International Journal of Agricultural Economics and Extension

International Journal of Agricultural Economics and Extension ISSN 2329-9797 Vol. 7 (3), pp. 001-006, March, 2019. © International Scholars Journals

Full Length Research Paper

Antecedents and effects of group sales on supply chain performance: The case of kola production and marketing in Cameroon

Amos Gyau¹*, Charlie Mbosso¹, Zac Tchoundjeu¹, Divine Foundjem-Tita¹, Ebenezer Asaah¹ and Steven Franzel²

¹World Agroforestry Centre, West and Central Africa Region-HT, P. O. Box 16317, Yaoundé, Cameroon.

Accepted 17 November, 2018

Abstract

Kola plays an important role in the livelihoods of people in the North West region of Cameroon. However, the potential benefits of the product have not been fully exploited due to many problems including ineffective marketing techniques. In an attempt to address this problem, some organisations like the World Agroforestry Centre (ICRAF) have facilitated the producers of kola to embark on group sales as a means to improve their marketing performance. During the first 5 years of implementation of this programme, there was no clear picture about the impact of the marketing intervention programme on the marketing performance of the farmers. This paper discusses the main antecedents and producers’ perception of the effects of the group sales on the supply chain performance of kola producers in Cameroon. Using open ended interviews with 50 farmers, the paper reveals that group sales has the potential to improve kola supply chain performance through increase in prices, quantity harvested and sold, and increase in number of producers involved in the group.

Key words: Group sales, collective action, kola, Cameroon.

International Journal of Agricultural Economics and Extension ISSN 2329-9797 Vol. 7 (2), pp. 001-011, February, 2019. © c

Full Length Research Paper

How do managers improve farm performance during the economic slowdown: Survey results from New York agribusinesses

Xu, Pei

Agricultural Business Department, California State University at Fresno, 5245 N Backer Avenue, M/S PB101, Fresno, CA 93740-8001, USA. E-mail: [email protected]. Tel: (559) 278-5685. Fax: (559) 278-6536.

Accepted 25 October, 2018

Abstract

This paper examines factors that affect agribusiness management behavior of a sample of dairy, equine, beef cattle, and hog farms in New York State to understand how they survive the ongoing economic hardship. Using a conceptual framework and a Heckman Selection model, this study analyzes the impact of managers’ perceived pressure from the unfavorable economy, their personal traits and their self-assessed managerial skills on farm adaptation strategies and their help-seeking activities to agribusiness assistance programs. The analysis of self-assessed management skills led to three distinct management styles, labeled as production experts, marketing experts, and finance experts. The results demonstrate that managers who held a leadership position in agricultural organizations are more likely to feel pressure. This pressure negatively affects management actions to adapt the farm to the adverse economy. Our results suggest that the New York agricultural policy planners should address this negative impact of the current economic difficulties on farming practices to effectively support the economic health of its agricultural industry.

Key words: New York agribusiness, farm performance, economic slowdown, economy.

International Journal of Agricultural Economics and Extension ISSN 2329-9797 Vol. 7 (2), pp. 001-010, February, 2019. © International Scholars Journals

Full Length Research Paper

Estimation of farm level technical efficiency in small scale maize production in the Mfantseman Municipality in the Central Region of Ghana: A stochastic frontier approach

Felix Larry Essilfie*, Maxwell T. Asiamah and Fred Nimoh

Department of agricultural economics, agribusiness and extension, Kwame Nkrumah University of Science and Technology, P. M. B, Kumasi, Ashanti Region, Ghana.

Accepted 10 October, 2018

Abstract

The primary objective of the study was to estimate the levels of technical efficiency in small scale maize production in the Mfantseman Municipality of Ghana using the Stochastic Frontier Approach. The study also attempted to determine some socio-economic characteristics and management practices which influence technical efficiency in maize production. Responsiveness of yield to production inputs was also estimated by computing input elasticities. The marginal value product for fertilizer, labor and seed were also calculated. Finally, the marginal physical products, average physical products, relative efficiency of resource use and the returns to scale of input use were calculated. Results indicated that the mean technical efficiency of small scale maize production in the study area is 58%; however, this ranges from 17 to 99%. There is distinct and inter gender variability in technical efficiency in the maize producing villages. In addition, the number of years of school the farmer has had in formal education, age of the farmer, household size, and off – farm income activities of the farmer impact on technical efficiency. The estimated marginal physical products showed that, ceteris paribus, each additional unit use of maize seed increased output by 31 kg (0.31 bags). Fertilizer also increased output by 12 kg (0.12 bags) and labor increased output by 29 kg (0.29 bags). Lastly the estimated return to scale is 1.49 indicating increasing returns to scale of maize production in the study area.

Key words: Stochastic, production, frontier, technical efficiency, Mfantseman.

International Journal of Agricultural Economics and Extension ISSN 2329-9797 Vol. 7 (2), pp. 001-006, February, 2019. © International Scholars Journals

Full Length Research Paper

Economic assessment of malt and traditional beer (dolo) production in Burkina Faso

S. Pale¹*, D. P. Kabore¹, S. J. B. Taonda¹, B. Bougouma² and S. C. Mason³

¹Intitut de l’Environnement et de Recherches Agricoles, 04 BP 8645 Ouagadougou 04, Burkina Faso.

²Institut de Recherches en Sciences Appliquées et Technologies, 03 BP 7047 Ouagadougou 03, Burkina Faso.

³University of Nebraska-Lincoln, Department of Agronomy and Horticulture, 279 Plant Science, P. O. Box 830915, Lincoln, NE 68583-0915, USA.

Accepted 14 November, 2018

Abstract

Costs and profits in malt processing, dolo brewing and retail sales and ways to improve the dolo supply chain were surveyed in six cities in Burkina Faso, through questionnaires administered to malt processors, dolo processors, retailers and consumers. The highest costs were reported for dolo processing and the lowest profits for dolo retail sales. Large malt and dolo processors and dolo retailers had higher costs which were compensated for by greater profits than for medium and small processors/retailers. Comparisons of profits per unit cost indicated that malt processing in medium category, dolo processing in small category and dolo retail sales in large category often generate more profit per unit cost. The profit made by each member of the supply chain was higher than the Inter-professional minimum guaranteed salary (IMGS) in Burkina Faso. It appeared in this study that the improvement of the dolo supply chain would require that (1) credit be available and accessible for farmers to produce quality sorghum grain and women processors to purchase equipment needed for malt and dolo processing, conservation and distribution, and (2) malt and dolo production and marketing systems to the benefit of all members of the supply chain be organized through improvement of the partnership between members, increase profit of all supply chain members and training to improve all supply chain members production skills.

Key words: Costs, dolo, malt, processors, retailers, profits.

International Journal of Agricultural Economics and Extension ISSN 2329-9797 Vol. 7 (2), pp. 001-010, February, 2019. © International Scholars Journals

Full Length Research Paper

Maize varieties and production constraints: Capturing farmers’ perceptions through participatory rural appraisals (PRAs) in Eastern Kenya

J. O. Ouma¹* and H. De Groote²

¹Agricultural Economist, Kenya Agricultural Research Institute (KARI), KARI-Embu, P. O. Box 27-60100 Embu, Kenya.

²Agricultural Economist, International Maize and Wheat Improvement Centre (CIMMYT), Nairobi, Kenya.

Accepted 08 December, 2018

Abstract

Maize is the major staple food for most Kenyan households, and is grown in almost all agro-ecological zones. To assure that new technologies fit farmers’ needs and conditions, Participatory Rural Appraisals (PRAs) were undertaken in the moist transitional zone of Eastern Kenya, as part of a nationwide study. The results of group discussions in five communities of the zone show that farmers grow a wide range of varieties. Eleven improved varieties were grown, the most popular being Makueni, an improved Open Pollinated Variety (OPV) (grown by 71% of the farmers), followed by Pioneer hybrid PHB3253 (57%), and Kenya Seed Company’s hybrids for the mid-altitudes: H511 (50%) and H512 (30%). A third of the farmers (31%) grow local varieties. To select their maize varieties, farmers reported 14 criteria, especially high yield, early maturity, tolerance to weevils, and good yield in both rainy seasons. The two major constraints were a cash constraint (to purchase inputs), low or erratic rainfall, low technical knowledge, the high cost of seed, low soil fertility and stem borers. Stem borers were by far the most important pest, ranked in the top three by all groups, followed by chaffer grubs, squirrels, termites and weevils. Indigenous control methods are the most popular, with only a quarter of farmers using chemical control. Farmers estimate that stem borer infestation decreases yields by 33 to 80%, and would be very interested in resistant varieties. The liberalization of the seed market has clearly been successful in the study zone, and the number of stockists and available new varieties increasing fast. However, seed quality and the lack of control is a major concern, as is the lack of credit.

Key words: Maize, participatory rural appraisal (PRA), Kenya, pest.