scholarly journals Impact of Soil Fertility Replenishment Agroforestry Technology Adoption on the Livelihoods and Food Security of Smallholder Farmers in Central and Southern Malawi

10.5772/29568 ◽  
2012 ◽  
Author(s):  
Paxie W. ◽  
Ann F.
Keyword(s):  
Food Security ◽  
Technology Adoption ◽  
Soil Fertility ◽  
Smallholder Farmers ◽  
Agroforestry Technology ◽  
Soil Fertility Replenishment

scholarly journals Gliricidia Agroforestry Technology Adoption Potential in Selected Dryland Areas of Dodoma Region, Tanzania

Agriculture ◽  
2020 ◽  
Vol 10 (7) ◽  
pp. 306
Author(s):  
Martha Swamila ◽  
Damas Philip ◽  
Adam Meshack Akyoo ◽  
Stefan Sieber ◽  
Mateete Bekunda ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Soil Fertility ◽  
Crop Yields ◽  
Smallholder Farmers ◽  
Mineral Fertilizer ◽  
Economic Benefits ◽  
Environmental Benefits ◽  
Production Costs ◽  
Sub Saharan Africa ◽  
Agroforestry Technology

Declining soil fertility is one of the major problems facing producers of field crops in most dryland areas of Sub-Saharan Africa. In response to the declining soil fertility, extensive participatory research has been undertaken by the World Agroforestry (ICRAF) and smallholder farmers in Dodoma region, Tanzania. The research has, amongst others, led to the development of Gliricidia agroforestry technology. The positive impact of Gliricidia intercropping on crop yields has been established. However, information on farmers’ willingness and ability to adopt the Gliricidia agroforestry technology on their farms is limited. This study predicts the adoption of Gliricidia agroforestry and conventional mineral fertilizer use technology. Focus Group Discussions (FGDs) were conducted with groups of farmers, purposively selected based on five sets of criteria: (i) at least 2 years of experience in either trying or using Gliricidia agroforestry technology, (ii) at least 1 year of experience in either trying or using the mineral fertilizer technology (iii) at least 10 years of living in the study villages, (iv) the age of 18 years and above, and (v) sex. The Adoption and Diffusion Outcome Prediction Tool (ADOPT) was used to predict the peak adoption levels and the respective time in years. A sensitivity analysis was conducted to assess the effect of change in adoption variables on predicted peak adoption levels and time to peak adoption. The results revealed variations in peak adoption levels with Gliricidia agroforestry technology exhibiting the highest peak of 67.6% in 12 years, and that the most influential variable to the peak adoption is the upfront cost of investing in Gliricidia agroforestry and fertilizer technologies. However, in Gliricidia agroforestry technology most production costs are incurred in the first year of project establishment but impact the long term biophysical and economic benefits. Moreover, farmers practicing agroforestry technology accrue environmental benefits, such as soil erosion control. Based on the results, it is plausible to argue that Gliricidia agroforestry technology has a high adoption potential and its adoption is influenced by investment costs. We recommend two actions to attract smallholder farmers investing in agroforestry technologies. First, enhancing farmers’ access to inputs at affordable prices. Second, raising farmers’ awareness of the long-term environmental benefits of Gliricidia agroforestry technology.

scholarly journals Bridging the potato variety gap: a review of the Kenya - The Netherlands potato project (2012–2015): its success, challenges and opportunities

2017 ◽  
Vol 2 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Simeon K. Komen ◽  
John Mark Ngeny ◽  
Emily Osena
Keyword(s):  
Food Security ◽  
The Netherlands ◽  
Soil Fertility ◽  
Potato Variety ◽  
Crop Yields ◽  
Smallholder Farmers ◽  
Challenges And Opportunities ◽  
Good Quality Seed ◽  
Staple Crop

AbstractPotato is Kenya’s second most important staple crop which contributes immensely to the food security and income of smallholder farmers in the Kenya Highlands. Despite its importance however, crop yields are very low (7.7 to 9.5 t/ha) against a potential of over 40 t/ha. Many reasons are cited to explain this including inadequate good quality seed of suitable varieties, seed recycling, low soil fertility, limited use of agro-chemicals and leaf diseases. Potatoes were introduced in the late 19

scholarly journals Visualizing relationships in interdisciplinary research with Geographic Information Systems: A case study utilizing food security research in Sahelian West Africa

2015 ◽  
Vol 2 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Colin Michael Minielly ◽  
Danish Rehman ◽  
Erika Bachmann ◽  
David Natcher ◽  
Derek Peak ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Food Security ◽  
Information Systems ◽  
Geographic Information Systems ◽  
West Africa ◽  
Soil Fertility ◽  
Rainwater Harvesting ◽  
Smallholder Farmers ◽  
Geographic Information ◽  
Research Data ◽  
The University

Achieving food security in the semi-arid region of West Africa remains challenging, primarily due to a combination of harsh climate and low soil fertility. The University of Saskatchewan, in partnership with many international organizations, has been researching solutions to increase the profitability of smallholder farmers in the region. This joint partnership aims at improving soil fertility for smallholder farming in Benin, Burkina Faso, Mali, and Niger.  Data have been collected in eight different research sites, and include rainwater harvesting, crop yields, and soil samples.  The data have a timeframe ranging from one year to many years. Prior to the University of Saskatchewan’s commitment to the project, research data had only been utilized on a local  scale, with relatively low success in sharing results and findings across national borders.With this project, collaboration occurred among multiple researchers from different countries and disciplines. A new technique used for collaboration was an interactive Geographic Information Systems (GIS) database. GIS has proven to be a powerful tool and platform for analysing and disseminating research data. This geospatial analysis laid the foundation for further research, resulting in a robust examination of soil and socioeconomic data from overseas.

scholarly journals Increasing smallholder farmers’ market participation through technology adoption in rural Timor‐Leste

2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
Sonia Akter ◽  
Namrata Chindarkar ◽  
William Erskine ◽  
Luc Spyckerelle ◽  
Julie Imron ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Technology Adoption ◽  
Smallholder Farmers ◽  
Market Participation ◽  
Farmers Market ◽  
Timor Leste

scholarly journals Does smallholder farmers’ awareness of Sustainable Development Goal 2 improve household food security in the Northern Region of Ghana?

2021 ◽  
Vol 10 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Franklin Nantui Mabe ◽  
Eliasu Mumuni ◽  
Nashiru Sulemana
Keyword(s):  
Sustainable Development ◽  
Food Security ◽  
Smallholder Farmers ◽  
Northern Region ◽  
Household Food Security ◽  
Switching Regression ◽  
Sustainable Development Goal ◽  
Endogenous Switching Regression ◽  
Development Goal ◽  
Household Food

Abstract Background Sustainable Development Goal 2 aims at ending hunger, achieving food security, improving nutrition and promoting sustainable agriculture. Whilst some smallholder farmers are aware of this goal, others are not. The question that arises is whether or not awareness translates into food security. Therefore, this study assessed whether or not smallholder farmers’ awareness of Sustainable Development Goal 2 improves household food security in the Northern Region of Ghana. Methods The study used cross-sectional primary data collected from two districts and two municipalities in the region. An endogenous switching regression treatment effects model with ordered outcome was used to estimate the effects of smallholder farmers’ awareness of Sustainable Development Goal 2 on household food insecurity level. Results The age of household head, distance of households to the regional capital, membership of farmer-based organizations, access to e-extension, education, and ownership of radio are the key drivers of farmers’ awareness of Sustainable Development Goal 2. The results from the endogenous switching regression treatment effects model with ordered outcome showed that households who are aware of the second goal are more food secure than their counterparts. Conclusions It is therefore prudent for stakeholders promoting and championing Sustainable Development Goals to educate farmers on goal 2 as their awareness of the goal is critical to achieving food security.

scholarly journals Drought-tolerant Varieties as an Adaptation Strategy in the Context of Climate Change: Insight from Maize Production Systems in Benin

2020 ◽  
pp. 1-7
Author(s):  
Mohamed Nasser Baco
Keyword(s):  
Climate Change ◽  
Food Security ◽  
Crop Production ◽  
Production Systems ◽  
Smallholder Farmers ◽  
Value Chains ◽  
Maize Production ◽  
Ecological Zones ◽  
Drought Tolerant ◽  
Agro Ecological Zones

Previous studies suggested that maize is set to become a cash crop while ensuring food security better than any other crop. However, climate change has become one of the key production constraints that are now hampering and threatening the sustainability of maize production systems. We conducted a study to better understand changes here defined as adaptations made by smallholder farmers to ensure food security and improve income through maize production in a climate change context. Our results show that maize farmers in northern Benin mainly rely on traditional seeds. Drought as abiotic stress is perceived by farmers in many agro-ecological zones as a disruptive factor for crop production, including maize. When drought is associated with pest damages, both the quantity (i.e. yield) and the quality (i.e. attributes) of products/harvests are negatively affected. The adverse effects of drought continue to reduce production in different agro-ecological zones of the country, because of the lack of widespread adoption of tolerant varieties. The study suggests actions towards the production of drought-tolerant maize seeds, a promotion of seed companies, the organization of actors and value chains. Apart from climate change, the promotion of value chains is also emerging as one of the important aspects to take into account to sustain maize production in Benin.

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