Agricultural Economics and Agribusiness Collection

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Browsing Agricultural Economics and Agribusiness Collection by Subject "Agroforestry"

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    Factors influencing the adoption of soil conservation measures: a case study in Gairo, Kilosa district
    (Sokoine University of Agriculture, 2000) Kalineza,Haruni Mussa Makosi
    Gairo division is a semi-rid area and like other semi-arid areas it faces the problem of land degradation. Because of this, Gairo Agroforestry and Land Use Project (GALUP) has been carrying out activities that aim at reversing the trend through recommending various soil conservation measures. The overall objective of the study was to examine factors that influence adoption of the recommended soil conservation measures in the division. The specific objectives were: (i) To determine the extent to which the smallholder farmers are aware of the problem of land degradation; (ii) To determine the extent to which smallholder farmer have adopted the different soil conservation measures; and (iii) To identify factors that influence the adoption of the soil conservation measures. Data were collected from 114 randomly selected households in purposively selected villages using a structured questionnaire. Descriptive and logistic regression analyses using Statistical Package for Social Sciences were employed as major tools of analysis to determine the major factors influencing adoption of soil conservation practices. Results of the descriptive analysis suggest that adoption of the recommended soil conservation practices is influenced by education level, awareness of the land degradation problem, ownership of livestock, ownership of land, farm size and gender of the household head. Results of the logistic regression model show that adoption of the recommended practices is influenced by awareness of the land degradation problems implying that extension education has an important role in this regard. The logistic regression model also show that ownership of land is an important factor influencing the adoption of contour ridges and farm yard manure. Existence of by-laws that restrict activities that degrade the environment and to have clear land use plans appear to be issues to be considered in enhancing the adoption of soil conservation practices. It is recommended that efforts be increased in the area of extension education about soil conservation practices to both women and men. Also,there be emphasis on soil conservation practices that have broader benefits to the smallholder farmers to enhance widespread adoption.
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    The traditional homegarden agroforestry system of Bukoba, Tanzania:
    (Sokoine University of Agriculture, 1992) Rugalema,Gabriel H.R
    A socio-economic study was carried out in the Kyamtwara division in Bukoba District, Tanzania. The objectives were: to describe the homegarden agroforestry system found in Bukoba district, to investigate the nature and magnitude of constraints of the farming system and to do a farm economic analysis of possible alternatives to counter falling productivity. Descriptive statistics, statistics, linear regression and one way analysis of variance were the methods used to analyze the data. In the linear regression model banana and coffee yield were dependent (predictor variables) whereas homegarden size, hired labour, cattle keeping, and household size were independent variables. It was found that homegarden productivity has significantly declined over the years due to; decline in soil fertility and cattle population, outbreak of banana pests and diseases, increase in human population and lack of cash. Economically, it was found more profitable to rehabilitate the homegarden by reintroducing cattle rather than shift to a completely new farming system based on annual cropping. Further research into soil fertility restoration, pests and disease management and other aspects of the farming system, is proposed.