africa. A multi-stage sampling technique was used to obtain cross-sectional farm-level data from a sample of 300 farm households, using a structured questionnaire for the interview. The determinants and impacts of participation were estimated using the propensity score matching (PSM) to account for sample selection bias.
The present study was commissioned to carry out an update of the “Integrated Agricultural Research for Development (IAR4D)” with a view to evaluating the quantitative and qualitative impact of the several outcomes on stakeholders in the The sub-Saharan Africa Challenge Program (SSA CP). The present study is also to validate the hypotheses that the IAR4D (i) works (ii) delivers more benefits than the conventional R&D method and (iii) can be scaled out and up beyond the current area of operation.
Most micro-level studies on the impact of agricultural technologies build on cross-section data, which can lead to unreliable impact estimates. Here, we use panel data covering two time periods to estimate the impact of tissue culture (TC) banana technology in the Kenyan small farm sector. TC banana is an interesting case, because previous impact studies showed mixed results. We combine propensity score matching with a difference-in-difference estimator to control for selection bias and account for temporal impact variability.
The field of precision agriculture increasingly utilize and develop robotics for various applications, many of which are dependent on high accuracy localization and attitude estimation. Special attention has been put towards full attitude estimation by low-cost sensors, in relation to the development of an autonomous field robot. Quaternions have been chosen due to its continuous nature, and with respect to applications in the pipeline with on other platforms.
This paper is divided into three sections. First, presents the strenghts and weaknesses of each of the three main sectors: the public sector, the private sector and the NGO sector. Second the author will discuss the advantages and disadvantages of Public-Private Partnerships. Thirs it will touch on the importance of the value chain concept by using the example of successful collaboration between the three sectors to improve the smallholder indigenous poultry sector in Kenya, a project introduced and implemented by Winrock International
This policy brief shows how digital tools can help to ensure that public money for agricul-tural extension is spent wisely. Governments often fund offices, training centers, and the salaries of extension officers, but cannot eas-ily review the impacts of these expenditures. This is because the activities of extension agents are not monitored systematically. Ex-ension services rarely generate quantitative data on the effects of their work.
This report is a summary of the several activities pursued within the Program of Accompanying Research for Agricultural Innovation (PARI) to contribute to sustainable agricultural growth, food and nutrition security in Africa and India. The Institute of Agricultural Engineering, Tropics and Subtropics worked in the identification of technological innovations and further intervention in the dairy value chain, offering a potential solution for cooling milk from the earliest stage of milk production and
The aim of the paper is to analyze the possibilities to improve the market capability of small farms in Latvia. Therefore the paper deals with the factors constraining development plans of small farm holders, the current possibilities for improving small farm market capability, the possible development strategies to choose, and proposals for the improvement of small farm market capability in Latvia.
The implementation and ongoing adoption of agricultural sustainability tools are challenging and not well addressed in the literature on sustainability assessment. Co-production of sustainability assessment and reporting systems between researchers and stakeholders has been promoted to increase the successful adoption of sustainability tools. Scientific attention has focused primarily on the development of sustainability assessment tools and has given less attention to the factors that encourage or discourage adoption and implementation.
The importance of extension services in helping smallholder farmers to address the many challenges of agricultural production cannot be over-emphasized. However, relatively few studies have been conducted that investigate how the capacities of agricultural extension agents can be built to more effectively assist smallholder farmers in managing climate risks and impacts. As climate change is a key threat to smallholder food production, addressing this issue is increasingly important.