This paper models the profitability of fertilizer use for maize farmers in sub-Saharan Africa. It uses yield trial and soil data to estimate yield responses to fertilizer across different soil and climate conditions. It then simulates profitability over 1,000 years using historical weather and price data to identify areas where fertilizer use is robustly profitable in at least 70% of years. The analysis finds great spatial variation in yield responses and profitability. Soil pH has the largest effect on both, suggesting soil amendments could improve fertilizer adoption more than subsidies which are most effective in already profitable areas.
Keynote presentation by Philip Thornton, CCAFS Flagship Leader on Priorities and Policies for CSA, at the 3rd Conference on Agriculture and Climate Change in Budapest on 25 March 2019.
Integrated Management of Soil Fertility - Prerequisite for Increased Agricult...SIANI
This study was presented during the conference “Production and Carbon Dynamics in Sustainable Agricultural and Forest Systems in Africa” held in September, 2010.
A comparative study on the response of six maize hybrids: two
hybrids each from the 1980s (8321-21 and 8425-8), 1990s (9801-11 and 9803-2)
and 2000s (0103-11 and 0103-15) to sub-optimal and optimal nitrogen fertilization
was conducted in Oke-Oyi, Nigeria. The trials were set up in a split plot with three
nitrogen levels (0, 30 and 90 kg N ha-1) as a main plot and six hybrids as sub-plots.
Significant interactions were observed between hybrid and N level for all
characters, with increasing in variation as the level of N decreased. Mean grain
yield reductions across eras were 73.8% at no-N and 32.6% at low-N, and those of
optimal-N fertilization were 34.3% and 15.7% for 1980s and 1990s genotypes
respectively. Depending on N treatment, grain yield varied from 0.67 to 4.89 t ha-1.
Kernel number was most severely reduced by N stress, but had positive and highly
significant (p≤0.01) correlation with grain yield at all N levels. Genetic gains in
grain yield were 42% (between 1980 and 2000 eras) and 9% (between 1990 and
2000 eras) under optimal-N fertilization. The two modern hybrids of 2000 era
(0103-11 and 0103-15) were outstanding for all the agronomic traits and leaf
chlorophyll concentration at all N levels. Improving traits associated with fertilizer
N response could accelerate rate of genetic gains in maize yields.
Extreme weather events and their impact on urban crop production: A case of K...Innspub Net
Extreme weather events are anticipated to increase the existing challenges and generate new combination of vulnerabilities, especially in developing countries. The agricultural sector is the most vulnerable due to overreliance on unpredictable rainfall. This study examined the impact of extreme weather events on urban crop production and the adaptation strategies applied by the farmers. Secondary data were collected through a literature survey and primary data were collected using structured interviews, observations and focus group discussions. A total of 108 crop farmers were interviewed in two wards of Kinondoni District. The Statistical Package for Social Sciences (SPSS) version 20 was used to analyze the data and Pearson Chi-square was used to test the statistical significance between variables. The study observed that, farmers perceived extreme weather events including floods (39%), extreme temperatures (36%), and drought (25%). These extreme weather events affected negatively crop production leading damaging of crops and low yields (38%), outbreak of crop pests and disease (38%), drying of water sources (20%), and loss of soil fertility (4%). Crop farmers used various adaptation strategies such as crop diversification (28%), the use of pesticides (23%), changing of cropping patterns and planting calendar (16%), irrigation practices (18%) and replanting (10%). The study recommends for adoption of new farming systems such as vertical farming systems for better output with the use of limited water and land resources.
Prospects and limitations of conservation agriculture in semi-arid and arid e...ANASTU
conservation agriculture based prospects and limitation in the areas where rainfall is less for cultivation. The conclusion would advise whether to apply conservation there or not.
Keynote presentation by Philip Thornton, CCAFS Flagship Leader on Priorities and Policies for CSA, at the 3rd Conference on Agriculture and Climate Change in Budapest on 25 March 2019.
Integrated Management of Soil Fertility - Prerequisite for Increased Agricult...SIANI
This study was presented during the conference “Production and Carbon Dynamics in Sustainable Agricultural and Forest Systems in Africa” held in September, 2010.
A comparative study on the response of six maize hybrids: two
hybrids each from the 1980s (8321-21 and 8425-8), 1990s (9801-11 and 9803-2)
and 2000s (0103-11 and 0103-15) to sub-optimal and optimal nitrogen fertilization
was conducted in Oke-Oyi, Nigeria. The trials were set up in a split plot with three
nitrogen levels (0, 30 and 90 kg N ha-1) as a main plot and six hybrids as sub-plots.
Significant interactions were observed between hybrid and N level for all
characters, with increasing in variation as the level of N decreased. Mean grain
yield reductions across eras were 73.8% at no-N and 32.6% at low-N, and those of
optimal-N fertilization were 34.3% and 15.7% for 1980s and 1990s genotypes
respectively. Depending on N treatment, grain yield varied from 0.67 to 4.89 t ha-1.
Kernel number was most severely reduced by N stress, but had positive and highly
significant (p≤0.01) correlation with grain yield at all N levels. Genetic gains in
grain yield were 42% (between 1980 and 2000 eras) and 9% (between 1990 and
2000 eras) under optimal-N fertilization. The two modern hybrids of 2000 era
(0103-11 and 0103-15) were outstanding for all the agronomic traits and leaf
chlorophyll concentration at all N levels. Improving traits associated with fertilizer
N response could accelerate rate of genetic gains in maize yields.
Extreme weather events and their impact on urban crop production: A case of K...Innspub Net
Extreme weather events are anticipated to increase the existing challenges and generate new combination of vulnerabilities, especially in developing countries. The agricultural sector is the most vulnerable due to overreliance on unpredictable rainfall. This study examined the impact of extreme weather events on urban crop production and the adaptation strategies applied by the farmers. Secondary data were collected through a literature survey and primary data were collected using structured interviews, observations and focus group discussions. A total of 108 crop farmers were interviewed in two wards of Kinondoni District. The Statistical Package for Social Sciences (SPSS) version 20 was used to analyze the data and Pearson Chi-square was used to test the statistical significance between variables. The study observed that, farmers perceived extreme weather events including floods (39%), extreme temperatures (36%), and drought (25%). These extreme weather events affected negatively crop production leading damaging of crops and low yields (38%), outbreak of crop pests and disease (38%), drying of water sources (20%), and loss of soil fertility (4%). Crop farmers used various adaptation strategies such as crop diversification (28%), the use of pesticides (23%), changing of cropping patterns and planting calendar (16%), irrigation practices (18%) and replanting (10%). The study recommends for adoption of new farming systems such as vertical farming systems for better output with the use of limited water and land resources.
Prospects and limitations of conservation agriculture in semi-arid and arid e...ANASTU
conservation agriculture based prospects and limitation in the areas where rainfall is less for cultivation. The conclusion would advise whether to apply conservation there or not.
“Learning from Farmers Fields to Improve Yield and Profit: a case study for soybean in the US North Central region” by Patricio Grassini at the 2023 Water for Food Global Conference. A recording of the presentation can be found on the conference playlist: https://youtube.com/playlist?list=PLSBeKOIXsg3JNyPowwJj6NDSpx4vlnCYj.
Effect of gypsum and farmyard manure on yield and yield components of rice (O...Open Access Research Paper
Abundance of soil with saline sodic property in Amibara irrigated farms is becoming a threat to crop productivity. As part of the solution to such problem soils, combine application of gypsum and farmyard manure has not been investigated well in the area. Therefore study was conducted at Worer Agricultural Research Center using rice as a test crop during 2018 cropping season to evaluate their effect on yield and yeild componets of rice. Factorial combinations with three rates of FYM (0, 10 and 20t ha-1) and five rates of gypsum (0%, 25%, 50%, 75%, 100% GR) were laid out in randomized complete complete block design with three replications. Composite surface soil samples before experiment and from each treatment after harvest were collected for laboratory analysis. Most growth and yield components parameters were significantly (P≤0.05) different due to the main and the interaction of GYP and FYM. Straw yield, tillering number, effective tillering number and grain yield were affected significantly by the interaction effect of GYP and FYM. The highest grain yield (4.27t ha-1) were obtained at application of 20t ha-1 FYM +75 % GR. From the results it could be concluded that application of 20t ha-1 FYM + 75 % GR enhance grain yield of upland rice grown on saline sodic soil of Amibara district.
Unlocking the potential of SOC for climate action, food security and sustaina...ExternalEvents
This presentation was presented during the Plenary 3, Working group, Conclusion and Closure of the Global Symposium on Soil Organic Carbon that took place in Rome 21-23 March 2017. The presentation was made by Mr. Pete Smith from FAO, in FAO Hq, Rome
Climate change and agriculture in Central America and the Andean regionIFPRI-PIM
PIM Webinar, January 29, 2020.
Climate change poses a threat to food security and nutrition, largely through its impacts on agricultural production. To help developing countries identify where adaptation measures are most needed, IFPRI, with support from the CGIAR Research Programs on Policy, Institutions, and Markets (PIM) and Climate Change, Agriculture, and Food Security (CCAFS), conducted a multiyear study to assess the potential impact of climate change on the agriculture sector through 2050, taking into account the likely landscape of political and economic challenges that policy makers will face. The study integrated results from climate and economic models, and included detailed biophysical and bioeconomic analyses of Guatemala, Honduras, El Salvador, Nicaragua, and Costa Rica in Central America and Colombia and Peru in the Andean region of South America.
Presenters and panelists:
Timothy Thomas, Research Fellow, International Food Policy Research Institute (IFPRI)
Deissy Martínez Barón, Regional Program Coordinator for Latin America, CGIAR Research Program on Climate Change, Agriculture, and Food Security (CCAFS)
Ana R. Rios, Natural Resources and Climate Change Senior Specialist, Inter-American Development Bank
More at http://bit.ly/ClimateChangeAgWebinar
Fertility Levels of Soils under Selected Tree Vegetations for Efficient Agro-...AI Publications
In many parts of Nigeria, large areas of lands are dominated by tree crop vegetations for timber production and for fruits with land users not knowing the fertility status of soils in these vegetations. Continual evaluation of soil properties of these tree vegetations has become pertinent for agricultural sustainability. This study therefore was carried out to evaluate the fertility levels of soils under selected tree vegetations at National Horticultural Research Institute Okigwe, Imo State, Nigeria. Five tree vegetations that were over 20 years of establishment were selected namely: oil bean (Pentaclethra macrophylla Benth), African breadfruit (Treculia africana), mango (Mangnifera indica), Ogbonu (Irvingia gabonensis) and orange (citrus spp). In each of these tree vegetations, four soil samples were collected at uniform depths (0 – 20, 20 – 40 and 40 – 60 cm) at different locations using soil auger. The samples were analyzed using standard laboratory procedures. Data collected were statistically analyzed using analysis of variance. Results obtained showed that despite the ages of these vegetations, the soils were acidic, low in macronutrient and basic cation concentrations when compared to FAO standard. The highest exchangeable bases and organic matter (1.78%) was recorded on bread fruit vegetation. Therefore, there is need to increase the fertility status of these soils in these tree crop vegetations by adopting measures that will boost organic matter content of the soil irrespective of the duration of the vegetation and this will help in agro forestry and alley cropping.
Rice agroforestry: How trees can accelerate agroecological transitionsCIFOR-ICRAF
Presented by Fergus Sinclair, Rachmat Mulia, Himlal Baral,
Jim Roshetko, and Rob Finlayson
(CIFOR-ICRAF) at 6th International Rice Congress, Manila, Philippines, on 16-19 Oct 2023
Impact of organic and conventional practices on, soil health and crop yield u...Agriculture Journal IJOEAR
Abstract— This study was carried out to evaluate the improvement of soil fertility and crop yield using formulated organic fertilizers in a Randomized Complete Block Design (RCBD) from October 2008 to April 2015 and the test crop was tomato, eggplant, cabbage and cauliflower. The physicochemical properties, behavior and persistence of plant beneficial microorganisms including nitrogen fixing bacteria, (e.g. Rhizobium sp., Azotobacter sp.), phosphate solubilizing bacteria e.g. (Bacillus sp. Pseudomonas sp., Phosphobacteria), Aspergillus sp. and Trichoderma sp., in the amended/ non-amended block were evaluated each year. The soil beneficial microbial populations and health properties including pH, nitrogen content, organic matter, phosphorus, K, Ca, and S, increased significantly in the compost-amended soils compared to the conventional practices. The total nitrogen (N) content and the organic matter of compost amended soil were 215% and 200% higher respectively than that of conventional practices (CP). Furthermore, significant increase of available organic matter, N, P, & K was observed in the compost-amended soils compared to conventional and control block. Furthermore, microbial population showed significant linear correlations with the organic matter contents of the soils and yearly vegetables yield increased gradually and was reached to almost identical to conventional field within 5 years, implying that the soil amended with BIOFER compost increased the soil fertility, and vegetables yields. Thus, application of BAOFER compost at the rate of 15 t/ha/year was found adequate in improving the vegetable yields and soil health in open field cultivation under subtropical climatic conditions.
Agriculture Extension and Advisory Services under the New Normal of Climate ...World Agroforestry (ICRAF)
In the years to come climate change, coupled with population growth, energy and natural resource depletion, will increasingly challenge our continued ability to feed ourselves. As we move forward, persistent problems, past failures and new challenges within Extension change agents and advisory service (EAS) provisioning have the potential to converge in a perfect storm as the scramble to adapt to the new normal of life under climate change intensifies. This presentation outlines the nature of the challenges, identifies past and present points of successful EAS engagement and outlines necessary areas of preparation
Assessment of Experts’ Opinion on Irish Potato Farmers Perceptions about Clim...Premier Publishers
This paper evaluated expert opinions on farmers' perception about climate change, Climate Smart Agriculture (CSA) practices and their effects on Irish potato production in Kenya. The study focused on different coping strategies preferred by experts and currently used by farmers. Delphi approach was used to elicit information from 22 experts from different Irish potato and climate research organizations in Kenya. The study found that, majority of farmers were aware of climate change and perceived it to affect Irish potato production in Kenya. Most experts opined that key climate change effects experienced by the farmers in Kenya included new strains of pest and diseases (91%), low rainfall (68%), instability in production (68%), inability to plan for production (64%) and destruction of crops by floods (59%) causing an overall decline in potato yield (86%). Despite high level of farmers’ awareness (76%) and benefits (91%), the study found low implementation levels(≤ 40%) on most of the CSA practices. Furthermore, the assessment revealed that the top 5 CSA practices preferred by both experts and farmers are the use of improved crop varieties (85%), irrigation (64%), efficient use of agrochemicals (54%), early land preparation (51%), diversified crop production (45%), efficient use of inorganic fertilizer (45%) and changing planting dates (45%). The study revealed that the most preferred CSA practices focused on increased production. The study calls for changes in agricultural policy to appropriately resolve the majority of CSA practices adoption and adaptation concerns in Kenya.
Rising to the challenge of establishing a climate smart agriculture - a global context presented as keynote in the Workshop on Climate Smart Agriculture Technologies in Asia workshop, organised by CCAFS, UNEP and IRRI.
Genetic Variability and Heritability of Agronomic Traits in Faba Bean (Vicia ...Premier Publishers
A total of 50 faba bean genotypes were used to estimate genetic variability on agronomic traits under soil acidity stress using RCBD with three replications at Holetta, Watebecha Minjaro and Jeldu with and without lime in 2017. The combined analysis of variance for each lime level showed the presence of significant differences among genotypes for all traits except number of seeds per pod. The mean yields of genotypes were 62.93 (without) and 93.12 g/5plants (with lime) showing a yield reduction of 32.34%. Computed genotypic coefficient of variations (GCV) ranged from 1.08-23.05% and 0.94-23.88% and phenotypic (PCV) from 1.20-23.26% and 1.11-24.07%, while heritability (H2) ranged from 24.63 -98.22% and 35.06 - 98.45% and genetic advance as percent of the mean (GAM) from 2.0 - 47.13% and 1.64 - 48.89% without and with lime, respectively. Under both lime levels medium to high estimates of GCV, PCV, H2 and GAM were computed for 100 seeds weight and number of pod per plant; indicating selection based on phenotypic expression of genotypes is possible to improve these traits. Selection based on mean phenotypic performance of genotypes would be effective to improve traits that have high GAM coupled with high H2 estimates. The performances of variability components for different traits with and without lime follow different trends and higher values were recorded with lime indicating optimum environments allow for better genetic expression.
Soil erosion is one of the major challenges of Ethiopia deteriorating the productivity of land. Soil and water conservation (SWC) is the only practice to reverse the threat and protect the land. Over the last three decades, different soil and water conservation activities have been undertaken. However, soil erosion still persists and become major threats of Ethiopian farmers. Despite the massive mobilization of resources for SWC, only very few farmers have been practicing integrated soil and water conservation measures for restoration of degraded agricultural land. In addition, there is lack of information among farmers on the impact of SWC on soil fertility improvement and soil nutrient content dynamics. This study was conducted in Kofele district, which is one of AGP district, in West Arsi Zones of Oromia. The study was aimed to demonstrate the impact of integrated Soil and water conservation measures in restoring degraded agricultural land. Dasho and Elephant grasses were planted on graded soil bund as an integration measures at four farmers field. Farmer’s field visit was arranged two times in two years to share practical experiences among the farmers and DA. It was also identified that soil nutrient contents in terms of total nitrogen, available phosphorous, available potassium and soil organic carbon content showed an increasing trend since establishment (2016). On the other hand, this kind of soil and water conservation practices on agricultural land showed promising way of carbon sequestration as the climate change mitigation strategy. The study recommended the use of integrated soil and water conservation measures as strategy of rehabilitating degraded agricultural land as apart of integrated water shed management.
This presentation was made by Dr. Francesco Cecchi, Assistant Professor, Development Economics Group, Wageningen University, during IFPRI Malawi brownbag seminar series on 23 November 2022.
Market Access and Quality Upgrading_Dec12_2022.pdfIFPRIMaSSP
This presentation was made by Dr. Tessa Bold, Associate Professor, Institute of International Economic Studies, Stockholm University, during IFPRI Malawi brownbag seminar series on 7 December 2022
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“Learning from Farmers Fields to Improve Yield and Profit: a case study for soybean in the US North Central region” by Patricio Grassini at the 2023 Water for Food Global Conference. A recording of the presentation can be found on the conference playlist: https://youtube.com/playlist?list=PLSBeKOIXsg3JNyPowwJj6NDSpx4vlnCYj.
Effect of gypsum and farmyard manure on yield and yield components of rice (O...Open Access Research Paper
Abundance of soil with saline sodic property in Amibara irrigated farms is becoming a threat to crop productivity. As part of the solution to such problem soils, combine application of gypsum and farmyard manure has not been investigated well in the area. Therefore study was conducted at Worer Agricultural Research Center using rice as a test crop during 2018 cropping season to evaluate their effect on yield and yeild componets of rice. Factorial combinations with three rates of FYM (0, 10 and 20t ha-1) and five rates of gypsum (0%, 25%, 50%, 75%, 100% GR) were laid out in randomized complete complete block design with three replications. Composite surface soil samples before experiment and from each treatment after harvest were collected for laboratory analysis. Most growth and yield components parameters were significantly (P≤0.05) different due to the main and the interaction of GYP and FYM. Straw yield, tillering number, effective tillering number and grain yield were affected significantly by the interaction effect of GYP and FYM. The highest grain yield (4.27t ha-1) were obtained at application of 20t ha-1 FYM +75 % GR. From the results it could be concluded that application of 20t ha-1 FYM + 75 % GR enhance grain yield of upland rice grown on saline sodic soil of Amibara district.
Unlocking the potential of SOC for climate action, food security and sustaina...ExternalEvents
This presentation was presented during the Plenary 3, Working group, Conclusion and Closure of the Global Symposium on Soil Organic Carbon that took place in Rome 21-23 March 2017. The presentation was made by Mr. Pete Smith from FAO, in FAO Hq, Rome
Climate change and agriculture in Central America and the Andean regionIFPRI-PIM
PIM Webinar, January 29, 2020.
Climate change poses a threat to food security and nutrition, largely through its impacts on agricultural production. To help developing countries identify where adaptation measures are most needed, IFPRI, with support from the CGIAR Research Programs on Policy, Institutions, and Markets (PIM) and Climate Change, Agriculture, and Food Security (CCAFS), conducted a multiyear study to assess the potential impact of climate change on the agriculture sector through 2050, taking into account the likely landscape of political and economic challenges that policy makers will face. The study integrated results from climate and economic models, and included detailed biophysical and bioeconomic analyses of Guatemala, Honduras, El Salvador, Nicaragua, and Costa Rica in Central America and Colombia and Peru in the Andean region of South America.
Presenters and panelists:
Timothy Thomas, Research Fellow, International Food Policy Research Institute (IFPRI)
Deissy Martínez Barón, Regional Program Coordinator for Latin America, CGIAR Research Program on Climate Change, Agriculture, and Food Security (CCAFS)
Ana R. Rios, Natural Resources and Climate Change Senior Specialist, Inter-American Development Bank
More at http://bit.ly/ClimateChangeAgWebinar
Fertility Levels of Soils under Selected Tree Vegetations for Efficient Agro-...AI Publications
In many parts of Nigeria, large areas of lands are dominated by tree crop vegetations for timber production and for fruits with land users not knowing the fertility status of soils in these vegetations. Continual evaluation of soil properties of these tree vegetations has become pertinent for agricultural sustainability. This study therefore was carried out to evaluate the fertility levels of soils under selected tree vegetations at National Horticultural Research Institute Okigwe, Imo State, Nigeria. Five tree vegetations that were over 20 years of establishment were selected namely: oil bean (Pentaclethra macrophylla Benth), African breadfruit (Treculia africana), mango (Mangnifera indica), Ogbonu (Irvingia gabonensis) and orange (citrus spp). In each of these tree vegetations, four soil samples were collected at uniform depths (0 – 20, 20 – 40 and 40 – 60 cm) at different locations using soil auger. The samples were analyzed using standard laboratory procedures. Data collected were statistically analyzed using analysis of variance. Results obtained showed that despite the ages of these vegetations, the soils were acidic, low in macronutrient and basic cation concentrations when compared to FAO standard. The highest exchangeable bases and organic matter (1.78%) was recorded on bread fruit vegetation. Therefore, there is need to increase the fertility status of these soils in these tree crop vegetations by adopting measures that will boost organic matter content of the soil irrespective of the duration of the vegetation and this will help in agro forestry and alley cropping.
Rice agroforestry: How trees can accelerate agroecological transitionsCIFOR-ICRAF
Presented by Fergus Sinclair, Rachmat Mulia, Himlal Baral,
Jim Roshetko, and Rob Finlayson
(CIFOR-ICRAF) at 6th International Rice Congress, Manila, Philippines, on 16-19 Oct 2023
Impact of organic and conventional practices on, soil health and crop yield u...Agriculture Journal IJOEAR
Abstract— This study was carried out to evaluate the improvement of soil fertility and crop yield using formulated organic fertilizers in a Randomized Complete Block Design (RCBD) from October 2008 to April 2015 and the test crop was tomato, eggplant, cabbage and cauliflower. The physicochemical properties, behavior and persistence of plant beneficial microorganisms including nitrogen fixing bacteria, (e.g. Rhizobium sp., Azotobacter sp.), phosphate solubilizing bacteria e.g. (Bacillus sp. Pseudomonas sp., Phosphobacteria), Aspergillus sp. and Trichoderma sp., in the amended/ non-amended block were evaluated each year. The soil beneficial microbial populations and health properties including pH, nitrogen content, organic matter, phosphorus, K, Ca, and S, increased significantly in the compost-amended soils compared to the conventional practices. The total nitrogen (N) content and the organic matter of compost amended soil were 215% and 200% higher respectively than that of conventional practices (CP). Furthermore, significant increase of available organic matter, N, P, & K was observed in the compost-amended soils compared to conventional and control block. Furthermore, microbial population showed significant linear correlations with the organic matter contents of the soils and yearly vegetables yield increased gradually and was reached to almost identical to conventional field within 5 years, implying that the soil amended with BIOFER compost increased the soil fertility, and vegetables yields. Thus, application of BAOFER compost at the rate of 15 t/ha/year was found adequate in improving the vegetable yields and soil health in open field cultivation under subtropical climatic conditions.
Agriculture Extension and Advisory Services under the New Normal of Climate ...World Agroforestry (ICRAF)
In the years to come climate change, coupled with population growth, energy and natural resource depletion, will increasingly challenge our continued ability to feed ourselves. As we move forward, persistent problems, past failures and new challenges within Extension change agents and advisory service (EAS) provisioning have the potential to converge in a perfect storm as the scramble to adapt to the new normal of life under climate change intensifies. This presentation outlines the nature of the challenges, identifies past and present points of successful EAS engagement and outlines necessary areas of preparation
Assessment of Experts’ Opinion on Irish Potato Farmers Perceptions about Clim...Premier Publishers
This paper evaluated expert opinions on farmers' perception about climate change, Climate Smart Agriculture (CSA) practices and their effects on Irish potato production in Kenya. The study focused on different coping strategies preferred by experts and currently used by farmers. Delphi approach was used to elicit information from 22 experts from different Irish potato and climate research organizations in Kenya. The study found that, majority of farmers were aware of climate change and perceived it to affect Irish potato production in Kenya. Most experts opined that key climate change effects experienced by the farmers in Kenya included new strains of pest and diseases (91%), low rainfall (68%), instability in production (68%), inability to plan for production (64%) and destruction of crops by floods (59%) causing an overall decline in potato yield (86%). Despite high level of farmers’ awareness (76%) and benefits (91%), the study found low implementation levels(≤ 40%) on most of the CSA practices. Furthermore, the assessment revealed that the top 5 CSA practices preferred by both experts and farmers are the use of improved crop varieties (85%), irrigation (64%), efficient use of agrochemicals (54%), early land preparation (51%), diversified crop production (45%), efficient use of inorganic fertilizer (45%) and changing planting dates (45%). The study revealed that the most preferred CSA practices focused on increased production. The study calls for changes in agricultural policy to appropriately resolve the majority of CSA practices adoption and adaptation concerns in Kenya.
Rising to the challenge of establishing a climate smart agriculture - a global context presented as keynote in the Workshop on Climate Smart Agriculture Technologies in Asia workshop, organised by CCAFS, UNEP and IRRI.
Genetic Variability and Heritability of Agronomic Traits in Faba Bean (Vicia ...Premier Publishers
A total of 50 faba bean genotypes were used to estimate genetic variability on agronomic traits under soil acidity stress using RCBD with three replications at Holetta, Watebecha Minjaro and Jeldu with and without lime in 2017. The combined analysis of variance for each lime level showed the presence of significant differences among genotypes for all traits except number of seeds per pod. The mean yields of genotypes were 62.93 (without) and 93.12 g/5plants (with lime) showing a yield reduction of 32.34%. Computed genotypic coefficient of variations (GCV) ranged from 1.08-23.05% and 0.94-23.88% and phenotypic (PCV) from 1.20-23.26% and 1.11-24.07%, while heritability (H2) ranged from 24.63 -98.22% and 35.06 - 98.45% and genetic advance as percent of the mean (GAM) from 2.0 - 47.13% and 1.64 - 48.89% without and with lime, respectively. Under both lime levels medium to high estimates of GCV, PCV, H2 and GAM were computed for 100 seeds weight and number of pod per plant; indicating selection based on phenotypic expression of genotypes is possible to improve these traits. Selection based on mean phenotypic performance of genotypes would be effective to improve traits that have high GAM coupled with high H2 estimates. The performances of variability components for different traits with and without lime follow different trends and higher values were recorded with lime indicating optimum environments allow for better genetic expression.
Soil erosion is one of the major challenges of Ethiopia deteriorating the productivity of land. Soil and water conservation (SWC) is the only practice to reverse the threat and protect the land. Over the last three decades, different soil and water conservation activities have been undertaken. However, soil erosion still persists and become major threats of Ethiopian farmers. Despite the massive mobilization of resources for SWC, only very few farmers have been practicing integrated soil and water conservation measures for restoration of degraded agricultural land. In addition, there is lack of information among farmers on the impact of SWC on soil fertility improvement and soil nutrient content dynamics. This study was conducted in Kofele district, which is one of AGP district, in West Arsi Zones of Oromia. The study was aimed to demonstrate the impact of integrated Soil and water conservation measures in restoring degraded agricultural land. Dasho and Elephant grasses were planted on graded soil bund as an integration measures at four farmers field. Farmer’s field visit was arranged two times in two years to share practical experiences among the farmers and DA. It was also identified that soil nutrient contents in terms of total nitrogen, available phosphorous, available potassium and soil organic carbon content showed an increasing trend since establishment (2016). On the other hand, this kind of soil and water conservation practices on agricultural land showed promising way of carbon sequestration as the climate change mitigation strategy. The study recommended the use of integrated soil and water conservation measures as strategy of rehabilitating degraded agricultural land as apart of integrated water shed management.
This presentation was made by Dr. Francesco Cecchi, Assistant Professor, Development Economics Group, Wageningen University, during IFPRI Malawi brownbag seminar series on 23 November 2022.
Market Access and Quality Upgrading_Dec12_2022.pdfIFPRIMaSSP
This presentation was made by Dr. Tessa Bold, Associate Professor, Institute of International Economic Studies, Stockholm University, during IFPRI Malawi brownbag seminar series on 7 December 2022
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This presentation was made by Annemie Maertens, Reader in economics, University of Sussex, during the MwAPATA-IFPRI joint seminar series on 9 November 2022
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This presentation was made during the launch of a book titled "Disentangling Food Security from Subsistence Agriculture in Malawi" by Dr. Todd Benson, IFPRI, at IFPRI Malawi brownbag seminar
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Does connectivity reduce gender gaps in off-farm employment? Evidence from 12...IFPRIMaSSP
At an IFPRI Malawi virtual brown bag seminar held on 19th May 2021, Dr. Eva-Maria Egger, a UNU-Wider Research Fellow, presented a paper that posed the question “Does Connectivity Reduce Gender Gaps in Off-Farm Employment?”.
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African cities are growing rapidly This growth can be attributed to the increase in population from natural births within cities and migration of people from rural areas in search of better job opportunities. The increase in urban population has led to an expansion of urban boundaries into peri-urban and rural areas, And the associated increase in demand for land previously not classified as urban has sped up the development of land markets in Sub-Saharan African (SSA) cities. It is in the context of this trend that a spike in global energy and food prices in 2007 and 2008 led to a sharp – albeit temporary – increase in demand by international investors for rural agricultural land in Africa and beyond, stoking fears of a “land grab.”
Understanding the factors that influence cereal legume adoption amongst small...IFPRIMaSSP
This presentation was made by Dr. Tabitha C. Nindi, a Research Fellow at the Malawi University of Science and Technology (MUST), on the 24th of March 2021.
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UIIN Conference, Madrid, 27-29 May 2024
James Wilson, Orkestra and Deusto Business School
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Have you ever wondered how search works while visiting an e-commerce site, internal website, or searching through other types of online resources? Look no further than this informative session on the ways that taxonomies help end-users navigate the internet! Hear from taxonomists and other information professionals who have first-hand experience creating and working with taxonomies that aid in navigation, search, and discovery across a range of disciplines.
This presentation by Morris Kleiner (University of Minnesota), was made during the discussion “Competition and Regulation in Professions and Occupations” held at the Working Party No. 2 on Competition and Regulation on 10 June 2024. More papers and presentations on the topic can be found out at oe.cd/crps.
This presentation was uploaded with the author’s consent.
0x01 - Newton's Third Law: Static vs. Dynamic AbusersOWASP Beja
f you offer a service on the web, odds are that someone will abuse it. Be it an API, a SaaS, a PaaS, or even a static website, someone somewhere will try to figure out a way to use it to their own needs. In this talk we'll compare measures that are effective against static attackers and how to battle a dynamic attacker who adapts to your counter-measures.
About the Speaker
===============
Diogo Sousa, Engineering Manager @ Canonical
An opinionated individual with an interest in cryptography and its intersection with secure software development.
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1. 1
20 October 2022
Modeling climate smart soil fertility
investments in sub-Saharan Africa
Ellen McCullough
October 17, 2022
2. 2
20 October 2022 2
This is a paper 8 years in the making!
I started grad school at Cornell in 2011. In 2012, I entered an NSF Integrated
Graduate Education and Research Traineeship (IGERT) on Food Systems and
Poverty Reduction.
In the summer of 2013, our cohort went to Ethiopia and spent two weeks
with the Ethiopian Agricultural Transformation Agency where we developed a
research proposal. 8 years later, we finally published our study!
Ellen McCullough, AEM Julianne Quinn, CEE Andrew Simons, AEM
3. 3
20 October 2022 3
This is a paper 8 years in the making!
I started grad school at Cornell in 2011. In 2012, I entered an NSF Integrated
Graduate Education and Research Traineeship (IGERT) on Food Systems and
Poverty Reduction.
In the summer of 2013, our cohort went to Ethiopia and spent two weeks
with the Ethiopian Agricultural Transformation Agency where we developed a
research proposal. 8 years later, we finally published our study!
Ellen McCullough, UGA Julianne Quinn, UVA Andrew Simons, Fordham
4. 4
20 October 2022 4
Motivation
The majority of people in developing countries live in rural areas,
and most of them depend on agriculture for their livelihoods
(IFAD, 2016).
Food security for these smallholder farmers was greatly
improved by the Green Revolution of the 1950s and 1960s.
Input intensification, of which fertilizer plays a key role, has
accounted for 60% of agricultural output increases since 1960 in
developing countries (Fuglie, 2018).
IFAD. (2016). Rural development report 2016: Fostering inclusive rural transformation.
Fuglie, K. O. (2018). Is agricultural productivity slowing?. Global food security, 17, 73-83.
5. 5
20 October 2022 5
Motivation
But benefits of fertilizer have not been uniformly distributed
Since 1960, regions
experiencing a Green
Revolution, have
increased fertilizer
use by
• South Asia: 56x
• East Asia: 17x
• Latin America: 10x
In Africa, where
yields have
stagnated,
fertilizer use has
only grown 5x
Smith, J. S., Gardner, C. A. C., & Costich, D. E. (2017). Ensuring the genetic diversity of maize and its
wild relatives. Achieving sustainable cultivation of maize, 1, 3-50.
6. 6
20 October 2022 6
Motivation
Low fertilizer
adoption rates in
Africa are not for
lack of effort.
In recent decades,
expenditures on
fertilizer subsidy
programs in the 10
largest African
countries have
accounted for 14-
26% of their
agricultural
expenditures
(Jayne et al., 2018).
Jayne, T. S., Mason, N. M., Burke, W. J., & Ariga, J. (2018). Taking stock of Africa’s second-
generation agricultural input subsidy programs. Food Policy, 75, 1-14.
7. 7
20 October 2022 7
Research Questions and Hypotheses
Africa’s large scale trends raise questions:
• Why is fertilizer adoption so low in Africa?
• Could fertilizer subsidy programs be better targeted?
• Would other initiatives be more effective than subsidies?
Our hypothesis:
- Fertilizer adoption is low because using fertilizer is not profitable
We seek to:
1) understand variability of fertilizer use profitability from year to
year and location to location
2) Inform targeting that could improve profitability
8. 8
20 October 2022 8
Mapping Soil Profitability in sub-Saharan Africa
We quantify the Internal Rate of Return (IRR) as:
𝐼𝑅𝑅 =
𝑝𝑦Δ𝑦 − 𝑝𝑓Δ𝑓(1 + 𝑟)
𝑝𝑓Δ𝑓(1 + 𝑟)
were
• 𝑝𝑦 is the price of crop 𝑦,
• Δ𝑦 is the change in yield of crop 𝑦 resulting from applying Δ𝑓, and
• 𝑝𝑓 is the price of fertilizer,
• Δ𝑓 is the amount of applied fertilizer,
• r is the interest rate
IRR need only exceed 0 for fertilizer to be profitable.
But farmers must decide whether or not to purchase fertilizer at the
beginning of the growing season, before they know either their
weather-dependent yield return, Δ𝑦, or the crop price at the end of
the season, 𝑝𝑦.
?
9. 9
20 October 2022 9
Robust Profitability
Many studies assume farmers will adopt fertilizer if average IRR
is above a target T (say IRR>30%).
We instead assume farmers will adopt fertilizer if they can expect
an IRR > T at least p% of the time (say 70%).
To estimate this throughout Africa, we need to understand:
1) The yield response to fertilizer adoption as a function of soil
and weather conditions
2) Spatiotemporal soil, weather, and prices
10. 10
20 October 2022 10
Data to assess yield response to fertilizer: Maize trials
Several field studies throughout
Africa between 1999-2007 and
2013-2016 have performed maize
production trials in which no N
management regime and an
optimal-N management regime
(120-125 kg/ha) were applied with
15-18 kg P/ha in both treatments.
We use these datasets to estimate
the maize yield return of applying
optimal-N fertilizer.
11. 11
20 October 2022 11
Data to assess yield response to fertilizer: Soils
We expect the yield response to fertilizer to vary spatially and
temporally based on soil and weather conditions.
For example, soil organic carbon (SOC) influences soil structure
and retention of soil moisture and nutrients like N.
Marenya, P. P., & Barrett, C. B. (2009). State‐conditional fertilizer yield response on western
Kenyan farms. American Journal of Agricultural Economics, 91(4), 991-1006.
12. 12
20 October 2022 12
Data to assess yield response to fertilizer: Soils
We expect the yield response to fertilizer to vary spatially and
temporally based on soil and weather conditions.
E.g., soil pH influences the ability of SOC and minerals to retain
nutrients, with fertilizer-mineral interactions typically weakened
as soils become more acidic (Sarkar and Wynjones, 1982).
In researcher-managed fertilizer trials in East Africa, fertilizer
response was higher in clayey soils than sandy soils (Tully et al.,
2016).
Sarkar, A. N., & Wynjones, R. G. (1982). Effect of rhizosphere pH on the availability
and uptake of Fe, Mn and Zn. Plant and Soil, 66(3), 361-372.
Tully, K. L., Hickman, J., McKenna, M., Neill, C., & Palm, C. A. (2016). Effects of
fertilizer on inorganic soil N in East Africa maize systems: vertical distributions and
temporal dynamics. Ecological Applications, 26(6), 1907-1919.
13. 13
20 October 2022 13
Soil data at 250 m resolution from African Soil
Information Service (AfSIS)
14. 14
20 October 2022 14
Data to assess yield response to fertilizer: Climate
Most farmland in sub-Saharan Africa is rainfed, and fertilizer
response decreases with increasing water stress during the
growing season (Haefele et al., 2006).
Negative relationships between temperature and African maize
yields, but N application can mediate the effects of heat stress
(Lobell et al., 2011).
We obtain precipitation and temperature data at 0.5-degree
resolution from the European Centre for Medium-Range
Weather Forecasts (ECMWF) between 1979-2018.
Haefele, S. M., Naklang, K., Harnpichitvitaya, D., Jearakongman, S., Skulkhu, E., Romyen, P., ... &
Wade, L. J. (2006). Factors affecting rice yield and fertilizer response in rainfed lowlands of
northeast Thailand. Field crops research, 98(1), 39-51.
Lobell, D. B., Bänziger, M., Magorokosho, C., & Vivek, B. (2011). Nonlinear heat effects on
African maize as evidenced by historical yield trials. Nature climate change, 1(1), 42-45.
15. 15
20 October 2022 15
Data to assess profitability: Maize and urea prices
Maize and urea prices were obtained
from the FAO Global Information and
Early Warning System (GIEWS) dataset
as far back as 2000, and urea prices
from https://africafertilizer.org/local-
prices/
We modeled prices at location i and
time t (𝑝𝑖𝑡) as a log-fraction of the
world price at time t (𝑝𝑤𝑡) for maize
(m) and urea (u) using a linear
regression:
ln
𝑝𝑖𝑡
𝑚
𝑝𝑤𝑡
𝑚 = 𝛼𝑖
𝑚
+ 𝛽1mkt + 𝛽2yr + 𝛽3yr2
+ 𝛽4m𝑜 ∗ cntry
ln
𝑝𝑖𝑡
𝑢
𝑝𝑤𝑡
𝑢 = 𝛼𝑖
𝑢
+ 𝛾1yr + 𝛾2yr2
+ 𝛾3m𝑜 ∗ cntry
Location-dependent intercepts and their standard error were
Kriged to interpolate prices outside market locations.
16. 16
20 October 2022 16
Estimation:
• Causal forest model to estimate the maize yield response to
optimal-N using trial data
• Predictors: site-level soil characteristics and site-year level
climate characteristics
• Not all trial sites used fertilizer exclusion – we balance with
propensity weights
• We minimize the standard error on predictions in each site
where the estimation does not use that site or year (avoid
overfitting fertilizer response model to the data)
Validation
• Compare our out-of-sample yield predictions to those from a
FGLS regression model (selecting variables stepwise from all
main effects and interactions using 5-fold cross-validation)
Methods: Yield response to fertilizer
18. 18
20 October 2022 18
Results: Yield response to fertilizer
Most important yield response
predictor: precipitation in the first
period of the growing season,
followed by % clay and soil pH.
19. 19
20 October 2022 19
Results: Yield response to fertilizer
Fertilizer response exhibits
a generally positive linear
relationship with
precipitation, soil N, and
soil clay.
And an inverted U-shaped
relationship with
temperature and soil pH.
Other variables do not
show strong relationships
with the response, but
may interact with other
predictors.
20. 20
20 October 2022 20
Fertilizer:maize price ratio required to meet
profitability conditions
21. 21
20 October 2022 21
Profitability distribution estimation
We estimate the profitability distribution at each site using a
1000-yr Monte Carlo simulation.
Generate a synthetic climate dataset (lag-1 autocorrelation)
using historical data (1979-2018) and projecting linear trends.
Predict random errors in the yield response using standard error
of the out-of-sample casual forest prediction
Predict random errors in output prices from a normal
distribution with mean α and standard deviation s(α).
22. 22
20 October 2022 22
Profitability findings
The average yield response to fertilizer exhibits great spatial
variation (a), and the profitability of that return exhibits
differential temporal variability across sites (b).
23. 23
20 October 2022 23
Profitability findings
Using a definition for “robust profitability” of IRR>0.3 in at least
70% of simulations, 3 of 10 randomly selected maize trial sites
fail to meet this threshold (2510, 922, 1037).
24. 24
20 October 2022 24
Profitability findings
How does this definition of being “robustly profitable”
(P 𝐼𝑅𝑅 > 0.3 > 0.7) compare with a “naïve” definition
assuming profitability simply if 𝔼 𝐼𝑅𝑅 > 0.3?
Using a naïve profitability definition based on mean yield
response to fertilizer classifies 12.5% of sites as profitable that
our robust definition does not and vice versa.
25. 25
20 October 2022 25
Implications for targeting
We can use the previous map to target fertilizer promotion
efforts where they are robustly profitable.
But why is profitability low in so may places?
We perform a local, one-at-a-time sensitivity analysis perturbing
each site’s soil conditions and simulated weather and prices by
+5% and -5%.
For each pixel, we find which variable elicits the greatest
absolute change in yield response and IRR when it is perturbed.
26. 26
20 October 2022 26
Variable with greatest average effect across1000
Monte Carlo simulations
The variable to which most pixels’ yield response is most sensitive is soil pH
(51%), followed by other soil characteristics (31%), temperature (14%),
precipitation (2%), and elevation (2%).
Precipitation is the most important predictor in the causal forest model, but
explains more spatial variability than local temporal variability. Soil pH can be
improved with interventions
27. 27
20 October 2022 27
Variable with greatest average effect across1000
Monte Carlo simulations
The robustly profitable locations are most influenced by temperature
and other soil variables than pH.
The areas sensitive to temperature should be monitored, as their
robust profitability may change in the future as temperatures continue
to warm.
28. 28
20 October 2022 28
Variable with greatest average effect across1000
Monte Carlo simulations
Locations that are never profitable are primarily sensitive to soil
pH, suggesting soil amendments such as liming could make
maize yields more responsive to fertilizer applications.
29. 29
20 October 2022 29
Variable with greatest average effect across1000
Monte Carlo simulations
Moving to profitability, we see prices take over as the most
dominant factor (40% of pixels), followed by soil pH (38%), other
soil variables (19%), temperature (2%), elevation (1%) and
precipitation (0%).
30. 30
20 October 2022 30
Variable with greatest average effect across1000
Monte Carlo simulations
Prices are primarily dominant in the regions that are already
profitable, but there a few locations in the never profitable
region where prices overcome soil pH as most important,
suggesting subsidies could be promising in conjunction with soil
amendments there.
31. 31
20 October 2022 31
Variable with greatest effect in individual simulations
We can also see how this sensitivity changes across different simulated years,
moving from low to high yield differences/IRRs.
The most important factor explaining the yield response does not change
significantly across its distribution, but prices becomes more important as IRR
increases, suggesting subsidies are less helpful in critical low IRR years.
32. 32
20 October 2022 32
Conclusions
It is important to understand uncertainty in yield response to fertilizer,
and what variables are controlling it, to inform economic and soil
health interventions.
Using a naïve profitability definition based on mean yield response to
fertilizer classifies 12.5% of sites as profitable that our robust definition
does not and vice versa.
Furthermore, we find price sensitivity is most prominent in areas that
are already profitable, limiting the potential for subsidies to improve
adoption.
But there could be great potential to improve adoption through
targeted soil amendments.