International Journal of Agricultural Sciences

International Journal of Agricultural Sciences ISSN: 2167-0447 Vol. 3 (2), pp. 410-418, February, 2013. © International Scholars Journals

 Full Length Research Paper

Competitiveness of rice processing and marketing in Ebonyi State: A policy analysis approach

Mkpuma Ude, Iyabo Bosede Adeoye, Sulaiman Adesina Yusuf, Olubunmi Lawrence Balogun* and Roseline jumoke Akinlade

Department of Agricultural Economics, University of Ibadan, Oyo State, Nigeria.

 *Corresponding author. E-mail: [email protected]

Received 08 July, 2012; Accepted 24 February 2013

Abstract

Past government inconsistent policies were not successful in securing good market shares for domestic rice processors and marketers hence they suffered great losses. The study was therefore carried out to assess the competitiveness and impact of policies on domestic rice in Ebonyi State, Nigeria. A multi-stage sampling technique was used to select 60 processors and 60 marketers from the study area. Primary data were collected with structured questionnaire and analysed using policy analysis matrix. Results revealed that private profit was positive (N99, 063.11) for processors and negative for marketers (N9, 563.33) while social profit was negative (N4, 838.3) for processors and positive for marketers (N8, 473.22) for the output of a hectare of land. Nominal protection coefficient for output and input were 1.52 and 0.92 respectively for processors, 1.5 and 1.4 for marketers. Domestic resource cost coefficient was 1.41 and 0.53 respectively for processors and marketers. The EPC values of 10.33 and 0.17 respectively for processors and marketers showed that rice processors were protected while marketers were not protected in the area. The study recommends that the protection policy should be intensified since findings have shown that the enterprises were profitable.

Key words: Rice, processing, marketing, Ebonyi State.

International Journal of Agricultural Sciences ISSN: 2167-0447 Vol. 3 (2), pp. 384-386, February, 2013. © International Scholars Journals

Review

The need for anthropocentric approaches vis-à-vis ecocentric views in conservation of global renewable resources

Ben Belden Mugula

Department of Science Education, Bugema University, P.O.Box 6529, Kampala, Uganda.  

E-mail: [email protected]. Tel:+256-774 210487; Website: www.bugemauniv.ac.ug

Received 25 September, 2012; Accepted 16 February, 2013

Abstract

This paper is based on review of literature to describe the need for emphasizing more anthropocentric approaches vis-à-vis Eco-centric views for rational and supportive conservation of global renewable natural resources. The broader context, significance and associated setbacks of both perspectives and their contribution towards conservation of natural resources are initially explained. Secondly, reasonable perceptions are examined basing on their validity, ease of communication, simplicity, and multi-stakeholder acceptance in conservation. Finally, anthropocentric approaches are proposed as inevitable to guide discussions for developing planning and policy models for conservation of global renewable resources.

Key words: Anthropocentrism, eco-centrism, natural resources, multi-stakeholder conservation.

International Journal of Agricultural Sciences ISSN: 2167-0447 Vol. 2 (12), pp. 400-409, February, 2013. © International Scholars Journals

Full Length Research Paper

Role of agro-forestry on organic and conventional farmers’ livelihood in Bahour, Puducherry- India

A. Padmavathy¹* and G. Poyyamoli²

¹Department of Ecology and Environmental science, Pondicherry University. Puducherry-605014. India.

²Department of Ecology and Environmental sciences, Pondicherry University. Puducherry-605014. India.

 *Corresponding author. E-mail: [email protected]

Received 23 August, 2012; Accepted 22 February 2013

Abstract

Agroforestry is highly adaptable and applicable among a wide range of physical and social conditions as it enhances stability and productivity of agro-ecosystems and alleviate environmental stresses. Hence this practice plays substantial ecological and socioeconomic roles in farmer’s livelihood. This paper is an attempt to elucidate the relationships between biodiversity and income generation from agro-forestry systems, in order to identify the optimum sustainable agricultural practices that are ecologically sustainable and socioeconomic feasible in local context. This study was conducted in Kuruvinatham and Soriankuppam villages of Bahour commune, Puducherry during September 2008 to December of 2009; present study investigated 30 farms - 15 organic and 15 inorganic/conventional agricultural fields with varying agro forestry species composition and degree of commercialization. Data were gathered through interviews among selected farmers and 20 utilized species were identified. Species retention is governed by species relative importance. Conventional fields were found to be less diverse with reduced density resulting in low annual gross income. Thus it has less ecological and socioeconomic advantages, as compared to organic fields. Coverage on the field edges and boundaries, shading effects and beautiful natural scenery are the main causes for the adoption of agroforestry among organic farmers, whereas undermining agroforestry importance, ignorance, lack of awareness as well as land shortage are the major factors of non-adoption of agro forestry among conventional farmers. There is a critical need to raise recognition and awareness at the rural grassroots level to instill knowledge about the values of agroforstry and assist in appropriate tree management techniques and inter-cropping regimes as well as ensuring accessibility to markets among the farmers in order to enhance the ecological and socioeconomic sustainability of agro-ecosystems.

Key words: Agroforestry, biodiversity, income, inorganic agriculture, organic agriculture, sustainability.

International Journal of Agricultural Sciences ISSN: 2167-0447 Vol. 3 (2), pp. 395-399, February, 2013. © International Scholars Journals

Full Length Research Paper

Genetic variability and divergence analysis of yield and its contributing traits under sodic soil condition in wheat (T. aestivum L.)

PN Verma^1*, BN Singh², R K Yadav³

^1,3Department of Genetics and Plant Breeding, CSA University of Agriculture and Technology, Kanpur-208002 (UP) India.

²Department of Genetics and Plant Breeding, ND University of Agriculture and Technology Kumarganj, Faizabad-224229 (UP) India.

Received 12 December, 2012; Accepted 11 February, 2013.

Abstract

This study was carried out during Rabi 2010-11 at N.D. University of Agriculture and Technology, Kumarganj, Faizabad (UP), India with 108 bread wheat genotypes to assess the genetic variability and diversity for yield and yield related traits under sodic soils. The genotypes were evaluated for eleven quantitative traits and showed wide variability for the studied components. Maximum variations were observed among the entries for plant height with coefficient of variation 10.68% while minimum variability was found for productive tillers plant^-1. The entries NW-1014 and NW(S)-6-5 provided maximum number of grain spike^-1 while entry KHARCHIA-65 was mainly characterized by having maximum grain yield plant^-1. The cluster analysis grouped the 108 bread wheat genotypes into 11 different clusters. The clustering pattern of genotypes showed no definite relationship between genetic divergence and geographical distribution of genotypes. Genotypes grouped into cluster XI showed maximum intra cluster diversity while cluster I and X, exhibited highest inter cluster diversity followed by clusters VIII and XI. From cluster mean value, genotypes in cluster X, VIII and VI deserve consideration for their direct use as parents in hybridization programs to develop high yielding wheat varieties. Thus, hybridization among these cluster pairs is recommended for getting high transgressive segregants in F₂ generation.  

Key words: Wheat, Sodic soils, Variability, Diversity, Cluster.

International Journal of Agricultural Sciences ISSN: 2167-0447 Vol. 3 (2), pp. 387-394, February, 2013. © International Scholars Journals

Full Length Research Paper

Marketing trend and channels of Asparagus racemosus in Nepal: A study from Sarlahi district

Bechu Kumar Vinwar Yadav

Department of Forests, Kathmandu, Nepal.

Email: [email protected]. Tel: +977 9849218021, Tel: +977 1 4257870, Tel: +977 1 4221455

Received 23 October, 2012; Accepted 22 February, 2013

Abstract

Asparagus is a valuable medicinal plant. Most of its parts are useful. Its tender leaves and shoots are mostly cooked as vegetable. Root tubers are used as sex tonic and to cure many diseases. But its markets and price rate were unstable. So, this paper focuses on marketing channels and the trends of price, quantity and income obtained as well as suitable months for harvesting. Forty percent of total cultivators’ households were randomly selected from the eleven village development committee of Sarlahi District. Both primary data using Participatory Rural Appraisal tools and secondary data from different sources were collected and analyzed in Ms-Excel. Suitable marketing channels were developed through separate group discussions of cultivators, officials and businessmen. The trend of price rate of asparagus racemosus wild was increasing to Nepalese rupees (NRs) 225.00 per kilogram in 2008 from NRs 104.00 per kilogram in 2004, whereas price rate of asparagus  racemosus hybrid was almost stable that is, NRs 80.00 from 2004 to 2006 and NRs 120.00 from 2007 to 2008. March-April were found to be the suitable months of harvesting and March is the best month for harvesting of cultivated asparagus to have the highest yield and availability of markets.  

Key words: Asparagus racemosus, markets, trend, cultivators, Nepalese rupees.