scholarly journals Smallholder Farmers’ Adoption Decision-making Regarding Soil Erosion Control on Food Security in South Africa

2020 ◽  
Author(s):  
I.D. Ighodaro ◽  
B.F. Lewu ◽  
B.E. Omoruyi
Keyword(s):  
South Africa ◽  
Decision Making ◽  
Food Security ◽  
Soil Erosion ◽  
Smallholder Farmers ◽  
Linear Regression Analysis ◽  
Erosion Control ◽  
Total Income ◽  
Adoption Decision ◽  
Soil Erosion Control

Background: The objective of this paper was to evaluate how smallholder farmers’ adoption decision-making regarding the control of soil erosion influence food security in South Africa, using the case of farming at Upper and Lower Areas of Didimana, South Africa. Methods: A cross-sectional survey was conducted on 60 randomly selected farmers. Farmers’ total income was used as a proxy for food security. Data were analysed using the multiple linear regression analysis, because the dependent variable was continuous. Result: As expected, farmers who had increases in quality of produce had higher probabilities for increased total income. Also, farmers who preferred their traditional erosion-control methods as against extension-recommended, had higher potentials for increased overall income, which was unexpected. Further, farmers whose sustainability was impacted the most by soil erosion had lesser probabilities for increases in their overall income. The conclusion is that the adoption of soil erosion-control measures is significant in increasing farmers’ food security potentials in the study area.

scholarly journals The Impact of Soil Erosion as a Food Security and Rural Livelihoods Risk in South Africa

2016 ◽  
Vol 8 (8) ◽  
pp. 1
Author(s):  
Ikponmwosa David Ighodaro ◽  
Francois S. Lategan ◽  
Wiseman Mupindu
Keyword(s):  
South Africa ◽  
Food Security ◽  
Soil Erosion ◽  
Older People ◽  
Linear Regression Analysis ◽  
Rural Livelihoods ◽  
Erosion Control ◽  
Multiple Linear Regression Analysis ◽  
Eastern Cape ◽  
The Impact

<p>This study evaluates soil erosion/attrition as a major food security and rural livelihoods risk in South Africa, with the Upper and Lower Areas of Didimana, Eastern Cape Province, as a case study. The survey research method was adopted for the study. Farmers and extension officers’ behaviours relating to soil erosion control was negative even though the impact of erosion in the area was high. Approximately 75% of farmers indicated that they lose more than 21% of their crops yearly due to erosion and 55% said their crops and livestock, as well as their household feeding, suffer due to the problem. The results of the multiple linear regression analysis indicate that farm yield and farmers’ access to market are positively related to farmers’ adoption tendencies regarding erosion control, implying that farmers are more willing to adopt recommendations if their yields and access to market can increase. Similarly, age of farmers is positively related with erosion impact, indicating that older people have a higher tendency to cause erosion in the study area. This is true, as the area consists more of older people, who are generally known to resist change, thus low in adoption. Therefore, it is perceived that if farmers manage soil erosion appropriately, they will achieve higher yields. More so, pull factors like improved rural infrastructures and adequate agricultural incentives for youths are suggested to lure more youth in taking into farming in the study area.</p>

scholarly journals Outcomes of Agroforestry and Monocropping—Comparison and Assessment

Proceedings ◽  
2020 ◽  
Vol 36 (1) ◽  
pp. 163
Author(s):  
Nguyen La
Keyword(s):  
Soil Erosion ◽  
Return On Investment ◽  
Smallholder Farmers ◽  
Erosion Control ◽  
Forage Grass ◽  
Annual Income ◽  
Soil Erosion Control ◽  
Investment Cost ◽  
Second Year ◽  
Break Even Point

Agroforestry is considered as a solution for improving livelihoods of smallholder farmers and reducing land degradation. However, the upscale is required objective assessments and appropriate solutions. Five agroforestry options established in 2014 in Northwest Vietnam include Macadamia+coffee+soybeans, Acacia+mango+maize+forage grass, Acacia+longan+coffee+soybeans+forage grass, Teak+plum+coffee+soybeans and Docynia indica+forgare grass, were used to evaluate the annual income, cumulative profit, multi-year return on investment (ROI) and efficiency on soil erosion control compared with mono-maize and mono-Docynia indica. Mono-maize provides annual income. However, tends to decrease. Break-even point of mono-Docynia indica happened in the year 4th after planting. Depend on agroforestry options, the break- even presented in the year 2nd to year 4th. The cumulative profit of mono-maize and mono-Docynia indica for five-year study were 1196 and 875 USD ha−1, respectively. Meanwhile, five agroforestry options were provided the cumulative profit from 29 to 10,000 USD ha−1. ROI of five-year investment of monoculture maize and Docynia indica were 38% and 33%, respectively. Agroforestry options gave the value of 1%, 25%, 39%, 59% and 141% for Macadamia+coffee+soybeans, Acacia+mango+maize+forage grass, Acacia+longan+coffee+soybeans+forage grass, Teak+plum+coffee+soybeans+forage grass and Sontra+forage grass, respectively. The effectiveness on soil erosion control in agroforestry options are clear, decreasing from 53% in the second year to 98% in the fifth year after establishment compared to mono-maize. The analysis results show that agroforestry options provided attractive income for farmers only 2nd or 3rd year after establishment. However, higher investment cost is required, and appropriate supports are needed for wider application.

Break-Even Benefit/Cost Model: a Useful Tool for Forestry Decision-Making

1986 ◽  
Vol 3 (1) ◽  
pp. 14-16
Author(s):  
Hugh O. Canham
Keyword(s):  
Decision Making ◽  
Soil Erosion ◽  
Pest Control ◽  
Cost Model ◽  
Erosion Control ◽  
Multiple Use ◽  
Soil Erosion Control ◽  
Benefit Cost

Abstract Comparing benefits to costs is basic to decision-making. However, in forestry activities, particularly those involving multiple use, evaluating benefits is difficult. The break-even benefit/cost model eases the problem somewhat: it calculates the minimum benefit required for the project to just break even on a discounted basis. Examples are shown for pest control and soil erosion control. North. J. Appl. For. 3:14-16, Mar. 1986.

scholarly journals Performance Assessment of Erosion Remediation Measures and Proposal of The Best Management Practices for Erosion Control in Sebeya Catchment, Rwanda

2020 ◽  
Vol 3 (2) ◽  
Author(s):  
Félicien Majoro ◽  
Umaru Garba Wali ◽  
Omar Munyaneza ◽  
François-Xavier Naramabuye ◽  
Concilie Mukamwambali
Keyword(s):  
Soil Erosion ◽  
Best Management Practices ◽  
Management Practices ◽  
Soil Depth ◽  
Erosion Control ◽  
Control Measures ◽  
Tree Planting ◽  
Best Management ◽  
Remediation Measures ◽  
Soil Erosion Control

Soil erosion is an environmental concern that affects agriculture, wildlife and water bodies. Soil erosion can be avoided by maintaining a protective cover on the soil to create a barrier to the erosive agent or by modifying the landscape to control runoff amounts and rates. This research is focused on Sebeya catchment located in the Western Province of Rwanda. Sebeya catchment is one of the most affected areas by soil erosion hazards causing loss of crops due to the destruction of agricultural plots or riverbanks, river sedimentation and damages to the existing water treatment and hydropower plants in the downstream part of the river. The aims of this research were to assess the performance of erosion remediation measures and to propose the Best Management Practices (BMPs) for erosion control in Sebeya catchment. Using literature review, site visits, questionnaire and interviews, various erosion control measures were analyzed in terms of performance and suitability. Land slope and soil depth maps were generated using ArcGIS software. The interview results indicated that among the 22 existing soil erosion control measures, about 4.57% of farmers confirmed their existence while 95.43% expressed the need of their implementation in Sebeya catchment. Furthermore, economic constraints were found to be the main limitative factors against the implementation of soil erosion control measures in Sebeya catchment. Also, the majority of farmers suggest trainings and mobilization of a specialized technical team to assist them in implementing soil conservation measures and to generalize the application of fertilizers in the whole catchment. Finally, soil erosion control measures including agro-forestry, terraces, mulching, tree planting, contour bunds, vegetative measures for slopes and buffer zones, check dams, riverbanks stabilization were proposed and recommended to be implemented in Sebeya catchment. Keywords: Erosion control measures, Sebeya catchment, Rwanda

scholarly journals Hydraulic Tests and Interpretation of Test Data for Reno Mattresses in Open Channel Flow

2021 ◽  
Vol 930 (1) ◽  
pp. 012025
Author(s):  
P D Pietro ◽  
M Lelli ◽  
A Rahman ◽  
Serkandi
Keyword(s):  
Soil Erosion ◽  
Control Systems ◽  
Soil Layer ◽  
Erosion Control ◽  
Wire Mesh ◽  
Unit Weight ◽  
Research Results ◽  
Colorado State University ◽  
Soil Erosion Control ◽  
The Stability

Abstract The efficacy of erosion control systems depends on preventing soil loss underneath and maintaining its integrity under the effects of the water flow. The paper presents the research results at the Colorado State University on the performance of double twisted wire mesh products, known as Reno Mattresses, used as soil erosion control systems. Mattresses were subjected to various flow conditions on a 10 m long flume placed on a soil layer. The performance against erosion was evaluated by assessing the effect of the stone motion inside the mattress combined with the condition of incipient soil erosion underneath, in relationship to the mattress thickness, the filling stone properties, and under variable hydraulic flow regimes. At the same time, confirming the stability obtained using the conventional tractive force design approach, the research results allowed to introduce a new performance limit based on incipient soil erosion underneath the revetment. Based on the research results, the authors propose to express the shear resistance of mattresses used as soil erosion control systems as a function of the filling stones’ size, uniformity, unit weight, mattress thickness, and the presence of vertical strengthening elements.

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