Study the Farmer’s Adoption of Agricultural Recommendations Regarding Date Palm in Wadi Al-Jah, Yemen

Ali Hassan Obaid Khalil^*(1)

(1). Agricultural Extension and Economic Department, Faculty of Agriculture, Ibb University, Yemen.

(*Corresponding author: Dr. Ali Hassan Obaid Khalil. E-mail: alikhalil2@gmail.com).

Received: 12/05/2019 Accepted: 11/06/2019

Abstract

This study aimed to describe the socio-demographic characteristics of palm date famers in Wadi Al-Jah district in Hodeida Governorate of Yemen, also, to evaluate to which extent the farmers applied the agricultural recommendations in order to increase the palm date production in the studied area. The total number of the respondent was 44 farmers who were selected randomly. A questionnaire was designed in order to fulfil the objectives of the study. The findings of study outlined that 100% farmers were not applying new techniques related to irrigation practices, 100% of them do not know an optimal quantity of irrigation water for the date palm cultivation, 97.3% were not fertilizing their date palm neither bio-fertilizers nor chemical, 80% were not practicing the recommended plant spacing and 85% were not practicing the fruit thinning. Regarding the diseases and pests of the date palm, the study also reported that 77.3% of the respondents indicated that the lesser date moth (Alhumara) was found as the first disease that affected their farms, 52.3 % were affected by the Frond borer. Moreover, the third pest is the Amitermis desertorium which the study indicated that the percentage of the infection was 29.5% of the respondents. In addition, the study revealed that 100% of farmers were not chemically treating the offshoots before planting.

Keywords: Date palm, Adoption of agricultural recommendations, Yemen.

Full paper in Arabic: PDF

Analytical Study of the Most Important Factors Affecting Empowerment of Rural Women in Daraa, Syria

Fayez Jadallah Al-Mikdad*⁽¹⁾ Wael Zaki Habeeb⁽²⁾ and Hani Soleman Al-Hassoun⁽¹⁾

(1). Socio Economic Administration, General Commission for Scientific Agricultural Research GCSAR, Damascus, Syria.

(2). Latakia Agricultural Research Center, GCSAR, Damascus, Syria.

(*Correspoding author: Dr. Fayez Jadallah Al-Mikdad. E-Mail: deepmokdad@yahoo.com).

Received: 20/05/2019 Accepted: 23/06/2019

Abstract

Rural women in Syria, especially those working in agriculture, have low level of access to agricultural productive resources, markets, services and finance, despite their significant contribution to agricultural work. This research aimed to identify the patterns of empowerment of rural women in Daraa Governorate in Syria and the most important factors affecting their empowerment. To achieve this objective, the research depended on data from secondary sources as well as primary data collected through a questionnaire designed to serve research objectives. The research was carried out during 2017 in Daraa Governorate (Izra’a and Al Sanamin regions). The results indicated that 76% of rural women were in the low category of the empowerment scale, with 66% of them were having poor decision-making capacity for agricultural work, 76% were having poor ownership of productive resources and 67% were suffering poor access to extension services and low level of ability to join any organization. The results indicated that 16% of the observed women were at the med level of empowerment whereas only 6% of them were at the high level of empowerment. SOWT analysis noted that women had a high level of experience in agricultural work, but were not qualified enough to manage their own enterprise. Moreover, despite considerable government interest to empower rural women, they still have little access to productive inputs.

Keywords: Empowerment, Rural Women, Social Statistics, SWOT Analysis, Daraa, Syria.

Full paper in Arabic: PDF

Labor Lack and its Implications on Agricultural Production in Tartous Governorate

Leen Almukaddem*⁽¹⁾ Shaza Mayhoob⁽¹⁾ Safaa Ahmad⁽¹⁾ and Faten Edrees⁽²⁾

(1). Tartous Research Center, General Commission for Scientific Agricultural Research (GCSAR), Damascus, Syria.

(2). Administration of Socio-Economics Research, (GCSAR), Damascus, Syria.

(*Corresponding author: Eng. Leen Almukaddem. E-Mail: leeno1411@yahoo.com).

Received: 01/09/2018 Accepted: 15/10/2018

Abstract

The problem of labor scarcity is considered as a major obstacle in the agriculture sector, so this research aimed to study labor shortage, its causes and possible solutions. The study was conducted based on a random sample of 200 farmers distributed in 7 villages in Banias and Akkar Plain areas in Tartous governorate. The study showed that labor scarcity has affected the productivity of crops in almost all studied samples of farmers. The difference in the productivity of tomato crop was 4.8% and it for eggplant it was 6.7%, while the productivity of potato and peanut did not influence. The main reasons for labor scarcity were the high income provided by other non-agricultural businesses such as trade and local free jobs compared to agricultural work, seasonal agricultural work and the internal and external migration of young men. The study also showed that most farmers did not have agricultural machines that could save labor, because of the high cost of using machinery, small ownerships and lack of experience of using these machines. The study suggested that the agricultural extension should be directed toward encouraging farmers to use technologies, improving the level of living for the agricultural workers, by raising wages and establishing updated database including all the information about the agricultural workers, their wages and skills that could help in clarifying the situation of agricultural labor in Syria.

Key words: Human labor, Machinery, Agricultural production, Labor scarcity, Tartous governorates.

Full paper in Arabic: PDF

Interaction Between Agricultural Extension and Barley Farmers and the Most Important Problems of Production in Sweida Governorate

Safwan Abou Assaf^*(1) Bassam Al Atalah⁽¹⁾ Ghada Janoud⁽²⁾and Remal Saab⁽¹⁾

(1). Sweida Research Center, General Commission for Scientific Agricultural Research (GCSAR), Damascus, Syria.

(2). Directorate of Agriculture and Agricultural Reform, Sweida, Syria.

(*Corresponding author: Dr. Safwan Abou Assaf. E-Mail:aboassaf2011@hotmail.com).

Received: 21/06/2018 Accepted: 05/11/2018

Abstract

Agricultural policies and plans try to support barley as an important component of crop combination in Sweida governorate. The research aimed to identify the most important interactions between agricultural extension and barley farmers in Sweida governorate (located in the south of Syria), and to identify the most important problems of production facing barley farmers. To achieve these goals, different statistical tools were used including Spearman and Pearson coefficients and 4-point Likert scale. Data were collected from a random sample of barley farmers in Sweida governorate during season 2014/2015. The results revealed that interaction degree was weak in 51.74% of the sample and moderate in 30.23%. In spite of this result, there was a significantly positive relation between the interaction degree and each of: the presence of the agricultural extension unit in the village, registration in an agricultural cooperative, farmer’s age, experience in agriculture, the main work of the farmer (whether it is related to agriculture or not). The most important problems face barley production from the farmers’ point of view was the increase in labor and fuel prices. The participation of the farmer in the research and in the extension unit’s activities at all stages, is highly recommended to improve the interaction with agricultural extension and scientific research centers.

Keywords: Agricultural extension, Extension activities, Barley, Sweida governorate.

Full paper in English: PDF

Econometric Analysis of Oranges Production Function in Latakia Governorate

Almouthana Aziz Hasan*⁽¹⁾ Mahmoud Mostafa Alio⁽²⁾ Ibrahim Mohammad Abdullah⁽³⁾

(1). Directorate of Economic and Social Studies Research, Latakia Center, General commission for Scientific Agricultural Research (GCSAR), Damascus, Syria.

(2). Department of Agricultural Economics, Faculty of Agriculture, Tishreen University, Latakia, Syria.

(3). Directorate of Economic and Social Studies Research, AL-Ghab Center, GCSAR, Damascus, Syria.

(* Corresponding author: Eng: ALmouthana Aziz Hasan. E-mail: almouthanahasan@yahoo.com).

Received: 08/05/2018 Accepted: 02/06/2018

Abstract

The present study was conducted in Latakia Governorate during the growing season 2017/2018. A simple random sample of 352 oranges farmers were selected, in order to estimate the production function of “Cob Douglas” model to study the factors affecting oranges production and measure the elasticity of production inputs to determine the production stage. The study showed that the production changes were due to organic fertilizers, nitrogen, phosphate, and irrigation water quantity. A significant positive effect was found for each of the production inputs in the applied model. The increase in the quantity of these inputs by 1% (when the quantity of other inputs were constant) led to an increases in the quantity of production by the elasticity of the production of 0.52%, which was smaller than one, that means the dominance of contradictory production capacity, where production is increasing at rates lower than the increase of the inputs. This confirmed that production was in the second stage, which is the economic stage. It was also found that the production inputs were used in quantities less than the recommended quantity which is mentioned in the extension program for citrus. Therefore, it was important to provide the production requirements and subsidize the prices, particularly, the fertilizers (potassium), insecticide, and fungal control, to achieve the optimum production of oranges tree.

Key words: Econometric Analysis, Oranges, Production Function, Production Elasticity.

Full Paper in Arabic: PDF

Analysis of the Competitiveness Capabilities of Syrian Cumin Product in the International Markets

Tayseer Fouad Hatem*⁽¹⁾

(1). Socio-Economic Research Administration, General Commission for Scientific Agricultural Research (GCSAR), Damascus, Syria.

(*Corresponding author: Dr. Tayseer Fouad Hatem. E-Mail: Dr-tayseerhatem@hotmail.com).

Received: 28/10/2018 Accepted: 23/12/2018

Abstract

This paper aimed to study the competitiveness of the Syrian cumin product in the world market, and in major importing markets. The results showed that the market of cumin product was the oligopoly market, and the main export destinations were mainly Arab countries. There was a difference between the values of the indicators of competitiveness during the two periods of study and there was a decrease in the second period, although this decrease is still considered as good and high as compared to the competitive countries and gives competitive capabilities for the Syrian cumin product at the global level. The results also showed a high value of the revealed comparative advantage for the Syrian cumin product, and its competitive price in the global markets. The global market shares were high in Morocco, Saudi Arabia, Egypt, Algeria and Netherlands. The Arab countries have the highest market share, iIn addition to a high value of the index of penetration of exports in the most important markets of cumin importing, such as Dutch market, Saudi, UAE, Egyptian and American markets. This indicates the possibility of good expansion within these markets. It also showed a high value of the indices of export power and dependence on exports for the Syrian cumin product, which indicates the importance of the cumin crop as a major export product of high importance relative to Syrian exports.

Keywords: Cumin, Competitiveness capabilities, Comparative Advantage, Market Share, Export Penetration Rate, Price Competitiveness.

Full Paper in Arabic: PDF

Demand Functions Estimation of Syrian Potatoes in the Jordanian and United Arab Emirates Markets

Mohammed Maary^(1)* Maher Yousef⁽¹⁾ Mustafa Haj Hmaidi⁽¹⁾ and Bashar Nenneh⁽¹⁾

(1). Department of economic, Faculty of Agriculture, Aleppo University, Aleppo, Syria.

(*Corresponding author: Eng. Mohammed Maary. E-Mail: blackdream.m1991@gmail.com).

Received: 18/09/2018 Accepted: 17/10/2018

Abstract

The aim of the study was to identify the possibilities of developing Syrian potato exports and maintain market share in foreign markets by analyzing the current structure of Syrian potato exports and determining the most important factors influencing its demand in the main export markets of the Syrian potato. To achieve the objectives of the research, data were collected from secondary sources. Standard economic analysis methods represented in the estimation of some simple linear, multiple and nonlinear regression models, regression method and the correlation coefficients matrix were used to estimate the external demand functions of the Syrian potato. The results showed that the Arab countries were the most important importing markets for the Syrian potato during the period (2000-2015), and the most important markets were Jordan and the UAE, and the study of some variables affecting the Syrian potato crop in the Jordanian and UAE markets during the period (2000-2015), it was found that when the per capita income in Jordan led to the increase in the quantity required of the Syrian potato and the value of the elasticity of the demand for income was (-1.3), and the value of elasticity of demand price was (7.48), this means that the demand for Syrian potatoes is flexible. While price elasticity in the UAE market showed that the demand for Syrian potatoes is also flexible with the value of the elasticity of demand (-11.4). The price of Syrian potatoes for the prices of the competitive countries is one of the most competitive determinants of the potato product.

Keywords: Potato, Demand function, Price elasticity, Income elasticity.

Full Paper in Arabic: PDF

Export Constraints of Egyptian Potatoes Crop

Moataz Eliw Mostafa Ahmed*^(1,3)Osman Ali Ismail⁽¹⁾and Mohammed El Din Osman⁽²⁾

(1). Department of Agricultural Economics, faculty of agriculture, Al-Azhar University, Assuit, Egypt.

(2). Department of Agricultural Economics, faculty of agriculture, Minia University, Egypt.

(3). College of Economics and Management, Huazhong Agricultural University, China.

(*Corresponding author: Moataz Eliwi Mostafa Ahmad. E-Mail: moatazeliw@gmail.com).

Received: 11/05/2019 Accepted: 04/06/2019

Abstract

The current research was aimed to analyze the various constraints facing Egyptian potatoes crop exports, and thus the possibility of overcoming these constraints, and developing proposals that could lead to further export development of that important crop. The results showed that there were many problems facing Egyptian exports of potatoes crop for export harvesting, which affect the efficiency of the export process. The survey showed that these problems represented about 18.23% of the concerns of exporters followed by the problem of financing export insurance which had the same proportion (18.23%) of exporters ‘ concerns, and the problem of sorting and grading stations was ranked third and represented about 15.16% of the concerns of exporters, followed in the fourth rank the problem of actions taken by the government towards exporters, which affects export efficiency for potatoes harvest, where these problems represented about 11.91% of the concerns of exporters, followed in the fifth rank to the eighth rank, the problems of inland transport, storage and refrigeration, problems related to the importing countries, and finally marketing information by about 11.37%, 8.66%, 8.30%, and 8.12% respectively.

Key words: Potatoes crop, Export constraints, Variance analysis, Kai Square.

Full Paper in Arabic: PDF

The Economic Estimation of Cost Functions in the Long Run and Scale Economies of Almonds in Homs Governorate

Khetam Idris^*(1)

(1). Homs Research Center, General Commission for Scientific Agricultural Research (GCSAR), Damascus, Syria.

(*Corresponding author: Dr. Khetam Idris. E-Mail: vera_naya@yahoo.com).

Received: 22/09/2017 Accepted: 08/11/2017

Abstract

The objective of this research is to study costs structure of almonds production in Homs governorate for the agricultural season 2015. To achieve the targets, the research depended on the econometric and statistical analysis of the primary data which was collected by interviews with the farmers of the studied region. The results of the cost structure analysis of the almonds production showed that the variable costs accounted approximately (66.11) % of total costs, while the fixed costs accounted (33.89) % of the total costs. The quantitative analysis showed that the optimal size of production that decreases the costs was (12.9) tons, but the optimum area was (49.54) dunum. The estimated elasticity of costs, amounted (1) at the optimum level of production, and the minimum price was calculated as (148673.08) sp/tons, and the function supply in long term was derived. A positive relationship between quantity supplied of almonds and price, when price is greater than (148673.08) sp/tons. Also, the results showed that the average cost decreases until it reaches to optimal level of production, while proportion economies of scale reach the maximum value 100% at optimum level of production average cost.

Key Words: Almonds, Economies of scale, Function supply, Function of production costs in long-term.

Full paper in Arabic: PDF

Measuring Technical Efficiency of Wheat, Barley and Lentil Production Farms at Al-Zerbeh Region in Aleppo

Abdullah Al-Youssef*⁽¹⁾ Ahmad Shams Aldien Shaaban⁽²⁾ Jamila Dirbas⁽³⁾ Abdulatef Al-Assaf⁽¹⁾ Isam Khalifeh⁽¹⁾ and Yasmeen Naal⁽¹⁾

(1). Aleppo Research Center, General Commission for Scientific Agriculture Research (GCSAR), Damascus, Syria.

(2). Aleppo University Center for Strategic Studies and Research, University of Aleppo, Aleppo, Syria.

(3). Cotton Research Administration, GCSAR, Damascus, Syria.

(* Corresponding author: Dr. Addullah Al-Youssef. Email: dr.abdalyoussef@gmail.com).

Received: 20/04/2017 Accepted: 24/09/2017

Abstract

The aim of this research was to estimate production costs, and to compare technical efficiency levels and production gap of wheat, barley and lentil in the area within the project of enhancing food security in Arab Countries/Syria-Second Phase. The search conducted at Jabal Samaan region based upon 150 Questionnaires. The technical efficiency estimated by stochastic frontier analysis using Front 4.1 software. The results indicated an increase in the variable cost percentage of the total costs. The net profits were 650128, 458686 and 320021 S.P/ha for lentil, barley and wheat respectively. Averages technical efficiency were 81.5%, 67.3% and 82.9% for wheat, barley and lentil farmers respectively. Also, high significantly differences were found between actual and potential yield. Besides, lowest production gap was 340.3 (kg/ha) for lentil farmers, followed by wheat farmers (785.1 kg/ha), and finally barley farmers (1611 kg/ha).

Key Words: Production costs, Technical efficiency, Stochastic frontier analysis, Jabal Samaan.

Full paper in Arabic: PDF