scholarly journals Challenges of Applying Conservation Agriculture in Iran: An Overview on Experts and Farmers’ Perspectives

2021 ◽  
Vol 14 ◽  
pp. 117862212098002
Author(s):  
Pouria Ataei ◽  
Hassan Sadighi ◽  
Thomas Aenis ◽  
Mohammad Chizari ◽  
Enayat Abbasi
Keyword(s):  
Agricultural Research ◽  
Conservation Agriculture ◽  
Group Method ◽  
Agriculture Education ◽  
Extension Programs ◽  
Conventional Agriculture ◽  
Research Education ◽  
Institutional Infrastructure ◽  
Training Research ◽  
Focus Group Method

Different countries face diverse challenges for Conservation Agriculture (CA) development. The main purpose of this study was to examine the challenges of applying CA in Iran from the perspective of experts and farmers. A focus group method was used to investigate the challenges. The research sample consisting of farmers and experts of CA in different provinces includes those 19 experts and 15 farmers. Inductive content analysis and coding (open, axial, and selective coding) were employed to analyze the farmers’ and experts’ discussions. The findings showed that the challenges of applying CA in the studied provinces could be divided into 6 general categories: institutional-infrastructure (7 concepts), economic (5 concepts), training-research (2 concepts), environmental (4 concepts), mechanization (2 concepts), and cognitive (2 concepts) challenges. The economic and institutional-infrastructure challenges were the most frequent related to applying CA. It can be concluded that to solve the challenges of applying CA, it is necessary to link various sectors of government (the Ministry of Agriculture), education and research (Agricultural Research, Education and Extension Organization), and industry together. But farmers themselves are also a major contributor to meet the challenges of CA development through participation in planning CA project and training-extension programs. Therefore, farmers’ communities should also pave the way for a transition from conventional agriculture to CA with their participation.

scholarly journals Conservation Agriculture Mitigates the Effects of Climate Change

2021 ◽  
Vol 7 ◽  
pp. 122-132
Author(s):  
Tika Bahadur Karki ◽  
Pankaj Gyawaly
Keyword(s):  
Agricultural Research ◽  
Cropping Systems ◽  
Soil Nutrient ◽  
Soil Surface ◽  
Conservation Agriculture ◽  
Nutrient Status ◽  
Policy Support ◽  
Conventional Agriculture ◽  
Agricultural Research Council ◽  
Public And Private Sector

Intensive tillage based conventional agriculture have high global warming potential. Alternative to this, conservation agriculture (CA) systems utilize soils for the production of crops by reducing excessive tillage, maintaining crop residue on the soil surface, and adoption of crop rotations. The paper attempts to review the findings of CA based experiments under different cropping systems within and outside of the country. It has been found that CA increases and sustains the crop productivities, mitigates green house gas emissions from agriculture by enhancing soil carbon sequestration, improving soil nutrient status and water use efficiencies, and reducing fuel consumption. Mainstreaming of CA systems in Nepal is hindered by its knowledge gap, inadequate farm machineries and tools, small holdings, poor infrastructures, and lack of CA friendly policy support. Therefore, there is an urgent need to test, verify and scale-out the CA based technologies by Nepal Agricultural Research Council (NARC) across the different agro-ecologies through farmer-centered partnership among the international institutions, public and private sector of Nepal.  

scholarly journals Conservation agriculture for productivity and profitability of wheat and lentil in maize based cropping system in far western Nepal

2018 ◽  
Vol 16 (3) ◽  
pp. 403-410
Author(s):  
Hari Kumar Prasai ◽  
Shrawan Kumar Sah ◽  
Anand Kumar Gautam ◽  
Anant Prasad Regmi
Keyword(s):  
Grain Yield ◽  
Crop Yield ◽  
Crop Residues ◽  
Agricultural Research ◽  
Good Practice ◽  
Cropping System ◽  
Conservation Agriculture ◽  
Research Station ◽  
Conventional Agriculture ◽  
Residue Retention

Zero tillage with crop residue retention which is principle of conservation agriculture (CA) can be a good practice to achieve sustainable and profitable crop yield without affecting soil fertility. This approach was not tested in wheat and lentil based maize-mungbean system in far western Nepal. The effect of CA in the maize-wheat-mungbean and maize-lentil-mungbean cropping systems with two varieties of each of wheat and lentil was studied at Regional Agricultural Research Station, Bhagetada, Dipayal, Doti district of Nepal for two years (2015 and 2016).  The average grain yield of wheat and lentil under the CA system was 5.92% higher (2.86 t ha−1) than that of conventional agriculture (2.70 t ha−1). The CA under maize-wheat-mungbean cropping system produced 7.90% higher grain yield (4.78 t ha−1) compared to conventional agriculture and the CA under maize-lentil-mung bean cropping system gave11.11% higher grain yield (1.00 t ha−1). Maize-wheat-mungbean cropping system, conservation agriculture and WK 1204 variety of wheat produced 9.34% higher yield (4.80 t ha−1) than conventional agriculture whereas maize-lentil-mungbean cropping system, conservation agriculture and Khajura1 variety of lentil recorded 11.96% higher grain yield (1.03 t ha−1) than conventional agricultural. The CA system produced 114% higher net benefit (NRs. 40200 ha−1) than that of conventional agriculture. Higher yields of crops in CA system could be associated with improvement of soil properties for minimum soil disturbance and residue retention and profitable yield for reduced cost of production. Thus, the 2-year study suggests that no tillage with previous crop residues retention and use of higher yielding varieties is a potential crop cultivation approach for the maize based cropping system in light textured soil of river basin area of Nepal in order to sustain soil health, crop yield and farm economy. J. Bangladesh Agril. Univ. 16(3): 403–410, December 2018

ROLE OF CONSERVATION AGRICULTURE IN IMPROVING PRODUCTION WATER AND NITROGEN EFFICIENCY OF WHEAT UNDER RAINFED CONDITIONS

2020 ◽  
Vol 51 (4) ◽  
pp. 1139-1148
Author(s):  
Othman & et al.
Keyword(s):  
Crop Rotation ◽  
Nitrogen Use Efficiency ◽  
Agricultural Research ◽  
Research Work ◽  
Conservation Agriculture ◽  
Nitrogen Efficiency ◽  
Research Station ◽  
Wheat Varieties ◽  
Nitrogen Use ◽  
Use Efficiency

The research work was conducted in Izra’a Research station, which affiliated to the General Commission for Scientific Agricultural Research (GCSAR), during the growing seasons (2016 – 2017; 2017 – 2018), in order to evaluate the response of two durum wheat verities (Douma3 and Cham5) and two bread wheat varieties (Douma4 and Cham6) to Conservation Agriculture (CA) as a full package compared with Conventional Tillage system (CT) under rainfed condition using lentils (Variety Edleb3) in the applied crop rotation. The experiment was laid according to split-split RCBD with three replications. The average of biological yield, grain yield,  rainwater use efficiency and nitrogen use efficiency was significantly higher during the first growing season, under conservation agriculture in the presence of crop rotation, in the variety Douma3 (7466 kg. ha-1, and 4162kg. ha-1, 19.006 kg ha-1 mm-1,  39.62 kg N m-2respectively). The two varieties Douma3 and Cham6 are considered more responsive to conservation agriculture system in the southern region of Syria, because they recorded the highest grain yields (2561, 2385 kg ha-1 respectively) compared with the other studied varieties (Cham5 and Douma4) (1951 and 1724 kg ha-1 respectively). They also exhibited the highest values of both rainwater and nitrogen use efficiency.

scholarly journals Achieving Sustainability in Food Systems: Addressing Changing Climate through Real Time Nitrogen and Weed Management in a Conservation Agriculture-Based Maize–Wheat System

2021 ◽  
Vol 13 (9) ◽  
pp. 5010
Author(s):  
Kapila Shekhawat ◽  
Vinod K. Singh ◽  
Sanjay Singh Rathore ◽  
Rishi Raj ◽  
T. K. Das
Keyword(s):  
Real Time ◽  
Weed Management ◽  
Agricultural Research ◽  
Indian Agricultural Research Institute ◽  
Interactive Effect ◽  
Maximum Yield ◽  
Conservation Agriculture ◽  
Wheat Crop ◽  
N Application ◽  
N Management

The proven significance of conservation agriculture (CA) in enhancing agronomic productivity and resource use efficiency across diverse agro-ecologies is often challenged by weed interference and nitrogen (N) immobilization. The collective effect of real-time N and weed management has been scarcely studied. To evaluate the appropriateness of sensor-based N management in conjunction with a broad-spectrum weed control strategy for the maize–wheat system, an experiment was conducted at ICAR—Indian Agricultural Research Institute—in New Delhi, India, during 2015–2016 and 2016–2017. Weed management in maize through Sesbania brown manure followed by post-emergence application of 2,4-D (BM + 2,4-D) in maize and tank-mix clodinafop-propargyl (60 g ha−1) and carfentrazone (20 g ha−1) (Clodi+carfentra) in wheat resulted in minimum weed infestation in both crops. It also resulted in highest maize (5.92 and 6.08 t ha−1) and wheat grain yields (4.91 and 5.4 t ha−1) during 2015–2016 and 2016–2017, respectively. Half of the N requirement, when applied as basal and the rest as guided by Optical crop sensor, resulted in saving 56 and 59 kg N ha−1 in the maize–wheat system, respectively, over 100% N application as farmers’ fertilizer practice during the two consecutive years. Interactive effect of N and weed management on economic yield of maize and wheat was also significant and maximum yield was obtained with 50% N application as basal + rest as per Optical crop sensor and weed management through BM+2,4-D in maize and Clodi+carfentra in wheat crop. The study concludes that real-time N management, complemented with appropriate weed management, improved growth, enhanced agronomic productivity and endorsed N saving under a CA-based maize–wheat system in Trans Indo-Gangetic Plains.

Agricultural Extension and the Campaign to Assimilate the Native Americans of Wisconsin, 1914–1932

2010 ◽  
Vol 9 (4) ◽  
pp. 473-502 ◽  
Author(s):  
Angela Firkus
Keyword(s):  
Native Americans ◽  
Progressive Era ◽  
Social Economic ◽  
Agricultural Research ◽  
Agricultural Extension ◽  
Intensive Agriculture ◽  
Extension Programs ◽  
Government Services ◽  
Agricultural Extension Service ◽  
Kinship Ties

Congress founded the Agricultural Extension Service (AES) in the Smith-Lever Act of 1914 to disseminate agricultural research to individual farmers. In some states the AES also worked to encourage Native Americans to adopt sedentary intensive agriculture and all aspects of assimilation connected with that occupation. J. F. Wojta, AES administrator in Wisconsin from 1914 to 1940, took a deep interest in Indian farmers and used the power and resources of his office to instruct Native Americans. Ho-Chunks, Menominees, Ojibwes, and Oneidas in Wisconsin adopted or rejected these social, economic, and political assimilation efforts during the Progressive Era according to their own circumstances and goals. The experience of Wisconsin tribes with the state's agricultural extension programs illustrates different ways that Native peoples tried to benefit from modern government services while maintaining their own culture and kinship ties.

scholarly journals Pengelolaan Lahan Kering Beriklim Kering untuk Pengembangan Jagung di Nusa Tenggara

2020 ◽  
Vol 13 (1) ◽  
pp. 41
Author(s):  
Anny Mulyani ◽  
Mamat Haris Suwanda
Keyword(s):  
Cover Crops ◽  
Crop Production ◽  
Agricultural Research ◽  
Soil Analysis ◽  
Low Cost ◽  
Initial Point ◽  
Conservation Agriculture ◽  
Crop Productivity ◽  
Lessons Learned ◽  
Annual Rainfall

<p><strong>Abstrak</strong>. Wilayah Nusa Tenggara mempunyai lahan kering beriklim kering seluas 4,9 juta ha dengan curah hujan &lt;2.000 mm/tahun dan bulan kering 5-10 bulan, bersolum tanah dangkal dan berbatu. Sebagian lahan tersebut sudah dimanfaatkan menjadi lahan pertanian terutama jagung, akibatnya produktivitas tanaman jagung rendah dibandingkan potensi genetiknya, yaitu sekitar 2,5 ton/ha di NTT dan 5,3 ton/ha di NTB dibanding dengan potensi genetiknya 9 ton/ha. Sejak tahun 2010-2015, Badan Penelitian dan Pengembangan Pertanian telah mengembangkan inovasi teknologi pengelolaan lahan kering beriklim kering dan berbatu di beberapa kabupaten di NTT dan NTB, meliputi penyediaan sumberdaya air (dam parit, embung, tampung renteng mini, sumur dangkal), pengenalan varietas unggul baru dan budidaya tanaman pangan. Pembelajaran yang diperoleh menunjukkan bahwa penyediaan air menjadi titik ungkit untuk meningkatkan indeks pertanaman dan produktivitas tanaman. Inovasi teknologi yang dibutuhkan petani adalah, mudah diterapkan, biaya murah, dan efisien tenaga kerja mendorong berlanjutnya teknologi tersebut meskipun progam tersebut telah selesai. Pada tahun 2014-2018 telah dilaksanakan kegiatan pertanian konservasi melalui dana hibah barang dan jasa yang dikelola FAO. Prinsip dasar pertanian konservasi terdiri atas 3 pilar, yaitu olah tanah terbatas berupa lubang olah permanen, penutupan permukaan tanah, rotasi/tumpangsari. Lubang tanam tersebut diberi pupuk kandang atau kompos, dan ditanami jagung pada 4 penjuru lubang, dan ditumpangsarikan dengan berbagai kacang-kacangan atau tanaman merambat seperti labu kuning yang berfungsi sebagai penutup tanah dan penghasilan tambahan dari kacang-kacangan berumur pendek. Berdasarkan hasil analisis tanah sebelum dan sesudah implementasi pertanian konservasi menunjukkan bahwa pertanian konservasi dapat meningkatkan kesuburan tanah, retensi air dan meningkatkan produksi tanaman jagung.</p><p> </p><p><strong>Abstract</strong>. The Nusa Tenggara region has upland area with dry climate of 4.9 million ha, less than 2,000 mm annual rainfall, 5-10 dry months, shallow and rocky soils. Some of the land has been used for agricultural development, especially corn, resulting in low corn productivity of around 2.5 tons / ha in NTT and 5.3 tons / ha in NTB as compared to it genetic potential 9 tons /ha. Since 2010-2015, Indonesian Agency of Agricultural Research and Development has developed innovation of soil management technology for upland with dry climates and and rocky soils in several districts in NTT and NTB. The innovation includes the provision of water resources (dam trenches, reservoirs, mini catchments, and shallow wells), introduction of new high yielding varieties and cultivation crops. The lessons learned show that water supply is the initial point to increase cropping index and crop productivity. Technological innovations needed by farmers are easy to implement, low cost, and labor efficient thereby encourage the continuation of the technology even though the program has been completed. In 2014-2018, conservation agriculture activities were carried out through grants of goods and services managed by Food Agriculture Organization (FAO). The basic principle of conservation agriculture consists of 3 pillars, namely limited tillage in the form of permanent planting holes, cover crops, rotation / intercropping. The planting hole is given manure or compost, and planted with corn in 4 corners, and intercropped with various nuts or vines such as pumpkin that serves as a soil cover and additional income from short-lived beans. Based on the results of soil analysis before and after the implementation of conservation agriculture, it shows that conservation agriculture can increase soil fertility, water retention and increase corn crop production.</p>

scholarly journals Using Symbols and Shapes for Analysis in Small Focus Group Research

2016 ◽  
Author(s):  
Oladokun Omojola
Keyword(s):  
Focus Group ◽  
Prima Facie ◽  
Group Method ◽  
Group Discussions ◽  
Focus Group Research ◽  
Group Research ◽  
Research Findings ◽  
Small Focus ◽  
Focus Group Method

Substantial literature exists to support the growing importance of focus group research, having been around for decades. Its ubiquity under the scholarship radar is not in doubt while the analyses of findings commonly seen are scholarly and significantly sophisticated. However, these analyses have been found to be limited in scope for fresh adopters of the focus group method, non-literate beneficiaries of research findings and business people who are critically averse to lengthy textual statements about outcomes. This article introduces the use of symbols as a means of analyzing responses from small focus group discussions. It attempts to demonstrate that using symbols can substantially assist in the prima facie determination of perceptions from a focus group membership, its patterns of agreement and disagreement, as well as the sequence of its discussions.

scholarly journals Precincts and Prospects in the Use of Focus Groups in Social and Behavioral Science Research

2015 ◽  
Author(s):  
Dominic Sagoe
Keyword(s):  
Focus Group ◽  
Focus Groups ◽  
Behavioral Science ◽  
Science Research ◽  
Group Method ◽  
Behavioural Science ◽  
Behavioral Science Research ◽  
Social And Behavioral Science ◽  
Focus Group Method ◽  
Practical Recommendations

Over the past few years, the focus group method has assumed a very important role as a method for collecting qualitative data in social and behavioural science research. This article elucidates theoretical and practical problems and prospects associated with the use of focus groups as a qualitative research method in social and behavioural science research. The core uses of focus groups in social and behavioural science research are discussed. In addition, the strengths and limitations of employing focus groups in social and behavioural science research are elucidated. Furthermore, the article discusses practical recommendations for strengthening the focus group method in social and behavioural science research.

scholarly journals Rationed nursing care – conclusions from focus groups

2019 ◽  
Vol 18 (3) ◽  
pp. 162-168
Author(s):  
Eva Janikova ◽  
Ilona Plevova ◽  
Darja Jarosova
Keyword(s):  
Focus Groups ◽  
Nursing Care ◽  
Group Method ◽  
Potential Solution ◽  
Healthcare Facilities ◽  
Marketing Education ◽  
Missed Care ◽  
Care Rationing ◽  
Focus Group Method

AbstractAim. The focus groups aimed to outline the main areas of missed care and identify how the causes, effects and potential solution proposals are perceived.Methods. For the initial part of the research, the focus group method was selected. Three focus groups were organized which comprised 25 nurses working in inpatient wards of healthcare facilities in the Moravian-Silesian Region.Results. Based on the content analysis, four main categories were established: causes and consequences of missed care, missed interventions and suggestions for potential solutions. These were further divided into subcategories. The causes of missed care were related to the nurse’s personality, patient’s personality, healthcare system and management system. Missed interventions were classified into basic nursing care interventions, specialized interventions to be performed by nurses and common activities. The consequences of missed care affect both patients and the staff. The suggestions for potential solution included changes in management and marketing, education of healthcare professionals and patient care.Conclusions. With respect to care rationing, the quality of care provided must not be compromised to a point where the safety of the staff and patients is at risk. Discussing these issues openly may result in search for other potential solutions that may be implemented in practice.

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