Impact of Farm Input Subsidies Vis-à-Vis Climate-Smart Technologies on Maize Productivity: A Tale of Smallholder Farmers in Malawi

2020 ◽  
pp. 549-567
Author(s):  
Samson Pilanazo Katengeza
Keyword(s):  
Smallholder Farmers ◽  
Maize Productivity ◽  
Smart Technologies

scholarly journals IMPACT OF AGRICULTURAL CREDIT ACCESS ON AGRICULTURAL PRODUCTIVITY AMONG MAIZE AND RICE SMALLHOLDER FARMERS IN RWANDA

2021 ◽  
Vol 59 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Nathan Kanuma Taremwa ◽  
Ibrahim Macharia ◽  
Eric Bett ◽  
Eucabeth Majiwa
Keyword(s):  
Smallholder Farmers ◽  
Agricultural Productivity ◽  
Structured Interviews ◽  
Agricultural Credit ◽  
Credit Access ◽  
Maize Productivity ◽  
Rice Farmers ◽  
Specific Analysis ◽  
The Impact ◽  
Matching Techniques

This paper assesses the impact of access to agricultural credit on the agricultural productivity of 422 smallholder farmers that cultivate maize or rice in the Western and Eastern province of Rwanda. Stratified, simple random and convenience sampling techniques were used to sample districts, sectors, cells and households. Data were collected using structured interviews and analyzed using propensity score matching techniques. Results indicated that productivity was higher by 44% among the farmers who accessed credit implying that they harvested on average an extra 440 kilograms of maize or rice. According to a crop-specific analysis, agricultural credit access had a more significant impact on maize productivity, with a difference in proportion of 68% (p = 0.000) but had no impact on rice productivity (p = 0.149). The study concludes that agricultural credit was important for Rwanda’s agricultural productivity. Thus policy measures should aim at improving smallholder farmers’ access to agricultural credit and promoting the use of modern agricultural inputs, particularly among rice farmers in Rwanda

scholarly journals Effect of the Push-Pull Cropping System on Maize Yield, Stem Borer Infestation and Farmers’ Perception

Agronomy ◽  
2019 ◽  
Vol 9 (8) ◽  
pp. 452
Author(s):  
Teshome Kumela ◽  
Esayas Mendesil ◽  
Bayu Enchalew ◽  
Menale Kassie ◽  
Tadele Tefera
Keyword(s):  
Soil Fertility ◽  
Smallholder Farmers ◽  
Abiotic Factors ◽  
Sustainable Use ◽  
Cropping System ◽  
Maize Yield ◽  
Stem Borer ◽  
Maize Production ◽  
Maize Productivity ◽  
Livestock Feed

The productivity of maize in Ethiopia has remained lower than the world average because of several biotic and abiotic factors. Stemborers and poor soil fertility are among the main factors that contribute to this poor maize productivity. A novel cropping strategy, such as the use of push-pull technology, is one of the methods known to solve both challenges at once. A push-pull technology targeting the management of maize stemborers was implemented in the Hawassa district of Ethiopia with the ultimate goal of increased food security among smallholder farmers. This study evaluated farmers’ perception of push-pull technology based on their experiences and observations of the demonstration plots that were established on-farm in Dore Bafano, Jara Gelelcha and Lebu Koremo village of the Hawasa district in 2016 and 2017. This study examined farmers’ perception of the importance of push-pull technology in controlling stemborers and improving soil fertility and access to livestock feed. In both cropping seasons, except for Jara Gelelcha, the maize grain yields were significantly higher in the climate-adapted push-pull plots compared to the maize monocrop plots. The majority (89%) of push-pull technology-practising farmers rated the technology better than their maize production methods on attributes such as access to new livestock feed and the control of stemborer damage. As a result, approximately 96% of the interviewed farmers were interested in adopting the technology starting in the upcoming crop season. Awareness through training and effective dissemination strategies should be strengthened among stakeholders and policymakers for the sustainable use and scaling-up of push-pull technology.

scholarly journals Impact of Soil Fertility Improving Trees on Crop Productivity and Farmer Wealth in Zambia

2017 ◽  
Vol 6 (3) ◽  
pp. 14
Author(s):  
Elias Kuntashula
Keyword(s):  
Soil Fertility ◽  
Field Experiments ◽  
Resource Constraints ◽  
Smallholder Farmers ◽  
Information Access ◽  
Crop Productivity ◽  
Sub Saharan Africa ◽  
Wealth Creation ◽  
Maize Productivity ◽  
Sub Saharan

There has been low uptake of soil fertility improving tree technologies that have been promoted as alternatives to the costly inorganic fertiliser among the poor resource farmers of Sub Saharan Africa. This is surprising given that the majority of smallholder farmers cannot afford inorganic fertilisers. Are these technologies effective? Using data collected in 2013 from 1,231 households across six districts of Zambia, this study showed that the tree technologies increased maize productivity. However, increases in maize productivity were less than those obtained from controlled on-station and field experiments where the technologies could double or more than double maize productivity according to literature. The technologies capacity to marginally contribute to wealth creation was confirmed. Socioeconomic constraints including labour, information access, land and credit need to be tackled for the technologies to give maximum benefits. Research on fertiliser trees should therefore be redirected towards the discovery of such resource constraints saving technologies. 

scholarly journals Adoption Intensity of Inorganic Fertilizers in Maize Production: Empirical Evidence from Smallholder Farmers in Eastern Ethiopia

2017 ◽  
Vol 9 (5) ◽  
pp. 124 ◽  
Author(s):  
Mengstu Ketema ◽  
Degefu Kebede
Keyword(s):  
Smallholder Farmers ◽  
Farm Size ◽  
Dependency Ratio ◽  
Annual Income ◽  
Eastern Ethiopia ◽  
Inorganic Fertilizers ◽  
Maize Production ◽  
Maize Productivity ◽  
Adoption Intensity ◽  
Econometric Result

Evidences suggested that use levels of inorganic fertilizers are below the recommended rates in maize production. It is, therefore, necessary to investigate the reasons behind the failure to adopt the recommended rates of these fertilizers on maize production. This study analyzed determinants of intensity of adoption using a survey data collected from 383 randomly selected maize producing households. For this purpose, a two-limit Tobit model was applied. The econometric result revealed that variation in districts, family size, membership to cooperatives, distance to FTC, and livestock holding significantly affected smallholders’ intensity of adoption of DAP in maize production. On the other side, variation in district, farming experience, farm size, membership to cooperatives, dependency ratio, and annual income significantly determined intensity of adoption of Urea. It is, therefore, necessary to give due emphasis to the indicated determinants in order to assist maize producing farmers by boosting maize productivity.

scholarly journals Optimizing Soil Moisture and Nitrogen Use Efficiency of Some Maize (Zea mays) Varieties under Conservation Farming System

2018 ◽  
Vol 7 (4) ◽  
pp. 42
Author(s):  
Simunji Simunji ◽  
Kalaluka L. Munyinda ◽  
Obed I. Lungu ◽  
Alice M. Mweetwa ◽  
Elijah Phiri
Keyword(s):  
Zea Mays ◽  
Soil Moisture ◽  
Nitrogen Use Efficiency ◽  
Smallholder Farmers ◽  
Farming System ◽  
Nitrogen Use ◽  
Maize Productivity ◽  
Conservation Farming ◽  
Maize Varieties ◽  
Use Efficiency

In Zambia, small holder farmers depend on producing maize (Zea mays), which is a major staple food for many Zambians. Maize productivity among the smallholder farmers is quite low, giving only 2.3 tons per hectare. The low yields are attributed to insufficient and erratic rain fall, low soil fertility, and poor farming practices. Therefore, the objective of this study was to evaluate the performance of maize genotypes for nitrogen use efficiency and soil moisture utilisation under conservation farming system. The trials were carried out at two sites with different soil types. Three maize varieties i.e. ZMS 606, GV 640 and GV 635 were evaluated in maize – cowpea rotation. Four cowpea varieties used for rotation with maize, i.e. Bubebe Lutembwe, BB 14-16-2-2 and LT 11-3-3-12. BB 14-16-2-2 and LT 11-3-3-12 are mutation-derived lines of Bubebe and Lutembwe cowpea parent varieties respectively. The experimental design used was split plot with three replications. The NUE was significantly (P< 0.05) higher in CF and accounted for 27 % and 15% more than conventional farming system which valued 17% and 3% at Chisamba and Batoka, respectively. while soil moisture content was higher at Batoka than Chisamba in CF system. ZMS 606 and GV 640 varieties were superior over GV 635 for NUE. Cowpea variety BB 14-16-2-2 significantly increased NUE of maize varieties. Therefore, smallholder farmers in Zambia can increase maize productivity in maize - cowpea rotation system due to the increased NUE. Recommendations are made for farmers to select improved nitrogen efficient maize varieties to optimize productivity of maize in conservation farming system.

scholarly journals Enhancing the adoption of climate-smart technologies using public-private partnerships: lessons from the WEMA case in South Africa

2021 ◽  
pp. 1-22
Author(s):  
Mmapatla Precious Senyolo ◽  
Thomas B. Long ◽  
Onno Omta
Keyword(s):  
South Africa ◽  
Technology Adoption ◽  
Technology Development ◽  
Smallholder Farmers ◽  
Climate Change Impacts ◽  
Public Private Partnerships ◽  
Contractual Arrangements ◽  
Adoption And Diffusion ◽  
Smart Technologies ◽  
High Level

Climate-smart agricultural technological innovations have the potential to reduce climate change impacts on agriculture. Due to several barriers, their current rate of adoption and diffusion is low. Public-private partnerships (PPPs) have the potential to facilitate technology development and dissemination to smallholder farmers. The aim of this paper is to examine the role of the water efficient maize for Africa (WEMA) project in enhancing technology adoption by smallholder farmers in South Africa. This study explores how PPPs enhance technology adoption and highlights the challenges faced within PPPs using WEMA case. A critical analysis, involving iterative process helped to construct a comprehensive narrative. We found that disputed outcomes, stakeholder concerns, shortage of seeds, disinclination of local companies to market new seeds, upkeep of previous relationships, contractual arrangements and high level of expertise and skills required from farmers were the main factors that affected the efficacy and impact of WEMA on the targeted output and beneficiaries.

IMPLICATIONS OF HILL FARMERS' AGRONOMIC PRACTICES IN NEPAL FOR CROP IMPROVEMENT IN MAIZE

2004 ◽  
Vol 40 (4) ◽  
pp. 397-417 ◽  
Author(s):  
T. P. TIWARI ◽  
R. M. BROOK ◽  
F. L. SINCLAIR
Keyword(s):  
Smallholder Farmers ◽  
Crop Improvement ◽  
Farming System ◽  
Agroforestry System ◽  
Maize Breeding ◽  
Maize Crop ◽  
Local Conditions ◽  
Maize Productivity ◽  
Agronomic Practices ◽  
Maize Varieties

An agro-ecological analysis of the maize component of an agroforestry system in the eastern mid-hills of Nepal was conducted in 1999. The aim of the study was to understand farmers' current maize cultivation practices as a prerequisite to development of maize varieties that are better adapted to local conditions than the improved varieties currently on offer from conventional maize breeding programmes in Nepal. Practices of 50 smallholder farmers were surveyed in three villages, and the response of the maize crop was recorded. The study revealed great variability in agronomic practices, and in particular, farmers' maize husbandry differed markedly from national recommendations for plant population, agronomic inputs and genotypes used. Farmers regularly employed practices that were not even officially recognised by the national research and extension services, such as thinning of maize for livestock fodder, growing the crop in association with trees for fodder, and relay cropping with finger millet, their priority being to optimize overall output of the farming system rather than maximizing maize productivity. Reasons for deviations from recommended practices are analysed and implications for maize crop improvement for heterogeneous conditions are discussed.

scholarly journals Agriculture 4.0: Is Sub-Saharan Africa Ready?

2021 ◽  
Vol 11 (12) ◽  
pp. 5750
Author(s):  
Nugun P. Jellason ◽  
Elizabeth J. Z. Robinson ◽  
Chukwuma C. Ogbaga
Keyword(s):  
Food Production ◽  
Smallholder Farmers ◽  
New Technology ◽  
Sub Saharan Africa ◽  
The Internet ◽  
Agricultural Revolution ◽  
Sub Saharan ◽  
Smart Technologies ◽  
The Internet Of Things ◽  
And Robotics

A fourth agricultural revolution, termed agriculture 4.0, is gradually gaining ground around the globe. It encompasses the application of smart technologies such as artificial intelligence, biotechnology, the internet of things (IoT), big data, and robotics to improve agriculture and the sustainability of food production. To date, narratives around agriculture 4.0 associated technologies have generally focused on their application in the context of higher-income countries (HICs). In contrast, in this perspective, we critically assess the place of sub-Saharan Africa (SSA) in this new technology trajectory, a region that has received less attention with respect to the application of such technologies. We examine the continent’s readiness based on a number of dimensions such as scale, finance, technology leapfrogging, institutions and governance, education and skills. We critically reviewed the challenges, opportunities, and prospects of adopting agriculture 4.0 technologies in SSA, particularly with regards to how smallholder farmers in the region can be involved through a robust strategy. We find that whilst potential exist for agriculture 4.0 adoption in SSA, there are gaps in knowledge, skills, finance, and infrastructure to ensure successful adoption.

scholarly journals Response of Selected Maize Inbred Germplasm to Maize Lethal Necrosis Disease and Its Causative Viruses (Sugarcane Mosaic Virus and Maize Chlorotic Mottle Virus) in Kenya

2018 ◽  
Vol 12 (1) ◽  
pp. 215-226 ◽  
Author(s):  
James Karanja ◽  
John Derera ◽  
Augustine Gubba ◽  
Stephen Mugo ◽  
Ann Wangai
Keyword(s):  
Food Security ◽  
Mosaic Virus ◽  
Smallholder Farmers ◽  
Inbred Lines ◽  
Sugarcane Mosaic Virus ◽  
Mottle Virus ◽  
Maize Productivity ◽  
Chlorotic Mottle Virus ◽  
Maize Chlorotic Mottle Virus ◽  
Chlorotic Mottle

Background: Maize lethal necrosis (MLN) disease continues to reduce the productivity of maize drastically threatening food security in the affected regions. It continues to cause yield loss of 30–100 percent in farmers’ fields, depending on the time of infestation which is valued at $198 million in Kenya. This has not only threatened regional trade, but also seed industry. It has been reported in the major maize belts of Uasin Gishu, Trans-Nzoia, Bomet, Narok and Nandi Counties. MLN is caused by the synergistic interaction between Sugarcane Mosaic Virus (SCMV) and Maize Chlorotic Mottle Virus (MCMV). The disease has then spread to other Eastern and Central African countries with devastating food security and economic consequences. Objectives: This study highlights result after screening selected maize inbred lines for resistance to MLN, SCMV and MCMV in identifying promising lines for integration into the breeding program for MLN resistance. Methods: Sixty-five (65) maize genotypes were artificially inoculated using virus strains collected from Bomet County in Kenya at 3-4 leaf stage. Data on disease severity and incidence, AUDPC and flowering were recorded. Results: From the result, the inbred lines had significant differences for SCMV, MCMV and MLN reactions. Based on Area Under Disease Progress Curve (AUDPC) score and ELISA analysis, genotypes MLN001 and MLN006 have the lowest score of 270, whereas OH28 had a maximum at 1259 under MCMV. Genotypes MLN042 and MLN041 were identified as the most promising sources of resistant against SCMV. However, no genotype was identified to have acceptable levels of tolerance to MLN, but MLN001 and MLN013 were identified as the best performers under MLN. This study also validated the presence of MLN tolerance in MLN013 (CKDHL120312) and MLN001 (CKDHL120918) as earlier reported by CIMMYT. These tolerant genotypes are now serving as donors in the introgression of the tolerance into the Kenyan adapted maize backgrounds and development of improved MLN tolerant varieties. This will go a long way in restoring and ensuring sustainable maize productivity in improving the livelihoods of the smallholder farmers who form 75% of the major maize producers in Kenya. Conclusion: The identified inbred lines would be recommended for use in varietal development, MLN management and to enhance maize productivity, in the MLN endemic regions and further research in understanding the mode of gene action for MLN tolerance.

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