Farm Management
Azadeh Ahmadvand; Enayat Abbasi; Homayon Farhadian; Hadi Moumenihelali; Alireza Norouzi
Volume 9, Issue 1 , Winter 2019, , Pages 11-24
Abstract
This research investigated the effectiveness of IPM/FFS project from economic, technical, social-communicative, environmental and psychological aspects in a descriptive-correlational design based on the survey method. The research population consisted of 70 greenhouse producers that had implemented IPM/FFS ...
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This research investigated the effectiveness of IPM/FFS project from economic, technical, social-communicative, environmental and psychological aspects in a descriptive-correlational design based on the survey method. The research population consisted of 70 greenhouse producers that had implemented IPM/FFS project in Tehran and Alborz provinces, Iran. Using Krejcie and Morgan (1970)'s sample size table and stratified random sampling method, 55 greenhouse producers were selected as the research sample. A questionnaire was the main tool for data collection. The validity of the questionnaire was confirmed by a panel of agricultural extension and education experts and its reliability was confirmed by calculating Cronbach's alpha coefficients (0.77≤a≤0.86). The results showed that the IPM/FFS project has affected social-communicative, psychological, environmental, technical and economic factors, respectively. There were positive and significant relationships between effectiveness of the IPM/FFS project and education, the duration of IPM implementation, satisfaction with governmental support and the characteristics of IPM/FFS learning sites whilst the effectiveness of IPM/FFS project was negatively and significantly related to age and greenhouse area under IPM project. According to multiple regression analysis, the characteristics of IPM/FFS learning sites, education and satisfaction with governmental supports could account for 66 percent of variance of the effectiveness of IPM/FFS project. Finally, as implementation cost of integrated pest management is usually beyond greenhouse producers’ financial ability, it is suggested that the government provide greenhouse producers with more economic supports (e.g. granting loan and special facilities and guaranteed purchase of organic products).
Education and training
Homayoon Moradnezhadi
Volume 6, Issue 3 , Summer 2016, , Pages 301-307
Abstract
Given entrepreneurs’ special role in the economic growth and development, many developed and developing countries are attempting to motivate more number of people who have entrepreneurial characteristics towards entrepreneurship and entrepreneurial activities. The purpose of this research was to ...
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Given entrepreneurs’ special role in the economic growth and development, many developed and developing countries are attempting to motivate more number of people who have entrepreneurial characteristics towards entrepreneurship and entrepreneurial activities. The purpose of this research was to study the effectiveness of entrepreneurship training courses in Ilam Province, Iran. In this research a descriptive survey method was used. The statistical population consisted of 830 people that based on Cochran’s formula and by using proportionate stratified random sampling method 130 people were selected as the sample. The research tool was a questionnaire which its validity was confirmed by a panel of experts’ and its reliability was estimated using Cronbach’s alpha as to be 0.83 proving its high reliability. Data were analyzed by SPSS Software Package. It was found that participants’ inclination towards self-employment and entrepreneurship was increased after attending the courses. Also, significant differences were observed in participants’ readiness to start a business, their familiarity with entrepreneurship concepts and their ability to make a business plan before and after attending the courses.
Ronald O. Nyamwamu; Justus M. Ombati; John G. Mwangi
Volume 4, Issue 2 , Spring 2014, , Pages 133-145
Abstract
Agricultural Training Centres (ATCs) promote crop and livestock development by providing extension information to farmers and serving as models of improved crop and livestock husbandry practices. Although potato farmers in Nyandarua County were trained on potato production technologies, their average ...
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Agricultural Training Centres (ATCs) promote crop and livestock development by providing extension information to farmers and serving as models of improved crop and livestock husbandry practices. Although potato farmers in Nyandarua County were trained on potato production technologies, their average yield was ≤16 tonnes per hectare compared to the national potential of 30 tonnes. This study therefore sought to determine the effectiveness of ATCs’ curriculum in promoting farmers’ adoption of selected potato production technologies in Nyandarua County in Kenya. A survey design was used. Primary data was collected from 136 farmers trained at ATCs on potato production using interview schedules. The respondents were sampled through a five-stage technique. The data was analysed using T-test and ANOVA, then summarized into percentages. Study results showed that adoption of recommended potato production technologies produced high yields compared to traditional technologies. It was therefore concluded that ATCs’ curriculum was effective in promoting farmers’ adoption of potato seed selection, planting, crop protection and harvesting technologies. It is recommended that ATCs’ curriculum prioritise demonstrations that show the influence of clean seed, fertilizer application, timely harvesting and spacing on potato yields. Further, campaigns should be held to educate farmers on the importance of potato dehaulming to promote its adoption. In addition, farmer-based seed production programs should be started in the County aimed at ensuring ready availability of seed.
Bhaskar Pant; Alpa Rathi; Anshul Rathi
Volume 2, Issue 4 , Autumn 2012, , Pages 263-269
Abstract
The project was undertaken to study the evaluation of effectiveness of crop advisory services and suggested measures for filling the gap in Aurangabad district of Maharashtra in India. The survey was carried out in 2010. The data was collected with the help of a specifically designed and pre-tested questionnaire. ...
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The project was undertaken to study the evaluation of effectiveness of crop advisory services and suggested measures for filling the gap in Aurangabad district of Maharashtra in India. The survey was carried out in 2010. The data was collected with the help of a specifically designed and pre-tested questionnaire. The project carried out in catchment area of advisory services has given substantial insight on the current status of different dimensions of advisory services running in Aurangabad and also recommends strategies to make advisory services accessible to all. The farmer’s willingness to pay assumes a key role in determining the success of a cost-recovery strategy. During the study it was interesting to note that of all the 115 respondents 46.67% agreed that their critical need was supply of inputs followed by credit purchase on which the advisory services provider should focus. The dissemination channels were not utilized properly. The results of correlation study indicate that the recommendations by the advisory services and the results after advise have a positive correlation with increase in yield showing the effectiveness of these crop advisory services. The results of multivariate regression indicated that the cropping and harvesting method, credit access, input supply linkage, insurance, age, education and interaction with other farmers have the main role in showing the variations of attitude to adoption of the advisory services.
Abura Odilla Gilbert; Barchok Kipngeno Hillary; Onyango Christopher Asher
Volume 2, Issue 3 , Summer 2012, , Pages 199-207
Abstract
The purpose of this study was to investigate the role of extension services in enhancing effectiveness of out growers’ credit system in Kisumu County, Kenya. The study specifically sought to determine whether public and private extension services play a significant role in enhancing effectiveness ...
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The purpose of this study was to investigate the role of extension services in enhancing effectiveness of out growers’ credit system in Kisumu County, Kenya. The study specifically sought to determine whether public and private extension services play a significant role in enhancing effectiveness of out-growers’ credit system among smallholder sugarcane farmers. A total of 110 small scale farmers were randomly selected for the study. A closed ended questionnaire was used to collect data from farmers. Both descriptive and inferential statistics were used for data analysis. The findings indicated that both public and private extension services were insignificant in enhancing effectiveness of out growers’ credit system. Further, the findings indicated that there was no significant difference between public and private sector in provision of extension services. The findings suggest that for out growers’ credit system to be effective in terms of creation of awareness about credit, accessibility, timely supply of credit, supervision of credit and provision of extension advice on credit utilization, both public and private extension services should be intensified and coordinated to avoid duplication. The results also suggest that sugarcane factory extension division should be strengthened just like in the coffee and tea sub-sectors.
