Purpose Effective rural agribusiness development requires dedicated training programmes therefore, this paper is an attempt to investigate smallholder farmers’ TNs in the dairy agribusiness sector. The purpose of this paper is to study a bigger research project of the dairy value chain in agribusiness framework in the Rwenzori region. Design/methodology/approach A sample size of 100 dairy farmers were randomly selected from two Districts in the Rwenzori region. The descriptive statistics (mean and standard deviation) provided a basis for discussion. Furthermore, parametric Pearson coefficient test was conducted to examine the smallholder farmers’ TNs and assess its association with selected socio-demographic characteristics of the dairy farmers. Findings The analysis indicated that dairy farmers expressed the need for a training program. Most frequently requested topics include: fodder cultivation, quality and safe milk handling, milk marketing, calf feeding and rearing, animal nutrition and financial literacy out of 12 topics. The least desired TNs was record keeping. Research limitations/implications The findings contribute to the understanding of dairy farmers’ TNs. Practical implications The identified 12 key training intervention areas for the dairy farmers inform policymakers Dairy Development Authority and other development bodies in the Rwenzori region to address the challenges and improve smallholder dairy farming practices. Originality/value The study applies a synthesis review to identify theoretically acceptable variables that measure smallholder farmers’ TNs in the dairy agribusiness. The paper also shares the empirical evidence of a pioneering attempt to identify smallholder dairy farmers’ TNs in Uganda.

Purpose -Market transactions in large vegetable markets call for transparency with utmost urgency. The reason are that buyers are located at distant places and the volume of sales is very high. The purpose of this paper is to highlight the development of an automated system in market transactions in order to bring about transparency with concrete evidence available to small and medium farmers who are then able to repose trust in the system by acquiring the right price for the right product. The farmers can also confirm the effectiveness of the system by testing it themselves. Design/methodology/approach -First, a theoretical framework of marketing procedures of larger vegetable markets has been constructed with tomato as a vegetable of study and the Madanapalle tomato market as a market studied through surveys. Second, methods of functioning in marketing procedures including pricing and auctioning have been modified according to the objective. An android-based application has been used to develop an automated model. Surveys have been conducted to understand the perceptions of farmers in marketing procedures and price determination at the village level, and to test the automated model in the study market. Findings -Both quantitative as well as qualitative approaches indicate that, the proposed automated model in the modified marketing procedural system is of benefit to all stakeholders in the supply chain. Research limitations/implications -In model testing, gaps in inputs from a greater number of buyers during auctioning remains a limitation of the study. Social implications -For sustainable growth of tomatoes or any other vegetables it is essential that the farmers trust the marketing procedural system. This is possible if farmers obtain the right price for their products. Once the automated system is implemented, buyers acquire high-quality goods at desired prices, which further encourages more buyers from other regions to participate in the auctioning/tendering process stimulating an increased demand. Originality/value -This paper is unique in its pricing function and scores of stakeholders. Pricing function involves the farmers' input along with the buyers' inputs whereas scores of these two stakeholders have been obtained through the inputs of commissioning agents.

The purpose of this paper is to develop a deterministic model for setting the target in T-20 Cricket by the team batting first. Mathematical tools were used in model development. Recursive function and secondary data statistics of T-20 cash rich cricket tournament Indian Premier League (IPL) such as runs scored in different stages, fall wickets in different stages, and type of pitch are used in developing the model. This model was tested at 120 matches held IPL 2016 and 2017. This model had been proved effective by comparing with the models developed earlier. This model can be a useful tool to the stakeholders like coach and captain of the team for adopting better strategy at any stage of the match. For future research, this model can be useful in framing a regulation work by policy makers at both national and international cricket board by deriving the target score during interruptions. 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11