The Impact of River Regulation on Downstream Socio-Hydrologic Systems in Ethiopia

In recent years, a renewed interest in large-scale hydraulic interventions has developed, frequently justified by the premise of making the agricultural and energy sectors climate-resilient. Despite this important climate effort, hydraulic interventions are controversial and have far-reaching impacts on river-dependent communities and the environment. Drawing on gis analyses of remote sensing images and qualitative and quantitative empirical evidence from the field, this PhD dissertation focused on the impact of two large dams and one inter-basin water transfer (ibwt) on downstream socio-hydrologic systems (coupled human-water systems) in Ethiopia. The results indicated that (i) downstream hydrogeomorphic systems drastically altered after the implementation of the hydraulic interventions, (ii) small-scale farmer-led irrigation systems more efficiently increased crop productivities than several large-scale irrigation projects, (iii) the newly induced hydrologic regimes strongly altered downstream social interactions due to impeded river crossing and (iv) ill-prepared land redistributions and resettlements left thousands of households with a high risk of impoverishment.

How Inclusive Is Inclusive? A Critical Analysis of an Agribusiness Initiative in Kenya

Inclusive agribusiness considers social and environmental goals in global value chains in agribusiness. However, not all small-scale farmers may be able to benefit from such arrangements. To find out about possible reasons for exclusion, this study investigates an agribusiness initiative in coastal Kenya employing organic contract farming by applying a mixed-methods research design based on household sampling of the recruitment procedure, as well as interviews with the farmers and company representatives. The findings suggest that sustainability standards may impede small-scale farmers’ participation in agribusiness. Specifically, the implementation of organic certification, essential for the functionality of the company business models, contributes most to small-scale farmer exclusion. Companies, clients, and, most importantly, certifiers should be aware of this problem and look for appropriate measures to overcome this unwanted effect of standard-setting in inclusive businesses.

Potential of Small-Scale Business Development and Sociocultural of Beef Cattle Farm at Pamekasan Regency: Case Study at Madura Island

Most of beef cattle farmers in Indonesia are dominated by small-scale farmer with ownership of three heads per household, homever the existence of small-scal farmer is expected to contribute to the development of the livestock sectore as whole. The interview was conducted with the total respondent at 30 beef cattle farmers at Larangan Dalam and Panaguan Village, Larangan Sub-District, Pamekasan Regency. The majority of the respondents' age range is 46-50 years old, with male breeders dominating, namely 76.67%, with the most educational qualifications being elementary school, namely 46.67%. The age and education level significantly affect the adoption rate of new technology. The objectives of raising livestock include fattening, breeding, and savings. In summary, the socio-culture was acted as important support in small-scale business development. The correlation between each socio-culture with new adaptation was a help to increase productivity in the future.

Mekanisme Survival Petani “Gurem” pada Masa Pandemi COVID-19

Small-scale farmers in Tlogosari, Pagak, Malang have many limitations, especially economically. Instead of wanting to improve economic prosperity, small-scale farmer makes changes to the commodities they grow from sugar cane to sengon (Paraserianthes falcataria (L) or albizia). But the change in this commodity has an impact on changing the pattern of short to long harvests. This condition has increasingly resulted in the economic downturn of the farming family, coupled with the existence of the COVID-19 pandemic, making farmers increasingly powerless. This research focuses on the survival mechanism of small-scale farmers who switch commodities from sugar cane to sengon during the COVID-19 pandemic. This study uses James Scott's theory of the ethics of subsistence as a knife of analysis and uses a qualitative approach with a case study method. The research informants were determined by purposive sampling with the criteria of small-scale farmer informants who were affected by the COVID-19 pandemic due to the change of sugarcane commodity to sengon. The price of sengon during the COVID-19 pandemic dropped dramatically due to many factories closed, so farmers are also confused looking for sengon buyers. This condition makes small-scale farmers feel like poor famine. Faced with such conditions, smallholders do survival by other work, namely making gatot, tiwul, and corn grits (ampok) as a profitable employment opportunity in the future of COVID-19

The Collective Aestheticization of Farming as Participatory Civic Engagement

This chapter is a case study that traces the life of a young artist farmer who developed a community-based educational farm. The case study illuminates networked connections between small-scale farming, a revitalized interest in handmade production, and a burgeoning desire for a living ethics rooted in direct engagements. This chapter reveals the breadth of the handmade revolution, tracing a singular example to investigate the desire to become a small-scale farmer; the network of apprenticing makers, farmers, and artists; the necessary participatory aestheticization of the farm as a marketing strategy and mode of cultural consumption; and the ethical complexity of sustaining the life of a young farmer in the current organic and locally-grown marketplace.