Suchergebnisse

This study investigated profitability and production function of irrigated tomato production among small scale farmers in Niger State. Data used for the study were obtained using structured questionnaires administered to 100 randomly selected irrigated tomato farmers from Kontagora and Wushishi Local Government Areas of the state. Descriptive statistics, gross margin, production function analysis and resource-use efficiencies were used for analysis of the data obtained. The result showed that irrigated tomato production is profitable in the area with net farm income of N85306.92 per hectare. Estimated multiple regression analysis revealed that semi-log regression chosen as the lead equation. The R2 value was 0.757. Farm size (X1), quantity of seed (X4) and agrochemical (X5) are the significant factors influencing output level of irrigated tomato at 1 % level of probability. Labour is also a significant factor at 5 % level of probability. Estimated efficiency-ratio (r) showed that the resources were not efficiently utilized. Estimated elasticity of factor inputs and return to scale showed that there is increasing return to scale. It was therefore recommended that loans and credit facilities should be provided for irrigated tomato farmers in the area. Similarly, dams should be constructed and irrigation equipments be provided for the farmers in the area to supply water for irrigation of farmland. Also, extension agents should be provided to disseminate research findings to irrigated tomato farmers on modern technology.

This study measured technical efficiency and its determinants in maize production by small-scale producers in Mwanza region, using a stochastic frontier production function approach. A randomly selected sample of participants in the two districts was used. The Maximum Likelihood estimation procedure was followed to obtain the determinants of technical efficiency and technical efficiency levels of small-scale tomato producers. The minimum and maximum values of technical efficiency were between 20% and 91%, indicating that the least practices of specific producer operates at a minimum level of 20%, while the best practice producers operate at 91% technical efficiency level respectively. The summary results of the mean technical efficiency was 57%. The results indicate that farmers were not fully technically efficient with a mean technical efficiency score of 0.58. The study also revealed that most of the farmers irrespective of the size of the holdings have shown technical inefficiency problems. Experienced farmers were observed to have good measures of technical efficiency. The findings also indicated that significant variables of technical efficiency included household size, labour, fertilizer, seed, educational level, household size, farming experience, and access to extension services were statistically significant by positively impacted on producers' technical efficiency in the study area.

This paper examines representational politics in relation to the production and marketization of Italy's 'red Gold', the tomato. It centres around three competing images. The first, hegemonic image is of a bucolic countryside, pushed by agro-capital and retail. A stereotypically 'fetishizing' image, it hides both labour and its exploitation. The second is its counter-hegemonic opposite, of a countryside seething with indignity, populated by exploited workers, and neglected by the state. Advanced by civil society, this image parallels many within mainstream 'modern abolitionism' and seeks to shame big business into pursuing a more ethical capitalism. In our view, it re-inscribes the (neo)liberal paradigm that is foundational to the exploitation it wishes to overcome. It also alienates many of the people it purports to depict. The third image is an ethnographic alternative to the first two and is drawn from our fieldwork with the farmers, migrant workers and labour-brokers responsible for tomato production in Foggia, Southern Italy. Complex and contradictory, it depicts living and working conditions that are bad, but better than the alternative, and workers who are exploited, but nevertheless understand themselves as consenting to their exploitation.

The development of labour standards for the single truss tomato
production system is examined. Both time study and predetermined time
systems, such as the Element Times for Agriculture (ETA) tables and the
Maynard Operation Sequence Technique (MOST) tables, are used to
determine labour standards for the operations of pruning and harvesting
in a single truss tomato production system. The hypothesis is that a
predetermined time system could be used to establish greenhouse labour
standards, and thus replace the tedious and costly process of direct
time study. Such a work measurement system would enable the setting of
job standards quickly and accurately. Standardised work models will
facilitate cost control of labour operations, and provide data for
evaluation of labour costs within future greenhouse system designs. The
data indicate that, although the pre‐determined time values varied from
measured time study by around 6 per cent to over 23 per cent for
pruning, the variation for harvesting ranged approximately from 3 per
cent to 7 per cent. The combined results suggest that predetermined time
systems can be used effectively to establish greenhouse labour standards
for short cycle tasks without the loss of significant accuracy when
using an absolute scale.

Climate variability and the rise in incidences of pests and diseases continue to undermine production of high value vegetables among smallholder farmers in sub-Saharan Africa. In order to respond to these challenges, protected farming technologies (PFT) (such as greenhouses) which modify the plant environment and therefore aid in avoiding the harmful eects of climatic factors have been promoted. Greenhouses protect the crops against high solar radiation and heavy rainfall that have the potential of destroying vulnerable crops like tomatoes. Consequently, PFT is associated with better yields and farm incomes. However, the adoption of PFT among smallholder farmers, not least in Kenya is low. Drawing on the Agricultural Household Model (AHM) theoretic framework, this paper assessed the determinants of adoption of PFT among smallholder tomato farmers in Kenya. Tomato is the second most important horticultural vegetable crop in Kenya after potatoes in terms of production volumes and value. Data for the study were collected from a cross sectional multistage random survey of 104 tomato farming households and analysed using maximum likelihood probit model. The probit results revealed that the age of a farmer, educational level, household size, total household income and access to credit positively influenced the likelihood of PFT adoption. The likelihood of adoption was negatively related to distance to input markets and access to the county government extension services. Overall, the results of this study suggest that an integrated promotional strategy that accounts for household heterogeneities and focuses on institutional arrangements that support the accumulation of human and financial capital would enhance PFT adoption.

The study intends to assess whether leadership style enhances an effective enterprises risk management at tomato production value chain in Ethiopia. The target population of the study include: Dealers, farmers and union organizers. It was stratified random sampling that was deployed to get sample respondents. Accordingly two hundred and seventy- three respondents responded the questionnaire. Qualitative data was collected to triangulate the responses of sample respondents. Finally, the study reveals out that the leadership style affects enterprise risk management significantly. Hence it is advisable for tomato production firms to exercise the leadership style that fits their organizational culture.

The study intends to assess whether leadership style enhances an effective enterprises risk management at tomato production value chain in Ethiopia. The target population of the study include: Dealers, farmers and union organizers. It was stratified random sampling that was deployed to get sample respondents. Accordingly two hundred and seventy- three respondents responded the questionnaire. Qualitative data was collected to triangulate the responses of sample respondents. Finally, the study reveals out that the leadership style affects enterprise risk management significantly. Hence it is advisable for tomato production firms to exercise the leadership style that fits their organizational culture.