Asian Journal of Agriculture and Rural Development

Study of income and food consumption expenditure households of wet-rice farmers in West Sumatra, Indonesia

Sri Ulfa Sentosa — 2025-08-06

This study aims to analyze socio-economic factors affecting the per capita income of households of wet-rice farmers, socio-economic factors affecting food consumption expenditure of these households, and to calculate income elasticity. The study employs a quantitative design, utilizing a multistage sampling method to determine the sample. The total sample size consisted of 349 farmer households. Data were analyzed using Two-Stage Least Squares regression. Based on the analysis, the following findings were obtained: 1) Variables such as food consumption expenditure, technical efficiency, off-farm work, diversification in agriculture, land tenure status, access to credit, and education have a positive and significant influence on the per capita income of farm households. 2) Variables including per capita income, access to credit, age, location, marital status, and education have a positive and significant influence on the per capita food consumption expenditure of farmer households. 3) Income elasticity for all quantiles has a value of E<1, indicating the applicability of Engel's law. This study provides comprehensive insights into the economic behavior of paddy field farming households by examining both the determinants of household income and food consumption expenditure. It also discusses policy implications for food availability, food consumption quality, food diversity, and poverty alleviation policies.

Climate change-induced conflicts in rural Nigeria: Experience from herder-arable crop farmers in selected rural communities of Ekiti State

Isaac Busayo Oluwatayo — 2025-08-06

The problem of climate change is multidimensional, especially in countries where the capacity to cope with shocks is limited. This is further aggravated by socioeconomic conditions, limited buffer stock and insurance, poor credit markets, and an unstable macroeconomic environment. While arable crop farmers in rural Nigeria thrive on proceeds from farming activities, the incessant herder-arable crop farmer conflict exacerbated by climate change has brought untold hardship to these farmers. The study examined determinants of herder-arable crop farmer conflicts in selected rural communities of Ekiti State, Nigeria. Data were collected from a random sample of 220 smallholder farmers via a multistage random sampling technique. Analytical tools employed include descriptive statistics and a probit regression model. A descriptive analysis of respondents’ socioeconomic characteristics revealed their average age and household size to be 56 years and 4 members, respectively. Respondents’ distribution by educational level showed that one-third of them (68.5%) had less than secondary education, with 73.2% having no access to credit. Herder-arable crop farmer conflict determinants include age, years of schooling, farming experience, credit access, planting time, extension contacts, and farm location, among others. The findings have implications for food security, employment, investment drive, rural-urban drift, and security in the study area.

The impact of youth development program on rural livelihoods: A case of Fortune 40 young farmer incubation program in Bushbuckridge Municipality, South Africa

Agreement Khoza — 2025-09-03

Agricultural programs play a significant role in reducing poverty, improving livelihoods, and increasing productivity. This study analyzed how the Fortune 40 initiative, an agricultural program, impacted the rural livelihoods of youth in Bushbuckridge Local Municipality. Primary data was collected from 43 beneficiaries using a questionnaire through face-to-face interviews. A cross-sectional research design and a quantitative research approach were employed. Descriptive statistics, a Sustainable Livelihood Approach framework, and an Ordered Probit Model were used to analyze the data. Beneficiaries' ages ranged from 22 to 38 years, with gender distribution being relatively balanced 53.5% female and 46.5% male. Challenges within the program included poor supervision, delays in input delivery, and theft. Overall, the Fortune 40 program had a moderate impact on rural livelihoods. The results indicated that factors such as age, household size, type of farming, access to credit, and land size influence the program's impact. The study recommends fair land allocation for farming and improved access to credit, particularly for youth, agricultural graduates involved in farming, and aspiring farmers.

Market orientation and distribution strategies in poultry agribusiness: Evidence from chicken layer farms in Nueva Ecija

Jayson Garcia Juan — 2025-09-08

This study investigates the strategic market orientation and distribution strategies among registered chicken layer farms in Nueva Ecija, Philippines, amid challenges involving supply-demand gaps, market fluctuations, and evolving consumer behavior. It aims to examine how these farms align their internal strategies with external market dynamics. A descriptive-evaluative quantitative approach was applied. Data were collected from all ten registered chicken layer farms across six municipalities using a structured questionnaire based on the Market Orientation Framework. Descriptive statistics and weighted mean scoring were used to analyze four dimensions: customer orientation, competitor orientation, interfunctional coordination, and responsiveness. Results revealed a persistent supply-demand gap of over 80%, worsened by seasonality, disease outbreaks, and logistical constraints. Marketing remains heavily intermediary-driven, with minimal digital platform adoption. While farms show basic responsiveness to market signals, most lack formal systems for feedback, competitor monitoring, and internal coordination. Improving marketing performance requires a strategic shift toward structured, data-informed market orientation and diversified distribution. The study highlights the need for stronger policy support, targeted training, and the integration of digital tools to improve efficiency, strengthen competitiveness, and enhance long-term sustainability in poultry agribusiness.

Physiological responses of aloe vera to salt stress in coastal sandy soil: Morpho-physiological evaluation for sustainable cultivation

Rennanti Lunnadiyah Aprilia — 2025-09-08

This study aims to investigate the morphological and physiological responses of Aloe vera to various levels of salinity and seedling origins when cultivated in coastal sandy soils, which are considered marginal agricultural resources. A randomized factorial design was employed, testing four salinity levels (0, 5, 10, and 20 g/L NaCl) and seedlings sourced from three nurseries (Gunung Kidul, Bantul, Cilacap), resulting in a total of 36 treatment combinations evaluated over a 12-month nursery trial. The results showed that seedling origin had a significant influence on plant development. Seedlings from Gunung Kidul consistently demonstrated the best performance in fresh and dry biomass production as well as physiological stability under salinity stress. Moderate salinity (5–10 g/L NaCl) significantly improved parameters such as leaf length, leaf area, and net assimilation rate, indicating an optimal adaptive window for Aloe vera growth. Conversely, high salinity (20 g/L) reduced stomatal density and leaf number, signaling a physiological stress response. The combination of Gunung Kidul seedlings with 5 g/L NaCl (A1G1) resulted in the best overall plant performance, highlighting the importance of proper seedling selection and salinity management in maximizing productivity. These findings confirm the potential of Aloe vera as a sustainable crop for marginal lands, particularly coastal sandy soils. This study also provides a practical framework for improving yield and stress resilience through appropriate seedling selection and controlled saline irrigation practices. The study contributes to the development of adaptive agricultural systems in saline-prone areas.

Comparison of added value received by actors in the rice agro-industry supply chain system in lampung province: Is it fair enough for smallholder farmers?

Irmayani Noer — 2025-09-08

The objectives of the research were to identify the rice supply chain system and the actors involved from the producer to the consumer, to identify value-added activities carried out by each actor, and to calculate the added value obtained by each actor. The research was conducted using a survey method with questionnaires to gather the necessary data and information. The study respondents included farmers, farmer groups, traders, collectors, rice millers, wholesalers, retailers, and consumers. A value chain analysis was performed to obtain an overview of the rice supply chain system. The method used to analyze added value in the rice supply chain system was a participatory analysis approach. The analysis model employed was Economic Value Added analysis, which determines the economic value added of a product. The results of the research indicated that there are four supply chain channels within the rice supply system. Several actors are directly involved, including farmers, collectors, inter-regional grain traders, rice millers, local rice traders, inter-regional rice traders, retailers, and consumers. The value-added activities performed by each actor include threshing, drying, transportation, milling, bleaching, sieving, weighing, packaging, and storage. The highest added value received by actors was in supply channel 3, which accounted for 80.3%. In this channel, the distribution of added value among actors was as follows: farmers (24.2%), collectors (1.5%), rice millers (35.4%), inter-regional rice traders (13.1%), and retailers (6.2%). The largest recipients of added value are rice millers, while collectors receive the smallest share.

Assessment of the challenges encountered by aquaculture business in Cabanatuan City, Nueva Ecija, Philippines

Alvin Gino M. Bautista — 2025-09-08

The study aimed to identify and assess the challenges encountered by aquaculture farmers in Cabanatuan City, Nueva Ecija, Philippines, across the three critical phases of production: pre-operation, operation, and post-harvest, including marketing and sales. Using a descriptive-quantitative research design, the study gathered data from selected aquaculture farmers through structured questionnaires, supported by site visits and direct observations to validate responses. The results revealed that aquaculture farmers face moderate challenges, particularly in accessing capital, preparing aquaculture facilities, obtaining technical knowledge, and dealing with unreliable suppliers. Additional concerns include vulnerability to extreme weather conditions, inconsistent government support, and limited access to modern technology. Based on the findings, the study concluded that addressing these constraints is crucial to improving the productivity, resilience, and sustainability of aquaculture operations in the city. The study recommended enhancing government-led extension services, including farmer training, technical support, and policy interventions, to strengthen the aquaculture value chain. Moreover, partnerships with private stakeholders and academic institutions were suggested to bridge technical gaps. The study aligns with Sustainable Development Goal 14: Life Below Water, by promoting responsible aquaculture practices that contribute to food security, economic development, and environmental protection. Future research may explore the role of cooperatives and digital tools in mitigating these challenges.

Sustainable use of eco-enzyme as biostimulants for enhancing yield and curcumin content in turmeric

Okti Purwaningsih — 2025-09-08

Turmeric (Curcuma longa L.) is widely cultivated for its medicinal properties and is used in the food industry. However, agricultural practices often prioritize rhizome yields over phytochemical richness. Efficacy studies have been conducted on turmeric harvest quality using organic fertilizers. However, there are no reports on the curcumin content of turmeric grown organically using ecoenzymes. This study introduces an innovative application of ecoenzymes as biostimulants in sustainable turmeric cultivation to enhance both rhizome quality and yield. A Completely Randomized Design (CRD) with three replicates was employed, involving four treatments: control, 0.5%, 1%, and 1.5% eco-enzyme concentrations. Data were analyzed using ANOVA and Duncan’s Multiple Range Test at a 5% significance level. The results showed that while eco-enzyme application had no significant effect on tiller number and dry biomass at four months, it significantly increased rhizome weight per plant (p<0.05). Phytochemical screening confirmed the presence of curcumin in all the samples, with significantly higher concentrations in the eco-enzyme-treated groups. Additional statistical tests indicated positive correlations between eco-enzyme concentration and curcumin levels. This study highlights the potential of eco-enzymes as a sustainable alternative for turmeric cultivation, producing rhizomes rich in bioactive compounds. Compared to other sustainable practices, such as organic fertilization, eco-enzymes offer the dual benefit of enhancing yield and phytochemical content, with minimal environmental impact. Future research should investigate their composition, impact on soil microflora, and long-term ecological safety. These findings contribute to a growing body of knowledge on sustainable agriculture and biostimulants.