scholarly journals Perception of Farmers on Conservation Agriculture for Climate Change Adaptation in Namibia

2018 ◽  
Vol 8 (3) ◽  
pp. 33 ◽  
Author(s):  
M. Taapopi ◽  
J. M. Kamwi ◽  
N. Siyambango
Keyword(s):  
Crop Production ◽  
Crop Residues ◽  
Agricultural Practices ◽  
Conservation Agriculture ◽  
Fertilizer Application ◽  
Field Size ◽  
Face To Face ◽  
Entry Points ◽  
Negative Impacts ◽  
Smart Agriculture

Traditional cultivation methods in Namibia are characterised by cultivating the same type of crops persistently on the same piece of land, using a disc or mouldboard plough with minimal to no fertilizer application. This study assessed the knowledge level of farmers' on conservation agriculture and the household factors,which influence farmers to take up conservation agriculture in the Omusati Region of Namibia. Both socioeconomic and biophysical data were collected through household face-to-face interviews from 40 households located in seven constituencies of the Omusati Region. The results showed that technological know-how, limited agricultural inputs and implements for conservation agriculture hindered the uptake of conservation agriculture. In addition, lack of crop residues for mulching purposes and little understanding of the importance of crop rotation were identified as barriers to practice conservation agriculture. Logistic regression analysis showed that age, gender, marital status, education level, crop field size and farming period did not significantly influence the adoption of conservation agriculture. The study indicates that there is a need to encourage the use of climate smart agriculture technologies such as conservation agriculture, which minimizes the negative impacts of dry spells in order to maximize crop production and increase farmers'  understanding on the principles of conservation agriculture. Thus, strategies and policies to reduce poverty need to consider local contexts, social norms and values. In this regard, engagement of local farmers and demonstration of the short and long-term benefits of conservation agricultural practices offer promising entry points.

scholarly journals Exploring the Major Climate-smart Agricultural Practices for Dry Season Crop Production in Salinity Affected Fallow Land in the Coastal Areas of Bangladesh

2021 ◽  
pp. 185-192
Author(s):  
Md. Abdul Awal
Keyword(s):  
Crop Production ◽  
Agricultural Practices ◽  
Conservation Agriculture ◽  
Safety Net ◽  
Coastal Areas ◽  
Dry Season ◽  
Fallow Land ◽  
Short Life Span ◽  
Crop Varieties ◽  
Study Results

The landmasses of the coastal areas of Bangladesh still remains under-utilized, thus cropping intensity is much less than the national average. Most areas remain fallow during dry (rabi) season from December to May due to presence of higher concentration of salts in soil and water, and scarcity of suitable irrigation water. Available adaptation options or technologies are not capable to solve these problems at all. Nevertheless, the areas receive a lot of water from monsoon rain, most of that rainwater is drain-out as surface runoff. The present study results suggest that the use of harvested rainwater and conservation agriculture either in combination or alone could mitigate the problem for bringing huge areas under crop cultivation. The public social safety net programmes such as cash-for-work, food-for-work etc. can be deployed for excavating or re-excavating the abandoned coastal ponds, ditches or canals for storing rainwater. Salt-, drought- and/or heat-tolerant crop varieties with short life span can also be cultivated to get the better results. Early plantation or growing crops with early-maturing varieties can ensure safer harvest in ahead of stress arrives. The avenues have immense potential as climate-smart practices for growing crops preferably non-rice crops during dry season in vast fallow land that will not only ensure food security for coastal people but could turn the entire southern Bangladesh as a food surplus zone. The findings refer the broad recommendation, therefore, specific research works based on the locations and resources available are necessary.

scholarly journals Farmers’ Adoption of Climate Smart Practices for Increased Productivity in Nigeria

2021 ◽  
pp. 495-508
Author(s):  
B. E. Fawole ◽  
S. A. Aderinoye-Abdulwahab
Keyword(s):  
Climate Change ◽  
Agricultural Development ◽  
Agricultural Practices ◽  
Conservation Agriculture ◽  
Agricultural Practice ◽  
Management Skills ◽  
Rural Farmers ◽  
The Face ◽  
Smart Agriculture ◽  
Agricultural Yield

AbstractIn a bid to reinforce the efforts of agricultural professionals within the domain of climate change studies and with particular emphasis on rural farmers in Nigeria, this chapter explores the mechanics for adoption of climate smart agricultural practices among rural farmers for an increased agricultural productivity. Climate-Smart Agriculture (CSA) is paramount to the success of farming activities today in the face of the menace of the impact of climate change. Climate Smart Agricultural Practice (CSAP) is one of the major keys that agricultural development approaches aimed at; to sustainably increase productivity and resilience, while also reducing the effects; as well as removing emissions of greenhouse gases. It is pertinent to note that most of the CSAPs adopted by the rural farmers in this study are conservation agriculture, use of organic manure, crop diversification, use of wetland (Fadama), planting of drought tolerant crops, relocation from climate risk zones, prayers for God’s intervention, and improvement on farmers’ management skills. This study divulged and showcased the import of CSAP in boosting agricultural yield and also highlights the bottlenecks inhibiting agricultural farming practices such as lack of practical understanding of the approach, inadequate data and information, lack of suitable tools at local and national levels, supportive and enabling policy frameworks, and socioeconomic constraints at the farm level. The study concluded by recommending an aggressive awareness and mobilization campaign to boost the adoption of CSAPs in Nigeria.

scholarly journals Assessment of Fertilizer Management Strategies Aiming to Increase Nitrogen Use Efficiency of Wheat Grown Under Conservation Agriculture

Agronomy ◽  
2018 ◽  
Vol 8 (12) ◽  
pp. 304 ◽  
Author(s):  
Jesús Santillano-Cázares ◽  
Fidel Núñez-Ramírez ◽  
Cristina Ruíz-Alvarado ◽  
María Cárdenas-Castañeda ◽  
Iván Ortiz-Monasterio
Keyword(s):  
Nitrogen Use Efficiency ◽  
Crop Production ◽  
Management Practices ◽  
Production Systems ◽  
Conservation Agriculture ◽  
Fertilizer Application ◽  
Nitrogen Use ◽  
Agronomic Efficiency ◽  
Use Efficiency ◽  
N Management

Sustainable crop production systems can be attained by using inputs efficiently and nitrogen use efficiency (NUE) parameters are indirect measurements of sustainability of production systems. The objective of this study was to investigate the effect of selected nitrogen (N) management treatments on wheat yields, grain and straw N concentration, and NUE parameters, under conservation agriculture (CA). The present study was conducted at the International Maize and Wheat Improvement Center (CIMMYT), in northwest, Mexico. Seventeen treatments were tested which included urea sources, timing, and methods of fertilizer application. Orthogonal contrasts were used to compare groups of treatments and correlation and regression analyses were used to look at the relationships between wheat yields and NUE parameters. Contrasts run to compare wheat yields or agronomic efficiency of N (AEN) performed similarly. Sources of urea or timing of fertilizer application had a significant effect on yields or AEN (p > 0.050). However, methods of application resulted in a highly significant (p < 0.0001) difference on wheat yields and agronomic efficiency of N. NUE parameters recorded in this study were average but the productivity associated to NUE levels was high. Results in this study indicate that wheat grew under non-critically limiting N supply levels, suggesting that N mineralization and reduced N losses from the soil under CA contributed to this favorable nutritional condition, thus minimizing the importance of N management practices under stable, mature CA systems.

scholarly journals Significant soil degradation is associated with intensive vegetable cropping in subtropical area: A case study in southwest China

2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
Ming Lu ◽  
David S. Powlson ◽  
Yi Liang ◽  
Zhi Yao ◽  
Dave R. Chadwick ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Soil Degradation ◽  
Southwest China ◽  
Crop Residues ◽  
Management Strategies ◽  
Agricultural Practices ◽  
Nutrient Status ◽  
Fertilizer Application ◽  
Quality Parameters ◽  
Clear Trend ◽  
Soil C

Abstract. Within the context of sustainable development, soil degradation driven by land-use change is considered a serious global problem but conversion from growing cereals to vegetables is a change that has received little attention, especially in subtropical regions. Therefore, we compared the nutrient status and soil quality parameters (soil organic carbon [SOC], total nitrogen [TN], C / N ratio, pH, phosphorus [P], potassium [K], calcium [Ca], and magnesium [Mg]) between vegetable fields (VF) and land still used for paddy rice-oilseed rape rotation (PRF) that are typical of southwest China. In the VF, fertilizer application were often several times higher than the crop needs or recommended by the local extension service, thus, the crop use efficiency of N, P, K, Ca, Mg were only 26 %, 8 %, 56 %, 23 % and 28 %, respectively; SOC, C stock, TN, N stock decreased significantly caused by low organic inputs from crop residues and high tillage frequency, and soil C/N ratio decreased slightly; available P (AP) in topsoil increased by 1.92 mg kg−1 for every 100 kg ha−1 of surplus P, and the critical levels of AP and CaCl2-soluble P for P leaching were 104 and 0.80 mg P kg−1. Besides, there was a clear trend of soil acidification in the VF. However, increasing concentrations of soil Ca and Mg significantly alleviated topsoil acidification, with the effect increasing over time. Given our findings, we discuss the potential benefits of conservation agricultural practices, integrated soil-crop system management strategies and agricultural technology services for recovering the degraded soil and improving the vegetable productivity in the VF.

scholarly journals Principles, Positives and Limitations of Conservation Agriculture: A Review

2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
C. Swaminathan ◽  
E. Sobhana ◽  
P. Kannan ◽  
M. Mohammed Yassin
Keyword(s):  
Tamil Nadu ◽  
Crop Production ◽  
Crop Residues ◽  
Research Work ◽  
Conservation Agriculture ◽  
Agricultural Technologies ◽  
Conventional Agriculture ◽  
Agricultural College ◽  
Past Experiences ◽  
Work Done

Lessons learnt from past experiences push for an alternate way of crop production. One such is Conservation agriculture (CA), which can be seen as a new way forward for conserving resources and enhancing productivity to achieve goals of sustainable agriculture. In recent past, progressive and significant efforts are made to develop, refine and disseminate conservation-based agricultural technologies across globe. Tremendous efforts on zero-till practices and surface management with crop residues for crop production were reviewed. This work was done at Department of Agronomy, Agricultural College and Research Institute, Tamil Nadu Agricultural University, Madurai -625 104, Tamil Nadu, India. A systematic cum integrative review of research work done in different parts of World, particularly in India was comprehended. Literature search was done during 2020. About 200 review and research papers were screened from various databases like TNAU e-library, ARCC journals, Google Scholar, Research gate and Scopus and 84 papers were used. This review article comprehensively documents major principles of CA along with extent and spread of CA across the globe. It also highlights CA in Indian perspective. Various merits and demerits were also discussed with literature support. This review paper discusses rising concerns of conventional agriculture systems with regard to its adoption, positives and negatives of conservation agriculture in promoting conservation agriculture in tropics.

scholarly journals Role of Climate-Smart Agriculture in Enhancing Farmers' Livelihoods and Sustainable Forest Management: A Case of Villages Around Songe-Bokwa Forest, Kilindi District, Tanzania

2021 ◽  
Vol 5 ◽  
Author(s):  
Hamza Omary Nkumulwa ◽  
Noah Makula Pauline
Keyword(s):  
Crop Production ◽  
Sustainable Forest Management ◽  
Scale Up ◽  
Agricultural Practices ◽  
Agroforestry Systems ◽  
Group Discussions ◽  
Climate Change And Variability ◽  
Gis Tools ◽  
Arc Gis ◽  
Smart Agriculture

Climate change and variability are happening in Tanzania, and their impacts are felt in the socioeconomic sectors, as they have resulted in the decline of agricultural productivity and increased deforestation. This study assessed the actual changes in deforestation levels and improved livelihoods caused by the adoption of climate-smart agriculture (CSA) practices. Data were collected through semi-structured household questionnaires, focus group discussions, key informants, GIS tools, and observations. Quantitative data were analyzed using Arc GIS 10.3 software, SPSS version 16.0, and Excel Spreadsheet, while qualitative data were analyzed through content analysis techniques. The findings show that farmers' livelihoods have improved and also deforestation levels decreased as a result of increased adoption of CSA during the past 30 years. Deforestation levels have been reduced from 64.6 ha per year during 1985–1995 to 11.8 ha per year during 1995–2005 and to 10.4 ha per year during 2005–2017. Further findings showed that the agricultural area had been decreased from 4,534 ha in 1995 to 4,039 ha in 2017, which is evidence that after the scale-up of CSA from the year 1992, agricultural practices were not contributing much to deforestation, while increased crop production and income were observed, which in turn supported farmers in enhancing food security, purchasing production tools, livestock, and payment for medical services, school fees, and construction of modern houses. We found that adoption of CSA systems such as agroforestry (i.e., agrisilviculture) is very crucial for improving farmer's livelihoods and reducing deforestation. Therefore, farmers need close mentoring on climate-resilient agroforestry systems, such as agrisilviculture.

scholarly journals Role of Conservation Agriculture for Sustaining Soil Quality and Improving Crop Productivity- A Review

2020 ◽  
pp. 44-54
Author(s):  
Tanveer Ahmad Ahngar ◽  
Zahida Rashid ◽  
Raies Ahmad Bhat ◽  
Waseem Raja ◽  
Sadaf Iqbal ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Soil Quality ◽  
Crop Production ◽  
Agricultural Practices ◽  
Cropping System ◽  
Conservation Agriculture ◽  
Crop Productivity ◽  
Conventional Tillage ◽  
Biological Properties ◽  
Mineral N

Intensive agriculture and excessive use of external inputs are leading to degradation of soil and water resources and negatively affecting agricultural production. This review article aims to determine the role of conservation agriculture for sustaining soil quality and improving crop productivity. Conservation Agriculture (CA) practices cause prominent changes in physical, chemical and biological properties of soil compared to conventional agricultural practices. The improved bio-physico-chemical qualities of soil in turn, affect the ecosystem services and sustainability of crop production system through counterbalancing the climate variability with the help of increasing sink for carbon sequestration within the soil. There was significant interaction of tillage and cropping system on mineral nitrogen measured at the beginning of the cropping system. Mineral N contents were higher with manual tillage and no tillage systems compared with conventional tillage in the soybean maize rotation system. Conservation agriculture also helps in improving the crop production in a sustainable way hence there is an intense need of conservation agriculture which will not only meet the present and future demand of ever increasing population, but also seize degradation of environmental quality.

scholarly journals Environmental Sustainability Assessment of Agricultural Practices in the Malagos Watershed, Davao City, Philippines

2016 ◽  
Vol 18 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Hector B. Cadena
Keyword(s):  
Waste Disposal ◽  
Environmental Sustainability ◽  
Crop Production ◽  
Sustainability Assessment ◽  
Agricultural Practices ◽  
Fertilizer Application ◽  
Livestock Production ◽  
Harvesting Method ◽  
Product Disposal ◽  
Vegetables And Fruits

This study describes the agricultural production practices of the farmers in the Malagos Watershed, Davao City, Philippines. This was done given the new trends in Ecoagriculture and Permaculture principles. The different Agricultural practices were described and assessed in terms of sustainability. Sustainable Agriculture is the production of food and other farm products in ways that protect the environment, public health and animal welfare. Practices need to be modified if they are causing damage to these factors instead.  As to crops planted, which included cereals, vegetables and fruits, sustainability was rated fair. Tools and equipment used together with the method of cultivation were rated highly sustainable.  Fertilizers used and method of fertilizer application which was mostly (40%) commercial fertilizers applied through basal and broadcast method, were rated sustainable.  The method of irrigation, which was mostly rainfed, was assessed as highly sustainable. The method of pests and disease control was the only practice rated poor since commercial chemical spray were commonly used and one potentially harmful to people and the environment.  Harvesting method, which was mostly by handpicking, was rated highly sustainable.  Their methods of storage, product disposal and waste disposal were all classified as fairly sustainable. Concerning livestock production, almost all of their practices, including, type of animal raised, method of animal housing, feeds used, method of watering, method of product disposal and method of waste disposal, all rated fairly sustainable.  Only the method of feeding, which mostly used dry feeds instead of free grazing, was graded sustainable. Crop production and livestock production in the Malagos Watershed averaged quite acceptable. It is, therefore, recommended that these practices be improved, maintained and monitored so that the agricultural practices in the Malagos Watershed would remain viable in the future. This study is the first attempt at assessing the sustainability of Agricultural practices of Indigenous peoples habituating the Malagos Watershed.

scholarly journals Economic and environmental studies of conservation agriculture on dryland in Central Lombok, Indonesia

2021 ◽  
Vol 913 (1) ◽  
pp. 012015
Author(s):  
E Lastariningsih ◽  
T Sjah ◽  
I G L P Tanaya
Keyword(s):  
Environmental Impacts ◽  
Crop Production ◽  
Agricultural Development ◽  
Crop Residues ◽  
Positive Impact ◽  
Conservation Agriculture ◽  
Chemical Fertilizer ◽  
Primary Data ◽  
Labor Costs ◽  
Previous Crop

Abstract Agricultural development needs to pay attention to environmental issue since the economic only focus of the development threatens. One of the moves into this environmental awareness is by practicing conservation agriculture. This paper aims to analyze the economic and environmental impacts of implementing conservation agriculture practices which is implemented with the application of manure, mulch of previous crop residue and legumes as cover crop comparing to non conservation agriculture which is implemented high chemical fertilizer, herbicide, no mulch and plants only maize on dryland in Central Lombok, Indonesia. Economic and environmental impacts of conservation agriculture are identified by comparing conservation agriculture with non-conservation agriculture practices. Data were collected through observations by researchers, farmers, and extension workers. The primary data are accompanied by data from secondary sources, such as literatures and research reports. Data were analyzed quantitatively and qualitatively, providing figures as well as descriptive explanation. The result of analysis showed that Conservation agriculture, implemented with the application of manure and mulch of previous crop residues, economically was able to reduce the purchase of herbicides and chemical fertilizer, save labor costs and time in plant maintenance. Conservation agriculture practice is environmentally friendly because was able to reduce air pollution, retain groundwater and add soil organic matter. In addition, farmers income increase in conservation agriculture through diversification of crop production and savings in production cost. The positive impact of conservation agriculture, economically and environmentally leads to the recommendation to expand the practice of conservation agriculture, in the location or elsewhere.

scholarly journals Influence of Foliar Application of Magnesium on Horticultural Crops: A Review

2021 ◽  
Vol 4 (1) ◽  
pp. 13-21
Author(s):  
Muhammad Adnan ◽  
Koko Tampubolon ◽  
Fazal Ur Rehman ◽  
Muhammad Sulaman Saeed ◽  
Muhammad Sikander Hayyat ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Crop Production ◽  
Foliar Application ◽  
Residual Effect ◽  
Nutrient Status ◽  
Fertilizer Application ◽  
Crop Species ◽  
Horticultural Crops ◽  
Physiological Processes ◽  
Negative Impacts ◽  
The Impact

Introduction: Magnesium is very important nutrient and performs a significant part in development and formation of many sink organs like roots and seeds. Furthermore, its fertilization significantly affects yield and numerous physiological mechanisms in different horticulture crop species. Moreover, its deficiency caused germination and reduction in horticulture crop stand. Nevertheless, its adequate concentration by foliar application plays important role in biochemical and physiological processes of plants like proteins synthesis, metabolism of carbohydrates, enzymes activation and energy transferring. Worldwide, many of our horticulture crops are facing low yield and quality problem due to fertilizer application at inadequate rate. The current review focuses on the impact of foliar applied Mg on some important cultivated horticultural crops (sugar beet, tomato, banana, potato, spinach, cauliflower, cassava, garlic, green case, potus, cucumber and grapes). Review results: Our extensive review has demonstrated that magnesium is very important factor limiting horticulture crop production but its negative impacts can be reduced by foliar application of magnesium. Foliar application of Mg can be recommended for correcting deficiencies because foliar sprays have no long term residual effect and every time fresh applications must be given to each crop. Moreover, amount depends on the nutrient status of crop and soil.

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