scholarly journals The Effect of Fertilizer Subsidies on Investment in Soil and Water Conservation and Productivity among Ghanaian Farmers Using Mechanized Irrigation

2021 ◽  
Vol 13 (15) ◽  
pp. 8242
Author(s):  
Godwin Kofi Vondolia ◽  
Håkan Eggert ◽  
Jesper Stage
Keyword(s):  
Water Conservation ◽  
Soil And Water Conservation ◽  
African Countries ◽  
Subsidy Program ◽  
Fertilizer Subsidies ◽  
Sub Saharan ◽  
Complementary Inputs ◽  
The Impact ◽  
Soil And Water ◽  
Subsidy Programs

The fertilizer subsidies reintroduced in various sub-Saharan African countries from 2007 aim to increase agricultural production and assist in the development of fertilizer markets. The present study evaluates the impact of a fertilizer subsidy program among farmers in Ghana who employ highly mechanized irrigation systems. The results indicate that farmers who received fertilizer under the subsidy program used 45% more fertilizer. However, they did not use more weedicide and were likely to reduce investment in soil and water conservation. Thus, the income gains resulting from the subsidy programs were not invested in such non-targeted inputs. Moreover, the program beneficiaries’ reduced investment in soil and water conservation may explain the finding that the subsidy did not improve their productivity. Thus, since fertilizer subsidy programs alone may not improve productivity, it may be necessary to target spending explicitly on complementary inputs such as investing in soil and water conservation.

scholarly journals Effectiveness of Community-Based Soil and Water Conservation in Improving Soil Property in Damota Area, Southern Ethiopia

2021 ◽  
Vol 2021 ◽  
pp. 1-11
Author(s):  
Mamush Masha ◽  
Teshome Yirgu ◽  
Mulugeta Debele ◽  
Mengie Belayneh
Keyword(s):  
Soil Fertility ◽  
Water Conservation ◽  
Agricultural Land ◽  
Agricultural Landscapes ◽  
Soil And Water Conservation ◽  
Southern Ethiopia ◽  
Conservation Practices ◽  
Community Based ◽  
The Impact ◽  
Soil And Water

Soil and water conservation (SWC) is being advocated as an integral part of agricultural land management as it not only controls/minimizes soil erosion but also restores/rehabilitates the degraded lands. The purpose of this study was to evaluate the impact of soil and water conservation practices in improving soil fertility in the agricultural landscapes of the Damota area, southern Ethiopia. Forty-eight soil samples (both disturbed and core samples) were collected from the conserved and adjacent nonconserved plots. The significance analysis test was performed using analysis of variance. The result of the study showed that higher mean values of soil physicochemical properties were observed in the conserved plot than its nonconserved counterpart. The mean differences of organic carbon, total nitrogen, cation exchange capacity, and exchangeable K+ and Ca2+ between conserved and nonconserved plots were statistically significant at the P < 0.01 level. Besides, available phosphorous and bulk density were significant at P < 0.05 , but the effect of SWC practices was not found significant on soil texture, soil pH, and exchangeable Na+ and Mg2+ content of the soil in the Damota area. Community-based soil and water conservation practices have improved the soil fertility in agricultural landscapes, although significant results have been observed in some fertility indicators. Therefore, strengthening the implementation of conservation measures by participating in all stakeholders is recommended. Supporting physical structures by agronomic and vegetative measures and continued maintenance can bring better results.

scholarly journals Quantifying the Impacts of Climate Change, Coal Mining and Soil and Water Conservation on Streamflow in a Coal Mining Concentrated Watershed on the Loess Plateau, China

Water ◽  
2019 ◽  
Vol 11 (5) ◽  
pp. 1054 ◽  
Author(s):  
Qiaoling Guo ◽  
Yaoyao Han ◽  
Yunsong Yang ◽  
Guobin Fu ◽  
Jianlin Li
Keyword(s):  
Climate Change ◽  
Coal Mining ◽  
Loess Plateau ◽  
Water Conservation ◽  
Soil And Water Conservation ◽  
The Loess Plateau ◽  
Annual Streamflow ◽  
Significant Downward Trend ◽  
The Impact ◽  
Soil And Water

The streamflow has declined significantly in the coal mining concentrated watershed of the Loess Plateau, China, since the 1970s. Quantifying the impact of climate change, coal mining and soil and water conservation (SWC), which are mainly human activities, on streamflow is essential not only for understanding the mechanism of hydrological response, but also for water resource management in the catchment. In this study, the trend of annual streamflow series by Mann-Kendall test has been analyzed, and years showing abrupt changes have been detected using the cumulative anomaly curves and Pettitt test. The contribution of climate change, coal mining and SWC on streamflow has been separated with the monthly water-balance model (MWBM) and field investigation. The results showed: (1) The streamflow had an statistically significant downward trend during 1955–2013; (2) The two break points were in 1979 and 1996; (3) Relative to the baseline period, i.e., 1955–1978, the mean annual streamflow reduction in 1979–1996 was mainly affected by climate change, which was responsible for a decreased annual streamflow of 12.70 mm, for 70.95%, while coal mining and SWC resulted in a runoff reduction of 2.15 mm, 12.01% and 3.05mm, 17.04%, respectively; (4) In a recent period, i.e., 1997–2013, the impact of coal mining on streamflow reduction was dominant, reaching 29.88 mm, 54.24%. At the same time, the declining mean annual streamflow induced through climate change and SWC were 13.01 mm, 23.62% and 12.20 mm, 22.14%, respectively.

Economics of Farm Input Subsidies in Africa

2019 ◽  
Vol 11 (1) ◽  
pp. 501-522 ◽  
Author(s):  
Stein T. Holden
Keyword(s):  
Sub Saharan Africa ◽  
Agricultural Policies ◽  
Exit Strategy ◽  
African Countries ◽  
Design And Implementation ◽  
Subsidy Program ◽  
Sub Saharan ◽  
Negative Impacts ◽  
The 1960S ◽  
Subsidy Programs

Fertilizer and other input subsidies have been prominent components of agricultural policies in many Asian and African countries since the 1960s. Their economic and political rationale is scrutinized with emphasis on the second generation of targeted input subsidy programs that were scaled up in Sub-Saharan Africa after 2005. The extent to which they fulfill the goal of being market smart is assessed after inspecting the potential for such subsidies in Sub-Saharan Africa. The new fertilizer subsidy programs do not live up to the market-smart principles and suffer from severe design and implementation failures. While a clear exit strategy was one of the key principles, this has been neglected, with the result that most current programs are more sticky than smart. They have only partially achieved the intended impacts and have resulted in a number of unintended negative impacts. Subsidy program redesign should start from a pilot stage testing basic mechanisms.

scholarly journals The effects of farmers’ adoption behavior of soil and water conservation measures on agricultural output

2020 ◽  
Vol 12 (5) ◽  
pp. 599-615
Author(s):  
Xiaohui Huang ◽  
Qian Lu ◽  
Fei Yang
Keyword(s):  
Soil Erosion ◽  
Water Conservation ◽  
Negative Impact ◽  
Positive Impact ◽  
Soil And Water Conservation ◽  
Agricultural Output ◽  
Content Type ◽  
Conservation Measures ◽  
The Impact ◽  
Soil And Water

Purpose This paper aims to build a theoretical model of the impact of farmers’ adoption behavior of soil and water conservation measures on the agricultural output to analyze the impact of farmers’ adoption behavior of soil and water conservation measures on agricultural output. Design/methodology/approach Based on the field survey data of 808 farmers households in three provinces (regions) of the Loess Plateau, this paper using the endogenous switching regression model to analyze the effect of farmers’ adoption behavior of soil and water conservation measures on agricultural output. Findings Soil erosion has a significant negative impact on agricultural output, and soil erosion has a significant positive impact on farmers’ adoption of soil and water conservation measures. Farmers adopt soil and water conservation measures such as engineering measures, biological measures and tillage measures to cope with soil erosion, which can increase agricultural output. Based on the counterfactual hypothesis, if farmers who adopt soil and water conservation measures do not adopt the corresponding soil and water conservation measures, their average output per ha output will decrease by 2.01%. Then, if farmers who do not adopt soil and water conservation measures adopt the corresponding soil and water conservation measures, their average output per ha output will increase by 12.12%. Government support and cultivated land area have a significant positive impact on farmers’ adoption behavior of soil and water conservation measures. Research limitations/implications The research limitation is the lack of panel data. Practical implications Soil erosion has a significant negative impact on agricultural output, and soil erosion has a significant positive impact on farmers’ adoption of soil and water conservation measures. Farmers adopt soil and water conservation measures such as engineering measures, biological measures and tillage measures to cope with soil erosion, which can increase agricultural output. Social implications The conclusion provides a reliable empirical basis for the government to formulate and implement relevant policies. Originality/value The contributions of this paper are as follows: the adoption behavior of soil and water conservation measures and agricultural output are included into the same analytical framework for empirical analysis, revealing the influencing factors of farmers’ adoption behavior of soil and water conservation measures and their output effects, enriching existing research. Using endogenous switching regression model and introducing instrumental variables to overcome the endogenous problem between the adoption behavior of soil and water conservation measures and agricultural output, and to analyze the influencing factors of farmers’ adoption behavior of soil and water conservation measures and its impact on agricultural output. Using the counter-factual idea to ensure that the two matched individuals have the same or similar attributes, to evaluate the average treatment effect of the behavior of soil and water conservation measures, to estimate the real impact of adaptation measures on agricultural output as accurately as possible and to avoid misleading policy recommendations.

scholarly journals Does aging and off-farm employment hinder farmers’ adoption behavior of soil and water conservation technology in the Loess Plateau?

2020 ◽  
Vol 12 (1) ◽  
pp. 92-107
Author(s):  
Xiaohui Huang ◽  
Qian Lu ◽  
Lili Wang ◽  
Maosen Cui ◽  
Fei Yang
Keyword(s):  
Social Network ◽  
Water Conservation ◽  
Soil And Water Conservation ◽  
Mediating Effect ◽  
Content Type ◽  
Conservation Technology ◽  
Relationship Of ◽  
The Impact ◽  
The Relationship ◽  
Soil And Water

Purpose Based on the survey data of 1,152 households in three provinces of Shaanxi, Gansu and Ningxia on the Loess Plateau, this paper aims to empirically analyze the impact of aging and off-farm employment on farmers’ adoption behavior of soil and water conservation technology. This paper analyzes the moderating effect of social network and the mediating effect of technological cognition in this impact relationship. Design/methodology/approach Based on the above analysis, the second part of this paper is based on relevant theories and constructs a theoretical model of the relationship of aging, off-farm employment, social network, technology cognition and farmers’ adoption behavior of soil and water conservation technology. The third part introduces research methods, variable selection and descriptive statistics analysis of variables. The fourth part, based on the data of Shaanxi, Gansu and Ningxia provinces in the Loess Plateau in 2016, empirically analyzes the impact of aging, off-farm employment and social network on the farmers’ adoption behavior of soil and water conservation technology. This paper further examines the moderating effect of social network and the mediating effect of technology cognition in this influence relationship. Finally, based on the findings of the empirical study, this paper puts forward countermeasures and suggestions. Findings First, aging and off-farm employment have a significant negative impact on farmers’ adoption behavior of soil and water conservation technology, while social network has a significant positive effect. Second, social network has alleviated the effect of aging and off-farm employment on restraining farmers’ adoption behavior of soil and water conservation technology. Third, aging and off-farm employment have restrained farmers’ cognition of soil and water conservation technology. Social network has promoted farmers’ cognition of soil and water conservation technology. Social network plays a moderating role in the impact of aging and off-farm employment on farmers’ cognition of soil and water conservation technology. Technology cognition plays a mediating role in the impact of social network on farmers’ adoption behavior of soil and water conservation technology. Originality/value This paper integrates the aging, off-farm employment and social network into the same analytical framework and reveals their impact on farmers’ adoption behavior of soil and water conservation technology and its action mechanism, which enriches the impact of human capital and social network on farmers’ adoption behavior of soil and water conservation technology. Then taking the social network as a moderator variable, the paper verifies its moderating effect on the relationship of aging, off-farm employment and farmers’ adoption behavior of soil and water conservation technology. Farmers’ technology cognition should be included in the analysis framework to examine the impact of aging, off-farm employment and social network on farmers’ cognition of soil and water conservation technology. Taking the technology cognition as a mediator variable, the paper verifies its mediating effect on the relationship of aging, off-farm employment and farmers’ adoption behavior of soil and water conservation technology.

scholarly journals Economic Performance of Soil and Water Conservation Practicesin Burkina Faso

2019 ◽  
Vol 4 (1) ◽  
pp. p38 ◽  
Author(s):  
Coulibaly Z. C. T. Stephen ◽  
Noufe Tiatite ◽  
Pale Siebou ◽  
Yonli Djibril ◽  
Prasad P. V. Vara ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Burkina Faso ◽  
Technical Efficiency ◽  
Economic Performance ◽  
Water Conservation ◽  
Agricultural Production ◽  
Stochastic Frontier Analysis ◽  
Soil And Water Conservation ◽  
African Countries ◽  
Frontier Analysis ◽  
Soil And Water

The continuous degradation of agroecosystems is a major concern for Sub-Saharan African countries, particularly Burkina Faso. To fight against this problem, various research projects and programs have implemented Soil and Water Conservation practices (SWC) in Northern Burkina Faso. The objective of this study was to assess the economic performance of stone rows, grass strips, zaï, filtering dikes, half-moons and agroforestry on agricultural production in this part of Burkina Faso. Stochastic Frontier Analysis was used to estimate SWC’s technical efficiency. Results indicated that the cost for SWC construction did not influence white sorghum and pearl millet yield. However, an increase of 1% in the investment for SWC implementation results in a 0.42% increase in groundnut yield and 0.19% in cowpea yield. Although, the half-moon technique had a positive effect on the farmer’s technical efficiency, the effects of stone rows, filtering dikes, zaï and grass strips were not significant. Given the tremendous efforts that farmers develop to implement these anti-erosion practices, one recommendation is that policy makers strengthen the technical, financial and equipment supports to farmers for efficient implementation of SWC techniques to ensure sustainability of agricultural production systems in Northern Burkina Faso.

scholarly journals Perencanaan Usaha Tani Lahan Kering Berkelanjutan Berbasis Tembakaudi Sub-DAS Progo Hulu (Kabupaten Temanggung, Provinsi Jawa Tengah)

2016 ◽  
Vol 6 (1) ◽  
pp. 32
Author(s):  
Jaka Suyana
Keyword(s):  
Water Conservation ◽  
Crop Residue ◽  
Field Experiments ◽  
Farming Systems ◽  
Soil And Water Conservation ◽  
Living Standard ◽  
Survey Method ◽  
Red Bean ◽  
The Impact ◽  
Soil And Water

<p>Akibat dari teknik budi daya yang kurang mengindahkan kaidah konservasi tanah dan air, pada kemiringan berbukit dan curam, serta curah hujan yang tinggi pada usaha tani lahan kering berbasis tembakau di Sub-DAS Progo Hulu telah menyebabkan terjadinya erosi yang parah dan degradasi lahan. Penelitian ini bertuju-an: (1) mengkaji kondisi biofisik lahan dan karakteristik usaha tani lahan kering berbasis tembakau di Sub-DAS Progo hulu; (2) mengkaji pengaruh teknologi konservasi tanah dan air (KTA) spesifik lokasi terhadap limpasan permukaan dan erosi; dan (3) merumuskan perencanaan sistem pertanian konservasi untuk mewu-judkan sistem usaha tani lahan kering berkelanjutan berbasis tembakau di Sub-DAS Progo Hulu. Penelitian dilakukan menggunakan metode survei, percobaan lapangan, dan analisis di laboratorium. Data karakteristik lahan, karakteristik usaha tani, serta data limpasan permukaan dan erosi dianalisis secara deskriptif dan dilan-jutkan dengan analisis ragam (uji F) dan uji HSD 5%. Selanjutnya pengembangan rekomendasi agroteknolo-gi diformulasikan melalui teknik simulasi dengan program Powersim Versi 2.5d. Hasil penelitian menunjukan bahwa penggunaan lahan pada usaha tani lahan kering berbasis tembakau di Sub-DAS Progo Hulu pada umumnya (58,4%) sesuai dengan kelas kemampuan lahan dan sisanya 41,6% tidak sesuai dengan kelas ke-mampuan lahan. Terdapat 77,2% lahan memiliki nilai prediksi erosi lebih besar dari nilai erosi yang dapat di-toleransikan (ETol) dan perlu penyempurnaan dalam teknologi KTA. Usaha tani lahan kering berbasis usaha tani tembakau di Sub-DAS Progo Hulu didominasi pola tanam jagung-tembakau (51,0%) dan cabai-temba-au (29,2%), dengan pendapatan usaha tani masih di atas nilai kebutuhan hidup layak (KHL). Perlakuan pem-berian mulsa batang tembakau dikombinasikan rumput penguat teras (<em>Setaria spacelata</em>) dapat menekan erosi 15–19% pada dosis 7 ton/ha dan 31–43% pada dosis 14 ton/ha batang tembakau, sedangkan tumpang sari koro merah dengan tembakau dikombinasikan penggunaan mulsa batang tembakau 7 ton/ha dapat menekan erosi 13–20%. Pengembangan usaha tani lahan kering berkelanjutan berbasis tembakau di Sub-DAS Progo Hulu dapat diwujudkan dengan penyempurnaan teknologi KTA yang meliputi: (a) perlakuan rumput setaria sebagai penguat teras + mulsa batang tembakau 7 ton/ha atau perlakuan tumpang sari koro merah dengan tembakau + mulsa batang tembakau 7 ton/ha pada kemiringan lereng 8–15%; (b) teras miring + perlakuan rorak pada kemiringan lereng 15–30%; dan (c) perlakuan rumput setaria sebagai penguat teras miring + mulsa batang tembakau 14 ton/ha + rorak pada kemiringan lereng &gt;30%.</p><p> </p>Due to inadequate soil and water conservation practices in farming activity at tobacco based farming sys-tems, severe erosion and land degradation had been occuring in almost all upland agriculture in Progo Hulu Sub-watershed. This research was conducted: (1) to study land’s biophysic conditions and the characteris-tics of tobacco based farming systems, (2) to study and analyze the impact of various soil and water conser-vation practices on erosion, (3) to study and design sustainable conservation farming systems in tobacco based farming systems. This research by using a survey method, field experiments, and laboratory analysis.<p>Data characteristics of land, farm characteristics, surface run off and erosion by using descriptive analyzed and followed by analysis of variance (F test) and 5% HSD test. The development of agrotechnology recom-mendations formulated by simulation techniques using program Powersim Version 2.5 d. The results showed that land use in tobacco-based farming systems at Progo-Hulu sub-watershed was generally (58.4%) suitable to its land capability and 41.6% were not suitable. The predicted erosion on approximately 77.2% of lands were higher than local tollerable soil loss which need improvement of soil and water conservation techniques. Tobacco based farming systems was dominated by maize-tobacco (51.0%) and chili-tobacco (29.2%) cropping patterns; farmers income on this farming systems were higher than the income that can support worthed life living standard. The application of crop residue (tobacco stems) as mulch with rate of 7 tones/ha and 14 tones/ha combined with grassed bench terraces ((<em>Setaria spacelata</em>) reduced erosion as much as 15–19% and 31–43%, respectively. Meanwhile, red bean-tobacco intercropping combined with crop residue mulch of 7 tones/ ha had suppressed erosion 13–20%. Sustainable tobacco-based farming systems could be developed in this area by practicing improved soil and water conservation technologies with: (a) setaria grass to strengthen terraces + 7 tones/ha of crop residue mulch or red bean and tobacco intercropping + 7 tones/ha of crop residue mulch on 8–15% slope; (b) broad base terraces + adequate slit pit on 15–30% slope; and (c) setaria grass to strengthen broadbase terraces + 14 ton/ha of crop residue mulch + adequate slit pit on &gt;30% slope.</p>

scholarly journals Does Adoption of Soil and Water Conservation Practice Enhance Productivity and Reduce Risk Exposure? Empirical Evidence from Semi-Arid Tropics (SAT), India

2020 ◽  
Vol 12 (17) ◽  
pp. 6965
Author(s):  
Suresh Kumar ◽  
Dharam Raj Singh ◽  
Alka Singh ◽  
Naveen Prakash Singh ◽  
Girish Kumar Jha
Keyword(s):  
Water Conservation ◽  
Probit Model ◽  
Downside Risk ◽  
Adaptation Strategy ◽  
Soil And Water Conservation ◽  
Risk Exposure ◽  
Crop Failure ◽  
The Impact ◽  
Semiarid Tropics ◽  
Soil And Water

This paper assessed the impact of soil and water conservation practices on farm productivity and risk exposure using data from 1204 plots in the semiarid tropics of India. A probit model was used to assess the determinants of adoption of soil bunds. We employed a moment-based approach for estimating crop revenue, its variability and downside risk exposure, i.e., crop failure. Furthermore, we also used a doubly robust method for assessing the impact of soil bunds on crop revenue, its variability and downside risk. Matching and propensity-based methods were also used to check robustness. The results show that training, access to credit and extension services are key determinants of adoption of soil bunds. Furthermore, the results also suggest that soil bunds not only improve the crop revenue but also reduce its variability. Most interestingly, we show that soil bunds also reduce the chances of downside risk, i.e., crop failure. Therefore, in view of increasing climate change and variability in the semiarid tropics, it can be suggested that soil bunds could be an important adaptation strategy for improving productivity and reducing risk exposure. This paper supports the investment in soil and water conservation technologies for sustaining the livelihood of resource-poor farmers of ecologically fragile regions such as the semiarid tropics.

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