Upland rice fields cover up to 1.8 million hectares of the 4.7 million hectares of global rice fields, while farmers' average yield of upland rice is far below the yield potential of existing traditional genotypes, particularly in West Africa. Grain yields of rice in Liberia are generally low, ranging from 0.5-1.5 tons per hectare (t/ha). A field study was conducted to evaluate yield and agronomic performances of four genotypes of rice (Nerica 8, Nerica 4, Arica 5 and LAC 23) on a typical fine sandy loam soil in the upper highland tropical forest agro-ecological Zone (UHTF AZ) of Liberia. The Randomized Complete Block Design (RCBD) was used with four replicates in four blocks. Data were taken on key agronomic characters including plant height; days to 50 % flowering; number of tillers; number of panicles; grain weight; panicle length; number of grains per plant; seed length and stem diameter at the base. Results from the Analysis of Variance (ANOVA) indicated that there were significant differences between the control (Lac 23) and the improved genotypes (Nerica 8, Arica 5 and Nerica 4) for all characters measured except for panicle length, seed length and stem diameter. Correlation analysis was also performed to establish extent of association between major yield components and grain yield. Days to 50 % flowering correlated significantly with plant height, number of tillers and number of panicles per plant. Nerica 8, Arica 5 and Nerica 4 recorded the highest yield and may, therefore, be recommended to smallholder farmers in the upper highland forest zone. Lac 23, Arica 5 and Nerica 8 may be recommended for local farmers, who prefer high yielding, and relatively medium heighted improved rice cultivars or their interspecific hybrids. This is because extremely tall rice genotypes are susceptible to lodging, particularly in stormy conditions that are prevalent in the upper highland tropical forest agro-ecological zone of Liberia. Other approaches may be required to test these cultivars under harsh environments (such as water deficit condition) and different agroecologies across the country. We also recommend organoleptic assessments of Nerica 4, Nerica 8 and Arica 5 to boost their acceptability among consumers in the country.
Farmers in northern Ghana have been cultivating soyabean with very little or no agro-inputs due to cost and limited accessibility. Use of quality agro-inputs can significantly improve the productivity of soyabean. This study assesses farmers’ current use of soyabean production agro-inputs, identifies challenges faced by smallholder farmers in soyabean cultivation and assesses factors influencing farmers’ willingness-to-pay (WTP) for soyabean inputs (determinants) in northern Ghana. Four hundred (400) smallholder soyabean farmers were sampled using a multi-stage sampling method. In stage one, the study area was stratified into three regions, northern, upper east and upper west regions. Stage two encompassed purposive sampling of eight (8) districts across the three northern regions famed for soyabean production. Data was collected using a semi-structured questionnaire, key informant interviews and focus group discussions were conducted.. Descriptive statistics were performed and a contingency valuation method (CVM) was used to assess key determinants that influence farmers’ WTP for soyabean inputs. The results show that 74 % of the respondents were willing to pay for the soyabean inputs. However, 43, 47.3, 39.5 and 49.5 % of respondents were willing to pay at the bid price of 1.06/kg, 3.98/litre, 31.91/50kg bag and USD 5.32/100g sachet for certified seeds, herbicide (glyphosate), TSP fertiliser and inoculants, respectively. Age, household size, access to credit, participation and gains made from on-farm demonstrations significantly influenced farmers’ willingness to purchase certified soyabean seeds. Factors that significantly influenced farmers’ willingness to purchase glyphosate included household size, purpose and experience in soyabean production. In the case of triple superphosphaste fertiliser (TSP), access to extension services, participation and gains from farm demonstrations and distance to the nearest agro-input shop were identified as key determinants. Farmers’ willingness to purchase inoculants markedly correlated with age, credit, participation in on-field demonstrations, membership of farmer-based organisation and experience in soyabean production. The results of this study form a basis for making a business case for agro-input companies to invest in the distribution and sale of the newly introduced soyabean production inputs in northern Ghana. Development and promotion of early maturing and drought tolerant soyabean varieties by the National Agricultural Research Institutes are required to enable farmers to cope with the changing climatic conditions which pose a threat to soyabean production in northern Ghana. Key words: Grain legumes, savanna, purchasing power, agricultural inputs, farmers
Adoption studies have mainly focused on econometric and quantitative modelling that usually assume smallholder farmers competently adopt agricultural technologies. This study provides novel insights on user competency and frequency of usage of mobile telephony for agricultural extension services among smallholder farmers and agricultural extension agents (AEAs) and key factors that impede the adoption process. The study examined users’ competencies and mobile phone usage frequency for access and delivery of agricultural extension services in Eastern Ghana. A multi-stage sampling procedure was used to select 95 AEAs and 330 smallholder farmers in five districts of the Eastern region of Ghana and data were collected through semi-structured interviews. Descriptive statistics, Pearson correlation and regression analyses were performed to analyse the data. Results showed substantial differences between AEAs and smallholder farmers’ competency in the use of mobile phones for agricultural extension services. Socio-demographic characteristics of smallholder farmers and AEAs correlated with usage frequency of mobile phones for access to extension services and delivery. Educational level, amount of weekly expenditure of money on mobile phone use, mobile phone network quality, income level, and age of both AEAs and smallholder farmers had positive and significant correlations with frequency of usage of mobile phones. User competency differentially impacts the frequency of mobile phone use in agricultural extension services between AEAs and smallholders. High call tariffs and access to recharge cards are major challenges in using mobile phones for agricultural extension in the study areas. The study shows components of the adoption theory of compatibility, and complexity where an innovation fits within the socio-cultural framework and perceived difficulty of use. Thus, the frequent use of voice calls is indicative of early stages of the diffusion process and may diversify into other applications in the future. Farmer-based organisations should be resourced to support training of farmers to use mobile phones to improve access to agricultural information dissemination. Integrating voice-based agricultural information services (IVRs) into the current SMS-based agricultural extension services in Ghana could potentially boost extension service delivery to smallholder farmers in the Eastern region and across the country. The Ministry of Food and Agriculture may partner with key stakeholders and mobile service providers to offer hands-on capacity building to smallholder farmers and AEAs in video calling/conferencing, multimedia service, and social media to enhance their competencies for improved agricultural extension services.
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