The determinants and extent of crop diversification among smallholder farmers: A case study of Southern Province, Zambia

The determinants and extent of crop diversification among smallholder farmers: A case study of Southern Province, Zambia
Author: Sichoongwe, Kiru
Publisher: Intl Food Policy Res Inst
Total Pages: 14
Release: 2014-06-13
Genre: Social Science
ISBN:

This study analyzed the determinants of crop diversification as well as the factors influencing the extent of crop diversification by smallholder farmers in Southern province. The study used secondary data from the Central Statistical Office of Zambia. Results from a double-hurdle model analysis indicates that landholding size, fertilizer quantity, distance to market, and the type of tillage mechanism adopted have a strong influence on whether a farmer practices crop diversification. Our findings have important implications for policies that are designed to enhance crop diversification. In particular, our results suggest the need for government to consider undertaking policies that will enhance farmersÂ’ access to and control over land, that will provide farmers with improved access to agricultural imple-ments like ploughs, and that will bring trading markets closer to farmers.

Agricultural Productivity and Producer Behavior

Agricultural Productivity and Producer Behavior
Author: Wolfram Schlenker
Publisher: University of Chicago Press
Total Pages: 316
Release: 2019-11-13
Genre: Business & Economics
ISBN: 022661980X

Agricultural yields have increased steadily in the last half century, particularly since the Green Revolution. At the same time, inflation-adjusted agricultural commodity prices have been trending downward as increases in supply outpace the growth of demand. Recent severe weather events, biofuel mandates, and a switch toward a more meat-heavy diet in emerging economies have nevertheless boosted commodity prices. Whether this is a temporary jump or the beginning of a longer-term trend is an open question. Agricultural Productivity and Producer Behavior examines the factors contributing to the remarkably steady increase in global yields and assesses whether yield growth can continue. This research also considers whether agricultural productivity growth has been, and will be, associated with significant environmental externalities. Among the topics studied are genetically modified crops; changing climatic factors; farm production responses to government regulations including crop insurance, transport subsidies, and electricity subsidies for groundwater extraction; and the role of specific farm practices such as crop diversification, disease management, and water-saving methods. This research provides new evidence that technological as well as policy choices influence agricultural productivity.

Diversified Cropping Pattern and Agricultural Development

Diversified Cropping Pattern and Agricultural Development
Author: Hasibur Rahaman
Publisher: Springer Nature
Total Pages: 285
Release: 2020-10-17
Genre: Science
ISBN: 3030557286

This book examines how crop diversification strategies can help to ensure sustainable agricultural development across different land-size categories, with a focus on Malda District in West Bengal, India. Using Malda as the study area, a region with nearly 4 million people, the book assesses the extent, pattern, factors and future of crop diversification and its contribution to the development of agriculture in Malda and in India as a whole. The work presents data from 1995-2015 concerning changing cropping patterns at various land-size distributions, and analyzes the information over the twenty year period to understand the link between crop diversification and agricultural development, in order to combat major agricultural issues and make suitable policy recommendations at micro (rural) and macro (urban) levels of agricultural planning. The study is a unique contribution to the field of agricultural geography, and will be of use to students and researchers, as well as government organizations, city/community planners and agriculture managers.

Irrigation Management for Crop Diversification in Indonesia, the Philippines, and Sri Lanka

Irrigation Management for Crop Diversification in Indonesia, the Philippines, and Sri Lanka
Author: Senen M. Miranda
Publisher: IWMI
Total Pages: 111
Release: 1989
Genre: Agricultural diversification
ISBN: 9290901063

This paper is a synthesis of IIMI's research on irrigation management for crop diversification in Indonesia, the Philippines and Sri Lanka. It provides some conclusions and recommendations, the potentials and constraints to more intensive non-rice production during the drier part of the year in irrigation systems that have been developed primarily for rice production. The research results obtained from selected irrigation systems sites in the three countries from 1985 to date were analyzed and compared by establishing common reference points where they existed, such as common constraints, potentials and institutional arrangements and by explaining differences based on observed data for each system. Relevant secondary data other than from the research sites were located to shed further insight in the synthesis.

Crop Diversification

Crop Diversification
Author: M. A. S. Mandal
Publisher:
Total Pages: 180
Release: 1995
Genre: Cropping systems
ISBN:

Contributed articles on cropping systems in Bangladesh.