ON-FARM TRIALS AS ‘INFECTION POINTS’? A RESPONSE TO WALL ET AL.

2019 ◽  
Vol 55 (2) ◽  
pp. 195-199 ◽  
Author(s):  
J. A. ANDERSSON ◽  
T. J. KRUPNIK ◽  
N. DE ROO
Keyword(s):  
Case Studies ◽  
Southern Africa ◽  
Site Selection ◽  
Crop Production ◽  
Agricultural Research ◽  
Smallholder Farmers ◽  
Production Technologies ◽  
On Farm ◽  
New Crop

In their response to our paper on the problems of using on-farm trials in efforts to scale-out new crop production technologies and practices among smallholder farmers, Wall et al. (2019) focus on our descriptions of on-farm trials in just one of the three case studies of Agricultural Research for Development (AR4D) projects that were presented. They argue we did not understand the projects’ philosophy and that the biases in farmer and site selection we discussed, do not exist in the southern Africa case study.

COMMENT ON ‘DE ROO ET AL. (2019). ON-FARM TRIALS FOR DEVELOPMENT IMPACT? THE ORGANIZATION OF RESEARCH AND THE SCALING OF AGRICULTURAL TECHNOLOGIES’

2019 ◽  
Vol 55 (2) ◽  
pp. 185-194 ◽  
Author(s):  
PATRICK C. WALL ◽  
CHRISTIAN L. THIERFELDER ◽  
ISAIAH NYAGUMBO ◽  
LEONARD RUSINAMHODZI ◽  
WALTER MUPANGWA
Keyword(s):  
Agricultural Research ◽  
Smallholder Farmers ◽  
Farming Systems ◽  
Scaling Up ◽  
Successful Development ◽  
Agricultural Technologies ◽  
Eastern And Southern Africa ◽  
On Farm ◽  
Scaling Out

SUMMARYIn their recent paper ‘On-farm trials for development impact? The organization of research and the scaling of agricultural technologies’, de Roo, Andersson and Krupnik report on three case studies, each undertaken by one of the authors, of projects conducting on-farm research. They reach conclusions on the limitations of the projects themselves and the effects of ‘donor dependency’, and propose a strategy to overcome these issues. However, the description of the philosophy, strategies and conduct of the projects reviewed in the southern African case study is incomplete and misleading, and shows that the case study author did not understand or overlooked important project components. Due to this the conclusions reached, insofar as this case study is concerned, are largely either invalid or already contemplated in the project activities. Here, we describe more fully the philosophy and strategies followed by the series of projects on which the case study was conducted, which were designed to facilitate, through the upscaling of project methodologies, the eventual outscaling and widespread adoption of more sustainable farming systems by smallholder farmers in eastern and southern Africa. We propose these methodologies as a valid comprehensive approach to the organization of agricultural research for development for the successful development, scaling-up and scaling-out of agricultural technologies.

scholarly journals LOADING THE DICE IN FAVOUR OF THE FARMER: REDUCING THE RISK OF ADOPTING AGRONOMIC INNOVATIONS

2016 ◽  
Vol 55 (S1) ◽  
pp. 67-83 ◽  
Author(s):  
RIC COE ◽  
JOYCE NJOLOMA ◽  
FERGUS SINCLAIR
Keyword(s):  
Crop Production ◽  
Agricultural Development ◽  
Maize Yield ◽  
Scaling Up ◽  
Development Projects ◽  
Pilot Studies ◽  
Fertilizer Use ◽  
Production Technologies ◽  
New Crop ◽  
Agroforestry Technologies

SUMMARYAgricultural development projects frequently promote new crop production technologies for adoption at scale on the basis of research and pilot studies in a limited number of contexts. The performance of these production technologies is often variable and dependent on context. Using an example from the Agroforestry for Food Security Project in Malawi, that promoted agroforestry technologies for soil fertility enhancement, we explore the nature and implications of variation in performance across farmers. Mean effects of these technologies, measured by differences in maize yield between agroforestry and sole maize plots, were modest but positive. However, there was large variation in those differences, some explained by altitude, plot management and fertilizer use but with much unexplained. This represents risk to farmers. Those communicating with farmers need to be honest and clear about this risk. It can be reduced by explanation in terms of contextual factors. This should be an aim of research that can often be embedded in scaling up the promotion of agronomic innovations.

scholarly journals Intercropping Garlic (Allium Sativum) With Chilli (Capsicum Annuum L.) in the Haor Area of Kishoreganj

2020 ◽  
Vol 23 (1) ◽  
pp. 75-81
Author(s):  
MF Khatun ◽  
MS Islam ◽  
MA Ali ◽  
MO Ali ◽  
QM Ahmed
Keyword(s):  
Crop Production ◽  
Agricultural Research ◽  
Crop Productivity ◽  
Gross Margin ◽  
Research Division ◽  
Cropping Season ◽  
Testing Site ◽  
Experimental Findings ◽  
On Farm ◽  
Equivalent Yield

Haor is one of the uncertain areas for crop production and productivity in Bangladesh. Traditionally, single cropping practice in a short cropping season is the key obstacle to increase crop productivity. A study was carried out at Multi Location Testing site (MLT), Nikly under the On-Farm Research Division (OFRD), Bangladesh Agricultural Research Institute (BARI), Kishoreganj at haor area during the two consecutive Rabi seasons of 2015-16 and 2016-17 to evaluate the performance of garlic with chilli intercropping system, its productivity and economic viability. Four treatments were consisted viz., sole chilli, one row garlic in between chilli rows, double rows garlic in between chilli rows and garlic with broadcasting chilli. The highest chilli equivalent yield (28 t ha-1) was obtained from one row garlic in between chilli rows and the minimum chilli equivalent yield was (15 t ha-1) obtained in sole chilli. These intercropping practices yield increased 25-89% over the sole chilli. The highest gross return (Tk.559400 ha-1), gross margin (Tk. 428240 ha-1) and BCR (4.26) were found in one row garlic in between chilli rows and the lowest gross return (Tk. 297800 ha-1) and gross margin (Tk.188080 ha-1) were obtained from sole chilli but the lowest BCR (1.74) in double rows garlic in between chilli rows. Considering the experimental findings of two years, one row garlic in between chilli rows would be a suitable intercropping system for higher productivity and economic return. Bangladesh Agron. J. 2020, 23(1): 75-81

Effect of on-farm testing on adoption of banana production technologies among smallholder farmers in Meru region, Kenya

2021 ◽  
Vol ahead-of-print (ahead-of-print) ◽  
Author(s):  
Florence Kaumi Kirimi ◽  
Charles Nyambane Onyari ◽  
Lucy Karega Njeru ◽  
Hezron Rasugu Mogaka
Keyword(s):  
Value Chain ◽  
Service Providers ◽  
Survey Design ◽  
Smallholder Farmers ◽  
Cross Sectional Survey ◽  
Cross Sectional ◽  
Content Type ◽  
Banana Production ◽  
Production Technologies ◽  
On Farm

PurposeThe purpose of this paper is to investigate the effect of on-farm testing on the adoption of banana production technologies among smallholder farmers in the Meru region, Kenya.Design/methodology/approachThe study adopted a pragmatic paradigm and a cross-sectional survey design, sampling 370 and 30 farmers proportionately from 269,499 to 19,303 smallholder banana farmers in Meru and Tharaka-Nithi Counties of Kenya, respectively.FindingsThe study revealed that there was an association between belonging to a banana farming testing group and the adoption of banana technology. The study also revealed that most farmers were not interested in adopting banana technologies as they preferred the use of conventional methods, due to unstable market prices, lack of subsidized banana production input, inaccessibility to technological materials, few extension experts and lack of enough demonstrations.Research limitations/implicationsSome respondents were not willing to freely offer the information required for this study. This was delimited by assuring the informants of the confidentiality of their responses.Originality/valueThe authors declare that they have no known competing financial interests or personal relationships that could have appeared to influence the work reported in this paper. The agricultural extension service providers will have more light on the underlying issues that need to be considered if meaningful interventions are to be done on various aspects of the banana value chain.

Increasing adaptation to climate stress by applying conservation agriculture in Southern Africa.

2022 ◽  
pp. 270-283
Author(s):  
Christian Thierfelder ◽  
Peter Steward
Keyword(s):  
Climate Change ◽  
Soil Moisture ◽  
Heat Stress ◽  
Drought Stress ◽  
Southern Africa ◽  
Smallholder Farmers ◽  
Conservation Agriculture ◽  
Crop Productivity ◽  
Soil Disturbance ◽  
On Farm

Abstract Climate change and soil fertility decline are threatening food security in southern Africa and efforts have been made to adapt current cropping systems to the needs of smallholder farmers. Conservation Agriculture (CA) based on minimum soil disturbance, crop residue retention and crop diversification has been proposed as a strategy to address the challenges smallholder farmers face. Here we analyse the potential contributions of CA towards adaptation to the effects of climate change by summarizing data on infiltration, soil moisture dynamics and crop productivity under heat and drought stress. The data were taken in the main from CIMMYT's on-farm and on-station trial network. Data show that CA systems maintain 0.7-7.9 times higher water infiltration than the conventional tilled system depending on soil type, which increases soil moisture during the cropping season by 11%-31% between CA treatments and the conventional control treatment. This leads to greater adaptive capacity of CA systems during in-season dry spells and under heat stress. A supporting regional maize productivity assessment, analysing the results of numerous on-farm and on-station experiments, showed that CA systems will outperform conventional tillage practices (CP), especially on light-textured soils, under heat and drought stress. With higher rainfall and low heat stress, this relation was more positive towards CP and on clay soil there was no benefit of practising CA when rainfall was high. The long dry season and limited biomass production of CA systems in southern Africa require complementary good agricultural practices to increase other soil quality parameters (e.g. increased soil carbon) to maintain higher productivity and sustainability over time. This can be addressed by combinations of improved stress-tolerant seed, targeted fertilization, inclusion of tree-based components or green manure cover crops in the farming system, scale-appropriate mechanization and improved weed control strategies.

scholarly journals Public transportation solutions in Southern Africa: case study Zimbabwe and South Africa

2018 ◽  
Vol 79 ◽  
pp. 77-86
Author(s):  
Giuseppe T. Cirella ◽  
Carole Mtizi ◽  
Felix O. Iyalomhe
Keyword(s):  
South Africa ◽  
Case Studies ◽  
Southern Africa ◽  
Public Transport ◽  
Public Transportation ◽  
Transport Sector ◽  
The Public ◽  
Gps Technology ◽  
Universal Solution

Our research investigates current challenges faced in southern Africa’s public transport sector and proposes a possible solution to overcome these challenges. Using South Africa and Zimbabwe as case studies, we identify shared challenges experienced in both countries for which a universal solution may be adopted. It was found that these challenges could mostly be attributed to government actions. We propose a need for better integration of social outcomes within public transport policy at the strategic, tactical and operational levels throughout the region. Moreover, we suggest that technology-driven solutions can be introduced in the public transport realm, amongst other solutions, entailing a universal cashless payment system coupled with GPS technology.

The impact of integrated agricultural research for development on food security among smallholder farmers of southern Africa

Agrekon ◽  
2015 ◽  
Vol 54 (3) ◽  
pp. 107-125 ◽  
Author(s):  
Nelson Mango ◽  
Kefasi Nyikahadzoi ◽  
Clifton Makate ◽  
Nothando Dunjana ◽  
Shephard Siziba
Keyword(s):  
Food Security ◽  
Southern Africa ◽  
Agricultural Research ◽  
Smallholder Farmers ◽  
The Impact

VILLAGE SURVEYS FOR TECHNOLOGY UPTAKE MONITORING: CASE OF TILLAGE DYNAMICS IN THE TRANS-GANGETIC PLAINS

2010 ◽  
Vol 46 (3) ◽  
pp. 277-292 ◽  
Author(s):  
OLAF ERENSTEIN
Keyword(s):  
Case Studies ◽  
Technology Use ◽  
Agricultural Research ◽  
Conservation Agriculture ◽  
Cost Effective ◽  
Conventional Tillage ◽  
Gangetic Plains ◽  
First Case ◽  
Northwest India

SUMMARYAgricultural research and development (R&D) would benefit from reliable yet cheap technology uptake indicators to guide decision making. The paper explores the use of village surveys to monitor technology use and illustrates this through two empirical case studies into tillage dynamics in the Trans-Gangetic Plains in northwest India. The first case study is a revisit of 50 communities surveyed earlier in Haryana State. The second case study is a new and wider representative sample of 120 villages across Haryana and Punjab States. The case studies illustrate that after an initial rapid spread of tractor-drawn zero tillage drills for wheat seeding in these intensive systems, the zero + reduced tillage area seems to have stabilized there at between a fifth and a quarter of the wheat area. Conventional tillage for wheat continues to decline, with an increased use of rotavators making up the difference – but its intensive shallow tillage goes against the conservation agriculture tenets. The paper illustrates the potential of village surveys to provide timely and cost-effective feedback to agricultural R&D.

ON-FARM TRIALS FOR DEVELOPMENT IMPACT? THE ORGANISATION OF RESEARCH AND THE SCALING OF AGRICULTURAL TECHNOLOGIES

2017 ◽  
Vol 55 (2) ◽  
pp. 163-184 ◽  
Author(s):  
NINA DE ROO ◽  
JENS A. ANDERSSON ◽  
TIMOTHY J. KRUPNIK
Keyword(s):  
Case Studies ◽  
Large Scale ◽  
Management Practices ◽  
New Technologies ◽  
Institutional Environment ◽  
Agricultural Research ◽  
Sub Saharan Africa ◽  
Operational Space ◽  
Farmer Selection ◽  
On Farm

SUMMARYChanges in donor priorities have meant that agronomists working in the tropics find themselves in a fundamentally new operational space, one that demands rapid improvements in farmers' livelihoods resulting from the large-scale adoption of new technologies and crop management practices. As a result, on-farm trials in contemporary Agricultural Research for Development (AR4D) are increasingly implemented both to collect data and to spur farmer adoption. We examine the different interpretations and organisational practices of AR4D organisations in this new operational space, and reflect on the usefulness of on-farm trials for agricultural technology scaling. Three case studies are presented to address these questions – two in sub-Saharan Africa and one in South Asia. Each study is considered in light of Science and Technology Studies theory and locates science as a politically situated practice, recognising the tension that scientists face between providing evidence and persuading selected audiences. The case studies show that this tension results in the introduction of several biases that limit the scalability of the technologies under investigation. These include biases at the level of the trial location, host-farmer selection, trial design, management and evaluation. We conclude by discussing how the contemporary political and institutional environment of AR4D produces project beneficiaries and research outcomes on selected farms, but not necessarily impacts at scale.

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