152132 research outputs found
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Estimates of the willingness to pay for locally grown tree fruits in Cusco, Peru
No full textUrbanization, changes in the retail sector and economic growth in developing countries may offer new opportunities to build connections between urban consumers and nearby farmers. The design of strategies to build such connections will require deeper insights into the food preferences of urban consumers. This paper presents a choice experiment of the preference of locally grown apples, avocados and pears vis-à-vis nonlocal equivalents with 300 consumers in a traditional market in Cusco, Peru. Willingness-to-pay estimates are derived from a multinomal logit analysis. We found that consumers who are younger and more educated and those with young children tend to be willing to pay more for locally produced apples, avocados and pears. The paper concludes with a discussion on the implications of the research for advancing efforts to localize food systems in developing countries and opportunities for future research
An assessment of yield gains under climate change due to genetic modification of pearl millet
No full textDeveloping cultivars with traits that can enhance and sustain productivity under climate change will be an important climate smart adaptation option. The modified CSM-CERES-Pearl millet model was used to assess yield gains by modifying plant traits determining crop maturity duration, potential yield and tolerance to drought and heat in pearl millet cultivars grown at six locations...Under climate change the contribution of drought tolerance to the yield of cultivars either increased or decreased depending upon changes in rainfall of the locations. Yield benefits of heat tolerance substantially increased under climate change at most locations...drought and heat tolerance in pearl millet increased yields under climate change in both the arid and semi-arid tropical climates with greater benefit in relatively hotter environments. This study will assists the plant breeders in evaluating new promising plant traits of pearl millet for adapting to climate change at the selected locations and other similar environments
Developing just transition pathways for Africa’s agriculture towards low emission and climate resilient development under a 1.5°C global warming
No full textNovel climate conditions are posing a serious threat to humanity and ecological systems, presenting and aggravating social injustices at different levels. African agriculture-based livelihood systems will be invariably the most affected because of their reliance on climate-sensitive agriculture and limited adaptive capacity due to low economic development linked primarily to historical contingency. Just transition pathways for Africa’s agriculture are urgently required for sustainable production systems that enhance food security and poverty reduction, while optimising mitigation co-benefits. We critically reviewed and synthesised literature from relevant scientific reports and peer-reviewed articles to develop a framework for just transition pathways for Africa’s agriculture towards low emission and climate resilient development under a 1.5°C global warming. We first characterise current and future climate hazards and assess climate risks underpinning African agriculture-based livelihoods. Our results demonstrated that a 1.5°C global warming will be approached by 2040 in all five subregions of Africa, even under low emission scenarios. This is despite Africa emitting <4% concentration of greenhouse gas emissions in the atmosphere. The African agriculture-based livelihood systems have experienced considerable losses and damages from climate change and this will worsen with increasing intensity of climate hazards. Neither the existing or planned incremental adaptation mechanisms nor the anticipated benefits of mitigatory measures are sufficiently comprehensive to match the pending novel climate conditions. We argue that the just transition pathways for Africa’s agriculture should be anchored on reprogramming of the cropping, livestock and fishery systems for climate-proofing with a specific focus on the following underpinnings: financing the advancement of science, technology and innovation; restoring neglected or underulitised crops and livestock genetic pools; regenerating soil fertility and advancing soil health; restoring degraded land; protecting natural ecosystems and biodiversity; accessing quality education training and information technologies; and developing markets and creating novel distribution and trade opportunities. Such efforts should also focus on mechanising and greening Africa’s agriculture as driven by a deliberate ‘Green Industrial Revolution’ for the new normal induced by climate change. The sustainability of climate change response and a just transition pathway framework for Africa also lies in the corresponding transformation of education systems and research capacities tailored to drive economic development for Africa. In conclusion, the developed just transition framework offers opportunities for social inclusion, equity, building capacity for self-mobilisation and self-organisation of communities for climate action, and investments in the transition pathways for building a climate resilient agriculture towards zero poverty and meaningful contribution towards zero carbon
Mature products & assets: learning toolkit for mDSR-Based low-carbon rice production advisories
No full textDoes Adoption of Improved Variety Encourage Farmers to Invest in Modern Inputs and Use Good Practices? Evidence from Rice Farmers in Guinea
No full textIron toxicity is one of the constraints limiting rice production in Africa. This study used a randomized controlled trial to assess the impact of an iron toxicity-tolerant variety, named ARICA 6, on different outcomes and investment in modern inputs by smallholder farmers. Two rounds of data were collected from 520 rice-farming households in Guinea. Results showed that the use of ARICA 6 increased rice yield by 330 kg ha−1 and net income by US$ 120 ha−1
. However, adoption of improved variety may not be enough to crowd in investment in modern inputs because farmers face other constraints
Cost-benefit analysis of agroecological interventions in green leafy vegetable business models in Kiambu County, Kenya
No full textThere is a global consensus that agroecology is a sustainable approach for agriculture and food system transformation. This is largely through harnessing nature’s resources while minimizing adverse environmental effects and improving connectivity, knowledge co-creation and inclusive relationships among food system actors. However, there is limited evidence on whether this approach is economically viable, especially for the majority of low-income value chain actors like smallholder farmers. This study therefore sought to assess the costs and benefits of integrating selected agroecological innovations in green leafy vegetable (GLV) value chains in Kiambu County, Kenya. The study focused on three GLV business models with potential for agroecological transition – one input based and two output based models. The agroecological interventions assessed include a physical expansion of agribusiness enterprises to increase production capacity and diversity, introduction of out-grower model for increased organic input production, adoption of a participatory guarantee system (PGS) for food quality assurance, adoption of collective organic production and marketing for food safety, and improved linkages among value chain actors through communication, coordination and knowledge sharing. The study applied a cost-benefit analysis (CBA) in the assessment. Net Present Value (NPV), Internal Rate of Return (IRR), and the Benefit-Cost Ratio (BCR) were applied as the evaluation criteria for the economic CBA. Additionally, thematic analysis was used to assess the social and environmental costs and benefits of the interventions in the three business models. At farm level, the results show a positive NPV across all the three models ranging from USD 130 to USD 1554, an IRR of 85% to 220%, and a BCR of 2.0 to 3.1. Similarly, at business level, the results show a positive NPV ranging from USD 320 to USD 9,684, an IRR of 24% to 29% and a BCR of 1.0-1.9. However, farm-level interventions have a shorter payback period compared to business level interventions. This shows that agroecology is economically viable at both farm and business levels. Results from the qualitative assessment also show perceived positive social and environmental outcomes of the selected interventions, implying that integration of agroecological interventions in food value chains has the potential to contribute positively to the overall food system transformation
