A considerable number of livestock farmers are still practising natural matting for their animals instead of the Artificial Insemination (AI) technique. This study aimed to determine the various insemination procedures being used by farmers and the reasons for their rejection or acceptance in rural areas of Punjab. A cross-sectional dataset of 400 randomly selected livestock herders from two purposefully selected districts, Rahim Yar Khan and Muzaffargarh, was used. We used Statistical Package for Social Sciences (SPSS) to apply crosstab and t-test to the collected data. Findings infer that the AI technique was preferred by 60.5% of farmers particularly for cows whereas 75% of farmers preferred the natural matting process for buffalo (75.0%). The quality of AI service provided by public and private technicians was rated at an average level. For the natural matting process of their animals’ farmers were heavily (73.8 %) dependent on fellow farmers for sourcing a bull. Farmers viewed both private and public sector technicians equally skilled in performing AI. However, the high cost of semen (x=4.07±1.17) and unskilled technicians (x=4.05±1.17) were the key obstacles in wake of the effectiveness of AI. Poor record of the bull (x=4.12±1.14) and non-availability of bull (x=3.93±1.23) were the prominent plights associated with natural matting. Statistically, a significant difference was found concerning the cost of insemination (t=16.058), breed type (t =20.403) and milk or meat production potential (t=24.480) while inseminating the cow or buffalo. This study concludes that it should be obligatory for the farmers to maintain a record of natural matting through the bull. For AI, semen quality should be ensured with the synergistic association among institutions. The concerned institutions must develop a strategy to eradicate unregistered and non-qualified quack technicians
Climate change is one of the venerable factors of the environment. The climate of Punjab is changing over time due to global warming, increasing temperature, melting of glaciers, and changes in the rainfall pattern. Cotton crop is very sensitive and risky to climate change and intensive inputs and huge investment is required for the production of cotton. The research aims to investigate the impact of climate change on the productivity of cotton. The Secondary data was collected from meteorological departments. The general production function that will be used for the analysis where Y is cotton production per hectare, Cl is the vector of climatic indicators including temperature, humidity, and precipitation while NCI is the vector of non-climatic indicators such as fertilizer area under cotton and technological change. An autoregressive distributed lag (ARDL) approach to co-integration was applied for the estimation of long-run relationships and a short-run relationship error correction model was used. For the stability of model CUSUM and CUSUM Q test was applied. ARIMA model was used for forecasting whereas regression analysis was used for impact analysis. Evolving and disseminating cotton varieties having adaptation to climate change should be the focus of future research and development. Improving the practices of farm management, developing awareness among the farmers about climate change, and strengthening the extension department are some measures to be taken for the adaptation to climate change in the cotton zone.
Toxoplasmosis, an important zoonotic parasitic disease-causing infection in humans and contaminating the environment. Cats are the sole source of spreading infection. Current study was designed to serodiagnoses in the flooded area, Jhang, Pakistan. Using rapid identification pen side strip test 316 pet cats were examined at CVAS, Jhang and other private clinics in that area. Rapid ID Chromatographic immune assay was performed to detect the antibodies for Feline toxoplasma IgM and IgG in serum. Related associated risk factors like breed, sex, contact with other livestock animals, deworming, location type (urban or rural area), diet (nature of food either cooked or uncooked meat), and outdoor access for wandering were also interviewed by owner. Total seroprevalence of cats was 10.4% (33/316). IgG antibodies were found 9.09 (29/316) while IgM antibodies were 2.21% (7/316) in cats. Seroprevalence was significantly high in cats older than one year. No significant difference was recorded between males and females. Cats from peri urban areas showed higher prevalence. Cats having access to outside, contact with other animals and eating uncooked food showed high seroprevalence. The current study confirms that Toxoplasma gondii is widespread in pet animals in district Jhang, Pakistan. This study urges pets lower to be aware about the Toxoplasmosis diseases. Whereas, the livestock extension sector should disseminate the precautionary awareness among the public
This study aims at appraising the needed agricultural information, sources and the pathways that livestock farmers used for climatic risk adaptation in Eastern Amhara Region and also, determining factors that influenced farmer’s decision in selecting information pathways. Cross-section survey research design was used for the study. Sample was selected using multistage sampling design. From three agroecological zones, three districts and nine PAs were covered by the study. In the household survey, 317 livestock farmers were interviewed for quantitate data collection. Furthermore, FGD and Key Informant interviews were conducted to supplement survey’s result. Data were analysed using STATA (version 14) software. Descriptive and inferential statistical analysis were deployed. The study revealed that livestock farmers needed different agricultural information to adapt climatic risks. The prominent information was relating to feed quality improvement, feed preservation, animal health management and soil and water conservations. Most farmers obtained the information from relatives, extension workers and fellow farmers. Informal discussion, farm-visit, training and village-meetings were the pathways that livestock farmers used to acquire agricultural information. The decision of a farmer in selecting information pathways was determined by different factors, but they differ from pathway to pathways. For example, radio selection was influenced by livestock size the farmer owned and extension access, while train was influenced by membership of farmer groups and credit access. In conclusion, livestock farmers need a diverse agricultural information to adapt climatic risks. They acquire the information from their intimate sources through affordable information pathways. To be effective in climatic risk adaptation, information provision should be need based, delivered through multisource and pathways. Besides, the existing conventional information pathways should also be supported by ICT resources and demonstration. Considering the determinate factors of information pathway selection is very crucial in designing information diffusion strategy.
Agricultural extension agents provide informal education to equip farmers with new knowledge and skills. They play critical roles for the transfer of agricultural knowledge, technologies, and innovations. However, most of them dissatisfied and intend to find other employment in Ethiopia. Thus, this study was conducted to examine agricultural extension agents’ education, perceptions towards job satisfaction, and turnover intention in public agricultural extension services in Ethiopia. The sample frame was the list of all first, second, and third-year mid-career students joined Haramaya University to upgrade their educational qualification. Total 123 extension agents were involved in the study. Primary data were collected using a structured questionnaire and analyzed using descriptive statistics. Results revealed that about 89.40% of extension agents acquired new knowledge, skills, practices, and attitudinal change during attending their education at Haramaya University. Results also showed that extension agents were dissatisfied with their current job and organization in terms of payment, promotion, benefits, and recognition. Furthermore, survey results indicate that about 68.3% of extension agents intended to leave their current position and extension organization after completing a Bachelor of Science degree. Therefore, government, private sectors and other stakeholders who work in extension organizations should work on the education and training programs, work motivation, and job satisfaction of agricultural extension agents by designing various incentive packages to increase their work motivation and reduce turnover intentions.
This study appraised the impact of the training programme (such a feed formulation, house preparation, brooding vaccination schedule, stocking density, litter application, types sorting and handling of eggs, record keeping and accounts) given to poultry farmers by the private sector. Obasanjo Farms Nigeria Limited was used as a case study. The study objectives were to investigate the sources of the information about the training programmes, identified training needs of participants, capture adoption techniques, ascertained training satisfaction level, ascertained property acquisition of beneficiaries before and after the training and identify constraints facing the participants. A simple random sampling technique was used for this study to obtain a sample size of 84. A set of questionnaires was used to elicit information from respondents. Data obtained were analyzed statistically. The study revealed that the majority (82.1%) were males with a mean age of 30years and mean the farming experience was two years. The major source of information was radio (52.4%). Training need such as feed formulation (66.9%) optimal on needs assessment rating. The majority (at medium level) adopted the training rendered on feed formulation, stocking density, brooding techniques, and medication techniques. Respondents were mostly satisfied with training given on brooding (mean = 3.4). The most serious constraint was the inadequate provision of starter packs to trainees. On before and after comparison, the T-test showed that there were significant differences between the various properties acquired after the training programme (p0.05). The study concluded that trainees were satisfied with the training as it contributed to increased wellbeing. It was recommended that trainees should be equipped after training sessions to ensure best practices and food security.
This exploratory study assesses factors that harness agricultural technology adoption among smallholder farmers in Kakamega County, Kenya by evaluating the key variables that influence sustainable adoption of agricultural innovations in the area. A survey was randomly administered in June and July 2018 among smallholder farming households in seven sub-counties (N=78) of Kakamega County. A logistic regression model, capturing factors presumed to influence the adoption of agricultural innovations, was estimated. Results suggest that even in smallholder farms, the farm size is important in adoption of innovations. Results also indicate limited or no farmer interaction (55%) with extension services. Farmers reported application of fertilizer and use of push-pull technology as less important in maintaining soil health. The regression model findings suggest that variables typically presumed to influence adoption in the literature are insignificant in this case study. The statistical significance of the farm size variable implies that agricultural extension messages can be tailored to a variety of farmer audiences for suitable adoption based on farm size. The diffusion of innovation theory remains a valid and relevant framework in studying adoption. This study reiterates the critical role that farmers or their environment play in the adoption process.
Pakistan is the 8 th largest wheat producer in the world. However, the country’s wheat productivity is not as impressive as that of China, India and Bangladesh. Punjab shares more than 70 percent of the country’s total area cultivated under wheat crop. Although the application of farm inputs in their optimal quantities translate into improved wheat yield, however the qualitative attributes of the agronomy applied to wheat production as well as the socioeconomic realities of the wheat growers also matter for better output. Keeping in view the role of wheat as a staple diet in Pakistan along with its strong backward and forward linkages with the industrial sector of the country, the study investigated the impact of socioeconomic and agronomic settings on wheat yield in wheat-cotton Punjab (Pakistan). District Bahawalnagar stands first regarding its share in the total acreage of agricultural land sown under wheat crop as well as its share in total wheat production in Punjab. By surveying the selected villages of the district, 120 wheat growers were contacted for the collection of data through a questionnaire. The information was recorded through face-to-face interviewing, while data was analyzed by using SPSS® version 20. Amongst the socioeconomic attributes, a farmer’s educational status as literate and landownership status as landless were observed to be positively related to the wheat yield. While amongst the agronomic practices, seed sowing through broadcast method, manual wheat harvesting, poor soil fertility, and the tube-well as the only mode of irrigation were negatively associated with the wheat grain yield. The study concludes that in the context of wheat-cotton Punjab, qualitative attributes of the wheat growers and that of agronomic practices matter in determining wheat yield. The study suggests the need for rural infrastructure (especially, human and irrigational) development in order to bridge the actual and potential yield gaps for wheat crop.
This study aimed at exploring the information deficiency among vegetables growers regarding production practices of vegetables. Total 208 vegetable growers, who were selected randomly participated in the study as respondents. The data were collected on structured questionnaire through face-to-face interview technique. The analysis of the data indicated that the farmers had diverse demographic conditions, but primarily with ordinary level of education (52.4% were illiterate), small land holdings and over reliance on farming sources to generate income (77.9%). Cultivation of vegetables was observed on small land holdings whereas 87% aimed at not only commercializing the produce abut also meet the domestic needs. In order to meet information needs, important for the vegetable’s cultivation, neighbour farmers were the most preferred information source (59.61%) while agriculture department (10.57%) and agriculture helpline (8.48%) were the least. Farmers had high level of information deficiency regarding Fertilizer application (x̅=4.38), Seed rate (x̅=4.25), Insect’s pests/diseases identification (4.01) and medium level deficiency regarding selection of Varieties (x̅=3.87), Insects pets management (x̅=3.53) and Harvesting (x̅=3.51). This is affirmed that farmers had information deficiency about the major aspects of the production and it could have impacted the production inversely. Farmers had more inclination towards traditional information sources and this could be the reason of information deficiency among farmers. This study urges more proactive role of agricultural extension department to mainstream the information delivery mechanism for the timely access and uniform delivery of required information among vegetable growers.
Coffee is the most important and second traded commodity next to oil in the world. In Ethiopia, coffee leaf rust caused by Hemileia vastatrix is one of the third most economically important diseases of Coffee Arabica. The current status of coffee leaf rust was intensively assessed and examined in 189 sample coffee farms from six districts across major coffee growing areas of the Southern Ethiopia. At each farm, ten randomly selected trees on a diagonal transect across the farm were assessed for disease incidence and severity. The survey data showed that coffee leaf rust was present in all assessed district varying in magnitude and extent of damage. The highest overall mean of rust incidence (38.6%) and severity (13.80%) was recorded at Dilla zuria while the lowest incidence (10.52%) and severity (1.38%) was at Yergachaffee district. The highest altitude range was obtained at Yergachaffee (1838-2056) while the lowest was at Dilla zuria (1434-1825) district. Overall mean severity and incidence result indicate that, there was statistical (p = 0.058 for severity, p = 0.044 for incidence) and negative correlation between intensity and altitude (severity, r= -0.80 and incidence, r= -0.82). The linear regression equation of severity and incidence obtained from the data was Y= -0.036X+73.16 and Y = -0.074X +158.9 (where Y= percentage CLR severity and incidence, respectively and X= altitude). This regression equation implies that, in higher elevation areas the rust intensity was low as compare to the lower elevation. Finally, the disease was remarkably increasing from time to time in all assessed coffee farms. Therefore, appropriate measurement like farmers’ awareness creation and training on how to control disease as well as appropriate agronomic managements has to be seriously undertaken. In addition, development of coffee leaf rust resistant varieties to southern Ethiopia through resistant breeding has to be set high priority.
Borderline Personality Disorder (BPD) is a psychological disorder, which could cause severe problems in self-functioning, emotion regulation, and interpersonal relationships. This study aimed to assess BPD among university students and evaluating the association of BPD with demographic factors among the students. Three private sector universities were selected from Lahore. A cross-sectional survey was conducted by using questionnaire composed of demographic factors (gender, age and university) and Borderline Personality Inventory (BPI- cut 20). An estimated data of 700 undergraduates was collected through stratified sampling technique. The collected data was analyzed through SPSS (Version 17). There were (46%) males and (54%) female participants, whose mean age was 21 ± 1.81 years, at the time of data collection. The findings indicated, BPD (≥10) in majority (62%) of the participants. BPD was more prevalent among the age group of 18-21 years. Application of the Chi-square test confirmed non-significant association (p 0.05) between age, and gender, with BPD. The strength of the relationship was assessed through the odds ratio (OR). Association between gender and BPD (OR= 1.026, CI= 0.755-1.392) and age and BPD (OR= 0.880, CI= 0.637-1.216), university and BPD (OR= 0.531, CI=0.381-0.742) reported a statistically significant association with BPD (p0.001). Further the Logistic regression affirmed, impact of rank, of the educational institution (university) had significant effect on prevalence of BPD. Therefore, it is concluded that students (young adults) are more at risk of being affected by BPD, who are studying in the universities with higher socio-economic status. So, it can be supposed that environment (rank, location and circumstances) of the university is one of the dominating factors playing a significant role in the prevalence of BPD among young adults.
