Seed security among smallholder farmers in semi-arid Ghana

SUMMARYThis study examines farmers’ perceptions of short- and long-term variability in climate, their ability to discern trends in climate and how the perceived trends converge with actual weather observations in five districts of Eastern Province in Kenya where the climate is semi-arid with high intra- and inter-annual variability in rainfall. Field surveys to elicit farmers’ perceptions about climate variability and change were conducted in Machakos, Makueni, Kitui, Mwingi and Mutomo districts. Long-term rainfall records from five meteorological stations within a 10 km radius from the survey locations were obtained from the Kenya Meteorological Department and were analysed to compare with farmers’ observations. Farmers’ responses indicate that they are well aware of the general climate in their location, its variability, the probabilistic nature of the variability and the impacts of this variability on crop production. However, their ability to synthesize the knowledge they have gained from their observations and discern long-term trends in the probabilistic distribution of seasonal conditions is more subjective, mainly due to the compounding interactions between climate and other factors such as soil fertility, soil water and land use change that determine the climate's overall influence on crop productivity. There is a general tendency among the farmers to give greater weight to negative impacts leading to higher risk perception. In relation to long-term changes in the climate, farmer observations in our study that rainfall patterns are changing corroborated well with reported perceptions from other places across the African continent but were not supported by the observed trends in rainfall data from the five study locations. The main implication of our findings is the need to be aware of and account for the risk during the development and promotion of technologies involving significant investments by smallholder farmers and exercise caution in interpreting farmers’ perceptions about long-term climate variability and change.

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Sensitivity of Maize Yield in Smallholder Systems to Climate Scenarios in Semi-Arid Regions of West Africa: Accounting for Variability in Farm Management Practices

Agronomy ◽

10.3390/agronomy9100639 ◽

2019 ◽

Vol 9 (10) ◽

pp. 639 ◽

Cited By ~ 5

Author(s):

Bright Freduah ◽

Dilys MacCarthy ◽

Myriam Adam ◽

Mouhamed Ly ◽

Alex Ruane ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Climate Change ◽

Arid Regions ◽

Climate Models ◽

Smallholder Farmers ◽

Maize Yield ◽

Climate Scenarios ◽

Relative Standard ◽

The Impact ◽

Semi Arid ◽

Smallholder Systems

Climate change is estimated to exacerbate existing challenges faced by smallholder farmers in Sub-Sahara Africa. However, limited studies quantify the extent of variation in climate change impact under these systems at the local scale. The Decision Support System for Agro-technological Transfer (DSSAT) was used to quantify variation in climate change impacts on maize yield under current agricultural practices in semi-arid regions of Senegal (Nioro du Rip) and Ghana (Navrongo and Tamale). Multi-benchmark climate models (Mid-Century, 2040–2069 for two Representative Concentration Pathways, RCP4.5 and RCP8.5), and multiple soil and management information from agronomic surveys were used as input for DSSAT. The average impact of climate scenarios on grain yield among farms ranged between −9% and −39% across sites. Substantial variation in climate response exists across farms in the same farming zone with relative standard deviations from 8% to 117% at Nioro du Rip, 13% to 64% in Navrongo and 9% to 37% in Tamale across climate models. Variations in fertilizer application, planting dates and soil types explained the variation in the impact among farms. This study provides insight into the complexities of the impact of climate scenarios on maize yield and the need for better representation of heterogeneous farming systems for optimized outcomes in adaptation and resilience planning in smallholder systems.

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Are smallholder farmers’ perceptions of climate variability supported by climatological evidence? Case study of a semi-arid region in South Africa

International Journal of Climate Change Strategies and Management ◽

10.1108/ijccsm-01-2020-0007 ◽

2020 ◽

Vol 12 (5) ◽

pp. 571-585 ◽

Cited By ~ 1

Author(s):

Maropene Tebello Rapholo ◽

Lawrence Diko Makia

Keyword(s):

South Africa ◽

Climate Variability ◽

Arid Region ◽

Smallholder Farmers ◽

Linear Trend ◽

Meteorological Data ◽

Sub Saharan Africa ◽

Content Type ◽

Semi Arid Region ◽

Semi Arid

Purpose Literature contends that not much is known about smallholder farmers’ perceptions of climate variability and the impacts thereof on agricultural practices in Sub-Saharan Africa and South Africa in particular. The purpose of this study is to examine the perceptions of smallholder farmers from Botlokwa (a semi-arid region in South Africa) on climate variability in relation to climatological evidence. Design/methodology/approach The study area is in proximity to a meteorological station and comprises mainly rural farmers, involved in rain-fed subsistence agriculture. Focus group discussions and closed-ended questionnaires covering demographics and perceptions were administered to 125 purposely sampled farmers. To assess farmers’ perceptions of climate variability, their responses were compared with linear trend and variability of historical temperature and rainfall data (1985-2015). Descriptive statistics were used to provide insights into respondents’ perceptions. Findings About 64% of the farmers perceived climate variability that was consistent with the meteorological data, whereas 36% either held contrary observations or were unable to discern. Age, level of education, farming experience and accessibility to information influenced the likelihood of farmers to correctly perceive climate variability. No significant differences in perception based on gender were observed. This study concludes that coping and adaption strategies of over one-third of the farmers could be negatively impacted by wrong perceptions of climate variability. Originality/value This study highlights discrepancies in perceptions among farmers with similar demographic characteristics. To guarantee sustainability of the sector, intervention by government and other key stakeholders to address underlying factors responsible for observed discrepancies is recommended.

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Constraints to crop production and adaptation strategies of smallholder farmers in semi-arid Central and Western Zimbabwe

African Crop Science Journal ◽

10.4314/acsj.v25i2.7 ◽

2017 ◽

Vol 25 (2) ◽

pp. 221 ◽

Cited By ~ 4

Author(s):

V. Makuvaro ◽

S. Walker ◽

A. Munodawafa ◽

I. Chagonda ◽

P. Masere ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Crop Production ◽

Smallholder Farmers ◽

Adaptation Strategies ◽

Semi Arid

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Conservation tillage implements and systems for smallholder farmers in semi-arid Ethiopia

Soil and Tillage Research ◽

10.1016/j.still.2008.10.026 ◽

2009 ◽

Vol 104 (1) ◽

pp. 185-191 ◽

Cited By ~ 31

Author(s):

M. Temesgen ◽

W.B. Hoogmoed ◽

J. Rockstrom ◽

H.H.G. Savenije

Keyword(s):

Smallholder Farmers ◽

Conservation Tillage ◽

Semi Arid

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HOUSEHOLD SOCIO-ECONOMIC FACTORS INFLUENCING CHOICE OF AGRO-ADVISORY DISSEMINATION PATHWAYS IN SEMI-ARID AREAS OF KENYA

10.31124/advance.12860432.v1 ◽

2020 ◽

Author(s):

Debrah Onyango ◽

Hezron Mogaka ◽

Samuel Njiri Ndirangu ◽

Kwena Kizito

Keyword(s):

Climate Change ◽

Adaptive Capacity ◽

Climate Change Adaptation ◽

Arid Regions ◽

Smallholder Farmers ◽

Economic Factors ◽

Arid Areas ◽

Factors Influencing ◽

Semi Arid ◽

Socio Economic Factors

This work covers the dissemination of climate change adaptation information in arid and semi-arid regions of Kenya with the aim of improving the adaptive capacity of smallholder farmers through dissemination of well package technologies referred to as agro-advisories.

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Indigenous maize seed storage using buffalo dung ash practiced by smallholder farmers in Kisar Island

IOP Conference Series Earth and Environmental Science ◽

10.1088/1755-1315/883/1/012031 ◽

2021 ◽

Vol 883 (1) ◽

pp. 012031

Author(s):

H Jesajas ◽

E Kembauw ◽

M J Matatula ◽

A D Tagueha ◽

I J Liur

Keyword(s):

Phenomenological Study ◽

Smallholder Farmers ◽

Seed Storage ◽

Small Island ◽

Agricultural Crop ◽

Maize Weevil ◽

Seed Security ◽

Unusual Phenomenon ◽

Buffalo Dung ◽

Bride Price

Abstract Kisar island is a small island located on the tip of Timor island. Corn is the main agricultural crop, and livestock husbandry also plays an important role in the livelihood of the farmers as a source of income, provide mainly manure for maintaining soil fertility. and in the local culture as a 'bride price' and for the exchange of goods. Considering periodical seasonal hazards, during eight months dry season people suffer from a serious shortage of water. Failure of the harvest is not an unusual phenomenon on the small, dry, eroded coral island. Seasonal pest invasion on maize cultivation threaten their seed security and food security. The objective of this review is to describe the validity of farmers’ indigenous knowledge (IK) of using buffalo dung as a preservative agent in maize storage and its relevancy in the contemporary living of farmers in the island. A phenomenological study was held in June to August 2018. The results showed that applying buffalo dung ash makes the maize dry faster, cleans and kills maize weevil and preserves the grain, It was concluded that the knowledge and practice is scientifically valid and benefited community in the past but has less relevancy to the contemporary living of the farmers in the island.

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Quantifying Ecosystem Service Supply, Social Demand and Their Link With Smallholder Farmers' Well-Being in Contrasting Agro-Ecological Zones of East African Rift Valley.

10.21203/rs.3.rs-253038/v1 ◽

2021 ◽

Author(s):

Haile Ketema ◽

wu wei ◽

Abiyot Legesse ◽

Zinabu Wolde ◽

Tenaw Endalamaw ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Ecosystem Service ◽

Soil Loss ◽

Smallholder Farmers ◽

Well Being ◽

High Rate ◽

Study Region ◽

Social Demand ◽

Ecological Zones ◽

Semi Arid ◽

Agro Ecological Zones

Abstract Background Ecosystem service supplies (ES) have experienced progressive decline mostly due to increased ES social demand. Identifying ecosystem supply (ES), social demand, and their impacts on smallholder farmers' well-being is essential to ensure sustainable utilization of ES. Quantitative studies assessing ES mostly focused on ES supply with little attention given to social need and its effects on human well-being. Methods We assessed and mapped selected ES supply, social demand and their mismatches, and evaluated their impacts on subjective well-beings of smallholder farmers in contrasting agro-ecological zones (AEZ). We used a questionnaire survey to analyze and map six provisioning ecosystem services (ES) focusing on ES supply, social demand and their mismatches. Using the universal soil loss equation (USLE), we mapped the rate of soil loss in the contrasting agro-ecological zones (AEZ). A participatory approach was employed to evaluate smallholder farmers' well-being in the study region. Radar diagram was used to identify the links between ES supply, social demand and smallholder farmers' well-being. Results The results showed that a high supply of provisioning ecosystem goods such as cereal crops, fruits and coffee occurred in humid AEZ, while less supplies were seen in semi-arid AEZ of the study region. The ES supply was not in accordant with ES social demand and different factors such as population size and level of production are among the main factors causing ES supply-demand mismatches. Due to the undulating topography, high rate of soil loss was seen in humid AEZ. Smallholder farmers have given higher values for soil erosion control compared with individuals from semi-arid AEZ. Of all indicators of smallholder farmers well-being, income had the highest weight while receiving the least well-being satisfaction level both in humid and semi-arid AEZs. Conclusion The mismatches between supply and demand in provisioning ecosystem supply had strong and immediate impacts on smallholder farmers well-being. Therefore, we suggest policies that effectively control population growth, applying intensive crop production and strengthening integrated watershed management. These policies would help ES to recuperate and enhance its continuous flow and improve smallholder farmers' well-being both in the humid and semi-arid AEZ of the study region.

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Determinants of sorghum adoption and land allocation intensity in the smallholder sector of semi-arid Zimbabwe

Spanish Journal of Agricultural Research ◽

10.5424/sjar/2019171-13115 ◽

2019 ◽

Vol 17 (1) ◽

pp. e0105 ◽

Cited By ~ 1

Author(s):

Joseph P. Musara ◽

Lovemore Musemwa ◽

Munyaradzi Mutenje ◽

Abbyssinia Mushunje ◽

Charles Pfukwa

Keyword(s):

Smallholder Farmers ◽

Land Allocation ◽

Arid Environments ◽

Cross Sectional Survey ◽

Cross Sectional ◽

Local Networks ◽

Adoption Decision ◽

Small Holder ◽

Semi Arid ◽

Storage Facilities

Sorghum is important for sustainability of smallholder farmers’ subsistence, social and economic livelihoods in semi-arid and arid environments of Southern Africa. However, production of the crop has been on the decline in the smallholder communities of semi-arid Zimbabwe. The study examines factors affecting smallholder farmers’ inclination towards producing sorghum and allocating differential land proportions towards the crop. The paper uses a double hurdle estimation approach with cross-sectional survey data from 380 small holder sorghum farmers in the Mid Zambezi region. Frequency of contact with relatives, duration of receiving subsidies and the number of groups to which household members belonged had a robust influence (p<0.01) on the adoption decision. Market frequency, availability of storage facilities and the number of buyers in the market significantly (p<0.01) influenced the land allocation decision. Variables influencing the two decisions are not necessarily the same showing independence in the decisions. However, information flow from networks and conditions of market platforms remain important variables in the two decisions. It is important to decentralise sorghum markets, strengthen local networks of kinships and increase the scope of inclusive and responsive formal extension delivery systems. Storage facilities can also be developed in partnership with private players to allow for sales during market windows which generates higher returns for the small holder sorghum farmers.

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