scholarly journals Coproducing Weather Forecast Information with and for Smallholder Farmers in Ghana: Evaluation and Design Principles

Atmosphere ◽  
2020 ◽  
Vol 11 (9) ◽  
pp. 902
Author(s):  
Talardia Gbangou ◽  
Rebecca Sarku ◽  
Erik Van Slobbe ◽  
Fulco Ludwig ◽  
Gordana Kranjac-Berisavljevic ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Smallholder Farmers ◽  
Weather Forecast ◽  
Modern Technology ◽  
Climatic Conditions ◽  
Information And Communications Technology ◽  
Small Scale ◽  
Weather Forecasts ◽  
Monitoring Tools ◽  
Weather And Climate ◽  
Small Scale Farmers

Many West African farmers are struggling to cope with changing weather and climatic conditions. This situation limits farmers’ ability to make optimal decisions for food and income security. Developing more useful and accessible weather and climate information services (WCIS) can help small-scale farmers improve their adaptive capacity. The literature suggests that such WCIS can be achieved if forecast information is produced jointly by farmers and scientists. To test this hypothesis and derive design requirements for effective WCIS, we evaluated the outcomes of an experimental coproduction of weather forecasts in Ada, Ghana. The experiment involved a user-driven design and testing of information and communications technology (ICT)-based digital (smartphones and apps) and rainfall monitoring tools by 22 farmers. They collected data and received weather forecasts during the 2018/2019 study period. The results showed a positive evaluation of the intervention, expressed by the level of engagement, the increase in usability of the tools and understanding of forecast uncertainty, outreach capacity with other farmers, and improved daily farming decisions. The success of the intervention was attributed to the iterative design process, as well as the training, monitoring, and technical support provided. We conclude that the application of modern technology in a coproduction process with targeted training and monitoring can improve smallholder farmers’ access to and use of weather and climate forecast information.

Success of the co-production and delivery of local and scientific weather forecasts information with and for smallholder farmers in Ghana

2020 ◽  
Author(s):  
Talardia Gbangou ◽  
Rebecca Sarku ◽  
Erik Vanslobbe ◽  
Fulco Ludwig ◽  
Gordana Kranjac-Berisavljevic ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Smallholder Farmers ◽  
Weather Forecast ◽  
Modern Technology ◽  
Climatic Conditions ◽  
Successful Implementation ◽  
Extension Agents ◽  
Climate Services ◽  
Weather Forecasts ◽  
Over Time ◽  
Local Farmers

<p>Many West African farmers struggle to cope with changing weather and climatic conditions that keep them from making optimal decisions and meeting food and income security. The development of more accessible and credible weather and climate services (WCIS) can help local farmers improve their adaptive capacity. Such adequate WCIS often requires a joined collaboration between farmers and scientists to co-create an integrated local and scientific forecasting knowledge. We examine (i) the design requirements (i.e. Both technical and non-technical tools) and (ii) evaluate the outcomes of a successful implementation of the co-production and delivery of WCIS in Ada East district, Ghana. We implemented a user-driven design approach in a citizen science experiment involving prototype design and testing, training workshops, and interviews with farmers, agricultural and meteorological extension agents from 2018 to 2019. Farmers were handed with digital tools (i.e. Smart phones with web and mobile applications) and rain gauges as research instruments to collect and receive weather forecast data, and interact with scientists.</p><p>               Our results show that farmers’ engagement increased over time and is associated with the trainings and the improvement of the design features of the applications used. The evaluation shows an increase in the usability of tools, the reach or networking with other farmers, and the understanding of uncertainty (probabilistic) aspect of the forecasts over time. Local farmers evaluated both the local and scientific forecasts as accurate enough and useful for their daily farming decisions. We concluded that using modern technology in a co-production process, with targeted training, can improve the access and use of weather forecasts information.</p>

scholarly journals Scientific motivation for ADM/Aeolus mission

2018 ◽  
Vol 176 ◽  
pp. 02008
Author(s):  
Erland Källén
Keyword(s):  
Weather Forecast ◽  
Weather Forecasts ◽  
Weather And Climate ◽  
Medium Range ◽  
Forecast Models ◽  
Tropical Areas ◽  
Global Coverage ◽  
Wind Lidar ◽  
Wind Profiles

The ADM/Aeolus wind lidar mission will provide a global coverage of atmospheric wind profiles. Atmospheric wind observations are required for initiating weather forecast models and for predicting and monitoring long term climate change. Improved knowledge of the global wind field is widely recognised as fundamental to advancing the understanding and prediction of weather and climate. In particular over tropical areas there is a need for better wind data leading to improved medium range (3-10 days) weather forecasts over the whole globe.

Community-Based Microtrade in Support of Small-Scale Farmers in Thailand and Tanzania

2012 ◽  
Vol 5 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Andreas Neef ◽  
Kei Mizuno ◽  
Iven Schad ◽  
Pakakrong M. Williams ◽  
Franklin Rwezimula
Keyword(s):  
Smallholder Farmers ◽  
The Elderly ◽  
Small Scale ◽  
Community Based ◽  
Northwestern Tanzania ◽  
Depth Analysis ◽  
Small Scale Farmers ◽  
Participatory Research Methods ◽  
The Comparative Study ◽  
Small Producers

Drawing on two action-research projects conducted between 2007 and 2011, this paper compares the benefits of pro-poor microtrade arrangements for smallholder litchi growers in northern Thailand and small-scale vanilla growers in northwestern Tanzania. The case studies combine various qualitative and participatory research methods with an in-depth analysis of the underlying social, economic and knowledge networks. Theoretically, our research is grounded in the concept of strategic niche management, which emphasizes networking, experiential learning, and the convergence of expectations among producers, exporters, consumers and supporting agencies. Our findings suggest that community-based microtrade with high-value agricultural products can be particularly beneficial for small producers and marginalized groups, such as women and the elderly. Evidence from the comparative study of the two cases further underscores the importance of external knowledge and innovation intermediaries in the formation of community-based and pro-poor microtrade arrangements. We conclude that long-term knowledge and innovation partnerships need to be established to successfully connect smallholder farmers to international markets and to carefully balance the power differentials among all actors along the supply chain.

scholarly journals The timing of agricultural production in hazard-prone areas to prevent losses at peak-risk periods: A case of Malawi, Madagascar and Mozambique

2016 ◽  
Vol 8 (2) ◽  
Author(s):  
Leandri Kruger
Keyword(s):  
Food Security ◽  
Southern Africa ◽  
Agricultural Production ◽  
Agricultural Practices ◽  
Climatic Conditions ◽  
Small Scale ◽  
Mixed Method Research ◽  
Residual Moisture ◽  
Resilient Communities ◽  
Small Scale Farmers

Hazard-prone areas in southern Africa experience many natural hazards, which include cyclones, floods and droughts. The severe climatic conditions of southern Africa have an especially large impact on the agricultural practices of small-scale farmers. These hazards should be mitigated to ensure more resilient communities and food security. This study mainly focuses on the timing of agricultural production in hazard-prone areas to prevent losses at peak-risk periods by adapting the agricultural cycle. This study focuses on the agricultural activities of small-scale farmers in Malawi, Madagascar and Mozambique. A literature review is presented, and a mixed-method research design were followed to determine the timing of production followed by these small-scale farmers and its impact on production and food security. Although this study found that the small-scale farmers generally plant with the first rains, it is recommended by literature that early planting should be practised to ensure optimal production. It is also recommended that small-scale farmers should implement watermanagement techniques for dry periods, and when farmers practice late planting, the use of residual-moisture retention should be utilised as a mitigation measure. This will in effect ensure that the communities are less vulnerable during peak-risk periods by improving or ensuring food security. Therefore, adapting the planting and production time in these hazardprone areas at peak-risk periods could limit losses and increase communities’ resilience.

scholarly journals Potentials of hybrid maize varieties for small-holder farmers in Kenya: A review based on swot analysis

2013 ◽  
Vol 13 (57) ◽  
pp. 7562-7586
Author(s):  
C Schroeder ◽  
◽  
T Onyango K’Oloo ◽  
NB Ranabhat ◽  
NA Jick ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Food Security ◽  
Positive Impact ◽  
Smallholder Farmers ◽  
Fertilizer Application ◽  
Small Scale ◽  
Maize Production ◽  
Marginal Areas ◽  
Maize Varieties ◽  
Small Scale Farmers ◽  
Hybrid Maize

Maize is the primary staple crop in Kenya and plays an important role in the livelihood of the people of Kenya. Its availability and abundance determines the level of welfare and food security in the country. In Kenya, future increases in maize production to meet domestic demand will have to rely on improvements in yield per hectare rather than on the expansion of maize production area. Enhanced maize productivity can be achieved by increased use of modern production techniques such as the adoption of hybrid maize varieties, the use of chemicals and fertilizer application. Small-scale maize prodcution plays a major role in Kenya’s maize economy and adoption of hybrid technology by small-scale farmers would have the potential to address sustainability and supply issues. However, such modern technologies are still rarely used by Kenya’s small-scale farmers, particularly by those in marginal areas. This study, therefore, tries to review the reasons for the low rate of adoption of hybrid maize varieties among small-scale farmers with focus on those smallholders in Kenya’s marginal areas. Lack of awareness of existing or newly released hybrid varieties, lack of hybrid varieties adapted to marginal areas, lack of confidence in the quality of some hybrid maize seeds, poor access to stockists, low profitability due to high seed cost, inadequate access to credit, the need for fertilizer application and low literacy level have been found to be important factors explaining the low adoption rates by smallholder maize producers in marginal areas. In addition, these constraints might also explain the widespread practice of recycling hybrid grain among small-scale farmers once they have adopted hybrid maize varieties. Therefore, it is hoped that by overcoming these constraints, the adoption of hybrid maize varieties among smallholder farmers could be greatly enhanced, which in turn could lead to a significant positive impact on the country’s food security situation.

scholarly journals Village Environment, Capital Endowment, and Farmers’ Participation in E-Commerce Sales Behavior: A Demand Observable Bivariate Probit Model Approach

Agriculture ◽  
2021 ◽  
Vol 11 (9) ◽  
pp. 868
Author(s):  
Xiaojing Li ◽  
Apurbo Sarkar ◽  
Xianli Xia ◽  
Waqar Hussain Memon
Keyword(s):  
Smallholder Farmers ◽  
Probit Model ◽  
Small Scale ◽  
Practical Training ◽  
Bivariate Probit ◽  
Bivariate Probit Model ◽  
Capital Endowment ◽  
Sales Behavior ◽  
Small Scale Farmers ◽  
The Village

With the recent developments in widespread internet usage and digital technology, an ultimate worldwide transformation in information and communications technology has occurred. Especially, how people engage in the virtual market for buying and selling goods has changed dramatically, which flourished the playground of electronic commerce (EC). Interestingly, it has become crucial to create an ample opportunity for farmers to utilize a more comprehensive market range for selling their products. However, farmers participating in e-commerce sales platforms may be interrupted by various internal and external factors. Therefore, the study’s primary goal is to evaluate the impacts of various external and internal factors on shaping farmers’ behavior in participating in e-commerce sales platforms. The study utilized a demand observable bivariate Probit model to analyze the village environment and capital endowment effects to craft the findings. The study utilized micro-survey data from 686 households in the leading kiwifruit-producing area as the empirical setup. The findings illustrated that the village environment is the main factor that restricts farmers’ e-commerce sales behavior, among which the infrastructure and policy environments have a significant contribution to farmers’ e-commerce sales intention and behavior. However, the effect of capital endowment on farmers’ e-commerce selling behavior has been found as significant. The village environment significantly affects both large- and small-scale farmers, and the capital endowment has a higher binding effect on small-scale farmers. Therefore, the paper suggests that improving the village environment for e-commerce development and laying the foundation for e-commerce development should be fostered. A differentiated incentive mechanism to improve the capital endowment of farmers should be constructed. A well-structured capital endowment triggering small farmers to capture the benefits of e-commerce sales should be imposed. The government should extend the support of the agricultural demonstration zone to facilitate practical training among the smallholder farmers. The formal and informal risk-sharing and financial institutions should prioritize building infrastructure to support farmers’ short- and long-term investments. Farmers should realize the importance of e-commerce for integrating the agricultural value chain.

scholarly journals Agro-information Service and Information-seeking Behaviour of Small-scale Farmers in Rural Bangladesh

2020 ◽  
Vol 30 (1-2) ◽  
pp. 175-194
Author(s):  
Taiabur Rahman ◽  
Shifat Ara ◽  
Niaz Ahmed Khan
Keyword(s):  
Information Seeking ◽  
Information Needs ◽  
Resistance To Change ◽  
Information Service ◽  
Information And Communications Technology ◽  
Small Scale ◽  
Low Literacy ◽  
Rural Bangladesh ◽  
Information Seeking Behaviour ◽  
Small Scale Farmers

Agriculture is the mainstay of Bangladesh’s economy, accounting for 15.89% of its GDP and 45.1% of its labour employment. Efficiency of economic activities in agriculture crucially depends on the flow of information relating to farming decisions, as well as on demand for such information by farmers. This study examines the information needs and information-seeking behaviour of small-scale farmers in rural Bangladesh. Opinions and feedback of farmers were collected through mini–focus group discussions (MFGD) and in-depth interviews (IDI) in seven districts across Bangladesh. The study finds that many farmers lack awareness of where and how to obtain agro-information. The priority areas on which farmers typically seek information include seeds, fertilisers, agriculture credit, irrigation, disease and pest management. The information-seeking behaviour of the farmers depends on two variables: the nature of the crisis and the reliability of the information available. Farmers rely on personal experience and informal networks when the nature of crisis is familiar or non-critical; they rely on multiple external sources when the nature of crisis is critical and personal knowledge proves inadequate. The use of information and communications technology (ICT) (such as Union Digital Centers and Agricultural Helplines) in this regard is minimal, and the potential of utilisation of the office of agriculture extension remains untapped. The major constraints faced by the farmers in seeking information using modern ICT include farmers’ prevailing norms and perceptions (e.g., resistance to change and adoption of new technology), relatively high costs of and low awareness regarding agro-information, poor infrastructure to be able to support ICT services, spatial inconvenience, in terms of location and availability of ICT facilities, and low literacy among the farmers.

An Empirical Chronicling of How Agricultural Innovation Platforms Were Established in Hwedza, Zimbabwe

2020 ◽  
pp. 002190962094155
Author(s):  
Innocent T Mahiya
Keyword(s):  
Smallholder Farmers ◽  
Small Scale ◽  
Network Systems ◽  
Agricultural Innovation ◽  
Qualitative Approaches ◽  
The Social ◽  
Communal Areas ◽  
Small Scale Farmers ◽  
Government Workers ◽  
Active Communities

This paper focuses on the establishment of agricultural innovation platforms (AIPs) in the communal areas of Hwedza in Zimbabwe. Through the efforts of non-governmental organisations (NGOs), there have been initiatives to improve agricultural productivity in Africa and Zimbabwe in particular. One such intervention has been the AIPs that seek to bring together all stakeholders who can meaningfully contribute to the improvement of agriculture. Using largely qualitative approaches, data was collected through interviews from small scale farmers as well as different actors who were involved in the AIPs. The respondents in the study also included NGO workers, academic researchers, government workers, traditional leaders, agricultural financiers, extension workers and state-owned institutions. Using Norman Long’s interface analysis as the central theoretical framework, key findings showed that communal areas were active communities that had their own socio-economic network systems which govern how smallholder farmers operate. It also emerged that IPs are a result of a combination of the social and the formal/institutionalised structures that interacted in Hwedza. The paper concludes that IPs were established in Hwedza through a series of interactive processes among actors and these were not always smooth and successful.

scholarly journals Collateral: The Sword of Damocles of the Small-scale Farmers; Land Tenure Issues in Africa

2018 ◽  
Vol 12 (1) ◽  
pp. 46-63
Author(s):  
Douglas Ncube
Keyword(s):  
Land Tenure ◽  
Smallholder Farmers ◽  
Agricultural Productivity ◽  
Secondary Data ◽  
Public Consultation ◽  
Economic Research ◽  
Small Scale ◽  
Policy Reforms ◽  
Tenure Reform ◽  
Small Scale Farmers

Introduction:Numerous studies have been conducted on tenure and how it affects agricultural productivity. However, in Africa, its complexity emanates from the existence of various types of land tenure systems. This study examined hypotheses derived from the economic theory of property rights.Problem Statement:It is difficult to comprehend the manner in which land tenure issues influences farmer incentives. A perception is held regarding the complexity of instituting policy reforms to ‘fix’ tenure problems.Methodology:Thе еconomic rеѕеarch rеѕultѕ rеlatеd to land tеnurе, tеnurе ѕеcurity and thеir impact on land invеѕtmеntѕ and agricultural productivity, and how thеѕе rеlatе to hypothеѕеѕ gеnеratеd from thе еconomic thеory of propеrty rightѕ in Africa were evaluated. The study is essentially a qualitative approach and is based on literature review and secondary data sources.Results:There is an intimate link between Land tenure development and various constructs of political economic issues such as governance, democracy, empowerment, social justice, equity and development. Consequently, until the recognition of historical issues and political challenges associated with resource redistribution, any solutions to land and tenure questions will lack context and will fail to fulfil the crucial aim of transforming property relations and creating social change. There are convergence and divergence of economic research on land tenure.Conclusion:Land tenure reform is a time-consuming process requiring thorough public consultation and careful preparation. Recently, many international organisations and governments have embarked on land purchases/grabs in Africa exposing smallholder farmers to the arbitrary land acquisition and hence, exacerbating food insecurity in Africa.

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