scholarly journals Smallholder Farmer Innovation and Contexts in Maize-Based Conservation Agriculture Systems in Central Malawi

2017 ◽  
Vol 6 (3) ◽  
pp. 85 ◽  
Author(s):  
Limson Kaluzi ◽  
Christian Thierfelder ◽  
David W. Hopkins
Keyword(s):  
Crop Residues ◽  
Task Force ◽  
Smallholder Farmers ◽  
Soil Health ◽  
Farming Systems ◽  
Conservation Agriculture ◽  
Yield Enhancement ◽  
Smallholder Farming ◽  
Linear Interaction ◽  
Ample Evidence

The increased threat of food insecurity and climate change requires more sustainable ways of agriculture intensification in African smallholder farming systems. Ample evidence confirms that maize-based conservation agriculture (CA) systems lead to increased soil health and yield enhancement yet their overall uptake remains low in Africa. An array of studies on challenges and solutions to CA systems conducted in southern Africa principally focussed on the views of scientists, often neglecting the views of CA farmers. Therefore, this study assessed farmer decision making, innovation and contexts during implementation of maize-based CA systems in communities of central Malawi. A survey involving interviews with 226 CA farmers was deployed, triangulated with key informants comprising extension workers and policy makers. The study showed that about 58% of smallholder farmers did not adapt CA practices to their circumstances because they were strictly following change agents’ recommendations. The major challenge noted was competition for crop residues due to mice hunters and grazing livestock. Local by-laws initiated by the communities have started to privatise the crop residues and its grazing. However, other innovations were often not documented by extension workers, consequently neglecting more than half of the potential solutions provided by farmers. The establishments of a National Conservation Agriculture Task Force and CA guidelines are positive developments for coordination of stakeholders and harmonisation of CA messages in Malawi. However, for greater adoption, non-linear interaction and learning must be encouraged in practice by fully embracing innovative farmers and the voices of the pool of stakeholders with varying experiences.

scholarly journals Innovative Pro-Smallholder Farmers’ Permanent Mulch for Better Soil Quality and Food Security Under Conservation Agriculture

Agronomy ◽  
2020 ◽  
Vol 10 (4) ◽  
pp. 605
Author(s):  
Sibongiseni Mgolozeli ◽  
Adornis D. Nciizah ◽  
Isaiah I. C. Wakindiki ◽  
Fhatuwani N. Mudau
Keyword(s):  
Food Security ◽  
Soil Erosion ◽  
Soil Quality ◽  
Crop Residues ◽  
Soil Cover ◽  
Smallholder Farmers ◽  
Conservation Agriculture ◽  
Crop Productivity ◽  
Smallholder Farming ◽  
Security Challenge

Soil degradation is the greatest threat to agricultural production globally. The practice of applying or retaining crop residues in the field as mulch is imperative to prevent soil erosion, maintain soil quality and improve crop productivity. However, smallholder farmers resort to maximizing profit by removing crop residues after harvest to sell or use them as feed for livestock. Agrimats are innovative pro-smallholder farming mulching materials that are manufactured using cheap or freely available organic waste materials. These materials include forestry waste, grasses, etc., therefore allowing smallholder farmers to make more profit through improved crop productivity for better food security. The most notable attributes of agrimats include their ability to prevent soil erosion, increase and sustain soil organic matter, suppress weeds, and conserve soil moisture. Food security challenge can be addressed by adopting agrimat technology as a sustainable permanent soil cover to improve soil quality and crop productivity. Agrimat incorporation in conservation agriculture practice could produce more food from less input resources (chemical fertilizers, water, etc.) with minimal or no adverse effect on the environment. This study aims to advocate permanent soil cover using agrimat as an innovative pro-smallholder farmer technology to improve soil quality for better food security.

NEMATODE MANAGEMENT IN RAIN-FED SMALLHOLDER MAIZE PRODUCTION SYSTEMS UNDER CONSERVATION AGRICULTURE IN ZIMBABWE

2017 ◽  
Vol 54 (3) ◽  
pp. 452-466 ◽  
Author(s):  
SANDRA M. MADAMOMBE ◽  
ISAIAH NYAGUMBO ◽  
BRIGHTON M. MVUMI ◽  
PHILLIP NYAMUGAFATA ◽  
MENAS WUTA ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Smallholder Farmers ◽  
Cropping Systems ◽  
Block Design ◽  
Management Strategies ◽  
Sandy Soils ◽  
Farming Systems ◽  
Conservation Agriculture ◽  
Maize Yield ◽  
Smallholder Farming ◽  
Nematode Management

SUMMARYNematode infestation in Sub-Saharan Africa's (SSA) cropping systems, worsened by poor crop rotations, is a major factor contributing to limited utilisation of applied nutrients and water, leading to low maize (Zea mays L.) yields particularly on sandy soils. The effects of nematode infestation on maize productivity were evaluated under conservation agriculture (CA) on granitic sandy soils in sub-humid smallholder farms of Goromonzi district of Zimbabwe. Four treatments were tested for three seasons on six smallholder farmers’ fields in a randomised complete block design, each farm being a replicate: fenamiphos 40EC (a commercial synthetic nematicide), lime + fenamiphos 40EC, lime and an untreated control. Results of the study showed that independent application of fenamiphos 40EC and lime significantly reduced plant parasitic nematode infestations in maize roots by more than 10 times those present in the untreated plots while maize yield also increased significantly. Yield increase from fenamiphos and lime applications amounted to 53 and 42% respectively, compared to the untreated controls. Maize yield was negatively correlated with density of Pratylenchus spp. nematodes. Nematode management strategies involving fenamiphos 40EC or lime could significantly reduce maize yield losses in maize-based smallholder farming systems of SSA under CA. It was more economical to use fenamiphos than lime to control nematodes.

scholarly journals Can Enhancing Efficiency Promote the Economic Viability of Smallholder Farmers? A Case of Sierra Leone

2021 ◽  
Vol 13 (8) ◽  
pp. 4235
Author(s):  
Silvia Saravia-Matus ◽  
T. S. Amjath-Babu ◽  
Sreejith Aravindakshan ◽  
Stefan Sieber ◽  
Jimmy A. Saravia ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Sierra Leone ◽  
Technical Efficiency ◽  
Structural Equation ◽  
Crop Production ◽  
Structural Equation Models ◽  
Smallholder Farmers ◽  
Farming Systems ◽  
Economic Viability ◽  
Necessary Condition ◽  
Smallholder Farming

By developing meta-frontier efficiency and structural equation models, the paper examines whether farm economic viability is positively associated with technical efficiency in a highly food insecure context, such as that of rural Sierra Leone. The findings show that technical efficiency can be a sufficient but not necessary condition in determining economic viability of smallholder farming. It is possible to breach reproductive thresholds at the cost of reduced technical efficiency, when the crop diversification strategy of smallholders includes market-oriented high-value crops. This calls for a dual policy approach that addresses farmers’ internal needs for self-consumption (increasing efficiency of food crop production) while encouraging market-oriented cash crop production (diversification assisted through the reduction of associated transaction costs and the establishment of accessible commercialization channels of export related crops and/or high-value crops). The work also calls out for a move-up or move-out strategy for small holders to create viable farming systems in developing world.

Conservation agriculture for climate smart agriculture in smallholder farming systems in Kenya.

2022 ◽  
pp. 431-442
Author(s):  
Alfred Micheni ◽  
Patrick Gicheru ◽  
Onesmus Kitonyo
Keyword(s):  
Crop Yields ◽  
Farming Systems ◽  
Conservation Agriculture ◽  
Field Trials ◽  
Climatic Conditions ◽  
Smallholder Farming ◽  
Yield Increase ◽  
Adequate Food ◽  
Labour Requirement ◽  
Smart Agriculture

Abstract Climate change is any significant change in climatic conditions. Such changes may negatively affect productivity of the rain-fed agriculture practised by over 75% of the smallholder Kenyan farmers. The effect leads to failure to sustainably provide adequate food and revenue to famers. It is on this basis that an almost 8-year field study was conducted to evaluate and scale climate resilient agricultural technological options associated with Conservation Agriculture (CA) systems and practices (no-till; maintenance of permanent soil cover; and crop diversification - rotations and associations), complemented with good agricultural strategies. The activities involved were targeted to sustainably increase productivity of maize-legumes farming systems while reducing environmental risks. The results showed improved soil properties (physical, chemical and health) and consequently increased crop yields and human nutrition by over 30%. Such benefits were attributed to cost savings arising from NT and reduced labour requirement for weed control. This was further based on enhanced crop soil moisture and nutrients availability and use efficiency leading to over 25% yield increase advantage. Apart from the field trials, the study used the Agricultural Production Simulator (APSIM) computer model to simulate CA scenario with the aim of providing potential quick answers to adopting CA practices for farm system productivity. The results were inclusively shared, leading to over 21% increase in the number of farmers adopting the CA practices within and beyond the project sites. The study's overall recommendation affirmed the need to integrate the CA practices into Kenyan farming systems for sustainable agricultural livelihoods and economic opportunities.

scholarly journals EXAMINING THE DRIVERS OF AGRICULTURAL EXPERIMENTATION AMONG SMALLHOLDER FARMERS IN MALAWI

2016 ◽  
Vol 54 (1) ◽  
pp. 45-65 ◽  
Author(s):  
MICHELE HOCKETT ◽  
ROBERT B. RICHARDSON
Keyword(s):  
Agricultural Development ◽  
Smallholder Farmers ◽  
Soil Health ◽  
Farming Systems ◽  
Development Project ◽  
New Crops ◽  
Decision Making Processes ◽  
And Gender ◽  
On Farm ◽  
Depth Interviews

SUMMARYSmallholder farmers in Malawi are faced with the challenge of managing complex and dynamic farming systems while also adapting to change within volatile agroecological conditions. Moreover, management decisions are influenced by a combination of local knowledge, expert recommendations and on-farm experimentation. Although many smallholder farmers actively experiment with new crops and technologies, little is known about the prevalence of experimentation or the types of experiments farmers conduct. This study examined the decision-making processes of experimenting farmers to explore the drivers of on-farm experimentation. Using a mixed-methods design that incorporated field observations, survey data and in-depth interviews, we identified numerous examples of experiments with new crops, varieties and techniques that had been executed either independently or through participation in an agricultural development project. Results of quantitative and qualitative analysis reveal that smallholder farmers in Malawi across a range of socioeconomic characteristics are inclined to experiment, and gender roles in agricultural experimentation vary widely. While experimental methods differ between farmers, there are commonalities in the drivers of experimentation, including adapting to climate change, improving soil health, improving nutrition and generating income. Smallholders have a great capacity for experimentation, and their knowledge, experience, preferences and priorities – if properly understood and incorporated – could ultimately benefit both future agricultural development projects and their participants.

Transaction Costs and the Marketable Surplus of Milk in Smallholder Farming Systems of the Gambia

2005 ◽  
Vol 34 (3) ◽  
pp. 189-195 ◽  
Author(s):  
Jacques Somda ◽  
Eric Tollens ◽  
Mulumba Kamuanga
Keyword(s):  
Smallholder Farmers ◽  
Farming Systems ◽  
The Gambia ◽  
Perfect Competition ◽  
Subsistence Farming ◽  
Smallholder Farming ◽  
Economic Paradigm ◽  
Marketable Surplus ◽  
Milk Marketing ◽  
Cost Factors

The neoclassical economic paradigm views market linkages as efficient mechanisms for trading. However, the validity of this position is questionable, as markets frequently do not possess the structural conditions necessary for perfect competition. In subsistence-farming systems, factors that prevent greater participation of smallholders in markets can be found from the production level to the access to markets themselves. This study investigates the transaction-cost factors operating in smallholder dairy farms in The Gambia. The results indicate that access to market at the farm gate, the number of local cows and the distance to the nearest city increase the likelihood of market participation by producers and the marketing of surpluses of dairy products. Increases in home consumption lead to decreases in sales and of farmers' participation in milk marketing. To achieve pro-poor rural growth, it is therefore essential to address explicitly the low productivity of dairy cattle, low capital endowments and market accessibility for smallholder farmers.

scholarly journals Efficacy of Neem Tree (Azadirachta indica A. Jusieu) Extract on White Cabbage Aphid (Brevicoryne brassicae L. (Hem: Aphididae) Control in the Field

2018 ◽  
Vol 10 (3) ◽  
pp. 370
Author(s):  
Amongi Evaline Stella ◽  
Murongo Marius Flarian ◽  
Mwine Julius Tedson
Keyword(s):  
Smallholder Farmers ◽  
Block Design ◽  
Farming Systems ◽  
Root Bark ◽  
Economic Injury Level ◽  
High Concentration ◽  
Smallholder Farming ◽  
Neem Tree ◽  
Neem Extract ◽  
Cabbage Aphid

Neem tree extracts from root, bark and leaves have generally been used in the control of pests. The extracts’ efficacy in the control of aphids in cabbages under smallholder farming systems formed the subject of the study. The dose of the admixture of the extract that effectively controlled aphids was determined through experimental methods that involved harvesting and crashing 0.1 × 10-4 of Neem tree parts. The extract was fermented for 18-48 hours.Treatment tests solutions varied were 20 mL, 30 mL and 40 mL of the extract respectively in 10litres of water and applied to cabbage in the field at intervals of once a week, twice a week and once in 2 weeks in a triplicated completely Randomized Block Design. The treated plants were observed for average number of live aphids, number of dead aphids, degree of leaf perforation, leaf curls, stunting, and finally the yield of the cabbage visa vis treatments. Aphid counts at the concentration of 30mL in 10L of water were significantly lower for live aphids and higher for dead aphids (P < 0.05), Although all treatments revealed significant differences from the control in terms of Aphid mortality, overall mean aphid counts showed a reduction in number (implying high mortality) with an increase in the concentration of Neem extract applied and cabbage vigour increased with increase in the frequency of admixture application, with a bi-weekly application producing significant results (P < 0.05). High concentration (40 mL) more effectively controlled aphids but resulted in mild scorched leaves. Smallholder farmers should take advantage of the naturally available Neem tree concoctions of 30 mLs in 10litres of water twice a week to keep aphid’s population below the economic injury level.

scholarly journals Understanding Adoption and Impacts of Conservation Agriculture in Eastern and Southern Africa: A Review

2021 ◽  
Vol 3 ◽  
Author(s):  
Hambulo Ngoma ◽  
Arild Angelsen ◽  
Thomas S. Jayne ◽  
Antony Chapoto
Keyword(s):  
Southern Africa ◽  
Agricultural Research ◽  
Farming Systems ◽  
Conservation Agriculture ◽  
Evidence Base ◽  
Smallholder Farming ◽  
Ecological Zones ◽  
Environmental Objectives ◽  
Eastern And Southern Africa ◽  
Capital Intensive

Conservation Agriculture (CA) aims to concurrently promote agricultural productivity, local livelihoods, climate resilience and other environmental objectives. We review the emerging evidence base in Eastern and Southern Africa to address whether CA is climate smart and why adoption rates by smallholders remain generally very low. We first develop an adoption framework that can be used to assess when and where the different components of CA are expected to be adopted under different conditioning factors and consider options to make CA climate smart. Our results suggest that CA can contribute positively to productivity and adaptation/resilience objectives, although the degree of success varies considerably by farm, household and regional characteristics. Overall, we find that capital-intensive (mechanized) CA is more likely to be adopted in areas of economic dynamism where capital is cheap relative to labor. Labor-intensive CA practices are more likely to be adopted in regions of economic stagnation where capital is expensive, and labor is abundant and cheap. A subnational focus is needed to identify economic conditions of different regions and agro-ecological zones and to test hypotheses derived from the framework in this paper and to propose the most appropriate CA packages for promotion. Our findings suggest that labor using variants of CA such as planting basins are more likely to be adopted than are capital using mechanized options in densely populated parts of Malawi, Ethiopia, Kenya, Tanzania, Zambia and Zimbabwe where labor is abundant, and presumably cheap, but capital is expensive. However, rising land scarcity (prices) and wages in the region present an opportunity for capital intensive, mechanized CA operations to be adopted if the cost of capital can be kept low and if there is a supportive environment for mechanization. We conclude that CA is climate smart and if adopted widely, it has the potential to help build resilience in smallholder farming systems. CA can be more climate smart, and its uptake can be enhanced by reframing, better targeting, adapting CA to location-specific economic and biophysical, and through greater and more effective public spending on agricultural research and development.

Lessons learnt from concern worldwide's conservation agriculture interventions in Malawi and Zambia, 2010-2018.

2022 ◽  
pp. 361-370
Author(s):  
Carl Wahl
Keyword(s):  
Financial Stability ◽  
Large Scale ◽  
Smallholder Farmers ◽  
Soil Health ◽  
Conservation Agriculture ◽  
Seed Selection ◽  
Result Concern ◽  
Local Contexts ◽  
Agriculture Extension ◽  
Supply Systems

Abstract Conservation Agriculture (CA) is a gateway technology intended to build both the productivity and resilience of smallholder farmers. Since 2010, the Ireland-based NGO Concern Worldwide has been promoting CA with extremely poor farmers in Malawi and Zambia. In the context of the specific regions within both countries, similar conditions of limited labour capacity, low financial capacity, poor soil health and constrained agriculture extension services were the primary barriers to the poorest farmers. Initial CA projects utilized broad, standardized approaches to CA with subsidized inputs that led to yield increases, but saw limited non-subsidized adoption. As a result, Concern has adapted its approaches to CA to better accommodate and embrace innovation by lead farmers, understanding different adoption strategies for follower farmers and working to improve input supply systems to meet farmers' needs. However, major constraints to adoption remain for the poorest and, going forward, CA projects will need to incorporate robust strategies for household financial stability such as the graduation model; fostering greater innovation by lead farmers within CA principles to meet local contexts; and integrating seed selection and saving for non-commercialized food crops to spur large-scale adoption of CA by the poorest farmers.

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