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Doctor of Philosophy / Department of Agricultural Economics / Vincent Amanor-Boadu / The drop in average U.S. net farm income from 2014 through 2016 has indicated that current risk management options available to farmers have not fully mitigated the risks associated with farming. Although there are more risk management tools available to farmers today than there have been in the past, there is still a need to improve upon the available options and create new ways of securing agricultural production into the future. In an effort to improve how farmers cope with risk and uncertainty, system resilience concepts have started to find applications in production agricultural research. Agricultural resilience can generally be defined as the ability of an agricultural production system to return to normal (or improved) operations after having experienced an unexpected economic or environmental shock. The contribution of this research was to conduct an empirical analysis of farm resilience based on existing theories in system and agricultural resilience. A conceptual model was developed to apply an existing resilience measure, the resilience triangle, to a production agriculture setting and a model of farm resilience was constructed based on the existing literature in agricultural resilience. In this model, farm resilience is driven by three defining capabilities: buffering capability, adaptive capability, and transformative capability. The data for this analysis was obtained from the Kansas Farm Management Association (KFMA). Based on the literature review and the conceptual framework, resilience triangle areas were computed for individual farms during two distinct periods of economic shock, 1980 and 1998. An index of farm resilience was generated from the resilience triangle areas, which were then used as dependent variables in the econometric analysis. A fractional response logit model was estimated to test hypotheses about the impact of the different resilience capabilities on overall resilience index values. The results of the analysis indicated that there are differences in the ways that buffering and adaptive capabilities impact overall farm resilience, however there were not conclusive findings that buffering capabilities were stronger among the resilient farms as compared to the non-resilient farms. These results indicate that farm resilience is driven by both buffering and adaptive capabilities jointly. Even though buffering capabilities are important at the outset of a shock, the farm will then need adaptive capabilities to recover from the initial impact of the shock.

The objective of this study was to provide a more complete understanding of the changing pace and nature of production and productivity growth in South African agriculture during the 20th century and the associated changes in research and development (R&D) investments and institutions that affect agricultural input, output and productivity performance. A completely new panel of data was constructed to track investments in agricultural R&D and scientific capacity that took account of the numerous structural and organizational changes that shaped public R&D since 1910. The national agricultural production accounts were also revised to address the legacy of South Africa's history of racial segregation and a multitude of problems that arose in the official time series data due to changes in the underlying statistical methods and procedures. With these new output and input data in hand the evolution of production agriculture over the past century was quantified and described. The modern indexing methodologies deployed in this study, in conjunction with new primary price and quantity data yielded new insights into the economic evolution of South African agriculture over the past century. This study analyses the changing historic patterns of public sector investment in the agricultural sector and identifies the phases in policy evolution against the trends in aggregate spending on agriculture, farmer support and R&D. Following an initial phase of scientific capacity building, the R&D system developed a measure of synergy in its activities as evident in the spending patterns of the national and regional institutes from 1926 to 1971. The concordance of policy and institutional changes with R&D investment, output and productivity trends in the funding of the various research entities came to an end in 1980, and overall public investment in agricultural R&D has stalled since 1978. Growth patterns in multi-factor productivity estimated in this study substantially differ from earlier studies, especially in terms of magnitude, and present different results on the estimates of the growth in agricultural output that is attributable to productivity growth. It was found that not only did the earlier methods yield indexes that overstate growth patterns — thus suffering from aggregation bias in their index numbers — but trended more erratically and in poor concordance to the timing of policy changes. / Thesis (PhD)--University of Pretoria, 2013. / Agricultural Economics, Extension and Rural Development / PhD / Unrestricted

Thesis (M.Sc. (Agricultural Economics)) -- University of Limpopo, 2015 / The role of agriculture in poverty alleviation in the rural areas has been acknowledged and supported in South Africa. In former homelands, households generate livelihoods from agriculture and agricultural related activities. However, in some areas, the role of agriculture in alleviating poverty has not been appreciated but instead households participate in off-farm activities more frequently. Bushbuckridge area in the Mpumalanga province is such an area with few households engaging in agriculture. The study aims to investigate the determinants of household participation in agricultural production in Shatale region of Bushbuckridge Local Municipality (BLM). The study had three objectives; the first objective was determine socio-economic factors influencing household labour participation in agricultural production, the second was to analyse socio-economic factors influencing the amount of time allocated to agricultural production and the third objective was to analyse household income diversification in Shatale region of BLM. Multi-stage sampling and stratified sampling approaches were used to collect primary data from 86 households in ward 7 and ward 13 in Shatale region of Bushbuckridge Local Municipality (BLM). The double-hurdle model which comprises a probit model and a truncated regression model was used to analyse the data on assumption that the decision to participate in agricultural production and the amount of time allocated are influenced by different factors. Income diversity was analysed using the Number of Income Sources (NIS) method. The results of the first hurdle showed that gender of the household head, highest level of education, occupation of the household head, access to irrigation water, access to extension service and farming experience negatively influenced household participation in agricultural production and age of the household head and land size positively influenced household participation in agricultural production. The results of the second hurdle showed marital status of the household head, infants and irrigation water negatively influenced the amount of time allocated in agricultural production. Land size and farming experience positively influenced the amount of time allocated in agricultural production. About 49% of the households’ diversified income into four sources and 18.6 percent diversified into on five sources on incomes which included farming, old age pension, child support grant, trading and remittances. There is a need of government intervention in Shatale region to encourage household participation in agricultural production. Government can intervene through provision of land for farming, capacitating farming households, infrastructural development, increasing extension support services to farming households and expansion of canal networks.

The decline in agricultural productivity in Nigeria is linked to a host of factors ranging from unsustainable growth policies, inadequate funding and infrastructures, low levels of value added through processing, low commodity prices, unstable markets, poor extension services and low rates of literacy. It is now well recognised that there is a need to diversify Nigerian agriculture as well as improving production performances. This study investigates the potential of cassava root tuber (CRT), as a means to promote agricultural growth. It assesses cassava production, profitability, efficiency, marketing structures and channels, constraints in production, the potential to add value by processing cassava into gari (a fermented, roasted, and dried granule) and its marketing at the farm level. These were supplemented by a critical review of policies and programmes, including trend analysis of cultivated area, production, yield and prices of major crops including cassava at the national level covering the period 1970–2009. The study surveyed 315 cassava producers (including 278 gari processors), 105 marketers involved in cassava marketing and 30 stakeholders from three regions in the Delta State, Nigeria. Descriptive statistics are used to analyse the socio-economic characteristics of the sample. In addition, profitability of CRT and gari and their marketing were assessed by benefit-cost analysis. Furthermore, productivity and efficiency of CRT and gari and their determinants were analysed using non-parametric DEA followed by Tobit regressions. Results indicate that cassava production and processing is profitable in all regions and for all farm size categories. The BCR is estimated at 2.83 and 1.22 for CRT and gari, respectively. However, the yield level of CRT and gari is very low, estimated at 7.7 t/ha and 4.7 t/ha, respectively. Also, efficiency levels are very low and vary by farm size as well as regions, with large scale producers relatively more efficient. Marketing of cassava in any form is profitable and efficient (Marketing Efficiency>1 in all cases) and profitability varies widely across regions. Provision of water was identified as the main constraint in processing, followed by shortage of electricity and poor marketing infrastructure. The review of past policies and trend analysis revealed inconsistent policies and fluctuations in agricultural productivity, but also showed increases in total production mainly driven by expansion of the area cultivated during later years, for cassava in particular. The policy implications include: (a) increased provision of modern technologies, use of improved varieties and modern technology; (b) land reform policies to consolidate farm size; (c) investment in elements of marketing infrastructure; and (d) improvements in extension services. Despite inconsistencies in policies, cassava stood out as a robust and resistant crop which provides confidence that targeted investment in the cassava sector will contribute to development of Nigerian agriculture.

Made available in DSpace on 2015-04-20T12:31:34Z (GMT). No. of bitstreams: 1 Heron Salazar Costa.pdf: 2094501 bytes, checksum: c0e05f26694e07570e237464755f7a3b (MD5) Previous issue date: 2007-04-09 / Coordenação de Aperfeiçoamento de Pessoal de Nível Superior / The agricultural production is influenced by a series of factors, such as microbial activity, devaluing the quality of products or causing losses. However, microorganisms can be use in agricultural production. An example of significant contribution is given by the use of fixative bacteria of nitrogen in soy and sugar-cane, but other bacteria can also contribute to the increase of vegetable production, as by example, the Plant-Growth-Promoting-Rhizobacteria (PGPR) in the commercial commercial production of seedlings. Although the mechanisms of action of the PGPR still are going to be better cleared, already is consensus that the production of regulating of the growth vegetable, as Indol Acetic Acid (IAA), and the inhibition of the action of patógenos, be for competition or by straight antagonism due to secretion of antibiotics, are two examples of possible mechanisms involved in the promotion of the growth vegetable. The nutrition of the plants is another example of possible mechanism of advantage. The most classic example of that is the solubilization of mineral phosphates. Considering the fact then, in 2002, the federal government demonstrated interest in promoting the recuperation of the cacao tilling stimulating the adoption of resistant variety to the witch´s broon (Crinipellis perniciosa (Stahel) Singer), was prepared a project with objective to isolate PGPR be having potential for application in the process of commercial production of seedlings of cocoa tree. The justification at the time, was it of that the results might favor the development of process of production, of seedlings of cocoa tree with quality in less time in nursery, reducing so the costs of production. The screening tests were executed using seedlings of cocoa tree like plants traps for capture of PGPR. The seedlings of cocoa tree were cultivated in substrates formed from samples of soils collected in five sites representing three different ecosystems with historical of cocoa cultivation. A total of two hundred an ninety four (294) isolated was obtained from capture tests, of which eighteen (18) ones were identified as producers of quitinases, four (4) as producer of phosphatases, and five (5) as producers of AIA. Eleven (11) isolated were used in two tests to checking their effects on seedlings of cocoa tree. However, none presented effects of promotions of growth statistically add to ten per cent (10%) was observed when compared to seedlings cultivated without inoculation. Though, isolated with pointed characteristics related whit capacity of promotion of growth have also been tested, significant results were not obtained to indicated a potential of commercial use. However, is possible to conclude that the use of PGPR in the process of commercial production of seedlings of cocoa may be viable, but identification of isolated with this potential depends on more detailed works. / A produção agrícola sofre influência de uma série de fatores, entre os quais a atividade microbiana, muitas vezes depreciando a qualidade dos produtos ou causando perdas. No entanto, microrganismos podem ser usados em proveito da agricultura. Um exemplo de contribuição é o uso de bactérias fixadoras de nitrogênio no cultivo de soja e cana-de-açúcar. Outras bactérias também podem ter uso agrícola, como por exemplo, as Rizobactérias Promotoras do Crescimento de Plantas (RPCP) na produção comercial de mudas. Embora os mecanismos de ação das RPCP ainda precisam de mais esclarecimentos, já é consenso que a produção de reguladores do crescimento vegetal, como AIA (ácido Indol acético), e a inibição da ação de patógenos, seja por competição ou por antagonismo direto devido a secreção de antibióticos, são dois exemplos de possíveis mecanismos envolvidos no processo de promoção do crescimento vegetal. Outro exemplo de mecanismo possivelmente envolvido é o favorecimento da nutrição mineral das plantas. O exemplo mais clássico disso é a solubilização de fosfatos. Considerando o fato de que, em meados de 2002, o governo federal buscava promover a recuperação da lavoura cacaueira, incentivando a adoção de variedades resistentes à vassoura-de-bruxa (Crinipellis perniciosa (Stahel) Singer), foi elaborado um projeto pesquisa experimental com o objetivo específico de isolar e caracterizar bactérias promotoras do crescimento de plantas com potencial de uso no processo de produção comercial de mudas de cacaueiro (Theobroma cacao L.). Como justificativa, foi argumentado que os resultados poderiam favorecer o desenvolvimento de processos de produção de mudas de cacaueiro com qualidade em menor tempo de viveiro, diminuindo assim os custos de produção. Assim sendo, foram executados ensaios usando-se mudas de cacaueiro como plantas armadilhas para isolamento de rizobactérias. Mudas de cacaueiro foram cultivadas em substratos formados a partir de amostras de solos coletadas em cinco localidades representando três diferentes ecossistemas com históricos de cultivo de cacau. Com os ensaios de isolamento foram obtidos duzentos e noventa e quatro (294) isolados, dos quais foram identificados dezoito (18) produtores de quitinases, quatro (04) solubilizadores de fosfatos e cinco (05) produtores de AIA. Onze (11) isolados foram usados em dois testes para verificação dos efeitos em mudas de cacaueiro, no entanto, nenhum deles apresentou efeitos de promoção de crescimento estatisticamente superior a dez por cento (10%) em relação às mudas cultivadas sem inoculação. Tanto os isolados identificados como produtores de quitinases quanto os produtores de AIA que foram usados nos testes com planta não apresentaram resultados significativos a ponto de indicarem um potencial de uso comercial. Contudo, concluiu-se que o uso de rizobactérias no processo de produção comercial de mudas de cacaueiro ainda pode ser viável, mas a identificação de isolados com esse potencial depende de um trabalho mais detalhado.

Magister Artium (Development Studies) - MA(DVS) / Agriculture is the chief economic activity in many rural communities and women who make up the majority of the rural dwellers play a focal role in this sector. Despite efforts aimed at promoting women’s rights and ensuring gender equality in development, researchers have shown that women are still marginalised and have less access to productive resources needed for effective agricultural production. Using quantitative and qualitative research methodologies, the research investigated the nature and the extent of women’s participation in agricultural production at Marange Irrigation Scheme in Marange Communal Land, Zimbabwe. The participatory development theory was employed to guide the research. Data collection tools utilised in this study were a well structured questionnaire, semi-structured individual interviews and observation. Analysis of quantitative and qualitative data was done using descriptive statistics and thematic analysis respectively. The results of this study showed high level of women’s participation in most farm activities but low participation in extension programmes. The socio-economic variables considered for Pearson’s correlation tests – age, household income, education, land size and number of dependents – showed no significant relationship with the level to which women participate in agricultural activities. The findings of this study revealed that the key factors constraining women’s participation in agricultural activities were lack of capital, limited agricultural inputs, market constraints and water shortages. In addition, the research showed that farmers were not fully involved in every step of the irrigation development project. Consequently, women’s agricultural productivity was low and the sustainability of the project was uncertain. Despite these challenges, the results of this study revealed that participating in farming can instil a sense of ownership, enhance capacities and improve livelihoods. The level of women’s participation in farm decision-making was found to be high. This study advances that addressing women’s agricultural needs and improving their access to agricultural productive resources could result in effective participation of women in agriculture and meaningful agricultural productivity. In line with the participatory development theory, the study further contends that the full participation of women, as well as other intended beneficiaries, in the development process could be the key to sustainable rural development initiatives. This could help bring the much needed transformation in rural areas.

An imperative of the South African government is to increase agricultural production in rural areas. In support of this, a project was initiated in the Mlondozi district of Mpumalanga Province under the National LandCare programme. The goal was to assess land management practices contributing to sustainable and profitable agricultural production. Medium-term liming experiments were sampled to a range of lime treatments in a Hutton and Oakleaf soil. Critical thresholds where a reduction in relative grain yield was found were at a pH (H2O), extractable acidity, Al and acid saturation of 5.49, 0.277 cmolc kg soil-1, 0.145 cmolc kg soil-1 and 13%, respectively. Critical soil fertility threshold levels were established at 50 mg K kg-1, 228-345 mg Ca kg-1, 78-105 mg Mg kg-1 and 1.68-2.83 mg Cu kg-1. Nutrient vector analysis showed a toxic build-up of Fe, followed by Al and to a lesser extent Mn, which depressed the uptake of Ca, Mg and B in the Hutton soil. In the Oakleaf soil, Al toxicity, followed by high concentrations of Mn and Fe, markedly reduced the uptake of Ca, Mg and K by maize. Net rates of acid production in the soil profile varied between 1.61 and 2.44 kmol H+ ha-1 year-1 for the Hutton soil and between 4.59 and 8.82 kmol H+ ha-1 year-1 in the Oakleaf soil due to liming. A decline of 0.046 pH unit year-1 for an initial pH(H2O) value of 5.33, and 0.140 pH unit year-1 for an intial pH(H2O) of 6.47, respectively, in the Hutton was recorded. For the Oakleaf these declines were 0.044 and 0.110 pH unit year-1, from pH(H2O) 4.54 and 5.15. Maintenance liming amounts at different pH values for the Hutton soil were equivalent to 0.2, 0.3 and 1.4 tonnes CaCO3 ha-1 annually, while 0, 0.8 and 0.8 tonne CaCO3 ha-1 annually were recorded for the Oakleaf soil. The study was extended to 80 random topsoil samples in the district. Relationships of soil BC over limited pH ranges showed that at soil BC (pH<4.5) the main buffering mechanism was extractable Al > organic C > clay. At soil BC (pH4.5-6.5) the buffering mechanism was extractable Al > clay > CBD-Al > organic C > CBD-Fe. The main buffering mechanism between pH 6.5-8.5 was clay > CBD-Fe, organic C > CBD-Al. Acid production for 30 crop production sites varied from a measured 0.21 to 10.31 (mean 3.70) kmol H+ ha-1 year-1 The rate of pH decline for the top 0-250 mm depth was between 0.051 and 0.918 (mean 0.237) pH units year-1. In the absence of remedial lime applications, pH (H2O) values in most of the area are projected to decrease to the critical value of 5.68 or lower within 4 years. Soil with a pH (H2O) value of >5.73, extractable Al and acidity of <0.18 and <0.25 cmolc kg-1 soil, respectively, clay content of ≤26%, and a ECEC value of ≤3.29 cmolc kg soil-1, are at greater risk of acidification as gradual acceleration in soil acidification takes place at the above-mentioned critical thresholds. / Thesis (PhD)--University of Pretoria, 2010. / Plant Production and Soil Science / unrestricted

Increased incomes, better transportation, and the desirability of country living all create the demand for land in the agricultural-urban fringe areas to increase. High l and values, low returns on investment, and residential encroachment place farmers in a situation where continued agricultural production is difficult. As ownership transfer occurs, the use of l and is often changed. This study is directed at measuring the effects of ownership transfers in rural areas of rapidly urbanizing counties on the local agricultural industries, and the effect of zoning requirements on these transfers. The study sample consisted of land buyers recorded at the Utah State Tax Commission . Data were obtained from (1) a mail questionnaire sent to the recorded land buyers, (2) soil classification , and (3) zoning requirements. General conclusions from the study were: 1. The average 1 and buyer was a professional, managerial or technical middle- aged worked with an annual income of twice the average income in his area. 2. Over three- fourths of the land involved in the transfer was in agricultural use. After the transfer, one- fourth of the agricultural land changed use. 3. Area zoning requirements may have altered the development pattern and acreage bought, but no conclusive results were obtained. The study ' s conclusions apply only to recorded land transfers on file at the Utah State Tax Commission for t he years 1974 through 1976.

Darbo objektas: Virvyčios upės vandens kokybė. Darbo tikslas: įvertinti pasklidosios taršos, iš ekologinės ir įprastinės žemės ūkio gamybos poveikį Virvyčios upės vandens kokybei. Darbo uždaviniai: atlikti Virvyčios upės vandens kokybės analizę ties ekologinės gamybos ūkiu ir greta esančiu įprastinės gamybos ūkiu pagal svarbiausius taršos rodiklius; nustatyti sezoninę upės vandens kokybės rodiklių kaitą; palyginti ekologinės ir įprastinės žemės ūkių gamybos poveikį Virvyčios upės vandens kokybei. . Tyrimo metodai: loginis – analitinis, matematinis – statistinis. Vandens ištekliai nuolat atsinaujina, tačiau dėl taršos blogėjanti vandens kokybė riboja vandens naudojimą, kelia grėsmę mūsų sveikatai ir vandens ekosistemų funkcionavimui. Paviršinio vandens kokybė labiausiai priklauso nuo į vandens telkinius patenkančių teršalų savybių ir jų kiekių. Pagrindiniai upių cheminiai vandens teršalai yra organinės medžiagos, azoto ir fosforo junginiai, patenkantys iš pasklidosios ir sutelktosios taršos šaltinių. Darbe analizuojama Virvyčios upės vandens kokybė. Remiantis Lietuvos Respublikos aplinkos apsaugos agentūros duomenimis, Virvyčios upė priklauso vandens telkinių rizikos grupei dėl vagos ištiesinimo ir vandens kokybės, nes yra veikiama pasklidosios žemės ūkio taršos. Žemės ūkio taršą, patenkančią į paviršinius vandenis, yra sunku išmatuoti ir kontroliuoti, nes ji patenka iš šaltinių, plačiai pasklidusių tam tikroje teritorijoje. Darbe siekta nustatyti pasklidosios taršos poveikį... [toliau žr. visą tekstą] / Research object: Virvyčia river water quality Research aim: assessment of diffuse pollution from organic and conventional agricultural production, the impact on the water quality of the river Virvyčia. Objectives: Perform Virvyčia river water quality analysis on organic farm and an adjacent conventional farms by main pollution indicators; Identify seasonal river water quality parameters change; Compare organic and conventional production on the farm Virvyčia river water quality. Water resources are constantly renewing, but due to the pollution, water quality is declining and limiting the water usage, threatening our health and lives in the aquatic ecosystems. Surface water quality is the most dependent on the pollutants discharged into water bodies, their characteristics and quantities. The main chemical pollutants in river water are organic matter, nitrogen and phosphorus compounds, finding their way from diffuse or point sources of pollution. This article analyzes the water quality of Virvyčia River, which belongs to the Venta River basin. According to the Lithuanian Environmental Protection Agency, Virvyčia river water may be at risk due to channel straightening and water quality, as it is exposed to diffuse agricultural pollution. Agricultural pollution discharged into the surface water is difficult to measure and control, because it comes from sources widely scattered in a certain area. The research was aimed to determine the effects of diffuse pollution influence to... [to full text]