Cocoa Production in Cameroon: A Socioeconomic and Technical Efficiency Perspective
Ngoe Mukete,
Zhou Li,
Mukete Beckline,
Bobyeg Patricia
Issue:
Volume 3, Issue 1, January 2018
Pages:
1-8
Received:
12 December 2017
Accepted:
22 December 2017
Published:
16 January 2018
Abstract: Understanding the technical efficiency of smallholder farmers is primordial in appraising their farming skills especially for cocoa farmers. In this paper, we examine the technical efficiency of small scale farmers across Africa particularly Cameroon. The study also explores the cocoa sector, its impacts on the Cameroonian economy and the challenges it currently faces. To achieve this, we carried out a comprehensive survey of published scientific literature obtained through Web of Science, Research gate, Mendeley, and Google Scholar. Using this approach, we observed that cocoa is vital in Cameroon’s economic development and that it is a sector dominated by smallholdings with inadequate access to economic and social resources. We also observed that provision of appropriate technical skills and financial access, would sustainably and enormously contribute to the growth of the cocoa sector, improve rural livelihoods and achieve food security.
Abstract: Understanding the technical efficiency of smallholder farmers is primordial in appraising their farming skills especially for cocoa farmers. In this paper, we examine the technical efficiency of small scale farmers across Africa particularly Cameroon. The study also explores the cocoa sector, its impacts on the Cameroonian economy and the challenge...
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Shrimp-Paddy Conflict in the South-West Coastal Region of Bangladesh
Mohammed Ziaul Haider,
Rabeya Akter
Issue:
Volume 3, Issue 1, January 2018
Pages:
9-13
Received:
30 November 2017
Accepted:
17 January 2018
Published:
5 February 2018
Abstract: Shrimp cultivation is a comparatively new agricultural practice in the south-west coastal region of Bangladesh. The objective of this study is to analyze the costs and returns of shrimp and paddy cultivation for understanding the behavior of the farmers in the south-west coastal region of Bangladesh. This study compares cost and return of shrimp and paddy cultivation through collecting primary data from 60 randomly selected farmers from the study area. The derived economic benefit-cost ratio (BCR) of shrimp production is 1.67 and that of paddy production is 1.36 indicating that shrimp production is more profitable than paddy production from economic viewpoint. However, the BCR of shrimp production decreases to 1.04 while the associated external cost of land degradation is added in cost side. The ratio would further decrease to less than one if other indirect cost items such as health cost, loss in livestock, mangrove destruction and biodiversity losses are considered. Such results signal that shrimp production is not a profitable option from a society viewpoint. The study findings also indicate that cost of shrimp production increases and return from shrimp production decreases over the time period. The paddy farmers in the study area moved towards shrimp farming in the 1980s for getting short-run higher benefits. However, the unfavorable changes in cost and production and lower BCR from society viewpoint explain the recent reverse move of farmers from shrimp cultivation towards paddy production for re-solving shrimp-paddy conflict in the study area. Shrimp expansion led salinity intrusion creates constraints in the move in some cases. An active cooperation of government through enforcing associated rules and regulations might be helpful for the farmers of the south-west coastal region to protect their livelihood and efficiently re-solve the shrimp-paddy conflict.
Abstract: Shrimp cultivation is a comparatively new agricultural practice in the south-west coastal region of Bangladesh. The objective of this study is to analyze the costs and returns of shrimp and paddy cultivation for understanding the behavior of the farmers in the south-west coastal region of Bangladesh. This study compares cost and return of shrimp an...
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An Agronomic and Profitability Study on Rice Production: A Case of Jalgaon Village of Comilla District, Bangladesh
Rozina Yeasmin Lucky,
Jahangir Kabir,
Golam Rabbani,
Abu Bakr Siddique,
Emran Hossain
Issue:
Volume 3, Issue 1, January 2018
Pages:
14-22
Received:
15 January 2018
Accepted:
24 February 2018
Published:
26 March 2018
Abstract: Performance of rice crops in farmers’ fields largely lower than varietal potential. Besides, profitability is an important aspect of production decision for the semi-subsistence farming system in Bangladesh. Therefore, this study was conducted evaluate crops management practice and performance of rice in different seasons. Farmers’ group discussion with key informant farmers was conducted for collecting and validating the data using a semi-structured questionnaire. Adoption of modern rice varieties was high in the village. Rice is planted delay in all the seasons because of three crops (rice-rice-rice) rice based cropping patterns in the village. Farmers mainly relied on household seeds (owned stored and purchase from neighboring farmers) in Aus and Aman seasons while the dealer supplied seed is the prime seed source in Boro season. The seed rates were largely higher than recommendation rates. Farmers’ fertilizers management is highly inconsistent with recommendation practice. Both manual and chemical methods are used for controlling weeds. Chemical method is mainly practiced for controlling insects and diseases of crops. Paddle and power thresher is used for threshing rice. Boro rice gave Boro rice gave higher yield (4.94 t/ha) followed by T. Aman (3.29 t/ha) and Aus (3.09 t/ha) due to better cropping environment, good management practices, higher inputs and usages of better genotypes. The performance of rice in the three seasons showed large yield gap. T. Aman gave higher gross margin (BDT 22,015/ha) followed by Boro (BDT 16,468/ha) and Aus (BDT 9,414/ha) because of higher price and lower production cost. Participation of women in the intercultural operations of crops and their role sin decision making about farming was a few. Nevertheless, they intensively participate in post-harvest processing of crops and other household activates and decisions. In short, despite a large yield gap, rice production is profitable in the three seasons at survey year’s price. The poorer access to extension service, good quality seed, phosphorous fertilizers, pesticides and power supply were identified as barrier to achieve potential performance of rice cultivars and expected level of returns. Thus, policy supports for increasing access to extension supports and quality inputs may reduce yield gap and enhance productivity and profitability of rice crops largely.
Abstract: Performance of rice crops in farmers’ fields largely lower than varietal potential. Besides, profitability is an important aspect of production decision for the semi-subsistence farming system in Bangladesh. Therefore, this study was conducted evaluate crops management practice and performance of rice in different seasons. Farmers’ group discussion...
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