Articles

An Analysis of Risk Perception and Management Among Smallholder Maize Farmers in Mazabuka District, Southern Province [2015–2017]

/in /by

Agriculture is a critical sector in Zambia, with approximately 60% of households depending on it for their livelihoods. However, smallholder maize farmers face various risks, including climate variability, pest infestations, price fluctuations, and market access. The study investigated risk perceptions of smallholder maize farmers in Mazabuka District, Southern Province of Zambia, and how these perceptions influence risk management strategies and productivity. A cross-sectional survey design was employed, collecting data from 51 randomly selected smallholder farmers using structured questionnaires. Farmers’ risk perceptions were assessed using a five-point Likert scale across three agricultural seasons (2014/15, 2015/16, and 2016/17). Findings revealed that environmental risks, particularly drought and irregular rainfall patterns, were the most significant, with 72% of respondents identifying climate change as a primary concern. Economic risks, including fluctuating maize prices and rising input costs, were reported by 65% of farmers, while 58% cited pest infestations, such as fall armyworm, as a major threat. Social risks, including labour shortages and inadequate extension services, also contributed to production challenges. In response, farmers employed various coping mechanisms, such as crop diversification (49%), reliance on government subsidies (42%), and participation in farmer cooperatives (38%). However, risk management practices remained limited due to financial constraints and lack of access to timely weather forecasts. The findings highlight the urgent need for targeted interventions to strengthen smallholder farmers’ resilience by enhancing extension services, improving access to climate information, and promoting sustainable farming practices to mitigate risks and boost productivity.

The Determination of Maximum Flow Rate in Well X Layer Y Field Z

/in /by

The field development target which usually in field X are mostly carried out in gas reservoirs over time, in several candidate wells gas reserves have started to run low so that the remaining oil reserves and pressure in the reservoir naturally decrease or natural depletion. This is due to continuous production of gas reserves. One of the wells that has the biggest potential for oil reserves in field X is well A9. In this study, the maximum flow rate was determined in the A9 layer A well in field X with a skin value of 10 using manual calculations. From manual calculations on the condition of well X with skin 10 Qmax Well X from the IPR plot results with manual calculations is 25.87 bbl/day with a PI value obtained 0.009371 stb/d/psi meanwhile in well condition X without skin the Qmax value obtained is 40.12 bbl/day with a skinless J value of 0.01457 stb/d/psi. From the determination of IPR on ECRIN, the Qmax value in well X without skin is 43.08 bbl/day, meanwhile in the condition of well X with skin 10 the Qmax value obtained is 25.84 bbl/day

Capacity Planning of New Product in PT Perkebunan Nusantara VIII (Oolong Tea)

/in /by

In early 2021 PTPN VIII began producing a new product based on consumer demand, namely oolong tea, within an estimated contract worth IDR 6.000.000.000 of 150 tons. Thus, the firm should be prepared related to the garden and the factory to produce the oolong tea. This research uses a quantitative descriptive method by analyzing the capacity of the garden to provide the raw material for oolong tea; in the process of oolong tea production, the garden can provide 2.5 tons per day, exceeding the calculation of 1.9 tons. However, the machine used for the production process is inadequate. The machine’s capacity is only available to produce 106.78 tons per year, which is below consumer demand. It requires the firm to add three rotary dryer machines. Adding three machines meant oolong tea production reached 150 tons only in 13 hours and 25 minutes. Adding these machines also requires the firm to invest as much as IDR 540,000,000; by this investment value of the machine, the payback period will return in 4,4 years with the machine durability more than 25 years.