IP Publishing Ltd
DECEMBER 2009 ISSUE (VOL 38, NO 4)
300 Editorial
311 GM cotton for Africa R.J. Hillocks
317 Breeding indigenous cattle genetic resources for beef production in Sub-Saharan Africa
327 Livestock production among urban Negev Bedouin
337 Comparative study of agricultural extension systems: a systemic view
349 Microdeterminants of poverty among the farming population in Bangladesh
357 The technical efficiency of wheat farms in Bangladesh: a non-parametric analysis
367 Factors affecting the adoption of zero tillage wheat in the rice–wheat systems of India and Pakistan
375 Delivering seeds of ‘orphan’ crops: case studies of potato and groundnut in India
383 Communities and their agrobiodiversity: priorities for agriculture in Uttarakhand Himalaya, India
390 Index to Volume 38, 2009
Abstract: Irrigation is an essential component of agricultural production in England, but the water resources required are under intense pressure due to rising competition, demands for greater environmental protection and the longer-term threats from climate change. This paper describes the development of a water strategy for agriculture to assure its future sustainability by reducing water wastage and maximizing the benefit from the water used. Three themes have been defined – working together, making best use of available water and developing a knowledge base. The approaches described have international relevance to countries where agricultural irrigation is an important component of water abstraction.
Title: GM cotton for Africa
Abstract: Cotton is the most important cash crop for smallholders in many countries of Sub-Saharan Africa (SSA). Although GM cotton has been grown in South Africa for more than 10 years, most of the other SSA countries are only now enacting the biosafety legislation, with the supporting biotechnology policy, to enable them to acquire GM cotton technology from the biotechnology companies that hold the intellectual property rights. Burkina Faso, now the largest cotton producer in SSA, will be the first to make GM cotton available to smallholders. GM cotton is being promoted in the rest of SSA on the basis of its apparent success in improving the profitability of cotton growing as a smallholder enterprise in South Africa, India and China. With several other African countries soon to follow Burkina Faso in adopting GM cotton technology, this paper examines the potential benefits for Africa in the light of evidence from smallholder adoption elsewhere in the world.
Title: Breeding indigenous cattle genetic resources for beef production in Sub-Saharan Africa
Abstract: This paper reviews breeding technologies vital for breeding programme development in Sub- Saharan Africa while considering indigenous cattle genetic resources for beef production. The importance of beef cattle is highlighted, given the globally and regionally growing demand for meat and the fact that Sub-Saharan Africa is home to a large population of indigenous cattle – for which, however, few examples of successful breeding programmes exist. Examples are analysed, including the N’Dama pure breeding programme in western Africa, the Boran improvement programme in eastern Africa, Nguni cattle breeding in southern Africa and the Ankole cattle of Uganda. The characteristics of livestock production systems, livestock breeds and socio-political aspects of Sub-Saharan Africa have largely inhibited successful breeding technology transfer from developed countries. Technological adjustments and the increasing consideration of target group involvement in livestock breeding programmes may offer better possibilities for raising production by breeding in low-input and medium- input livestock production systems. Livestock keepers can be differentiated into breeder groups and commercial groups. Breeder groups are important targets for genetic improvement programmes via community-based genetic improvement organizations. Breeding programmes are suggested for Sub- Saharan Africa within the concept of regional genetic improvement programmes controlled by breed societies, government and national agricultural research systems.
Title: Livestock production among urban Negev Bedouin
Abstract: Traditionally, Negev Bedouin were nomadic pastoralists who relied on their camels, sheep and goats for their livelihood. Today, about half of the 180,000 Negev Bedouin live in urban settlements and most men have entered the waged labour market; nonetheless, livestock are still very important in their traditions and lifestyle. In the urban settlement of Tel Sheva, 68% of the households raise animals. Women have become central actors in the production of urban livestock, handling poultry and much of the raising of sheep and goats. Why do Bedouin continue to raise livestock in the confined urban setting? Some Bedouin have large flocks and/or herds and livestock are their prime source of income. Another reason given by many other Bedouin is that keeping livestock allows them to maintain their traditional lifestyle. Furthermore, many women have to stay within the confines of the household to care for children and the home and livestock production is compatible with this arrangement. However, economic difficulties and high unemployment in the waged labour market may also provide some explanation. Incomes of urban Bedouin families are among the lowest in the country and unemployment is high. Retention of some livestock, which provides families with milk and other dairy products, as well as with meat and eggs, may be a rational choice as a supplement for those Bedouin who are financially stressed. Furthermore, this provides cash and acts as a hedge against the risk of unemployment and, if sheep, goat and camel production does become more profitable, owning some animals makes it easier to start such an enterprise.
Title: Comparative study of agricultural extension systems: a systemic view
Abstract: An increasing volume of literature deals with different meanings of the term ‘extension’ due to the many different agricultural extension systems (AESs) in use. Acknowledging the diversity of AESs, the authors recognize that there is usually a bias towards some specific aspect of these interventions that indicates a need to consider a systemic framework for comparative studies. The main purpose of this contribution is therefore to identify such a systemic view, which could be applied to comparative studies of AESs. Three levels of analysis should be scrutinized for considering a systemic view: micro (institutional), meso (national) and macro (international). At the most basic level, all AESs are involved in both intra-actions and interactions of the extension institution. For this reason, the aim of many studies has been to evaluate the institutional functions of extension practices. The functions at this lowest level are used to predict not only how extension professionals think and act, but how they react to their different target groups. The main question at the micro level is therefore to understand how a country can reach its agri-rural development goals through extension institutions and what institutional arrangements and funding trends help to achieve those goals. At the meso level, the most important considerations are national expectations, which lead to governmental support for or restrictions on the extension institution. Socioeconomic conditions and their consequences largely determine what the extension tasks should be. The main question at this level is why a country needs extension services, which define the different missions for them in different countries. Finally, at the macro level of analysis, it is important first to consider international components and their impact on the level of socioeconomic development of particular countries and, then, the extension missions. The main issue at this level is therefore to understand what international forces and considerations affect the present situation of a country and hence create new expectations of the extension system.
Title: Microdeterminants of poverty among the farming population in Bangladesh
Abstract: This paper examines the determinants of poverty among the farming population of Bangladesh by applying a probit model with heteroscedastic structure (hetprobit). The model diagnostic reveals that the choice of hetprobit instead of a standard probit is more appropriate in this case. Among the socioeconomic factors, land ownership, farm resource endowments and non-agricultural income significantly reduce the probability of becoming poor. On the other hand, the number of dependants and education of female members significantly increase the likelihood of becoming poor. Adoption of green revolution technology does not seem to have any significant influence on the likelihood of being poor. However, regional and village level factors have significant influence on poverty. The likelihood of poverty is significantly lower in regions with developed infrastructure and high soil fertility. Poverty is also significantly lower in Comilla and Jamalpur, implying that geographical location matters. Policies to promote land ownership and farm resource endowments, investment in rural infrastructure development and soil fertility improvement will significantly reduce poverty among the farming population of Bangladesh.
Title: The technical efficiency of wheat farms in Bangladesh: a non-parametric analysis
Abstract: This paper examines the technical efficiency of wheat farms in Bangladesh using cross- sectional farm level data and secondary time series data from a sample of 150 farms in the region of Khulna division, Bangladesh. To sharpen the efficiency estimates, the authors use window analysis, slacks variable analysis and data envelopment analysis (DEA) assuming constant and variable returns to scale with the application of input-orientation approaches. The estimated overall efficiency measures were regressed on the socioeconomic characteristics of the farmers to identify factors influencing the technical efficiency of wheat farms through Tobit analysis.
Title: Factors affecting the adoption of zero tillage wheat in the rice–wheat systems of India and Pakistan
Abstract: Zero tillage planting of wheat after rice has been the main success in the quest for resource- conserving technologies that can save water, reduce production costs and improve production in the Indo–Gangetic Plains, the cereal bowl of South Asia. Binomial logit models are used to assess the structural factors associated with its adoption in the rice–wheat systems of India’s Haryana state and Pakistan’s Punjab province. Zero tillage adoption is closely associated with a more favourable resource base and rice–wheat specialization in both study areas. This calls for a closer consideration of equity implications in future research and development.
Title: Delivering seeds of ‘orphan’ crops: case studies of potato and groundnut in India
Abstract: This paper examines the performance of the Indian seed system with reference to high- volume, low-value seed crops, using case studies of potato and groundnut. For both crops, traditional sources of seed meet more than two-thirds of the total demand and the rest is met by the organized sector, mainly public seed agencies. Most farmers buy fresh seed for reasons of quality, and only 12– 15% purchase seed to change varieties. Technological innovations that increase the multiplication rate and improve the quality of seed provide a significant cost advantage in potato, and therefore have attracted the private sector’s participation. This trend has been strengthened by the availability of source seed from public plant breeding programmes. However, it is unlikely that self-pollinated crops will attract private investment in plant breeding in the near future. Therefore, the public research system should continue to take responsibility for plant breeding and develop partnerships with the private sector to promote decentralized seed production and distribution. The development of supply chains, especially for premium markets, is another way to attract commercial interest in the seed as well as the product market.
Title: Communities and their agrobiodiversity: priorities for agriculture in Uttarakhand Himalaya, India
Abstract: Poor scientific understanding of traditional farming systems and related socioeconomic issues seriously impede the identification of solutions for sustainable agricultural development in the Himalayan region. Traditional agrobiodiversity management plays a key role in coping with the uncertainties prevailing in the Himalaya. There is an urgent need to bring desirable changes in agricultural policy, research and development, land use and breeding approaches to mountainous regions. This paper describes the general characteristics of agrobiodiversity, its significance, status, rate of change and causal factors, ecological, social and policy dimensions and their impacts on agrobiodiversity loss and strategies for management of the Himalayan agroecosystems.