scholarly journals Transforming Degraded Smallholder Farmland into Multi-Functional Land Use Systems: A Case Study From Tanzania

Proceedings ◽  
2019 ◽  
Vol 30 (1) ◽  
pp. 16
Author(s):  
Reetsch ◽  
Kapp ◽  
Feger ◽  
Schwärzel ◽  
Dornack
Keyword(s):  
Land Use ◽  
Food Security ◽  
Gender Roles ◽  
Nutrient Management ◽  
Smallholder Farmers ◽  
Farm Households ◽  
Land Use Systems ◽  
Local Farmer ◽  
Hiv Aids ◽  
Farm Waste

In our research, we have studied smallholder farmers in degraded farming systems in Northwest Tanzania and have compared them with farm households who were trained in sustainable land management by a local Farmer Field School. Both groups of farmers were affected by severe environmental degradation and poor soil fertility, but trained farmers have transformed degraded farmland into fertile, multi-functional land use systems. In this presentation, we discuss the successes and failures of both groups of farmers and draw conclusions towards restoring degraded land use systems. Farmers without training cannot restore degraded farmland with traditional agricultural management alone and fail to produce enough food, fodder, biofuel, and timber to support the whole family. The reasons for their failure are manifold and include environmental and socio-economic dimensions, e.g., poor management of soils and farm waste, lacking adaptation to climate change, traditional gender roles, and the loss of knowledge and labour in HIV/AIDS-affected households. In comparison, trained farmers change nutrient management by using advanced composting techniques. They also cultivate a greater variety of crops and trees, introduce organic pesticide management, ease manure collection, construct vegetable gardens that are watered by drip irrigation in the dry season, change gender roles and communication structures. The main differences between both groups of farmers occur in food security, health status, education level, marketing, income generation, prosperity, and gender-related responsibilities. However, the full potential of organic farm waste being used as soil fertiliser is not exhausted, as human excreta is not integrated into nutrient management. Farm households who are most vulnerable to food security, e.g., female-headed and HIV/AIDS-affected households, need to get support in strengthening their socio-economic base before transforming the farm management. In conclusion, local Farmer Field Schools significantly contribute to restoring land degradation. To transform smallholder agriculture in Tanzania, a joint partnership with local governmental organisations could help farmers to escape poverty and become food secure (SDG 1 and SDG 2). Similar approaches could support smallholder farmers in East Africa, where they contribute to three-fourth of the agricultural production.

scholarly journals Rethinking Eucalyptus globulus Labill. Based Land Use Systems in Smallholder Farmers Livelihoods: A Case of Kolobo Watershed, West Shewa, Ethiopia

2018 ◽  
Vol 37 (1) ◽  
pp. 57-68 ◽  
Author(s):  
Dadi Feyisa ◽  
Endalkachew Kissi ◽  
Zerihun Kebebew
Keyword(s):  
Land Use ◽  
Food Security ◽  
Eucalyptus Globulus ◽  
Smallholder Farmers ◽  
Chemical Properties ◽  
Exchange Capacity ◽  
Cultivated Land ◽  
Central Highland ◽  
Land Use System ◽  
Physical And Chemical

AbstractDespite their restriction, smallholder farmers have been continuing growing Eucalyptus globulus in the cultivated land in the central highland of Ethiopia. Literature has shown controversial issues against E. globulus. Therefore, the objective of the study was to investigate the compatibility of E. globulus in the smallholder farmers’ land use system. Soil samples were collected from five different land uses and analysed for selected physical and chemical properties. The socioeconomic contribution of E. globulus was collected through household surveys from 110 households. Analysis of soil showed that organic carbon (OC), total nitrogen (TN) and cation exchange capacity (CEC) were significantly higher (P<0.05) under E. globulus compared to the cultivated land. The survey results also showed that the largest proportion (58%) of households was interested in growing E. globulus because of its multiple uses. About 83% of households responded that E. globulus help them to attain food security through increasing the purchasing power of smallholder farmers to buy agricultural inputs and food. This study has substantiated the role of E. globulus in the land use system of smallholder farmers. Most of the soil fertility indicators were better under E. globulus. The present finding reveals that E. globulus degrade the soil seemingly difficult to generalise. Growing E. globulus must be promoted under appealing land use to enhance smallholder farmers’ livelihoods. Removing E. globulus from the land use system may jeopardise the food security situation of many households.

scholarly journals Land-use change, nutrition, and gender roles in Indonesian farm households

2020 ◽  
Vol 118 ◽  
pp. 102245 ◽  
Author(s):  
Daniel Chrisendo ◽  
Vijesh V. Krishna ◽  
Hermanto Siregar ◽  
Matin Qaim
Keyword(s):  
Land Use ◽  
Gender Roles ◽  
Land Use Change ◽  
Farm Households ◽  
And Gender

scholarly journals Optimising Nutrient Cycles to Improve Food Security in Smallholder Farming Families—A Case Study from Banana-Coffee-Based Farming in the Kagera Region, NW Tanzania

2020 ◽  
Vol 12 (21) ◽  
pp. 9105
Author(s):  
Anika Reetsch ◽  
Kai Schwärzel ◽  
Christina Dornack ◽  
Shadrack Stephene ◽  
Karl-Heinz Feger
Keyword(s):  
Food Security ◽  
Nutrient Management ◽  
Farm Households ◽  
Farm Household ◽  
Successful Implementation ◽  
Management Scenarios ◽  
Smallholder Farming ◽  
Farmer Field School ◽  
Field School ◽  
Farming Families

In East Africa, soil nutrient depletion and low yields jeopardise the food security of smallholder farming families and exacerbate poverty. The main reasons for the depletion of soil nutrients are overuse due to population growth, limited land, and increasing uncertainty in agricultural production caused by climate change. This study aims to analyse and optimise nutrient flows and stocks in the homegardens of smallholder banana-coffee-based farming systems in the Kagera region in NW Tanzania. The plant nutrients nitrogen (N), phosphorus (P), and potassium (K) in plant-based biomass and organic farm waste are under investigation. We used data from a farm household survey (150 households) and from focus group discussions with 22 trainers who had been training about 750 farm households in sustainable land management (SLM) at a local farmer field school. In total, we identified six farm household types and calculated a nutrient balance (NB) for the homegardens of each household type. The NB was calculated for the following five management scenarios: S0: business as usual; S1: the use of 80% of the available human urine; S2: the incorporation of 0.5 t yr−1 of the herbaceous legume species Crotalaria grahamiana into the soil; S3: the production of 5 m3 yr−1 CaSa-compost (human excreta and biochar) and its application on 600 m2 land; and S4: a combination of S1, S2, and S3. The results show that the NB varies considerably depending on whether farmers have implemented the SLM training, apply nutrient-preserving manure collection and storage methods, and purchase fodder (imported nutrients), or whether they do not collect manure or do not purchase fodder. Trained farm households are more likely to have a positive NB than untrained households because they have already improved the nutrient management of their farms through the successful implementation of SLM practices. Untrained households would improve the NB in their homegardens under all management scenarios. However, the NB depends on labour-intensive manure collection and compost production, labour shortages, prolonged dry seasons, and socio-economic imbalances. As long as these constraints remain, nutrient deficiencies will not be overcome with mineral fertilisers alone, because soils have to be further enriched with organic matter first. In this paper, we also emphasise the importance of the system boundary, because only a complete NB can give an estimate of actual nutrient removal and the resulting nutrient demand (including removals by fodder and trees). Further improvements in the SLM training may be achieved by (i) measuring the current nutrient status of soils, (ii) analysing the need for the coexistence of free-range livestock on the grassland and zero-grazing in trained households, and (iii) conducting an in-depth analysis of the socio-economic differences between successful and unsuccessful households. In conclusion, if smallholder farmers were to integrate further improved SLM training and optimised nutrient management (S1 to S4), we assume that the NB would turn positive. Last but not least, the SLM training by the farmer field school may serve as a best-practice example for training and policy recommendations made by government institutions.

scholarly journals Does Food Insecurity exist among Farm Households? Evidence from Ghana

2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
Patricia Pinamang Acheampong ◽  
Elvis Agyei Obeng ◽  
Monica Opoku ◽  
Lydia Brobbey ◽  
Bernard Sakyiamah
Keyword(s):  
Food Security ◽  
Food Consumption ◽  
Smallholder Farmers ◽  
Food Preferences ◽  
Farm Households ◽  
Household Food Security ◽  
Food Groups ◽  
Social Resilience ◽  
Diet Diversity ◽  
Household Food

AbstractHousehold food security exists when households have physical, social and economic access to sufficient, safe and nutritious food at all times that meets their dietary needs and food preferences for an active and healthy life. Food security remains a serious challenge for many households in Ghana and the situation is even more prevalent among smallholder farmers. Using data collected from 2,603 farm households across Ghana and employing an ordered probit model the determinants of food security among farm households were assessed. The food security indicator-Food Consumption Score (FCS) which combines diet diversity, frequency of consumption and relative nutritional importance of different food groups was used for the analysis. Results indicated that farm households (76%) across Ghana were within the acceptable household food consumption groups. Nonetheless, 19% and 6% of farm households respectively were within the borderline and poor food consumption groups respectively. Further analysis revealed the determinants of food security to include experience, gender, improved variety adoption, access to credit and location. The suggestion is that government and private institutions should create an enabling environment to enhancing production capacities, economic and social resilience to improve on food security and nutrition.

scholarly journals KONTRIBUSI AGROFORESTRI TERHADAP KETAHANAN PANGAN RUMAH TANGGA PETANI DI DESA NGARIP KECAMATAN ULU BELU KABUPATEN TANGGAMUS

2018 ◽  
Vol 1 (2) ◽  
pp. 105
Author(s):  
Susni Herwanti
Keyword(s):  
Land Use ◽  
Food Security ◽  
Food Availability ◽  
Woody Plants ◽  
Secondary Data ◽  
Economic Benefits ◽  
Primary Data ◽  
Land Use Systems ◽  
The Village

Agroforestry is a land use systems that are considered able to provide economic benefits, ecological and social, including in the village of Ngarip. This study seeks to prove the ability of agroforestry economy, especially in providing food for households. The purpose of this study is to identify agroforestry plants, analysis of food security of agroforestry and determine the level of food security of farmers agroforestry. Samples taken in this research is 93 respondents. Data collected in the form of primary data and secondary data. The data were analyzed descriptively qualitative. The results showed that there are 40 species of plants that exist in agroforestry, which consists of vegetables, fruits, tubers, grains, woody plants, rattan, bamboo and grass. Based on the analysis of food availability, food is available in the peasant households consisting of vegetables, fruits and grains. The study found that households Ngarip Village farmers have sufficient levels of food security with a score of 12.3.

Landslides, Land Use Systems and Food Security

2013 ◽  
pp. 151-161 ◽  
Author(s):  
Saralavandanam Sattenpalli ◽  
Surya Parkash
Keyword(s):  
Land Use ◽  
Food Security ◽  
Land Use Systems

scholarly journals Nutritional Status and Food Security of Farm Households under Different Land Use Patterns in Bangladesh

2013 ◽  
pp. 49-64 ◽  
Author(s):  
KMM Rahman ◽  
MS Islam
Keyword(s):  
Land Use ◽  
Food Security ◽  
Farm Households ◽  
Primary Data ◽  
Calorie Intake ◽  
Food Protein ◽  
Rice Farming ◽  
Land Use Patterns ◽  
Use Patterns ◽  
The Government

This study was aimed at estimating the impacts of changing land use patterns on food security for the farm households in Bangladesh. It was based on primary data collected from 730 households of different farm categories with direct interview method, which covered 14 existing most important land use patterns. The study revealed that households of alternate shrimp (bagda) and rice farming consumed the highest amounts of food followed by year round shrimp (bagda) farming whereas the highest per capita calorie intake was observed in households of alternate rice and wheat production. But households of year round shrimp (bagda) farming generated the highest amount of income followed by households of alternate shrimp (bagda) and rice farming, year round banana production and year round floriculture, respectively. But there were no systematic and regular patterns of relationships among income, food, protein and calorie intakes in different land use patterns. Large households consumed the highest amount of food and protein followed by medium, small and marginal households, respectively. All the land use patterns were found to increase major food security indicators and reduced poverty. All the 14 land use patterns should be made sustainable to the farmers by properly addressing environmental factors and by easing access of farmers to inputs and outputs markets by the government. DOI: http://dx.doi.org/10.3329/bjnut.v24i0.14036 Bangladesh J. Nutr. Vol. 24-25 Dec 2011-2012 pp.49-64

scholarly journals Understanding gender roles and practices in the household and on the farm: Implications for banana disease management innovation processes in Burundi

2019 ◽  
Vol 48 (1) ◽  
pp. 37-47 ◽  
Author(s):  
Francois Iradukunda ◽  
Renee Bullock ◽  
Anne Rietveld ◽  
Boudy van Schagen
Keyword(s):  
Food Security ◽  
Disease Management ◽  
Gender Roles ◽  
Systems Approach ◽  
Smallholder Farmers ◽  
Gender Norms ◽  
Innovation Process ◽  
Household Food Security ◽  
Bacterial Disease ◽  
Innovation Processes

Banana and plantain are one of the most important staple food crops and a significant source of income to smallholder farmers in the East African Great Lakes Region. Banana Xanthomonas Wilt (BXW) is a devastating bacterial disease that threatens smallholder production and livelihoods. We use a systems approach to describe how gender shapes roles and practices in the household, on the farm and in innovation processes. We draw on a case study in Burundi, where single disease stem removal (SDSR) has been introduced as a labour-saving package to reduce BXW incidence. Banana is grown by an estimated 90% of farmers, and BXW poses a critical threat to food security. We use qualitative data that include focus group discussions, interviews and transcripts from farmer learning group (FLG) discussions to describe gender norms, roles and practices and implications for awareness and uptake of SDSR in households. We identify gender patterns in innovation process, namely that men gain higher levels of access to information in FLGs than women and men are also primarily responsible for implementing SDSR. These patterns reflect gender-differentiated norms, roles and practices that are common in the household and in banana-based farming systems, thus demonstrating the ways that innovation processes perpetuate and reinforce common gender roles and practices. Women’s participation in FLGs, albeit lower than men, increases the potential of women to implement specific practices of the SDSR package. Systems approaches may be similarly used in different contexts where awareness and uptake of banana disease management packages, and other technical innovations, are not well understood. We found that gender norms, roles and practices significantly influence uptake of SDSR practices and warrant further investigation across the region, where smallholder uptake remains a pressing challenge to establish household food security.

scholarly journals Variation in Soil Properties under Long-Term Irrigated and Non-Irrigated Cropping and Other Land-Use Systems in Dura Catchment, Northern Ethiopia

2019 ◽  
Author(s):  
Gebreyesus Brhane Tesfahunegn ◽  
Teklebirhan Arefaine Gebru
Keyword(s):  
Land Use ◽  
Soil Properties ◽  
Management Practices ◽  
Smallholder Farmers ◽  
Eragrostis Tef ◽  
Northern Ethiopia ◽  
Soil System ◽  
Land Use Systems ◽  
Nutrient Stocks

AbstractThere are limited reports about the impacts of long-term irrigated and non-irrigated cropping and land-use systems (CLUS) on soil properties and nutrient stocks under smallholder farmers’ conditions in developing countries. The objective of this research was to examine variation in soil properties and OC and TN stocks across the different CLUS in Dura sub-catchment, northern Ethiopia. Surveys and discussions on field history were used to identify nine CLUS, namely, tef (Eragrostis tef (Zucc) Trot)) mono-cropping (TM), maize (Zea mays L.) mono-cropping (MM), cauliflower (Brassica oleracea var. botrytis)-maize intercropping (IC1), red beet (Beta Vulgaris)-maize intercropping (IC2), cauliflower-tef-maize rotation (R1), onion (Allium cepa L.)-maize-onion rotation (R2), treated gully (TG), untreated gully (UTG), and natural forest system (NF). A total of 27 composite soil samples were collected randomly from the CLUS for laboratory analysis. Data were subjected to one-way analysis of variance and PCA. The lowest and highest bulk density was determined from NF (1.19 Mg m-3) and UTG (1.77 Mg m-3), respectively. Soil pH, EC and CEC varied significantly among the CLUS. The highest CEC (50.3 cmolc kg-1) was under TG followed by NF. The highest soil OC stock (113.6 Mg C ha-1) and TN stock (12.2 Mg C ha-1) were found from NF. The PCA chosen soil properties explained 87% of the soil quality variability among the CLUS. Such soil properties and nutrient stocks variability among the CLUS suggested that introduction of suitable management practices are crucial for sustaining the soil system of the other CLUS.

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