American Journal of Agriculture

Pesticide Usage in Pest Management by Vegetable Producers in the Foumbot Production Basin of the Western Highlands (Cameroon)

2023-09-24T22:36:29+03:00

Purpose: Cameroon is the food basket of the Central African Region in terms of food production and a significant proportion of her population depends on the production of fruits and vegetables for livelihood. The Western Highlands of Cameroon is known for its high agricultural output, especially in the domain of market gardening. The Foumbot Production Basin in the Western Highlands of Cameroon is noted for its high agricultural output, especially in the domain of market gardening. Produce originating from this area is consumed throughout the nation, especially in the Southern Regions of Cameroon and also exported to neighbouring countries like Gabon, Equatorial Guinea and Central African Republic. This study therefore sought to find out how pesticides are being employed in the production of these crops (mostly fruits and leafy vegetables, of short growing cycles) in the Foumbot Production Basin of the Western Highlands of Cameroon.

Methodology: A survey was conducted in which a well-developed questionnaire containing both closed multiple-choice and open-ended questions, was established to collect important information related to the topic from the market gardeners in the Foumbot Production Basin. A total of 100 market gardeners were interviewed. Data was analyzed using descriptive statistics. The data allowed us to assess the pesticide use practices of tomato growers by having a clear idea on demographic social characteristics (sex, level of education, age, and marital status), agronomic practices (cropping season and cropping system), application of pesticides (types of pesticides used, source of information’s relating to the use of pesticides, the moment of application, reaction following the ineffectiveness of the product, respect pre-harvest intervals, knowledge of the presence of residues in the fruits, health effects, wearing of PPE and disposal of empty packaging).

Findings: It was observed that a majority of the gardeners were males with mostly secondary education. Many of the gardeners did not disposed their empty pesticide containers properly while a majority did not use personal protective equipment during application. Up to 93% of producers do not respect or ignore the pre-harvest interval. Harvest was determined by the availability of buyers of the crop, irrespective of the last time it was sprayed. This is attributed to the complete absence of extension services and training.

Unique Contribution to Theory, Practice and Policy: This information can be used to develop a training programme on pest management especially on pesticide use in the Foumbot Production Basin.

Evaluation of the Risk of Epidemiology against Leafspot in Some Farmers Traditional Systems on Groundnut (Arachis hypogaea L.) Conservation in Cameroon Using Cramer’s Modified Test

2023-05-26T16:08:51+03:00

Purpose: The main objective of this study is to evaluate the epidemiology risk of cercospora leaf spot in groundnut’s protection into some farmers in Cameroon,

Methodology: The research adopted new approches like Cramer’s modified test after the factorial analysis of components (fac). 224 farmers were investigated during this experimentation by answers to 8 questions about methods of protection against cercospora. Globally the test shows that the impact of this pathology is moderated and the value is 0.86, finding value after the use twice Cramer’s modified test and a modified scale.

Findings: This result explain why farmers in Cameroon continue to produce in spite of the encrease of this pathology around the word. And we observe that the variables of production in zone 1 and zone 2 are very different.

Recommendations: The factorial analyses components of 224 groundnut’s farmers show the presence of and the different models of in situ conservation in the north and south region in Cameroon. These two agro-ecological area are differed by variables which characterizes every location. The V’ epidemiological risk test shows that leaf spot risk is moderated (0.86) because the Cramer’s test who represents the intensity of knowledge about these diseases is weak (0.14). This reason explains why groundnut production is also sustainable in regard of the lost of yields by these pathologies around the world. Cameroon cannot use or import in high quantities chemical products to manage this disease, because his armful for the moment is very weak.

Angola's Agricultural Productivity and the Agricultural Sector Development Strategy

2023-03-29T00:31:27+03:00

Purpose: The purpose of this study is to investigate the agricultural sector development strategy has affected agricultural productivity in Angola.

Methodology: The paper used a desk study review methodology where relevant empirical literature was reviewed to identify main themes and to extract knowledge gaps.

Findings: The study concluded that climate change response, agribusiness, agricultural extension services and access to agricultural credit positively and significantly influence agricultural productivity.

Unique Contribution to Theory and Practice: Angola as a country should implement agricultural extension services by ensuring there is enough staff in the country who are regularly capacity built so as to improve the agricultural productivity of the country.

Organic and Conventional Agriculture- A Comparative Economics: Bulletin of Agrarian State University from Moldova: 2022; (5/462):123-130. ISSN 1994-2796 (Print) Scientific Article

2023-08-10T22:33:15+03:00

The main problem of agriculture is finding a compromise between (1) food security and (2) minimal nega- tive impact on the environment. Currently, the first task is called upon to solve traditional agriculture, the second — organic. To identify the most sustainable type of agriculture, it is important to compare their economic aspects. When comparing, the analogy method was used. To assess the dynamics of demand for organic products and resources for their production, data from the Research Institute of Organic Agriculture (FiBL), the International Federation of Organic Agriculture Movements (IFOAM), the National Organic Union and the Union of Organic Farming were analyzed. The purpose of the study: to identify the benefits and opportunities of organic agriculture, the conditions for its long-term sustainability. The problem under consideration: the choice of the most appropriate type of agricul- ture for solving the main problems of the industry. The study showed that the driver for the development of organic agriculture in developed countries is consumer demand and a number of positive externalities, while the limiting factors for the wide distribution of this type are the high price of products, the decrease in the level of food security of countries, the need to increase the cost of research and development of specific technologies. In the short term, traditional agriculture will continue to dominate due to higher productivity. Organic agriculture, with an increase in research costs and the introduction of innovations, can compete with traditional agriculture in the long term.

Different Limes' Impact on the Soil's Structure and Sweet Potato Produce in China, Mainland

2023-03-29T00:52:21+03:00

Purpose: The purpose of this study was to evaluate the quality of agricultural and local liming materials, their impact on selected soil physical and chemical properties and production of sweet potatoes in China, mainland.

Methodology: The study used a desktop literature review methodology (desk study). This required a thorough analysis of research on the effectiveness of agricultural and local liming materials, their influence on the physical and chemical qualities of soil, and sweet potato production. The subject of the study underwent three phases of sorting in order to assess its suitability for further study.

Findings: A few physical and chemical tests on agricultural and local limes revealed a range in the quality of the liming materials. Significant CCEs are seen in both agricultural goods and rusizi limes (86.36 percent and 85.46 percent, respectively). This implied that the two liming materials were comparable. Lower CCE was found in lime from Karongi and Musanze (68.48 and 66.2 percent, respectively).

Unique Contribution to Theory and Practice: According to this study, acidic soils on the China mainland should be treated with Musanze lime at a rate of 2 to 4 t ha-1 to effectively raise the pH to values that are best for growing potatoes. If the government or non-governmental organizations decide to invest in the local lime production in order to increase their efficiency, a grinding to at least >60% of fineness factor should be taken into consideration.