This study assessed the extent of farm mechanization and technical efficiency of cassava production in Oyo State Nigeria. The objectives were to profile the socio-economic characteristics of farmers, describe the extent of mechanization, and examine the effect of extent of farm mechanization on technical efficiency. Three hundred and seventy-two (372) cassava farmers sampled using a multi-stage sampling technique, and the data were analyzed with descriptive statistics and Cobb Douglass stochastic frontier model. Findings indicated that 80 percent of those involved in cassava farming were men with average age and farm size of 53 years and 0.75 hectares respectively which indicates that it was dominated by the smallholders. Mechanization as a whole was low (9%), and little mechanization was adopted beyond land clearing and ridging with most other activities being done manually. Supporting the findings on the frontier estimations was the fact that farm size proved to be a determining factor in cassava production while experience, accessibility of credit and extension services reduced inefficiency. Extent of Farm mechanization was not statistically significant but it has a negative coefficient which implies that it reduces inefficiency when implemented. In the study, it is concluded that the levels of efficiency have been high together with structural limitations in credit, extension, infrastructure and mechanization. Such limitations if improved will boost cassava production.

The present study aimed to identify and interpret the determining factors of responsible behavior in food consumption, combining the theoretical analysis of the concept with an exploratory research study, followed by the analysis of results through structural equation modeling. Considering the growing societal interest in adopting sustainable dietary practices and the limited number of studies addressing responsible food consumption behaviors in the Romanian context, this study aims to identify and interpret the determining factors of such behavior by combining the theoretical analysis of the concept with exploratory research, followed by the analysis of results through structural equation modelling (SEM-PLS). The exploratory research, conducted on 113 respondents from Galati County, employed the SEM-PLS method to evaluate the relationships among cognitive, attitudinal, and contextual variables employed in food consumption behavior. Obtained results indicated that public policies, technological monitoring, and media campaigns significantly influenced responsible behavior, accounting for 75.7% of variance. Additionally, food education and resource conservation play a mediating role in shaping sustainable behavior. In conclusion, the study demonstrates that responsibility in food consumption results from the interaction of individual, social, and institutional factors. Promoting nutritional education, informational transparency, and sustainable policies represents essential directions for fostering conscious and balanced food consumption in Romania.

This study examined the determinants of income shocks among farming civil servant households in Southwest Nigeria. Using a multistage sampling technique, 360 respondents were selected, and data were analyzed through descriptive statistics and a Probit regression model. Findings revealed that inconsistent salary payments were the primary source of income shocks, with 86.4% of respondents reporting irregular salary disbursements. Despite this, the overall impact on households was moderated, indicating the presence of coping mechanisms or supplementary income sources. The Probit regression analysis identified inconsistent salary payments (p < 0.05), shortage of rainfall (p < 0.05), high cost of improved crop varieties (p < 0.01), and high cost of fertilizer (p < 0.01) as significant determinants of income shocks. Based on these findings, the study recommends policies to ensure timely and consistent salary payments, guarantee access to subsidized farm inputs, promote climate-smart agricultural practices, and expand access to credit and insurance for civil servant farmers. Additionally, livelihood diversification should be encouraged to reduce dependence on a single income source. Implementing these measures would stabilize household income, enhance agricultural productivity, and reduce the vulnerability of civil servant farming households to income shocks.

The aim of this study was to characterize and classify soils developed under two different parent materials (that is, basement complex rocks and the sedimentary rocks) in Niger State. Four sites, two each under the formations were selected for the study. Gidan Mangoro (GDM) and Nubwa Koyi (NBK) represented the basement complex while Patita (PTA) and Ndayako (NDY) represented the sedimentary rocks. In each site, a mini profile pit (1m x 1m x 1m) was dug, described and sampled according to FAO guidelines. The samples were analyzed in the laboratory following the standard analytical procedures. The soils were classified according to USDA Soil Taxonomy system and correlated with the WRB System. The texture of GDM, was loamy sand at topmost horizon (Ap), underlain by sandy clay loam at Bt horizon over sandy loam texture at Btv horizon. The NBK was sandy loam at Ap horizon over sandy clay loam at Btv1 and Btv2 horizons. PTA, and NYK were sandy loam all through. Soil pH was moderately acid to neutral in all the study sites. Total nitrogen was low (0.3 g kg-1), (> available phosphorus was moderate to high (9.33 to 29 mg/kg-1) Exchangeable potassium (K) was low to very low (0.05 to 0.11 cmol kg-1), while cation exchange capacity (CEC) ranged from 5.02 to 10.40 cmol kg-1 and was low to moderate. The soils were classified as Typic Plinthustalf (GDM),Plinthic Kanhaplustult (NBK), Oxic Haplustept (PTA) and Rhodic Kanhaplustults (NDY). The soils developed under basement complex rocks were shallow to deep soils while the soils from sedimentary rocks formations were deep to very deep.

The study assessed users’ satisfaction with cassava processing centre via Nigerian Stored Products Research Institute (NSPRI) Adopted Villages Scheme in Isale Awe, Kwara State, Nigeria. The population of the study includes all the agro-processors in the study area. A multistage sampling procedure was employed to select 48 respondents (cassava processors). The data acquired with a well-structured questionnaire were analyzed using descriptive and inferential statistics (Linear Regression model). The majority of the respondents were male (83.3%) and educated (66.7%) with a mean age and a mean household’s size of 48.75±12.535 years and 9.08±4.471 respectively. Cassava processing centre provided by NSPRI was widely utilized (weighted mean score (WMS) of 2.58) by cassava processors in Isale Awe. Most of the respondents were more satisfied with the accessibility of the technology (WMS = 3.92). Moreover, 50.0 percent of the respondents were satisfied with NSPRI cassava processing centre on high level. High cost of maintenance (WMS = 2.17) remains the major challenge facing the utilization of cassava processing centre in the study area. The result of linear regression model indicated that age (t = 2.907***) and educational level (t = 3.404***) were significantly related with the level of satisfaction of NSPRI technology. Since educational level is an important determinant of users’ satisfaction with cassava processing centre provided by NSPRI, there is adequate need for advocacy for acquisition of quality education to further enhance effective utilization of technology with attending better output and higher return to investment.

This study examined the influence of socioeconomic characteristics and climate-smart agricultural practices on the profitability of vegetable farming in Egbeda Local Government Area, Oyo State, Nigeria. The research aimed to determine how farmers’ demographic and economic factors, coupled with the adoption of climate-smart agricultural practices, shape their income and sustainability outcomes. Primary data were collected from 145 randomly selected vegetable farmers using a structured questionnaire, and analyzed with descriptive and inferential statistics, including multiple linear regression. Findings revealed that the majority of respondents were male (67.6%), within the productive age bracket of 31–40 years, and operating on small-scale farms of less than one hectare. Adoption of climate-smart agricultural practices such as crop rotation (73.1%), mulching (69.7%), and use of improved seeds (69.0%) was relatively high, reflecting increasing awareness of sustainable production systems. However, challenges including inadequate facilities, high input costs, and limited extension contact constrained adoption. Regression analysis showed that farm size (β = 1.581), association membership (β = 0.926), and access to climate-smart agricultural information (β = 0.737) significantly (p < 0.05) influenced monthly profit, while the direct effect of climate-smart agricultural adoption was positive but not statistically significant. The study concludes that socioeconomic factors, institutional participation, and information access are key determinants of profitability and adoption of climate-smart agricultural practices among smallholder vegetable farmers. Strengthening farmers’ access to land, input resources, and cooperative networks, alongside integrated extension services and multi-channel information dissemination, will enhance climate-smart agriculture adoption and profitability. The findings contribute to the empirical discourse on climate-smart agribusiness and align with Sustainable Development Goals 2 (Zero Hunger) and 13 (Climate Action), supporting Nigeria’s transition toward resilient and sustainable agricultural systems.

Livestock plays multiple roles in supporting communities’ livelihood, economic development, and social capital. However, they remain vulnerable to infectious diseases. To address this, a cross-sectional questionnaire-based survey was conducted in the East Gojam zone of Amhara Regional State to assess livestock handling practices and generate relevant information for animal keepers and other stakeholders. The study sites were selected purposively based on livestock production potential, disease incidence, and accessibility. Eighty-one household farmers and twelve professionals were included. Data analyzed with SPSS version 20 software. About 56.8% of the respondents let their animals graze freely, and only 14.8% didn’t mix their animals with others. Regarding vaccine uptake to prevent disease, about 56.3% of the respondents didn’t vaccinate one or more animal species available in their households. Farmers preferred to vaccinate cattle over other animals (χ2=71.4, p-value=0.000), showing a greater willingness to pay for cattle vaccines and the anthrax vaccine compared to other types. Dogs were the least vaccinated animals. The main reasons for not vaccinating their animals were lack of awareness (54.5%), absence of vaccines (6.8%), being far away from the vaccination point (6.8%), and vaccines not available in small doses (4.5%). Vaccine provision does not guarantee uptake at the community level. Therefore, the vaccine uptake barriers and failure of proper management practices need to be addressed. Vaccine formulations need to be revised to allow vaccination of small numbers without wastage. Home vaccination is required for chickens and pet animals.

This study examined the impact of groundnut (Arachis hypogaea) exports on Nigeria’s Gross Domestic Product (GDP) from 1971 to 2022, employing multiple linear regression techniques with log-transformed variables. The analysis included key macroeconomic indicators, such as the exchange rate, inflation, per capita income, and groundnut yield per hectare, to determine their collective and individual effects on economic growth. The regression results reveal that while groundnut exports (INEXP) exhibit a positive coefficient (0.008257), the effect on GDP is statistically weak, suggesting a limited direct contribution to national output. Conversely, the exchange rate (INEXRATE) and per capita income (INPERCAP) show strong and statistically significant relationships with GDP growth, with coefficients of 0.123033 and 1.148422, respectively. Inflation (ININFLA) showed a negative but statistically insignificant impact on GDP. In contrast, groundnut yield per hectare (INYIELD_HA) demonstrates a negligible effect, highlighting the inefficiency of productivity gains without market integration or value addition. Findings from the study underscore the need for targeted policy interventions to revitalize the groundnut export sector through infrastructure investment, value chain development, and quality enhancement. Additionally, managing exchange rate policy and improving household income remain critical for driving inclusive economic growth. This study provides empirical evidence to support Nigeria’s non-oil export diversification agenda and informs policy under regional trade initiatives such as the African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA).

Globalization and the high level of digitalization draw important trade routes in most regions of the planet, thus ensuring the delivery of raw materials, components of any kind or finished products to consumers in the global market. Agriculture is a strategic area that will guarantee food security. Romania plays a very important role in European agriculture, having a dynamic market. In 2023, out of the total cultivated area in the country of 8,211.2 (thousand ha), with 5,168.5 (thousand ha) cultivated with cereals for grains, corn had a share of 26.74% and 42.48%, the area reaching 2,195.3 (thousand ha). In 2018, when the highest total production of corn grains was recorded for the period under analysis, total production increased almost 5 times compared to the reference year 2007, reaching 18,663.9 (thousand tons). Although we have large areas cultivated with corn, average yields (kg/ha) remain low. The highest Balassa Index value of 18.19 was recorded in 2021.

This study examines the dynamics and determinants of the sustainability of farmer-based organisations (FBOs) in peri-urban Tamale, Ghana. Using a mixed-methods approach, data were collected from 200 members across 40 FBOs to characterise group structures, identify organisational and membership factors influencing sustainability, and assess perceived impacts of FBOs membership. Descriptive statistics and binary logistic regression were employed for analysis. Results reveal that only one-third of FBOs can be considered sustainable. The key determinants of FBOs sustainability are members’ financial commitment, leadership tenure, leadership proactiveness, effective feedback mechanisms, transparent auditing practices, existence of group bank accounts, and gender. Male membership and operating with permanent leadership tenure inhibits the sustainability of FBOs. On the other hand, operating members funded group with a group bank accounts, transparent auditing practices in conjunction with proactive leadership having an effective feedback mechanism, enhances FBOs sustainability. Membership of sustainable FBOs is found to better improve adoption of good agricultural practices (GAPs), credit and markets access, as well as household income and food security. The findings underscore the fact that FBO sustainability is shaped not only by structural and socio-economic factors but also by effective communication processes and participatory governance practices. Policy measures should therefore prioritise strengthening leadership capacity, promoting participatory group models, and investing in enhancements effective communication within groups to enhance the resilience and long-term viability of FBOs.

This paper examines whether agri-food export performance is linked to domestic food (in)security in the Republic of Moldova. Using annual time-series data for 2001–2024 on the value of agri-food exports (USD), agricultural production (MDL), and the share of the population facing food insecurity (percent), we apply Johansen cointegration tests and an error-correction model (ECM). The maximum-eigenvalue statistic indicates one cointegrating relationship among the variables, suggesting a stable long-run equilibrium. In the ECM, short-run changes in food insecurity are statistically significant, while changes in agricultural production are not, and the error-correction term is negative but statistically insignificant. Descriptively, Moldova’s export basket has shifted from a strong weight of food and beverages in the late 1990s to a more diversified structure in which plant products became prominent by 2024, alongside a gradual reorientation of export destinations towards the European Union. A key limitation is that official food insecurity series are available only from 2015; earlier values are completed through interpolation / extrapolation, so long-run coefficients should be interpreted with caution.

Climate change and increasing world demand bring unprecedented challenges to rice, a basic food for more than 50% of the people in the world. The crop needs much water and is thus very sensitive to an increased scarcity of water and changes in climate patterns. Iraq has for many years been known for fertile land with extended irrigation systems but is now facing severe constraints in maintaining sustainable rice production due to high temperatures, decreased water, and soil degradation. Over the past few decades, global rice demand has increased due to population growth, urbanization, and improved economic conditions. However, meeting this demand calls for productivity and innovative sustainable agricultural practices that take care of the environment and other ecological structures. The southern parts of Iraq have a great economic and cultural heritage associated with rice cultivation, particularly under traditional, highly water-intensive cultivation of Anbar-33. Moreover, decreasing flow volumes of the Tigris and Euphrates resulting from upstream water management and prolonged periods of drought have drastically reduced the available water for agriculture. Such problems need to be dealt with in a comprehensive manner. Resilient systems that have emerged, such as the System of Rice Intensification (SRI), which require less water and chemical inputs, have already shown promise of increasing production. Recently, modern irrigation technologies such as localized irrigation and under-the-ground irrigation have been suggested to reserve water. Yet, limitations in Iraq’s farming sector including a lack of knowledge by the farmers, unsupportive policies, and economic inequality mean that these practices are not easily adopted. Besides, the agricultural background in Iraq implies hope of resilience and recovery: since the country at one point managed to provide enough cereals in the years 1970-1980, it has since lost several decades due to wars and conflicts, embargos, and mismanagement of natural resources. Reviving rice output today isn’t just about food safety; it steps towards bringing back farm sustainability plus economic balance. Even as Iraq faces the effects of climate change head on, new solutions, teamwork in research, and steps in policy need to happen to beat the hurdles against rice farming. Through tapping into the rise of science and building cross-border ties, Iraq can steer through these intricate shifts, guaranteeing a path forward for cultivating rice even as challenges mount from nature and society.

Agricultural extension is changing because the old practices are failing to maintain farmers' interest and to effect behaviour change. Gamification has been identified as a potential tool to improve communication, motivation and knowledge transfer in agriculture. This paper undertakes a systematic review, following the PRISMA 2020 protocols, to analyse the applications, impacts, and best practices related to gamification in agricultural extension. Twenty-three (23) studies published between 2017 and 2024 were analysed. The results indicate that gamification is beneficial in terms of motivation, involvement, retention, and behavioural modification, and it promotes cooperation and collaborative learning. Both the digital and analogue methods prove to be effective, but their application in the developed and developing regions differs. Best practices identified include customising interventions to the needs of the audience, incorporating experiential and participatory design, making them accessible with the help of low-cost tools, and aligning gamification with the sustainability objectives. The review comes to a conclusion that gamification is a context-sensitive and flexible tool that can be used to reinforce agricultural extension and further the cause of sustainable agricultural practices. It recommends policy makers and extension practitioners to use a blended digital and analogue gamification approach that is context-specific to the realities on the ground to optimise inclusiveness and effectiveness. The contribution of this paper is that it synthesises evidence systematically across high- and low-technology strategies, and suggests a detailed model of integrating gamification into agricultural extension.

The paper aims to provide a systematic synthesis of recent literature on multimodal deep learning–IoT systems applied to tomato crops, placing them in the broader context of precision agriculture and rural development. The digital transformation of agriculture, marked by the intensive use of sensors, IoT platforms and deep learning models, creates important premises for improving productivity, risk management and economic sustainability of farms, but, at the same time, generates a fragmented and heterogeneous solution landscape. Against this background, the study pursues three main objectives: (O1) identifying and classifying the main multimodal deep learning–IoT systems for tomato crops, based on the types of data used (images, environmental sensors, agronomic data), the proposed architectures and the implementation contexts; (O2) to critically review the technical approaches and reported performances, by comparing deep learning solutions and multimodal fusion strategies from the perspective of robustness, scalability and feasibility in real farm conditions; (O3) to identify research gaps and formulate future directions, with a focus on the potential of these systems to support technical and economic decisions in agriculture and to contribute to rural development. Methodologically, the paper follows a systematic review approach, based on the query of the main international scientific databases and the application of explicit study inclusion criteria. The results show the existence of significant progress in the detection of foliar diseases and microclimate monitoring, but also important limitations related to the size and quality of the datasets, the lack of economic evaluations and long-term studies in commercial farms. The main conclusion is that multimodal deep learning–IoT systems for tomatoes represent a promising but insufficiently integrated field, and this paper provides a useful reference framework for both researchers and decision-makers interested in the digitalization of agriculture and strengthening the resilience of rural farms.

This study investigated the effect of lead mining on the livelihood structure and food security dynamics of agribusiness households in Ikwo Local Government Area of Ebonyi State, Nigeria. A multi-stage sampling technique was used to select a sample of 60 agribusiness households. The Foster-Greer-Thorbecke (FGT) model for food security assessment and probit regression analysis for identifying food security and livelihood diversification determinants were all employed. The findings revealed a predominantly middle-aged workforce, with significant economic diversification and a concerning shift towards mining as a primary income source, increasing from 7% to 93% over the past decade. This transition raised food security concerns, with 63% of respondents classified as food insecure. Key factors positively influencing food security included own food production, education level, and livelihood diversification, while age, household size, and losses due to mining negatively impacted food security outcomes. Farm size, level of education, cooperative membership, losses from lead mining, climate change and low agricultural yield positively affected the decision to diversify livelihood from agriculture into other income while age of farmers and income from farming negatively affected this. Policy interventions that enforce stricter environmental regulations to mitigate the adverse effects of mining on agricultural land and water resources is highly recommended. Policymakers and community leaders must consider integrated approaches that balance mining activities with sustainable agricultural practices to ensure long-term food security and community resilience.