Production Status and Relevance of Anchote (Coccinia Abyssinica (Lam.) in Ethiopia: A Review (Published)

A review was undertaken to obtain the related research results and facts on the production status and relevance of Anchote (Coccinia abyssinica (Lam.)) in Ethiopia with the aim of delivering the synthesized and summarized information to the beneficiaries. Anchote (Coccinia abyssinica (Lam.) Cogn.) belongs to the family cucurbitaceae is indigenous to Ethiopia. It is grown for its edible root tuber and leafy vegetables in western and south western parts of Ethiopia. The most economical part of Anchote is the tuberous root with diversified potentials of food, animal feed, medicinal and starch production, that will contribute towards food security, income generation, and resource base conservation. According to the existing tradition, the suitable production area of Anchote is believed to be the home garden which strategically reduces the burden for women who are actively engaged in the cultivation of Anchote. An improved understanding of the production, utilization, and estimated future economic importance of these crops has potentially far-reaching implication in research and development areas at both the international and, national levels.

Citation: Gudeta A. (2022) Production Status and Relevance of Anchote (Coccinia Abyssinica (Lam.) in Ethiopia: A Review, International Journal of Agricultural Extension and Rural Development Studies, Vol.9, No.4, pp.20-27

 

Keywords: Anchote, Benefits, Coccinia abyssinica, Production

Comparative Analysis of Cereal Crop Production Grown in Lesotho (Published)

Production of cereal crops is a thriving industry in Lesotho comprising of maize, sorghum and wheat. The percentage change in composition of these cereal crops in terms of production, yield and area is not well documented. The objects of study were therefore to (i) compare the changes in the composition of cereal crops and (ii) determine trend in area, production and yield from time-period 1961-2017. The secondary data collected from Food and Agriculture Organization (FAOSTAT) was used for analysis. The study was carried out at Maseru in Lesotho. Data were subjected to Excel in the Microsoft office software version 10.  The results of study showed that maize was dominating sorghum and wheat in production, area planted and yield. Maize constituted 61% of cereal production; yield productivity was 60% and area occupied 65%. Sorghum production comprised 22%, yield 34% and area 24%. The last performer was wheat with production of 17%, 11% area and 6% yield. It can be deduced from results that maize is most preferred, followed by sorghum and then wheat lastly.

Keywords: Area, Production, Yield, cereal crops, trendline

Do Extension Services Influence Milk Production among Dairy Farmers’ Cooperatives? (Published)

Dairying is viable for smallholders but suffers from high transaction costs hence the need for cooperatives that aid farmers to access various services. Agricultural extension disseminates knowledge, physical inputs, credit and builds farmer’ capacity for collecting bargaining and marketing their produce. A descriptive study design was adopted, 200 participants were selected using multi stratified random sampling. Secondary and primary data were collected using a semis-structured checklist and structured questionnaire respectively. Mean productivities for farmers who used or didn’t use extension services were compared using an independent samples t-test statistics. Dairy farmers who accessed business training, artificial insemination, improved fodder and concentrates increased milk production. Access to extension services explained 25.5% of the variations in milk production per cow per day. Dairy farmers are operating profitably with average monthly revenue ($215) versus expenditure ($58).interventions aimed at supporting dairy farmers to increase milk production should prioritize cooperatives and extension services.

Keywords: Cooperatives, Inputs, Production, extension, services

Effect of Crop Intensification Program on Maize Production in Nyagatare, Rwanda (Published)

This study was conducted in Nyagatare district located in the Eastern Province of Rwanda. Its objective was to assess the effect of the Crop Intensification program (CIP) on maize production in Nyagatare district.   Improved seeds, Inorganic fertilizers, Extension services and Land Use Consolidation were the major variables for consideration in this study and assessment was made as to the contribution they made to maize production in CIP in the study area .  The study focused on 24 cooperatives with 97 respondents. It used qualitative approaches to generate the opinion of respondents where data was not readily available and also quantitative methods where both primary and secondary data were used. Primary data was collected using questionnaires from random sample of 97 farmers, and it considered the socio-economic characteristics of farmers while Secondary data was collected from different sources, like Ministry of Agriculture, District offices, Agriculture Sector working Group (ASWG) reports , books, reports and internet.. The research used correlation and regression techniques  Research findings revealed that youth and educated people’s engagement in agricultural activities  is minimal, that Extension services has not influenced maize production significantly and also that men constitute a bigger proportion of the agriculture work force than women  creating a gender gap in the sector. Improved seeds influence significantly maize production more than other independent variables in this study

Keywords: Agricultural inputs, Agro-dealers, Cooperatives, Crop Intensification program, Extension services, Land Use Consolidation, Production, Productivity

Effect of Crop Intensification Program on Maize Production in Nyagatare, Rwanda. (Published)

This study was conducted in Nyagatare district located in the Eastern Province of Rwanda. Its objective was to assess the effect of the Crop Intensification program (CIP) on maize production in Nyagatare district.   Improved seeds, Inorganic fertilizers, Extension services and Land Use Consolidation were the major variables for consideration in this study and assessment was made as to the contribution they made to maize production in CIP in the study area .  The study focused on 24 cooperatives with 97 respondents. It used qualitative approaches to generate the opinion of respondents where data was not readily available and also quantitative methods where both primary and secondary data were used. Primary data was collected using questionnaires from random sample of 97 farmers, and it considered the socio-economic characteristics of farmers while Secondary data was collected from different sources, like Ministry of Agriculture, District offices, Agriculture Sector working Group (ASWG) reports , books, reports and internet.. The research used correlation and regression techniques  Research findings revealed that youth and educated people’s engagement in agricultural activities  is minimal, that Extension services has not influenced maize production significantly and also that men constitute a bigger proportion of the agriculture work force than women  creating a gender gap in the sector. Improved seeds influence significantly maize production more than other independent variables in this study .

Keywords: Agricultural inputs, Agro-dealers, Cooperatives, Crop Intensification program, Extension services, Land Use Consolidation, Production, Productivity

Trend of Wheat Production in Lesotho and Its Determinants: Five Decades and Beyond (Published)

Wheat being the third most important cereal crop in Lesotho, after Maize and Sorghum, has been decreasing in production, area planted and yield. This decline has not been determined using statistical analysis. The objectives of the study were to (1) determine trend in wheat production, area planted and yield, (2) estimate regression coefficients of factors affecting wheat and (3) establish correlation coefficient of these factors. Time series data from 1961 to 2013 on total production of wheat, area planted, yield, rainfall and temperature were captured from FAOSTAT (2013). GENSTAT software was perform statistical analysis. The results revealed a dramatic decline in production, area planted and yield of 77%, 82% and 33.16%, respectively. Regression analysis revealed significant difference (p>0.01) among the regrsessors and each regressor had elasticity coefficient influencing wheat production. Correlation analysis showed that yield was highly correlated (r =0.6678) with area and moderately correlated with temperature (r =0.363) and rainfall (r = 0.2011).

Keywords: Correlation, Lesotho, Production, Regression, Wheat Trend