Nitrogen in Agricultural Systems: Implications for Conservation Policy

Conserving agricultural biodiversity for use in sustainable food systems Conservation

The Impact of Agricultural Water Conservation Policy on Economic Growth

An agricultural water conservation policy prevalent worldwide encourages producers to improve on-farm irrigation efficiency. Contrary to intention, increasing empirical evidence reveals that this policy may set an ‘irrigation efficiency trap’ that worsens water crises by reducing water supplies and jeopardizing economic growth. We derive a pair of testable hydrologic-economic conditions require...

Nitrogen Requirements of Conservation Tillage Systems

Introduction Conservation tillage has been one of the most rapidly adopted agricultural practices of the past 15 years (CTIC, 1983). The primary impetus for conservation tillage has been decreased soil erosion; fuel, labor, and machinery costs; and increased soil water storage and yields (USDA, 1975). Conservation tillage may be broad­ ly defined as tillage practices that reduce soil and water ...

Combating Agricultural Child Labour for National Development: Implications for the Millenium Development Goals in Nigeria

A simmering crisis in the Nigerian agriculture today involves labour and the crisis manifests itself in the degree of labour availability, labour demand and labour productivity. One of the major products of this crisis is the increased participation of children in paid, non-familiar agricultural jobs. Agriculture ranks as one of the three most dangerous work activities, along with mining and co...

Smallholder Farmers’ Participation in Agricultural Training and Demonstration in Ethiopia: Implications for Inclusive Targeting by Agricultural Extension Services

Small farms and smallholder farming systems play crucial roles in agricultural development in many developing countries. From the various rural development programs designed to support such farming systems, agricultural extension services are of at most importance. However, the benefit that farmers obtain from these services and the resulting impact depends, to a great extent, by their direct a...