Farmers’ Perception and Constraints to the Adoption of Weed Control Options: the Case of Striga asiatica in Malawi

Atera, Evans Atuti; Itoh, Kazuyuki; Azuma, Tetsushi; Ishii, Takashige

doi:10.5539/jas.v4n5p41

Cited by 11 publications

(6 citation statements)

References 17 publications

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“…We explored the utility of fertilizer and manure/compost application for striga prevention and control, based on an extensive previous literature linking low nitrogen soils to higher striga incidence [43–45]. Similarly, farmers in a recent Malawi survey ranked manure application as the best option for striga control [46]. Given the observed differences in soil fertility and fertilizer use across the study EPAs, we expected higher striga infestation in Golomoti vs. the other areas, yet there is no evidence of this.…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

A Bayesian analysis of longitudinal farm surveys in Central Malawi reveals yield determinants and site-specific management strategies

et al. 2019

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Understanding the challenges to increasing maize productivity in sub-Saharan Africa, especially agronomic factors that reduce on-farm crop yield, has important implications for policies to reduce national and global food insecurity. Previous research on the maize yield gap has tended to emphasize the size of the gap (theoretical vs. achievable yields), rather than what determines maize yield in specific contexts. As a result, there is insufficient evidence on the key agronomic and environmental factors that influence maize yield in a smallholder farm environment. In this study, we implemented a Bayesian analysis with plot-level longitudinal household survey data covering 1,197 plots and 320 farms in Central Malawi. Households were interviewed and monitored three times per year, in 2015 and 2016, to document farmer management practices and seasonal rainfall, and direct measurements were taken of plant and soil characteristics to quantify impact on plot-level maize yield stability. The results revealed a high positive association between a leaf chlorophyll indicator and maize yield, with significance levels exceeding 95% Bayesian credibility at all sites and a regression coefficient posterior mean from 28% to 42% on a relative scale. A parasitic weed, Striga asiatica , was the variable most consistently negatively associated with maize yield, exceeding 95% credibility in most cases, of high intensity, with regression means ranging from 23% to 38% on a relative scale. The influence of rainfall, either directly or indirectly, varied by site and season. We conclude that the factors preventing Striga infestation and enhancing nitrogen fertility will lead to higher maize yield in Malawi. To improve plant nitrogen status, fertilizer was effective at higher productivity sites, whereas soil carbon and organic inputs were important at marginal sites. Uniquely, a Bayesian approach allowed differentiation of response by site for a relatively modest sample size study (given the complexity of farm environments and management practices). Considering the biophysical constraints, our findings highlight management strategies for crop yields, and point towards area-specific recommendations for nitrogen management and crop yield.

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Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

A Bayesian analysis of longitudinal farm surveys in Central Malawi reveals yield determinants and site-specific management strategies

et al. 2019

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“…Studies based on the impacts of uncontrolled weeds in Africa agriculture have quantified yield reductions of up to 80% in the worst instances. 8 , 9 , 10 , 11 Depending on the crop, yield loss from weeds can be as high as 40%, but more typically range from 3–25%. 12 Diseases have been reported to have even higher impacts than weeds in terms of yield reductions, with losses of 40–60% reported in soybeans.…”

Section: Plant Breadingmentioning

confidence: 99%

Agricultural chemical use and the rural-urban divide in Canada

Smyth,

Charlebois

2024

GM Crops & Food

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Innovation is of fundamental importance for improving food production, as well as sustainability food production. Since 1960, food production has benefited from innovations in plant breeding technologies, fertilizer, chemicals and equipment. These innovations have dramatically increased food production, while the amount of land used has minimally increased. However, future food production increases are jeopardized from widening knowledge gaps between rural food producers and large urban food consuming populations. Over time, that gap has fueled disinformation. The development of disinformation business models contributes to urban consumers receiving inaccurate information about the importance of inputs essential to food production, resulting in political pressures being applied that are targeted at reductions in the use of many food production inputs. The use of chemicals are a frequent target of disinformation campaigns. This article examines how the lack of government clarity about the safe use of chemicals contributes to a lack of public information.

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“…The perception itself is influenced by education, years of experience, special training or extension programs. Several studies have been carried out on farmers' perception of constraints on agricultural production (Oluwayomi D. - [17]. The perception of farmers has been one of the significant components used to evaluate technological adoption and it feedback, and management efficiency of farmers.…”

Section: Farmers' Perceptionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Perceptions of Rice Farmers towards Production Constraints: Case Study of Niger State of Nigeria and Hainan of China

Abdul-gafar¹,

Xu²,

Yu³

2016

JACEN

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Rice yield is still low in Nigeria despite the ecological advantages. Several challenges has been traced it production. The study intend to investigate if other rice producing nations are faced with similar challenges and at what magnitude and more importantly, what can be learn to improve the rice yield in Nigeria. Based on 2013/2014 survey, a total sample of 400 famers were randomly interviewed; 164 from Niger State of Nigeria and 236 from Hainan province of China. The study collate the perception of farmers to rice production constraints categorized into biotic, abiotic and socioeconomics. Biplot analysis was employed to examine multivariate pattern of their perceptions towards production constraints. The multivariate technique simultaneously displaying different yield levels and factor constraints in data matrix providing the inter-unit distances, variance and correlations of variables. According to the study, Niger state farmers identified socioeconomic constraint as the major factors to production and attributed it to lack of or insufficient investment while the Hainan farmers majorly identified abiotic constraints. The study also indicated that great potential remain to further improve rice yield in both regions especially in Nigeria given the appropriate investment on essential inputs. This study is of great use to extension officers more so, given the investment in Africa, policy makers take advantage of the bilateral and multilateral relationship to invest ease transfer of agricultural information and technologies between or among partners.

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Farmers’ Perception and Constraints to the Adoption of Weed Control Options: the Case of Striga asiatica in Malawi

Cited by 11 publications

References 17 publications

A Bayesian analysis of longitudinal farm surveys in Central Malawi reveals yield determinants and site-specific management strategies

A Bayesian analysis of longitudinal farm surveys in Central Malawi reveals yield determinants and site-specific management strategies

Agricultural chemical use and the rural-urban divide in Canada

Perceptions of Rice Farmers towards Production Constraints: Case Study of Niger State of Nigeria and Hainan of China

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