scholarly journals Climate-Smart Adaptations and Government Extension Partnerships for Sustainable Milpa Farming Systems in Mayan Communities of Southern Belize

2021 ◽  
Vol 13 (6) ◽  
pp. 3040
Author(s):  
Kristin Drexler
Keyword(s):  
Climate Change ◽  
Crop Production ◽  
Soil Nutrient ◽  
Farming Systems ◽  
Farming System ◽  
Livelihood Security ◽  
Farming Communities ◽  
Smart Agriculture ◽  
System Sustainability ◽  
Milpa Farming

There are disproportionate adverse impacts related to climate change on rural subsistence farmers in southern Belize, Central America who depend directly on natural resources for their food and livelihood security. Promoting a more resilient farming system with key climate-smart agriculture (CSA) adaptations can improve productivity, sustainability, and food security for Mayan milpa farming communities. Once a sustainable system, the milpa has become less reliable in the last half century due to hydroclimatic changes (i.e., droughts, flooding, hurricanes), forest loss, soil degradation, and other factors. Using interviews with both milpa farmers and Extension officers in southern Belize. This qualitative study finds several socio-ecological system linkages of environmental, economic, socio-cultural, and adaptive technology factors, which influence the capacity for increasing CSA practices. Agriculture Extension, a government service of Belize, can facilitate effective CSA adaptations, specifically, an increase in mulching, soil nutrient enrichment, and soil cover, while working as partners within Maya farming traditions. These CSA practices can facilitate more equitable increases in crop production, milpa farm system sustainability, and resilience to climate change. However, there are several institutional and operational barriers in Extension which challenge their efficacy. Recommendations are presented in this study to reduce Extension barriers and promote an increase in CSA practices to positively influence food and livelihood security for milpa communities in southern Belize.

Micro and Macro-level Analysis of Crop Diversification: Evidence from an Agrarian State West Bengal

2020 ◽  
pp. 489-499
Keyword(s):  
Crop Production ◽  
West Bengal ◽  
Farming Systems ◽  
Field Studies ◽  
Farming System ◽  
Structure Questionnaire ◽  
Crop Diversification ◽  
The Status ◽  
Block Level ◽  
Diversified Farming Systems

The farming system in West Bengal is being shifted by integration between the set of cash crops and the main food harvest process. This change in diversified farming systems, where smallholders have a production base in rice can complement production; affect technical efficiency and farm performance. The goal of this study was to investigate the status of crop diversification on smallholders in West Bengal. First, crop diversification regions were developed in West Bengal based on the Herfindahl index, which were categorized into three regions. Three sample districts were studied separately at the block level, and 915 small farmers from 41 sample villages of 9 sample blocks were interviewed through a good structure questionnaire for field studies from the sample districts. West Bengal was gradually moving towards multiple crop production. Furthermore, increasing rice production reduced the marginal use of inputs for the production of other crops. Farming and other vital factors such as HYVs area to GCA, average holding size and per capita income in some districts of West Bengal can be identified as determinants of crop diversification.

scholarly journals Community seed network in an era of climate change: dynamics of maize diversity in Yucatán, Mexico

2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
Marianna Fenzi ◽  
Paul Rogé ◽  
Angel Cruz-Estrada ◽  
John Tuxill ◽  
Devra Jarvis
Keyword(s):  
Climate Change ◽  
Crop Production ◽  
Management Strategies ◽  
Farming Systems ◽  
Seed Systems ◽  
Farming Community ◽  
Climate Resilience ◽  
Maize Diversity ◽  
Climatic Period ◽  
Small Holder Farmers

AbstractLocal seed systems remain the fundamental source of seeds for many crops in developing countries. Climate resilience for small holder farmers continues to depend largely on locally available seeds of traditional crop varieties. High rainfall events can have as significant an impact on crop production as increased temperatures and drought. This article analyzes the dynamics of maize diversity over 3 years in a farming community of Yucatán state, Mexico, where elevated levels of precipitation forced farmers in 2012 to reduce maize diversity in their plots. We study how farmers maintained their agroecosystem resilience through seed networks, examining the drivers influencing maize diversity and seed provisioning in the year preceding and following the 2012 climatic disturbance (2011–2013). We found that, under these challenging circumstances, farmers focused their efforts on their most reliable landraces, disregarding hybrids. We show that farmers were able to recover and restore the diversity usually cultivated in the community in the year following the critical climate event. The maize dynamic assessed in this study demonstrates the importance of community level conservation of crop diversity. Understanding farmer management strategies of agrobiodiversity, especially during a challenging climatic period, is necessary to promote a more tailored response to climate change in traditional farming systems.

Developing the role of perennial forages for crop–livestock farms: a strategic multi-disciplinary approach

2014 ◽  
Vol 65 (10) ◽  
pp. 945 ◽  
Author(s):  
Rick S. Llewellyn ◽  
Michael J. Robertson ◽  
Richard C. Hayes ◽  
David Ferris ◽  
Katrien Descheemaeker ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Crop Production ◽  
Farming Systems ◽  
Farming System ◽  
Perennial Grasses ◽  
Research Approach ◽  
Perennial Species ◽  
Functional Roles ◽  
Farmer Participatory Research ◽  
Systems Research ◽  
Livestock Farms

Developing new and improved grazing systems for crop–livestock farms where crop production is the major driver of farm management decisions presents a unique research and development challenge. In southern Australia, a substantial proportion of animal production from grazing comes from regions and farms where cropping is the major enterprise. In this paper, we describe a multi-disciplinary farming-systems research approach (EverCrop) aimed at improving farm profitability, risk management and environmental impacts through the development and integration of new grazing options with an emphasis on perennial species. It has been used to analyse and target new opportunities for farmers to benefit from perennial species across dry Mediterranean-type and temperate regions of southern Australia. It integrates field experimentation, on-farm trialling, farmer participatory research, soil–plant–climate biophysical modelling, whole-farm bioeconomic analysis and evaluations of adoptability. Multi-functional roles for summer-active grasses with winter cropping, integration of forage shrubs and establishment of new mixes of perennial grasses in crop rotations to improve farming system performance are identified, along with an analysis of factors likely to affect rate of uptake by farmers.

Determining factors for the application of climate change adaptation strategies among farmers in Magwe District, dry zone region of Myanmar

2017 ◽  
Vol 9 (1) ◽  
pp. 36-55 ◽  
Author(s):  
Aung Tun Oo ◽  
Guido Van Huylenbroeck ◽  
Stijn Speelman
Keyword(s):  
Climate Change ◽  
Climate Change Adaptation ◽  
Crop Production ◽  
Multinomial Logistic Regression ◽  
Farming Systems ◽  
Adaptation Strategies ◽  
Agricultural Crop ◽  
Content Type ◽  
Dry Zone ◽  
Climate Change Adaptation Strategies

Purpose Climate change negatively affects agricultural crop production in the dry zone region of Myanmar. This paper aims to examine climate change adaptation strategies of farmers in the dry zone region. Farmers’ choice for adaptation strategies is influenced by many factors such as the practical availability and by socioeconomic conditions of the farmers. They are moreover influenced by the perception about climate change and by the specific problems prevailing in the farming systems. Design/methodology/approach This research is carried out in Magwe district in the dry zone region of Myanmar using a random selection of 212 farmers from three Townships (Magwe, Yenanchaung and Chauk). A multinomial logistic regression (MLR) was applied to assess the factors affecting the choice by farmers for adaptation strategies. Findings The study found that in the past, farmers used to apply locally available indigenous climate change adaptation strategies. However, recently, most farmers seem to have shifted to introduced adaptation strategies. The most popular adaptation strategy is to adjust the planting dates and sowing method (56.1 per cent). Furthermore, farmers identified a number of barriers that limit the adoption of adaptation methods. Risk is found to be an important driver of crop diversification. Finally, the MLR model showed that information from radio, access to seeds and extension services affect the choice of adaptation strategies. Originality/value The study shows that adoption of locally available indigenous climate change adaptation methods is gradually decreasing, and there is a shift to introduced adaptation strategies. The study can assist public and private organizations to obtain insight in the determinants of climate change adaptation in the dry zone region of Myanmar.

scholarly journals Case for Climate Smart Agriculture in Addressing the Threat of Climate Change

2021 ◽  
pp. 131-145
Author(s):  
John Saviour Yaw Eleblu ◽  
Eugene Tenkorang Darko ◽  
Eric Yirenkyi Danquah
Keyword(s):  
Climate Change ◽  
Crop Production ◽  
Change Scenario ◽  
Climate Change Scenarios ◽  
Food Crop ◽  
Adverse Conditions ◽  
Climate Change And Variability ◽  
Food Crop Production ◽  
Smart Agriculture ◽  
Available Information

AbstractClimate smart agriculture (CSA) embodies a blend of innovations, practices, systems, and investment programmes that are used to mitigate against the adverse effects of climate change and variability on agriculture for sustained food production. Food crop production under various climate change scenarios requires the use of improved technologies that are called climate smart agriculture to ensure increased productivity under adverse conditions of increased global temperatures, frequent and more intense storms, floods and drought stresses. This chapter summarizes available information on climate change and climate smart agriculture technologies. It is important to evaluate each climate change scenario and provide technologies that farmers, research scientists, and policy drivers can use to create the desired climate smart agriculture given the array of tools and resources available.

scholarly journals Pertanian Organik sebagai Salah Satu Konsep Pertanian Berkelanjutan

2020 ◽  
Vol 5 (2) ◽  
pp. 127-132
Author(s):  
Yuriansyah Yuriansyah ◽  
Dulbari Dulbari ◽  
Hery Sutrisno ◽  
Arief Maksum
Keyword(s):  
Organic Farming ◽  
Organic Agriculture ◽  
Environmental Sustainability ◽  
Crop Production ◽  
Farming Systems ◽  
Farming System ◽  
Agricultural System ◽  
Study Program ◽  
Alternative Farming ◽  
Organic Farming System

Excessive use of inorganic chemicals results in adverse impacts on land and plants. In the midst of the community, there is anxiety about the high content of pesticide residues in agricultural products. There is a need to develop alternative farming systems that are able to produce quantities and quality of healthy products in a sustainable manner. One agricultural system that supports the concept is the organic farming system. The basic principles of organic farming are: (1) Keeping the ecosystem healthy, (2) Applying the principle of efficiency to the cultivation system, (3) Conducting production activities with the concept of sustainable agriculture, (4) Producing pesticide-free products, and (6) Maintaining environmental sustainability. Food Crop Production Study Program Lampung State Polytechnic makes Organic Agriculture as one of the leading competencies for its graduates. The establishment of the Organic Agriculture Business Unit on campus will increase student competencies, foster entrepreneurship, be a place for competency internships, and as an independent source of income.

scholarly journals COMPARATIVE ANALYSIS OF LIVELIHOOD SECURITY OF THE FARMERS PRACTICING DIFFERENT FARMING SYSTEMS IN MANDYA DISTRICT OF KARNATAKA

2021 ◽  
Vol 21 (no 1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Shwetha N.V ◽  
Sharad Sachan ◽  
Y. N. Shivalingaiah
Keyword(s):  
Comparative Analysis ◽  
Farming Systems ◽  
Farming System ◽  
Dairy Farming ◽  
Average Level ◽  
Chi Square ◽  
Livelihood Security ◽  
Cent Level ◽  
Extension Professionals ◽  
Level Of Significance

The survey was conducted during 2018-19 in Mandya district of Karnataka to analyse the livelihood security of the farmers practicing divergent farming systems. From Mandya district two taluks were considered i.e., K.R.Pete and Pandavapura. Major farming systems in each taluk were identified after thorough discussion with extension professionals of line departments and interaction with farmers and two predominant farming systems were selected from each taluk i.e., ‘paddy+dairy’ and ‘paddy+dairy+horticulture’ farming systems from K.R.Pete taluk and ‘sugrcane+dairy’ and ‘sugarcane+dairy+horticulture’ farming systems from Pandavapura taluk. For each farming system 30 respondents were selected, hence the total respondents selected was 120. A comprehensive scale was developed to measure livelihood security of the respondents adopting divergent farming systems. The study revealed that, under ‘paddy+dairy’ farming system, more than half (66.66 %) of the farmers fall under poor level of livelihood security. In ‘paddy+dairy+horticulture’ farming system more than two fifth (43.33 %) of the respondents fall under average extent of livelihood security. In case of ‘sugarcane+dairy’ farming system, 40.00 %) of the respondents fall under to poor extent of livelihood security. In case of ‘sugarcane+dairy+horticulture’ farming system, more than half (53.33 %) of the farmers belonged to average level of livelihood security. Furthermore, the results also showed that, there is a symbolic difference between livelihood security of farmers practicing ‘paddy+dairy’ and ‘paddy+dairy+horticulture’ farming systems at 1 per cent level of consequence. The U (6.00) value indicated that, there is a symbolic difference between livelihood security of farmers practicing ‘sugarcane+dairy’ and ‘sugarcane+dairy+horticulture’ at 1 per cent level of significance. The Chi-square value (24.40) indicates there is a symbolic difference between livelihood security of the farmers practicing ‘paddy + dairy’, ‘pa

Development of climate smart agriculture in Africa.

2022 ◽  
pp. 17-65
Author(s):  
Rachid Mrabet ◽  
Rachid Moussadek
Keyword(s):  
Climate Change ◽  
Gender Equity ◽  
Value Chain ◽  
Food System ◽  
Farming Systems ◽  
Policy Formulation ◽  
The Sustainable Development ◽  
Challenges And Opportunities ◽  
Agricultural Potential ◽  
Smart Agriculture

Abstract Climate change, food system complexity and changing international demands are creating new realities, challenges and opportunities. In this respect, unlocking Africa's agricultural potential is both a vital and a daunting aspiration to achieve commitments to the climate and development of the visionary and optimistic framework of Agenda 2063. In response to these challenges and drivers, climate smart agriculture (CSA) was promoted by governments and international organizations to functionally contribute to reducing vulnerability and increasing adaptation to climate change while ensuring sustainable progress in living standards, value chains and mitigation capacities of farming systems. Remarkable benefits in terms of increased productivity and performances of farming systems, enhanced farmers' resilience, environment and value chain sustainability, and developments of CSA in Africa and lock-in barriers exclusion are under way. These are because of investment in policy formulation and planning, approaches, alliances, incentives, capacity development, research, knowledge sharing, networking and engagement in bold regional and local initiatives. Side benefits from CSA are numerous for Africans in general and for producers and growers in particular. They include poverty alleviation through green growth, just and ethical transformation, gender equity and empowerment, shared prosperity and entrepreneurship via innovation. Overall, investing in CSA and particularly in Conservation Agriculture may greatly enhance a country's strategic thinking and capacity to meet the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs).

Climate change and shifting land-use: consequences for smallholder agroforestry systems and rural livelihoods in the southwest Ethiopian Highlands.

2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
Olef Koch ◽  
Pierre L. Ibisch ◽  
Ralf Bloch
Keyword(s):  
Climate Change ◽  
Land Use ◽  
Land Use Changes ◽  
Rural Livelihoods ◽  
Farming Systems ◽  
Farming System ◽  
Agroforestry Systems ◽  
Crop Failure ◽  
Climate Resilience ◽  
Cereal Fields

Abstract Applying a Regional Integrated Vulnerability Assessment (RIVAS), this study aims to identify local farming system characteristics, their climate change vulnerability and how they are affected by current land use changes. Results show that the assessed farming systems' multifunctionality is essential to rural livelihoods whilst sustaining crop and tree diversity. While dry season crop diversity drives household's sufficiency and capacity to respond to crop failure, medium-low productivity in more than a third of the assessed systems, and soil degradation in cereal fields lessen adaptive capacity. For their contribution to climate resilience diverse and perennial cropping regimes should be promoted and maintained.

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