International Journal of Sustainable Agricultural Research

The effect of different growing locations on the morphological characteristics and flavonoid content of clove plants (Syzygium aromaticum)

Nugraheni Hadiyanti — 2025-10-24

This study investigated the effects of growing location factors on the morphological characteristics and secondary metabolite content (flavonoid) of clove. It was conducted in three locations, namely Nganjuk, Jombang, and Trenggalek, from November 2023 to February 2024. The study began with an agroclimatological analysis, including air temperature, air humidity, light intensity, and soil pH. Subsequently, the morphological characteristics of clove plants were analyzed, and clove leaf samples were collected at the three locations to test their flavonoid content. The flavonoid analysis was performed at the CNH Laboratory in Semarang, Central Java, using the UV-Vis Spectrophotometry method. The results indicated that differences in growing locations and environmental conditions affected the morphological characteristics of clove plants. The morphological traits that showed variation among the three locations included stem surface, stem color, leaf shape, leaf apex, leaf color, and leaf size. Additionally, the environmental differences influenced the flavonoid content in clove leaves, with the highest flavonoid content (0.049%) observed in leaves from Jombang. The practical implication of this study is that selecting cultivation sites for clove should consider agroclimatic conditions and soil type. The observed morphological differences among locations, despite being of the same variety, reinforce the understanding that plant adaptation to the environment results from interactions between genetic and environmental factors.

Exploring the determinants of crop-livestock diversification and its effect on farm income: Evidence from smallholder farmers in Homa Bay County, Kenya

Dick Chune Midamba — 2025-11-07

The integration of crops and livestock has been reported to have several benefits for farmers. It reduces farm risks, leading to increased output from crops and livestock. It also enhances household food production, resulting in improved household food security. Therefore, farmers are advised to incorporate as many crop types and livestock species as possible into their farms. However, the majority of farmers in Kenya tend to produce common crops such as maize and beans, alongside common livestock like cattle. This results in low crop-livestock diversification, which subjects many farmers to poor living standards. Consequently, it is imperative to assess the predictors and effects of crop-livestock diversification on farm income. This study evaluated the covariates influencing crop-livestock diversification and its effects on farm income in Homabay County, Kenya. Primary data were collected from 402 farmers using multistage sampling. The analysis employed propensity score matching and gross margin methods. The findings indicated that farm size, group membership, marital status, age, and gender significantly influence farmers’ crop-livestock diversification. The results also demonstrated that crop-livestock diversification increases farm income by KES 40,800 per acre (Nearest neighbor matching), KES 41,488 per acre (Kernel matching), and KES 36,132 per acre (Radius Matching). These findings underscore the importance of encouraging farmers to incorporate multiple crops and livestock into their farms through public sensitization. Extension agents should target young farmers and female-headed households when providing extension services. Finally, there is a need for public awareness campaigns among farmers regarding the benefits of crop-livestock diversification.

Adoption of water conservation technologies among smallholder farmers in Osun State, Nigeria

Aminu, Folasade Oluremi — 2025-12-01

Water scarcity and inefficient water management practices pose significant threats to agricultural productivity and rural livelihoods in Nigeria, particularly among smallholder farmers who rely heavily on rain-fed agriculture. Despite increasing awareness of water conservation technologies (WCTs) as viable strategies for sustainable agricultural water use, their adoption among farmers remains relatively low and uneven across regions, highlighting the need to understand factors influencing smallholder farmers’ adoption of water conservation technologies in Osun State, Nigeria. The study focused on identifying the WCTs embraced by farmers, understanding their motivations for adoption, and analyzing the factors influencing their adoption decisions. Data was collected via a pre-tested questionnaire administered to 120 smallholder farmers selected through a multistage sampling process. Descriptive statistics and a multivariate probit (MVP) model were employed for data analysis. Findings indicated that the majority (55.8%) of farmers were male, aged 41-50, with primary education (41.7%), and household and farm sizes averaging 6 persons and 4 hectares, respectively. The most adopted WCTs included irrigation/dam (68.3%), grass strips (62.5%), stone bund (50%), soil bund (41.7%), and contour ploughing (32.5%). Reasons for adoption ranged from yield increase to flood control and soil fertility improvement. The MVP model revealed several factors influencing adoption, including farmers' demographics, education, farming experience, land acquisition methods, and access to credit and extension services. The study suggests enhancing educational opportunities, credit access, farmer associations, and extension services as essential policy measures to foster technology adoption in the study area.