scholarly journals Commercialisation Pathways and Climate Change: The Case of Smallholder Farmers in Semi-Arid Tanzania

2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
Khamaldin Mutabazi ◽  
Gideon Boniface
Keyword(s):  
Climate Change ◽  
Smallholder Farmers ◽  
Farming Systems ◽  
Farming Practices ◽  
Climate Conditions ◽  
Weather Patterns ◽  
Dryland Farming ◽  
The Face ◽  
Change Climate ◽  
Semi Arid

The semi-arid drylands of central Tanzania have been characterised by low and erratic rainfall coupled with high evapotranspiration. Up until now, farmers of these local dryland farming systems have been able to cope with these climate conditions. However, climate change has led to new weather patterns that overwhelm traditional dryland farming practices and re-shape farmers’ commercialisation pathways. This paper explored the pathways in which smallholder farmers in Singida region in Tanzania engage with markets and commercialise in the face of climate change. The paper also examined how farm-level decisions on commercial crops and the commercialisation pathways they are part of, affect current and future resilience to climate change. Climate resilient commercialisation of smallholder dryland agriculture remains the centrepiece of inclusive sustainable development.

scholarly journals Product Diversification, Adaptive Management, and Climate Change: Farming and Family in the U.S. Corn Belt

2021 ◽  
Vol 3 ◽  
Author(s):  
Julia C. D. Valliant ◽  
Analena B. Bruce ◽  
Matthew Houser ◽  
Stephanie L. Dickinson ◽  
James R. Farmer
Keyword(s):  
Climate Change ◽  
Family Relationships ◽  
Regional Climate ◽  
Value Added ◽  
Farming Systems ◽  
Climate Impacts ◽  
Product Diversification ◽  
Farming Practices ◽  
Weather Patterns ◽  
And Gender

A variety of factors shape farmers' views as they face the rising effects of climate change and consider a range of adaptation strategies to build the resilience of their farming systems. We examine a set of related questions to explore farmers' perspectives on risks and potential shifts to their operations: (1) Relative to other environmental factors, how salient of a challenge is climate change and climate-related impacts to farmers? (2) Do farmers intend to adapt to climate impacts generally?, and (3) What factors shape their use of a specific and underexplored adaptive response—farm product diversification? The data come from a survey of 179 operators within a 30-county region of Indiana, Michigan, and Ohio. The region spans various rural-urban gradients. Respondents generally represent smaller operations [median of 80 acres (32 hectares)]. Because our selection methods aimed to over-sample from food-producing farms, 60% of respondents produced some type of food or value-added product, and 40% produced only commodity feedstocks and biofuels. Although the group as a whole indicated only “somewhat” of a concern about changing weather patterns, and half did not anticipate adapting their farming practices to climate change, farmers' responses to a write-in question denoted regional climate effects as challenges to their farms. Analysis of subgroups among the respondents, according to their views of climate change, adaptation, and further diversifying their agricultural products, distinguished farmers' family considerations, and gender. Methods to elicit subgroups included correlation, regression, cluster analysis, and an examination of the many respondents (29%) who indicated uncertainty about adapting practices. Women, who participated in 29% of responses, indicated more concern with changing weather patterns and more openness to adapting farming practices compared to men. Farmers with the most family relationships to consider, and those with the greatest aspirations to employ descendants, were the most receptive to adapting their farming practices. This was the case even when respondents' concern over climate change was low. Results point to the importance of family relationships as a factor in farmers' openness to implementing adaptive and potentially mitigative actions.

scholarly journals Sensitivity of Maize Yield in Smallholder Systems to Climate Scenarios in Semi-Arid Regions of West Africa: Accounting for Variability in Farm Management Practices

Agronomy ◽  
2019 ◽  
Vol 9 (10) ◽  
pp. 639 ◽  
Author(s):  
Bright Freduah ◽  
Dilys MacCarthy ◽  
Myriam Adam ◽  
Mouhamed Ly ◽  
Alex Ruane ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Climate Change ◽  
Arid Regions ◽  
Climate Models ◽  
Smallholder Farmers ◽  
Maize Yield ◽  
Climate Scenarios ◽  
Relative Standard ◽  
The Impact ◽  
Semi Arid ◽  
Smallholder Systems

Climate change is estimated to exacerbate existing challenges faced by smallholder farmers in Sub-Sahara Africa. However, limited studies quantify the extent of variation in climate change impact under these systems at the local scale. The Decision Support System for Agro-technological Transfer (DSSAT) was used to quantify variation in climate change impacts on maize yield under current agricultural practices in semi-arid regions of Senegal (Nioro du Rip) and Ghana (Navrongo and Tamale). Multi-benchmark climate models (Mid-Century, 2040–2069 for two Representative Concentration Pathways, RCP4.5 and RCP8.5), and multiple soil and management information from agronomic surveys were used as input for DSSAT. The average impact of climate scenarios on grain yield among farms ranged between −9% and −39% across sites. Substantial variation in climate response exists across farms in the same farming zone with relative standard deviations from 8% to 117% at Nioro du Rip, 13% to 64% in Navrongo and 9% to 37% in Tamale across climate models. Variations in fertilizer application, planting dates and soil types explained the variation in the impact among farms. This study provides insight into the complexities of the impact of climate scenarios on maize yield and the need for better representation of heterogeneous farming systems for optimized outcomes in adaptation and resilience planning in smallholder systems.

Farming systems in the Australian semi-arid tropics-a recent history

1996 ◽  
Vol 36 (8) ◽  
pp. 915 ◽  
Author(s):  
AL Chapman ◽  
JD Sturtz ◽  
AL Cogle ◽  
WS Mollah ◽  
RJ Bateman
Keyword(s):  
World War Ii ◽  
Agricultural Research ◽  
System Development ◽  
Farming Systems ◽  
Farming System ◽  
Recent History ◽  
North West ◽  
Dryland Farming ◽  
History Of ◽  
Semi Arid

The recent history of dryland farming in the Australian semi-arid tropics is discussed briefly against the background of national and state policies, established following World War II, aimed at increasing the population and development of northern Australia. Some reference is also made to irrigation as a means of overcoming limitations imposed by rainfall and to complement dryland farming systems. The environmental and socio-economic constraints whch have so far limited commercial agriculture in the Australian semi-arid tropics are highlighted. Efforts, particularly in north-west Australia, to develop sustainable farming systems based on legume pasture leys and livestock production in conjunction with annual cropping, as a basis for closer settlement, are reviewed. These attempts, which began in the 1960s and stemmed from earlier post-war agricultural research in the region, initially relied on a pasture legume (Stylosanthes humilis cv. Townsville stylo) and conventional tillage. Farming system development continues today using new legume species (e.g. Stylosanthes hamata cv. Verano and Centrosema pascuorum cv. Cavalcade) and no-tillage cropping technology. This paper documents the history of agricultural and research development, and commercial practice in the Australian semi-arid tropics.

scholarly journals HOUSEHOLD SOCIO-ECONOMIC FACTORS INFLUENCING CHOICE OF AGRO-ADVISORY DISSEMINATION PATHWAYS IN SEMI-ARID AREAS OF KENYA

2020 ◽  
Author(s):  
Debrah Onyango ◽  
Hezron Mogaka ◽  
Samuel Njiri Ndirangu ◽  
Kwena Kizito
Keyword(s):  
Climate Change ◽  
Adaptive Capacity ◽  
Climate Change Adaptation ◽  
Arid Regions ◽  
Smallholder Farmers ◽  
Economic Factors ◽  
Arid Areas ◽  
Factors Influencing ◽  
Semi Arid ◽  
Socio Economic Factors

This work covers the dissemination of climate change adaptation information in arid and semi-arid regions of Kenya with the aim of improving the adaptive capacity of smallholder farmers through dissemination of well package technologies referred to as agro-advisories.

scholarly journals Peasant Seeds in France: Fostering A More Resilient Agriculture

2019 ◽  
Vol 11 (11) ◽  
pp. 3014 ◽  
Author(s):  
Camille Gevers ◽  
Helena F.M.W. van Rijswick ◽  
Julia Swart
Keyword(s):  
Climate Change ◽  
Intellectual Property ◽  
Technical Progress ◽  
Agricultural Sector ◽  
Plant Genetic Resources ◽  
Farming Practices ◽  
Voluntary Contribution ◽  
The Face ◽  
On Farm ◽  
Property Regime

The profitability of the French agricultural sector has fallen over the last two decades, leading to the suggestion of a “rupture in technical progress”. Additionally, the intellectual property regime in force has contributed to the erosion of the cultivated biodiversity, limiting plant resiliency to climate change and other hazards. In the face of these challenges, agroecological farming practices are a viable alternative. This paper investigates the positive and negative aspects associated with the development of alternative seed procurement networks in France. The findings indicate that peasant seed networks can effectively contribute to overcoming many of the structural blockages with which French agriculture is confronted, but that yield concerns; higher information and supervisory costs, as well as the unfavourable legislative context, constitute key challenges to their development. However, these could be partially or totally eliminated if adequate policies are implemented. In this regard, the recommendations are to: (i) strengthen the dialogue with farmers in the shaping of policies related to the use of plant genetic resources; (ii) abrogate the “obligatory voluntary contribution” on farm-saved seeds; (iii) diversify the collection of Centres for Biological Resources, increase their number, and democratize their access; (iv) harmonize the French and European regime on intellectual property; and (v) encourage participatory research.

Adaptation and mitigation strategies for dairy cattle: Myths and realities in Indian condition -A review

2015 ◽  
Vol 36 (4) ◽  
Author(s):  
Sumit Mahajan ◽  
Janailin S. Papang ◽  
Shivraj Singh ◽  
K. K. Datta
Keyword(s):  
Climate Change ◽  
Smallholder Farmers ◽  
Mitigation Strategies ◽  
Farm Households ◽  
Local Conditions ◽  
Climate Conditions ◽  
Change Impact ◽  
Vector Borne ◽  
The Impact ◽  
Adaptation And Mitigation

The anticipated climate change will adversely affect the productivity of livestock directly due to increased heat stress, indirectly it will affect the livestock by causing feed and fodder shortages, reducing biodiversity, water availability and increasing the incidences of vector-borne livestock diseases. On the other hand, the livestock keeping farm households mainly small farm households will be affected directly as they rear livestock for their livelihood. Interestingly, over the years, the livestock keeping households have increased at a tremendous rate for the small and marginal, medium and semimedium farm household categories as they reduce the risk arising from extreme climate conditions. So, it becomes imperative to adopt adaptation and mitigation strategies to reduce the impact of climate change on livestock given their importance in smallholder farmers’ livelihood in India. Some of researchers in past have recommended certain adaptation and mitigation strategies for reducing the climate change impact on livestock. But, are these adaptation and mitigation strategies applicable or viable in the context of smallholder farmers in India? This remains an unsolved puzzle. This paper tries to demystify certain myths associated with these strategies as well as explore the ground realities. The present policy of indiscriminate crossbreeding of local cattle with exotic cattle should be reviewed and reoriented for smallholder dairy farmer especially, in dry and rainfed regions where there is scarcity of fodder and water which are required heavily by crossbred cattle. The study clearly reflects that the adaptation research should be country specific as the strategies suitable for one country may not be viable for the others as there is considerable difference in local conditions of different countries.

scholarly journals Climate Change Impacts and Relevance of Smallholder Farmers’ Response in Arid and Semi-Arid Lands in Kenya

2021 ◽  
pp. e00814
Author(s):  
Dorcas N. Kalele ◽  
William O. Ogara ◽  
Christopher Oludhe ◽  
Joshua O. Onono
Keyword(s):  
Climate Change ◽  
Smallholder Farmers ◽  
Climate Change Impacts ◽  
Arid Lands ◽  
Semi Arid

The Role of Indigenous Knowledge Systems in Rural Smallholder Farmers’ Response to Climate Change: Case Study of Nkomazi Local Municipality, Mpumalanga, South Africa

2019 ◽  
Vol 55 (2) ◽  
pp. 273-284
Author(s):  
Nomcebo R. Ubisi ◽  
Unathi Kolanisi ◽  
Obert Jiri
Keyword(s):  
Climate Change ◽  
South Africa ◽  
Indigenous Knowledge ◽  
Smallholder Farmers ◽  
Farming Systems ◽  
Climate Indicators ◽  
Local Municipality ◽  
Droughts And Floods ◽  
Negative Impacts

Climate change and variability have direct negative impacts on rural smallholder farmers. These impacts involve extreme climatic events such as excessive temperatures, prolonged droughts and floods which affect people’s livelihoods. This study was conducted in Nkomazi Local Municipality, Mpumalanga, South Africa. The main objective of the study was to investigate indigenous weather and climate indicators used by smallholder farmers and the role of indigenous knowledge in their farming systems. The research used qualitative methods, including focus group discussions and key informant interviews. The findings indicated that farmers observed animal behaviour, plants, atmospheric indicators and human ailments to predict weather.

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