This course is a pivotal contribution to FAO’s vision of fostering a Better Environment, particularly focusing on Biodiversity for food and agriculture. Aligned with FAO’s strategic initiatives, the course is fortified by the approval of the FAO Strategy on Mainstreaming Biodiversity Across Agricultural Sectors and the 2021-23 Action Plan, emphasizing the importance of targeted policies and practices for sustainable use, conservation, and restoration of ecosystems.
Tag: agriculture
Contribution to a renewed framework to analyse the interactions between family and capitalist agriculture
Adoption of Climate-Smart Agriculture Technologies in Tanzania
Climate-smart agriculture (CSA) is agriculture that increases productivity, improves resilience, and mitigates climate change. Smallholder adoption of farming technology is necessary to speed the transition to CSA. Here, we assessed the determinants of adoption of five technologies that can help achieve some of the CSA outcomes in smallholder farms in Tanzania. They included crop and livestock diversity, irrigation, application of chemical fertilizers, and agroforestry. Using data collected from 821 farming households, a multivariate probit model was employed to evaluate the determinants of adoption, allowing for examination of synergies and trade-offs between the technologies. Application of chemical fertilizers was fairly well adopted (34% of farmers), while irrigation was least adopted (26%). Some technologies, including crop diversity and irrigation as well as application of chemical fertilizer and agro-forestry, complemented each other. Trade-offs were observed between livestock diversity and irrigation. Female control of farm resources, farm location, and household resources were major determinants of adoption. We, therefore, recommend strategies that seeks to enhance building household resource as pathway for improved adoption of new technologies.
Effects of Climate Smart Agricultural practices and Planting Dates on Maize Growth and Nutrient Uptake in Semi-Arid Tanzania
The shift of growing season’s onset due to rainfall and seasonal variability are among the climate change impacts affecting agricultural productivity in semi-arid. Previous studies have also noted the seasonal variations in planting windows in semi-arid Tanzania. Because of such rainfall variability due to uncertainties of climate change, farmers face difficulties in determining the appropriate planting dates. Though, climate-smart agriculture (CSA) practices are reinforced to mitigate such climatic extremes and sustain crop production, there is limited information on the performance of CSA practices under the uncertainty of planting windows due to unpredictable rainfall on-set and patterns. This study assessed the effects of CSA practices at different planting windows on maize growth and nutrient uptakes at Mlali village of Dodoma, Tanzania. A split-plot experimental design was adopted, treatments involved CSA practices (Chololo pits, tied ridges, intercropping and Ox-cultivation – as a control) and/at planting windows (Early, Normal and Late planting). The planting windows were determined based on previous studies and Tanzania national weather forecasts. The results showed that, CSA practices had a significant (p < 0.05) effect on maize height and N nutrient uptake. Similar biomass and Mg nutrient uptake were significantly affected (p < 0.05) by both CSA practices and planting dates though Leaf Area Index (LAI) were significantly affected (p < 0.05) by planting windows. Chololo pits and tied ridges and late planting dates had the highest soil moisture, plant heights, and biomass. Ox-cultivation had a slight high N, K and Mg nutrient uptake followed with Chololo pits and tied ridges.
Ecotourism: Another Benefit of Agro-Silvo-Fishery and Trigona Apiculture in Peatland Ecosystem of Baru Village, Banyuasin, South Sumatra
Agro-silvo-fishery and Trigona apiculture are two business models developed in the peatland ecosystem in Baru Village, Banyuasin District, South Sumatra. Since the beginning of 2022, two demo plots have been built in the same village landscape as part of the business model implementation. The system’s agro-silvo-fishery was established by constructing a pond around a paddy field and planting betelnut, vegetables, and fruit trees. Local fish that had acclimated to the acidic peatland habitat were captured during the flooding and raised in the ponds. In the constrained biophysical and chemical conditions of swampy terrain, this method is thought to be the greatest way to provide a variety of revenue. Individual farmers cannot afford the costs associated with setting up this system, especially when it comes to constructing the pond and dykes. Individual farmers cannot afford the costs associated with establishing this system, especially when it comes to constructing the pond and dykes. Hence, support from the district and village government and program partners is valuable. The farmer group harvested corn and vegetables from the dykes and rice from the paddy fields in the first year, and fish were not ready for harvest. However, the local BUMDes saved the day by creating weekly regular fishing activities and competition events, generating revenue from tickets. Moreover, the Trigona apiculture became a popular place for those outside the village to learn free of charge. Based on profitability analysis, the NPV of establishing agro-silvo-fishery is Rp103.036.769 per 0.8 ha for 30 years, with additional income from ecotourism is estimated to reach Rp21.600.000 per year. The established demonstration plot has the potential to become an ecotourism destination, and the key is to maintain the surrounding flowers and plants as the source of food for bees and the water condition for the fish.
Dynamic Uptake of CIS Use and Impacts on Agricultural Productivity and Incomes: Does co-production make a difference?
In West African Sahel, and particularly Senegal, seasonal climate forecasts are necessary to support farmers’ decision-making on farming activities and operations in a context of expected increase in rainfall variability. In recent years, a lot of attention has been paid to improving the provision of climate information services by ensuring that it is tailored to meet the users’ needs. In 2011, CCAFS scientists started a collaboration with the National Civil Aviation and Meteorology Agency of Senegal (ANACIM) which aimed to: 1) develop downscaled climate information services – CIS; 2) enhance the capacity of partners who were tasked to communicate climate information to farmers; and 3) enhance the transmission 0 of CI and agricultural advice to farmers. Under this initiative, a multidisciplinary working group (MWG) was set up at both national and local levels and constitute a decisive and inclusive body that facilitates the development of CIS, its diffusion and subsequent uptake by users at the district level. There is a lack of rigorous evidence on assessment of such co-production models, particularly on influencing uptake of CIS by end-users and the implications farmers’ welfare. A major challenges in evaluating CIS is due to the stochastic nature of weather which implies farmers’ adaptive strategies may vary from year to year depending on the weather changes. This makes it challenging to evaluate impact of CIS on livelihood welfare outcomes such as agricultural yields and household incomes using cross-sectional data. This study investigates the impact of climate information services and their effectiveness in improving farmers’ awareness, access and uptake of CIS. on agricultural productivity and agricultural income. To achieve these objectives, we use a two-time balanced panel to explore the dynamics CIS uptake and the impact on farmers’ agricultural income. This data is further complemented with participatory surveys that provide richer contextual information in explaining the impact pathways. Results show that the use of CIS when mediated with access to MWG increases leads to increases in household income of about 10-25% for farmers with access. Details of the impact pathways and implications of for policy are discussed.In West African Sahel, and particularly Senegal, seasonal climate forecasts are necessary to support farmers’ decision-making on farming activities and operations in a context of expected increase in rainfall variability. In recent years, a lot of attention has been paid to improving the provision of climate information services by ensuring that it is tailored to meet the users’ needs. In 2011, CCAFS scientists started a collaboration with the National Civil Aviation and Meteorology Agency of Senegal (ANACIM) which aimed to: 1) develop downscaled climate information services – CIS; 2) enhance the capacity of partners who were tasked to communicate climate information to farmers; and 3) enhance the transmission 0 of CI and agricultural advice to farmers. Under this initiative, a multidisciplinary working group (MWG) was set up at both national and local levels and constitute a decisive and inclusive body that facilitates the development of CIS, its diffusion and subsequent uptake by users at the district level. There is a lack of rigorous evidence on assessment of such co-production models, particularly on influencing uptake of CIS by end-users and the implications farmers’ welfare. A major challenges in evaluating CIS is due to the stochastic nature of weather which implies farmers’ adaptive strategies may vary from year to year depending on the weather changes. This makes it challenging to evaluate impact of CIS on livelihood welfare outcomes such as agricultural yields and household incomes using cross-sectional data. This study investigates the impact of climate information services and their effectiveness in improving farmers’ awareness, access and uptake of CIS. on agricultural productivity and agricultural income. To achieve these objectives, we use a two-time balanced panel to explore the dynamics CIS uptake and the impact on farmers’ agricultural income. This data is further complemented with participatory surveys that provide richer contextual information in explaining the impact pathways. Results show that the use of CIS when mediated with access to MWG increases leads to increases in household income of about 10-25% for farmers with access. Details of the impact pathways and implications of for policy are discussed.
Preliminary reflections of the potential of climate smart agriculture (CSA) in the Tshopo Province (DRC)
Agriculture is the main activity in Tshopo province and concerns about 84% of households. In the postconflict context of the Democratic Republic of the Congo where the country needs to use agriculture for food and employment, responses to climate change protection of biodiversity hotspot as it is the case in the Tshopo province cannot be ignored. The current agricultural practices are still very vulnerable to climate change and are threatening the biodiversity and carbon stock of the Tshopo forest landscapes. The challenges of the state and other stakeholders are thus to improve the productivity of this agriculture and make it resilient with less carbon footprint. Such 3 pillars (increase of productivity, provide adaptation and mitigation responses) correspond to CSA (Climate Smart Agriculture) that need to be achieved in an integrated way. Unfortunately, from the review at the national level and at the Tshopo principal scale, activities in which agriculture is involved target mainly one/two main objectives (food security, mitigation, adaptation or Biodiversity conservation) during a well-defined period and specific geographical locations. CSA could thus be a potential frame to improve the sustainability of the agricultural sector in the Tshopo Province, in the center of Congo Basin.
Conservation agriculture with trees: a training manual
Through text and technical illustrations, this manual discussed the following topics: 1.soil health and its importance, 2.conservation farming and its principles, 3.conservation agriculture with trees and its related principles, 4.equipment used in conservation farming
Learning pathway: Course flows & blueprint
This course is a pivotal contribution to FAO’s vision of fostering a Better Environment, particularly focusing on Biodiversity for food and agriculture. Aligned with FAO’s strategic initiatives, the course is fortified by the approval of the FAO Strategy on Mainstreaming Biodiversity Across Agricultural Sectors and the 2021-23 Action Plan, emphasizing the importance of targeted policies and practices for sustainable use, conservation, and restoration of ecosystems.
The Geospatial Understanding of Climate-Smart Agriculture and REDD+ Implementation: Indian Perspective
Geospatial technology has an enormous capacity to analyze large and diversified datasets for evaluating the hidden spatial relationship which provides a better comprehension of the subject and helps significantly in policymaking and planning future strategies.