Fertilisation practices on small-scale vegetable farms in Lembang, West Java: Understanding drives and barriers of farmers on the use of chicken and cattle manure
In Lembang Sub-District in West Java, Indonesia, most cattle manure is disposed to surface waters, causing environmental pollution and a loss of valuable nutrients. Small-scale vegetable farms on the other hand, have a high demand for manure products. In this study 322 small-scale vegetable farmers in Lembang Sub-district were interviewed on their cultivation practices and fertiliser use, both chemical and organic fertilisers, on associated costs and on their believes on the use of chicken and cattle manure following the Theory of Planned Behaviour. Results showed that fertilisation practices on small-scale-vegetable farms include a variety of different crops and that chemical and organic fertilisers were used at high application rates and at considerable costs. Considering the beliefs of farmers, results revealed that farmers have a strong positive attitude towards the use of manure products (chicken and cattle). The main drivers on the use of chicken manure were on a well-developed supply chain (low transportation costs, easy to obtain, to handle and apply) where the main drivers on the use of cattle manure were more of an agronomic nature (improved yields, improved soil fertility, easier soil cultivation). Most important findings were furthermore that people in farmers’ social surroundings were in general not that positive on the use of both manure products. The main barriers on the use of cattle manure concentrate on the product supply chain: cattle manure is too fresh/unfermented and too wet. Furthermore, the transport of cattle manure is perceived to be too difficult and costly. Farmers with a positive intention towards the use of cattle manure may be stimulated to adopt the practice as the product composition/quality improves and farmers’ surroundings become positive on the use of cattle manure. Adoption may also be facilitated by demonstrations on cattle manure use and focus group discussions with neighbouring fa rmers. To mitigate the identified barriers the supply chain of cattle manure must improve
| Main Authors: | , , , , , , |
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| Format: | Report biblioteca |
| Language: | English |
| Published: |
Wageningen University & Research
2020
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| Subjects: | agriculture, food security, climate change, horticulutre, chickens, cattle, fertilizer, organic fertilizers, farming systems, |
| Online Access: | https://hdl.handle.net/10568/108949 https://doi.org/10.18174/514682 |
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| Summary: | In Lembang Sub-District in West Java, Indonesia, most cattle manure is disposed to surface waters, causing environmental pollution and a loss of valuable nutrients. Small-scale vegetable farms on the other hand, have a high demand for manure products. In this study 322 small-scale vegetable farmers in Lembang Sub-district were interviewed on their cultivation practices and fertiliser use, both chemical and organic fertilisers, on associated costs and on their believes on the use of chicken and cattle manure following the Theory of Planned Behaviour. Results showed that fertilisation practices on small-scale-vegetable farms include a variety of different crops and that chemical and organic fertilisers were used at high application rates and at considerable costs. Considering the beliefs of farmers, results revealed that farmers have a strong positive attitude towards the use of manure products (chicken and cattle). The main drivers on the use of chicken manure were on a well-developed supply chain (low transportation costs, easy to obtain, to handle and apply) where the main drivers on the use of cattle manure were more of an agronomic nature (improved yields, improved soil fertility, easier soil cultivation). Most important findings were furthermore that people in farmers’ social surroundings were in general not that positive on the use of both manure products. The main barriers on the use of cattle manure concentrate on the product supply chain: cattle manure is too fresh/unfermented and too wet. Furthermore, the transport of cattle manure is perceived to be too difficult and costly. Farmers with a positive intention towards the use of cattle manure may be stimulated to adopt the practice as the product composition/quality improves and farmers’ surroundings become positive on the use of cattle manure. Adoption may also be facilitated by demonstrations on cattle manure use and focus group discussions with neighbouring fa rmers. To mitigate the identified barriers the supply chain of cattle manure must improve |
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