Is there a relationship between wartime violence and postwar agricultural development outcomes? The case of concessions and community grants in Mozambique

This paper analysed policy correlates of agricultural production and agricultural production sustainability outcomes in Ghana and Nigeria. It underscores the influence of political systems and international development agendas as correlates of agricultural production and agricultural production sustainability outcomes. This is to the extent of providing evidence policy on agricultural production and agricultural production sustainability outcomes. Ghana and Nigeria have comparable farming/agricultural system and policy environment. Data used for the analyses spanned five decades. Trends analysis and inferential statistics were employed. The results revealed that policy correlates can contribute to the current discourse in sustainable development agenda and to resolving the dilemma of agricultural policy implementation for sustainable agricultural development, especially in Ghana and Nigeria. The findings reinforce the need for appropriate policies in transforming the agricultural sector while ensuring sustainable development outcomes.

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The agricultural value-chain extension model: concepts and applications in Africa

Агрознање ◽

10.7251/agren2004137o ◽

2020 ◽

Vol 21 (4) ◽

Author(s):

Idowu Oladimeji Oladele

Keyword(s):

Value Chain ◽

Agricultural Development ◽

Chain Extension ◽

Common Denominator ◽

Extension Services ◽

Governmental Organization ◽

Functional Value ◽

Extension Model ◽

Development Outcomes ◽

Backward Linkages

This paper describes the Agricultural Value Chain Extension Model after examining different extension models and differentiated terminologies related to evolution of extension models. Agricultural extension is a common denominator for functional value-chain and food security such that agricultural development outcomes are closely linked to agricultural advice provided by extension services. This model consists of five components of formal training, key clusters, informal training, value chain actors and value chain centre interlinked and connected with forward and backward linkages with overlapping activities among the key clusters. All of these interplay based on the level of funds and resources available for the activities connecting the components and the pervasiveness of the national agricultural policy where it is deployed. The paper concludes with the application of the Value-Chain Extension Model, by an International Non-Governmental Organization providing extension services along the value chain in Africa.

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Contribution of mobile phones in expanding human capabilities in selected rural districts of Tanzania

Global Knowledge Memory and Communication ◽

10.1108/gkmc-10-2018-0084 ◽

2019 ◽

Vol 68 (6/7) ◽

pp. 491-503

Author(s):

Grace E.P. Msoffe ◽

Edda Tandi Lwoga

Keyword(s):

Mobile Phones ◽

Rural Areas ◽

Agricultural Development ◽

Phone Call ◽

Small Scale ◽

Human Capabilities ◽

Content Type ◽

Rural Districts ◽

Rural Farmers ◽

Development Outcomes

Purpose This study aims to investigate the use of mobile phones in enhancing human capabilities and agricultural development among small-scale farmers in selected rural districts of Tanzania. The study assessed the potential capabilities acquired by farmers, factors that influence farmers in building their capabilities and achieving development outcomes. Design/methodology/approach The study used Sen’s capability approach as a guiding framework to investigate the link between mobile phones and agricultural development. A case study design was employed whereby focus group discussions were used to collect data. Findings The use of mobile phone services enabled rural farmers to build their financial, human and social capabilities. Rural farmers faced personal and non-personal conversion factors that influenced them in building capabilities and achieving development outcomes. The use of mobile phones led to various development outcomes. The typical development outcomes were related to access to information and communication services and reduction of transport costs. Rural farmers experienced family conflicts due to protectiveness exercised by couples through the use of mobile phones, criminal incidences such as theft and the fear of being recorded when making a phone call. Originality/value The study findings have the potential of influencing policy and practice. The findings are useful in promoting the value of mobile phones usage in empowering rural farmers and communities. The telecommunication sector and other key stakeholders can use the study findings in setting the basis for prioritising the improvement of telecommunication infrastructure in the rural areas.

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A comparative analysis of agricultural research and extension reforms in China and India

China Agricultural Economic Review ◽

10.1108/caer-05-2015-0054 ◽

2015 ◽

Vol 7 (4) ◽

pp. 541-572 ◽

Cited By ~ 15

Author(s):

Suresh Chandra Babu ◽

Jikun Huang ◽

P. Venkatesh ◽

Yumei Zhang

Keyword(s):

Developing Countries ◽

Comparative Analysis ◽

Agricultural Development ◽

Agricultural Research ◽

Content Type ◽

China And India ◽

The Reformation ◽

Development Outcomes ◽

The Impact

Purpose – There is growing interest from the global development community in the role of agricultural research and extension (AR & E) systems to achieve development targets. Despite this interest, many smallholders in developing countries continue to lack access to updated agricultural information and reliable services. In an effort to increase the effectiveness, impact, and reach of AR & E programs, many governments have attempted to reform their national systems. The paper aims to discuss these issues. Design/methodology/approach – This paper systematically compares the systems and reforms of AR & E in China and India in order to draw out lessons applicable to developing countries. This paper first reviews the existing literature on AR & E systems and their role in agricultural and economic development. The authors then provide a detailed review and comparative analysis of the reforms and approaches implemented in the AR & E systems of China and India. The authors apply this comparative analysis to draw out lessons that can be applied to inform the reformation of AR & E systems in developing countries. Findings – The authors find that although both countries face similar agricultural development challenges, each took a different approach in the reformation of AR & E to address these challenges. Each country’s approaches had different impacts on the effectiveness of the system. Lessons from the reformation of the AR & E systems in China and India can be used to inform and improve the impact of AR & E in developing countries. Originality/value – The paper examines two systems together using a set of common indicators and factors. The paper’s value comes from its usefulness in informing future AR & E reforms in other developing countries in order to increase the impact of these reforms on development outcomes.

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Settling for dams?: planning for sustainable Indigenous livelihoods within large-scale irrigated agricultural development in north Queensland, Australia

The Rangeland Journal ◽

10.1071/rj18014 ◽

2018 ◽

Vol 40 (4) ◽

pp. 365 ◽

Cited By ~ 3

Author(s):

Marcus Barber

Keyword(s):

Large Scale ◽

Agricultural Development ◽

Structural Changes ◽

Indigenous Australians ◽

Catchment Scale ◽

Development Zone ◽

Irrigation Development ◽

Regional Coordination ◽

History Of ◽

Development Outcomes

Large-scale irrigated production of food, fuel and fibre has received new impetus from rising population and consumption levels and from structural changes in agribusiness, notably financialisation and vertical and horizontal consolidation. In Australia, these trends have provided new justifications for pre-existing economic and nationalist aspirations for water and irrigated agricultural development in the pastoral-dominated tropical north. Indigenous Australians have the longest history of past attachment to northern land and waterscapes, the highest degree of current socioeconomic marginalisation, and the strongest focus on the intergenerational equity and sustainability of development. This qualitative study undertaken with senior Indigenous custodians in two North Queensland catchments identified that major irrigation development posed significant risks, but may also contribute to diversified local Indigenous livelihoods. In particular, well structured development may enable the employment-related resettlement of depopulated traditional lands in the upper catchments, inverting the more commonly reported relationship between dam development and local residence. Yet the catchment-scale impacts from such development means that any complementarity between local Indigenous and developer aspirations in the immediate development zone does not necessarily entail complementarity with downstream Indigenous livelihood needs and aspirations. Regional coordination of Indigenous livelihood plans is required to establish effective baselines for negotiating sustainable development outcomes.

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Barriers and enablers of the use of digital technologies for sustainable agricultural development and food security

Elem Sci Anth ◽

10.1525/elementa.2020.00106 ◽

2021 ◽

Vol 9 (1) ◽

Author(s):

Amadou Sidibé ◽

Laura Schmitt Olabisi ◽

Hawa Doumbia ◽

Kadiatou Touré ◽

Cris Auguste Niamba

Keyword(s):

Food Security ◽

Land Tenure ◽

Value Chain ◽

Agricultural Development ◽

Agricultural Sector ◽

Evaluation Studies ◽

Digital Technologies ◽

Observation Data ◽

Earth Observation Data ◽

Development Outcomes

Digitization in agriculture is gaining momentum in developing countries. Digital technology aims to improve linkages along the agriculture value chain, thereby enabling farming communities and systems to recover from stresses and to absorb shocks to which farmers are exposed. However, there is the concern that digital technologies have not benefited the agricultural sector in a sustainable way. Stakeholders along the agriculture value chain need significant amounts of information to which they do not have access. In Mali, smartphones and earth observation data are used to support the development of land tenure information services and to improve agriculture statistics. To multiply business opportunities, the scope of the use of these technologies is being expanded to include agronomic advisory next-gen, franchised farm extension services. This article aims to evaluate these initiatives to further understand the way digitization could contribute to sustainable agricultural development and food security. In addition, it aims to determine how effective these technologies are under different conditions and how they can contribute to better sustainable development outcomes. Most evaluation studies of agriculture technology place emphasis on the economic aspects of productivity, profitability, and technical efficiency of the technology and the implications for users’ livelihoods. This study considers technology as a socio-technical phenomenon to understand the underlying processes that may enable or constrain the takeoff and the sustainability of technology. Furthermore, understanding these processes provides valuable theoretical and methodological insights to stakeholders for necessary adjustments of technology to given biophysical, socioeconomic, cultural, and cognitive conditions.

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INNOVATION PLATFORMS IN AGRICULTURAL RESEARCH FOR DEVELOPMENT

Experimental Agriculture ◽

10.1017/s0014479718000200 ◽

2018 ◽

Vol 55 (04) ◽

pp. 575-596 ◽

Cited By ~ 12

Author(s):

MARC SCHUT ◽

JOSEY KAMANDA ◽

ANDREAS GRAMZOW ◽

THOMAS DUBOIS ◽

DIETMAR STOIAN ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Agricultural Development ◽

Agricultural Sector ◽

Agricultural Research ◽

Innovation Process ◽

Decision Support Tool ◽

Support Tool ◽

Critical Design ◽

Basic Tenet ◽

Funding Agencies ◽

Development Outcomes

SUMMARYInnovation platforms are fast becoming part of the mantra of agricultural research for development projects and programmes. Their basic tenet is that stakeholders depend on one another to achieve agricultural development outcomes, and hence need a space where they can learn, negotiate and coordinate to overcome challenges and capture opportunities through a facilitated innovation process. Although much has been written on how to implement and facilitate innovation platforms efficiently, few studies support ex-ante appraisal of when and for what purpose innovation platforms provide an appropriate mechanism for achieving development outcomes, and what kinds of human and financial resource investments and enabling environments are required. Without these insights, innovation platforms run the risk of being promoted as a panacea for all problems in the agricultural sector. This study makes clear that not all constraints will require innovation platforms and, if there is a simpler and cheaper alternative, that should be considered first. Based on the review of critical design principles and plausible outcomes of innovation platforms, this study provides a decision support tool for research, development and funding agencies that can enhance more critical thinking about the purposes and conditions under which innovation platforms can contribute to achieving agricultural development outcomes.

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