URBANIZATION: IMPACTS ON THE EVOLUTION OF ‘MIXED FARMING’ SYSTEMS IN SUB-SAHARAN AFRICA

2006 ◽  
Vol 42 (3) ◽  
pp. 259-287 ◽  
Author(s):  
MARY TIFFEN
Keyword(s):  
Land Tenure ◽  
Crop Residues ◽  
Farming Systems ◽  
Farming System ◽  
Sub Saharan Africa ◽  
Grazing Land ◽  
Mixed Farming ◽  
Participative Research ◽  
Sub Saharan ◽  
Livestock Products

During the past two decades or so, rural population in Africa has increased slowly while urban population has grown dramatically. The hugely increased urban demand for cereals and pulses (which produce crop residues for livestock) and for livestock products is now the main force stimulating mixed farming systems in the semi-arid and sub-humid areas of sub-Saharan Africa. Grazing land has diminished, crop residues are becoming a more important element in raising livestock and fattening penned livestock has become profitable. The changes in land use, land tenure and the shift of livestock raising southwards in West Africa are illustrated. Farmers' adaptation to rapidly changing markets for their products and the factors of production are illustrated with examples from Senegal, Nigeria, Niger, and, by way of contrast, Kenya. The main challenges this sets to agricultural scientists are described. The livestock element in mixed farming system now requires careful economic analysis and participative research if scientists are to meet the evolving needs of farming as the urban sector enlarges.

scholarly journals Approaches to improve soil fertility in sub-Saharan Africa

2019 ◽  
Vol 71 (2) ◽  
pp. 632-641 ◽  
Author(s):  
Zachary P Stewart ◽  
Gary M Pierzynski ◽  
B Jan Middendorf ◽  
P V Vara Prasad
Keyword(s):  
Soil Fertility ◽  
Value Chain ◽  
Farming Systems ◽  
Farming System ◽  
Sub Saharan Africa ◽  
Inorganic Fertilizer ◽  
Evidence Based ◽  
Systems Research ◽  
Comprehensive Survey ◽  
Sub Saharan

Abstract Soil fertility provides the foundation for nutritious food production and resilient and sustainable livelihoods. A comprehensive survey and summit meeting were conducted with the aims of understanding barriers to enhancing soil fertility in sub-Saharan Africa and providing evidence-based recommendations. The focus regions were West Africa, East Africa, the Great Lakes region, and Ethiopia. Overall recommendations were developed with four emerging themes: (1) strengthening inorganic fertilizer-based systems, (2) access to and use of quality organic inputs, (3) capacity building along the entire knowledge-transfer value chain, and (4) strengthening farming systems research and development across biophysical and socio-economic factors. The evidence-based process and methodology for prioritizing these recommendations makes these findings useful for setting out action plans for future investments and strategies. Access to inorganic fertilizer, its use, and related implementation issues were prominent considerations; nevertheless, biophysical and socio-economic barriers and solutions were identified as equally important to building soil fertility and natural resources. Soil management initiatives should focus on providing holistic solutions covering both biophysical and socio-economic aspects along the entire value chain of actors and creating an enabling environment for adoption. A broader view of soil fertility improvement using all available options including both inorganic and organic sources of nutrients and farming system approaches are highly recommended.

scholarly journals Energy and the Evolution of Farming Systems: The Potential of Mixed Farming in the Moist Savannah of Sub-Saharan Africa

1996 ◽  
Vol 25 (1) ◽  
pp. 27-36 ◽  
Author(s):  
Mohammad Jabbar
Keyword(s):  
Crop Production ◽  
Energy Use ◽  
Farming Systems ◽  
Livestock Production ◽  
Sub Saharan Africa ◽  
Population Pressure ◽  
Energy Sources ◽  
Mixed Farming ◽  
Sub Saharan

The moist savannah zone in sub-Saharan Africa is regarded as a high potential area for crop and livestock production. Currently, human labour is the principal source of power for crop production and the level of commercial energy use is very low. Agropastoralism and pastoralism are the principal methods of livestock production. Crop-livestock mixed farming, in which manure and animal power are important energy sources in the production process, is only now emerging. The integration of crops and livestock and the implications for agricultural energy sources are related to population pressure and labour intensity, the intensification of crop production with and without livestock, the role of traction in general and in specific niches, the contribution of livestock to the development process in terms of food or other inputs, and the role of public policy and intervention in development.

scholarly journals Circular Bioeconomy Research for Development in Sub-Saharan Africa: Innovations, Gaps, and Actions

2021 ◽  
Vol 13 (4) ◽  
pp. 1926 ◽  
Author(s):  
Shiferaw Feleke ◽  
Steven Michael Cole ◽  
Haruna Sekabira ◽  
Rousseau Djouaka ◽  
Victor Manyong
Keyword(s):  
Gap Analysis ◽  
Farming Systems ◽  
Crop Productivity ◽  
Sub Saharan Africa ◽  
International Institute ◽  
The Public ◽  
Secondary Sources ◽  
Use Efficiency ◽  
Sub Saharan

The International Institute of Tropical Agriculture (IITA) has applied the concept of ‘circular bioeconomy’ to design solutions to address the degradation of natural resources, nutrient-depleted farming systems, hunger, and poverty in sub-Saharan Africa (SSA). Over the past decade, IITA has implemented ten circular bioeconomy focused research for development (R4D) interventions in several countries in the region. This article aims to assess the contributions of IITA’s circular bioeconomy focused innovations towards economic, social, and environmental outcomes using the outcome tracking approach, and identify areas for strengthening existing circular bioeconomy R4D interventions using the gap analysis method. Data used for the study came from secondary sources available in the public domain. Results indicate that IITA’s circular bioeconomy interventions led to ten technological innovations (bio-products) that translated into five economic, social, and environmental outcomes, including crop productivity, food security, resource use efficiency, job creation, and reduction in greenhouse gas emissions. Our gap analysis identified eight gaps leading to a portfolio of five actions needed to enhance the role of circular bioeconomy in SSA. The results showcase the utility of integrating a circular bioeconomy approach in R4D work, especially how using such an approach can lead to significant economic, social, and environmental outcomes. The evidence presented can help inform the development of a framework to guide circular bioeconomy R4D at IITA and other research institutes working in SSA. Generating a body of evidence on what works, including the institutional factors that create enabling environments for circular bioeconomy approaches to thrive, is necessary for governments and donors to support circular bioeconomy research that will help solve some of the most pressing challenges in SSA as populations grow and generate more waste, thus exacerbating a changing climate using the linear economy model.

scholarly journals Pastoralism and Land Tenure Transformation in Sub-Saharan Africa: Conflicting Policies and Priorities in Ngamiland, Botswana

Land ◽  
2017 ◽  
Vol 6 (4) ◽  
pp. 89 ◽  
Author(s):  
Lenyeletse Basupi ◽  
Claire Quinn ◽  
Andrew Dougill
Keyword(s):  
Land Tenure ◽  
Sub Saharan Africa ◽  
Sub Saharan
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