Insufficient and high variability in rice yield is a threat to food security in China, prompting the need for strategies to mitigate yield variability and increase productivity. This study investigates the presence of production risk and technical inefficiency for a sample of rice farms in the Xiangyang city of China using a stochastic production frontier framework. Results from the risk functi...

The study was part of a series of studies aiming to increase knowledge about spread and prevention of livestock diseases in Sweden. A specific biosecurity behavior, i.e., making professionals (e.g., veterinarian, repairman, livestock transporter) wear clean protective clothing when entering the stables was investigated through focus groups and a questionnaire survey. This behavior was seen as a...

Survey of urinary schistosomiasis and trichomoniasis was conducted among 830 inhabitants of Ikao village, in Owan local government area of Edo State, Nigeria Between October, 1999 and February, 2000. Of these, 178 (21.4%) excreted Schistosoma haematobium ova in their urine. School children were more infected than the farmers and petty traders. Males were more infected than the female counterpar...

An appraisal of training requirements responds to the issue why is needed and gives some assurance that services establish conduct can achieve required outcomes based on performance. Therefore, goal this study was examine educational needs female rice farmers in Sari (the capital Mazandaran province located Northern Iran). This adopted a descriptive-correlational approach consisting 1677 2013–2...

Rainfall variability is becoming more profound in East Africa. Smallholders relying on rainfed agriculture are particularly affected and need to adapt their farming systems accordingly. This study examined the measures small-scale farmers use to, or cope with rainfall rated perceived effectiveness. It also explored limitations adoption of sources learning measures. Questionnaire-based interview...

BACKGROUND In Argentina, vaccination with Brucella abortus Strain 19 vaccine is mandatory. The objective of the study was to develop and test a method for evaluating, in an innovative way, some farmers' and veterinarians' management practices in relation to brucellosis and to assess the vaccination campaign and coverage. The work took place in Brandsen and Navarro districts. Four questionnaires...

The objective of this randomised study was to evaluate the influence of exercise-focused group activities on female farmers' physical activity, functional capacity, and work ability over a period of 3 years. Physical activity increased more in the intervention group (n = 62) than in the control group (n = 64) during the first year. By the third year physical activity had almost returned to the ...

BACKGROUND Zonocerus variegatus (Linnaeus, 1758) (Orthoptera: Pyrgomorphidae) is known as an agricultural pest in West and Central Africa. However, its importance in the agricultural production system in Cameroon has not been investigated. The study assesses farmers' perception on the importance of Z. variegatus in the agricultural production systems of the humid forest zone of Southern Cameroo...

BACKGROUND Genetically Modified (GM) crops have been championed as one possible method to improve food security and individual nutritional status in sub Saharan Africa. Understanding and acceptability of GM crop technology to farmers and consumers have not been assessed. We developed a qualitative research study involving farmers as both producers and consumers to gauge the understanding of GM ...