What drives small-scale farmers to adopt conservation agriculture practices in Tanzania?

2022 ◽  
pp. 284-292
Author(s):  
John E. Sariah ◽  
Frank Mmbando
Keyword(s):  
Social Capital ◽  
Conservation Agriculture ◽  
Soil Disturbance ◽  
Production Costs ◽  
Small Scale ◽  
Average Area ◽  
Input And Output ◽  
Small Scale Farmers ◽  
On Farm

Abstract Conservation Agriculture (CA)-based Sustainable Intensification (CASI) practices in this study comprised minimum soil disturbance, permanent soil cover, intercropping of maize and legumes, and use of improved crop genotypes and fertilizers, and were tested on-farm in different agroecologies in northern and eastern Tanzania. The results for six consecutive years of study indicate increased adoption of CASI practices compared to the baseline year (2010). The major impacts of these practices were reduced production costs, labour savings and overall increased crop and land productivity. The average area allocated to improved maize-legume (ML) intercrop rose during the project period by 5.28 ha per household, of which 15% was under complete CASI practices. Adoption trends show that, on average, 6.5% of adopters across the study and spillover communities started adoption in the 2nd year and about 14% of farmers adopted the practices over the next 3-5 years. Demographic and human capital (family size, education, age and farming experience), on-farm CASI demonstrations, farmer to farmer exchange visits, social capital (farmers' group or a cooperative), access to input and output markets (improved seeds, herbicides, fertilizers, insecticides and equipment) and food security were found to have positive and significant effects on adoption of a range of CASI practices. These results suggest continued and long-term efforts in investments in demonstrations, institutionalizing CASI practices in NARS, and good links to input and output markets, including appropriate machinery, are necessary to achieve sustained adoption.

Assessing the application and practice of conservation agriculture in Malawi.

2022 ◽  
pp. 151-175
Author(s):  
W. Trent Bunderson ◽  
Christian L. Thierfelder ◽  
Zwide D. Jere ◽  
R. G. K. Museka
Keyword(s):  
Climate Change ◽  
Best Practices ◽  
Resistance To Change ◽  
Conservation Agriculture ◽  
Soil Disturbance ◽  
Strong Base ◽  
Pests And Diseases ◽  
On Farm ◽  
And Training

Abstract The Conservation Agriculture (CA) system promoted by Total LandCare (TLC) and the International Maize and Wheat Improvement Center (CIMMYT) is based on 14 years of experience grounded on the principles of minimum soil disturbance, good soil cover and crop associations. The platform to promote CA in Malawi was to build a strong base of knowledge about best practices through an innovative non-linear research-extension approach. Long-term on-farm trials were conducted in multiple sites across Malawi to compare yields and labour inputs of CA with conventional ridge tillage on the same footing. Results showed the superiority of CA in terms of maize and legume yields with significant savings in labour and resilience to climate change. The results provided the basis to upscale CA although adoption was lower than expected. Key challenges included: (i) lack of exposure and training; (ii) conflicting extension messages; (iii) misconceptions about inputs and tools for CA; (iv) resistance to change unless CA is clearly seen to be a better practice; (v) fears about controlling weeds, pests and diseases under CA; and (vi) perceptions that increased termites and earthworms are harmful to soils and crops.

scholarly journals Complex Approach to Conceptual Design of Machine Mechanically Extracting Oil fromJatropha curcasL. Seeds for Biomass-Based Fuel Production

2016 ◽  
Vol 2016 ◽  
pp. 1-12 ◽  
Author(s):  
Ivan Mašín ◽  
Michal Petrů
Keyword(s):  
Jatropha Curcas ◽  
Systematic Approach ◽  
Labour Productivity ◽  
Oil Extraction ◽  
Production Costs ◽  
Small Scale ◽  
Efficient Manner ◽  
Technical Problems ◽  
Complex Approach ◽  
Small Scale Farmers

One of important sources of biomass-based fuel isJatropha curcasL. Great attention is paid to the biofuel produced from the oil extracted from theJatropha curcasL. seeds. A mechanised extraction is the most efficient and feasible method for oil extraction for small-scale farmers but there is a need to extract oil in more efficient manner which would increase the labour productivity, decrease production costs, and increase benefits of small-scale farmers. On the other hand innovators should be aware that further machines development is possible only when applying the systematic approach and design methodology in all stages of engineering design. Systematic approach in this case means that designers and development engineers rigorously apply scientific knowledge, integrate different constraints and user priorities, carefully plan product and activities, and systematically solve technical problems. This paper therefore deals with the complex approach to design specification determining that can bring new innovative concepts to design of mechanical machines for oil extraction. The presented case study as the main part of the paper is focused on new concept of screw of machine mechanically extracting oil fromJatropha curcasL. seeds.

scholarly journals Opportunities and Scope for Botanical Extracts and Products for the Management of Fall Armyworm (Spodoptera frugiperda) for Smallholders in Africa

Plants ◽  
2020 ◽  
Vol 9 (2) ◽  
pp. 207
Author(s):  
Naomi B. Rioba ◽  
Philip C. Stevenson
Keyword(s):  
Spodoptera Frugiperda ◽  
Biological Activities ◽  
Fall Armyworm ◽  
Production Costs ◽  
Small Scale ◽  
South American ◽  
Specific Knowledge ◽  
African Context ◽  
Small Scale Farmers ◽  
Short Time

Fall Armyworm (FAW) (Spodoptera frugiperda) is a polyphagous and highly destructive pest of many crops. It was recently introduced into Africa and now represents a serious threat to food security, particularly because of yield losses in maize, which is the staple food for the majority of small-scale farmers in Africa. The pest has also led to increased production costs, and threatens trade because of quarantines imposed on produce from the affected countries. There is limited specific knowledge on its management among smallholders since it is such a new pest in Africa. Some synthetic insecticides have been shown to be effective in controlling FAW, but in addition to the economic, health and environmental challenges of pesticide use insecticide resistance is highly prevalent owing to years of FAW management in the Americas. Therefore, there is a need for the development and use of alternatives for the management of FAW. These include plant-derived pesticides. Here we review the efficacy and potential of 69 plant species, which have been evaluated against FAW, and identify opportunities for use among small-scale maize farmers with a focus on how pesticidal plants might be adopted in Africa for management of FAW. The biological activities were diverse and included insecticidal, insectistatic (causing increased larval duration), larvicidal, reduced growth and acute toxicity (resulting in adverse effects within a short time after exposure). While most of these studies have been conducted on American plant taxa many South American plants are now cosmopolitan weeds so these studies are relevant to the African context.

Farming Meat Goats

2018 ◽  
Author(s):  
Barbara Vincent
Keyword(s):  
Small Scale ◽  
Identification System ◽  
Meat Industry ◽  
Feeding Condition ◽  
Goat Meat ◽  
Breeding Stock ◽  
Meat Goats ◽  
New Information ◽  
Small Scale Farmers ◽  
On Farm

Goat meat is growing in popularity in Australia and is also an important export industry. It offers many opportunities for large- and small-scale farmers who need to diversify or seek alternative enterprises. Farming Meat Goats provides producers with comprehensive and practical information on all aspects of the goat meat industry. It covers selecting and preparing a property, choosing breeding stock, breeding, health care and nutrition, drought feeding, condition scoring and marketing. This second edition of Farming Meat Goats has been updated throughout and contains new information about the National Livestock Identification System, current regulations for ovine Johne's disease and animal welfare during transportation, and information about marketing. It will allow farmers to produce animals to specification for targeted markets in Australia and overseas including: butchers; supermarkets; restaurants; on-farm live sales; sales to abattoirs that specialise in Halal kills; and breeding stock either as replacements or for improved herd genetics.

scholarly journals Adoption of Conservation Agriculture in Zambia – The Case of Chongwe District

2016 ◽  
Vol 9 (3) ◽  
pp. 77 ◽  
Author(s):  
Abson Chompolola ◽  
Oliver Kaonga
Keyword(s):  
Environmental Sustainability ◽  
Conservation Agriculture ◽  
Social Characteristics ◽  
Small Scale ◽  
Extension System ◽  
Frequency Of Contact ◽  
Small Scale Farmers ◽  
Behavioural Aspects ◽  
Structured Questionnaire

<p>The Zambian government and its cooperating partners have been trying to promote the use of conservation agriculture for improved food security and promotion of environmental sustainability. The methods used to promote conservation agriculture however are not adequately informed because no Zambia-specific studies have been done to explain adoption behaviour. This study aimed at explaining the factors that affect the adoption of conservation agriculture in Zambia using a case study.</p><p>A cross section survey of 200 randomly selected small scale farmers in Chongwe district was conducted using a structured questionnaire. Information collected included demographic characteristics of participating households, economic, as well as social characteristics. Respondents also provided information on the farming practices they are currently using vis a vis conservation agriculture.</p>A decision model was estimated using logistic regression and the results indicate that the adoption of conservation agriculture in the survey area is basically influenced by ownership of draft power, availability of labour, and the frequency of contact with the farmer support extension system. Potential to increase the adoption rate is plenty, but can only be tapped into if strategies and policies take into account the behavioural aspects of the adoption of the technology.

scholarly journals Conservation agriculture and drought-tolerant germplasm: Reaping the benefits of climate-smart agriculture technologies in central Mozambique

2015 ◽  
Vol 31 (5) ◽  
pp. 414-428 ◽  
Author(s):  
Christian Thierfelder ◽  
Leonard Rusinamhodzi ◽  
Peter Setimela ◽  
Forbes Walker ◽  
Neal S. Eash
Keyword(s):  
Cropping Systems ◽  
Direct Interaction ◽  
Conservation Agriculture ◽  
Conventional Tillage ◽  
Soil Disturbance ◽  
Drought Tolerant ◽  
Maize Varieties ◽  
Tillage Treatment ◽  
Smart Agriculture

AbstractConservation agriculture (CA) based on minimum soil disturbance, crop residue retention and crop rotations is considered as a soil and crop management system that could potentially increase soil quality and mitigate the negative effects of climate variability. When CA is combined with drought-tolerant (DT) maize varieties, farmers can reap the benefits of both—genetic improvement and sustainable land management. New initiatives were started in 2007 in Mozambique to test the two climate-smart agriculture technologies on farmers' fields. Long-term trends showed that direct seeded manual CA treatments outyielded conventional tillage treatments in up to 89% of cases on maize and in 90% of cases on legume in direct yield comparisons. Improved DT maize varieties outyielded the traditional control variety by 26–46% (695–1422 kg ha−1) on different tillage treatment, across sites and season. However a direct interaction between tillage treatment and variety performance could not be established. Maize and legume grain yields on CA plots in this long-term dataset did not increase with increased years of practice due to on-site variability between farmer replicates. It was evident from the farmers' choice that, beside taste and good milling quality, farmers in drought-prone environments considered the potential of a variety to mature faster more important than larger potential yields of long season varieties. Population growth, labor shortage to clear new land areas and limited land resources in future will force farmers to change toward more permanent and sustainable cropping systems and CA is a viable option to improve their food security and livelihoods.

scholarly journals Factors Affecting Farm Performance among Small-Scale Farmers in the Volcanic Highlands of Rwanda: What is the Role of Institutions?

2021 ◽  
Vol 11 (4) ◽  
pp. 262-268
Author(s):  
Aristide Maniriho ◽  
Edouard Musabanganji ◽  
Philippe Lebailly
Keyword(s):  
Land Tenure ◽  
Agricultural Development ◽  
Farm Income ◽  
Small Scale ◽  
Extension Services ◽  
Farm Production ◽  
Small Scale Farmers ◽  
Land Size ◽  
On Farm

This study attempted to examine the role of institutions in boosting rural and agricultural development in the region of the Volcanic Highlands of Rwanda. Both qualitative and quantitative data were collected from a random sample of 401 small-scale farmers through a questionnaire. Data were analyzed using a weighted least-squares method to account for heteroscedasticity, a common issue in cross-sectional studies. Results from crop output function reveal a positive and significant effect of cooperative membership, a negative but significant effect of extension services, and a negative non-significant effect of land tenure, credit access, and market access on farm production, respectively. In terms of net farm income function, the results demonstrate that farmer cooperation, land tenure, extension services, and access to output markets have a positive, non-significant influence, but that access to finance has a negative non-significant effect. Results also point to a positive and significant effect of some household characteristics, namely family size, farming experience, land size, and farm yield, on farm production. As for net farm income, education of the head, family size, farm experience, land size, farm yield, selling price, and cattle proved to be among primary determinants. It was therefore suggested that agricultural sector programs and activities should be readapted and strengthened in order to leverage rural and agricultural development in Rwanda.

A case study on farm labour substitution in South Africa

2019 ◽  
Vol 40 (1) ◽  
pp. 121-134
Author(s):  
Jannie Rossouw
Keyword(s):  
South Africa ◽  
Production Costs ◽  
Small Scale ◽  
Western Cape ◽  
Full Cost ◽  
Intensive Production ◽  
Production Techniques ◽  
On Farm ◽  
Capital Intensive

This paper reports a case study on labour substitution by a small-scale farmer on his farm in the Western Cape Province of South Africa that has been owned by descendants of the same family since the early 1800s. Production techniques used on the farm have moved from labour-intensive to capital-intensive. The first step towards mechanisation was taken early in 1988, when some of the farm workers did not return after their annual holidays and before the harvesting season. One of the decisive reasons for the change in production techniques was a labour strike during the harvesting season in 2000.An analysis of gross income and production costs in 2012/13, based on capitalintensive production, compared to assumed costs if the labour-intensive production techniques of 1984/85 had been retained, shows an annual saving of R95 101 (19,5%) in comparative production costs. Moreover, capital-intensive production protects the farm against the danger of strikes and therefore reduces production risks considerably. This research raises questions about (i) the morality of capital-intensive production; (ii) the full cost of labour, compared to the full cost of capital, when the risks of unreliable labour and of labour strikes are taken into consideration; and (iii) the risk of land expropriation.

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