International Crops Research Institute for the Semi-Arid Tropics
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Identifying entry points for agricultural transformation – a multidimensional analysis of farming systems in Maharashtra state of India
Full text linkThis study employs a multidimensional framework analysing farming systems to identify entry points for transformation towards sustainability and profitability across seven districts of Maharashtra, India. Surveys of 204 households across diverse villages assess five sustainability domains: environmental, economic, productivity, social and human well-being. The analysis reveals mediocre sustainability achievements for all districts, with ample room for improvement. It also documents regional cropping patterns aligned with agro-climatic suitability and markets. Soybean and cotton were prevalent crops, while districts exhibit unique prioritizations like sugarcane and cereals. Considerable variability exists in net returns across locations and crops. Pulses and oilseeds show profit promise, but income security given its volatility remains imperative. The study estimates crop-specific impacts of yield, costs and prices on net returns using regression analysis. Results demonstrate that cotton profits are more sensitive to price incentives than yield gains, while soybean exhibits greater yield sensitivity. Balanced yield improvements and remunerative price environments can thus expand smallholder incomes. Though yield and market price are key drivers of farm economy but manging cost of production under certain situation is more important for enhancing sustainability. Overall, targeted interventions addressing sustainability gaps and risk management can enhance productivity, resilience, and rural livelihoods
Farmer perceptions on labor-saving technologies in groundnut production systems in Tanzania
Full text linkGroundnut is among the most valuable crops in Tanzania. It is a good source of oil, food, and income to many households however, it is considered a labor-intensive crop. Farmers perform tedious and laborious activities during ploughing, planting, weeding, harvesting, and shelling just to mention a few. Therefore, in ensuring that groundnut production achieves its potential within and outside the country, the introduction and use of labor- saving technologies cannot be overemphasized. This study intended to assess the farmers perception on groundnut labor-saving technologies in Tanzania. Specifically, the study aimed at (i) analyzing the labor-saving technologies used by groundnut farmers; (ii) Investigating farmers perception on the LSTs. Also, (iii) Comparing the farmers’ resource (such as time and finances) use associated with the traditional tools versus the labor-saving technologies (LST) and (iv) Discussing policy environment for labor saving technology in Tanzania
Validated fertilizer use at landscape scale: demand driven approach in sorghum, wheat and teff mixed farming systems in Ethiopia: A Technical Report
Full text linkSoil nutrient management is very critical to maximize crop yield and to maintain soil health for a sustainable productivity. Decline in soil fertility and soil quality, among other factors, are major constraints to the agricultural productivity and disfunction of environmental services (Bahr, 2015). In Ethiopia, soil nutrient mining and very less replenishment of organic and inorganic resources are the recurrent problems that resulted in soil nutrient depletion. Besides, severe topsoil erosion associated with steep slope cultivation made the country one of the highest nutrient depletion rates in Africa with 41, 6 and 26 kg ha-1yr-1 of nitrogen, phosphorus and potassium, respectively (Stoorvogel and Smaling, 1990). Soil nutrient balance assessments in central Ethiopia showed that nutrient losses even worsen and reached an amount of 122 kg N, 13 kg P and 82 kg K ha-1 per year-(Haileslassie et al., 2005). In addition to the poor nutrient and organic matter status, aluminum toxicity and phosphorous fixation are other constraints in Ethiopian soils apparent in pH less than 5.5 which enhances nutrient limitations and toxicity (Agegnehu and Amede, 2017; Agegnehu et al., 2006). The state of nutrient depletion entails context specific nutrient management and fertilizer applications