Abstract not found
Tag: cassava
Spatial variability of cassava tuber yield on newly cleared forest land in Lampung and consequences for experimental design
Old tree root channels in acid soils in the humid tropics: important for crop root penetration, water infiltration and nitrogen management.
Under high rainfall conditions on acid soils with shallow crop root systems the rate of N leaching is high. A simple model predicts nitrogen uptake efficiency as a function of the amount of rainfall in excess of evapotranspiration, rooting depth and degree to which N leaching is retarded in comparison with water transport. Field observations on acid soils in S.E. Nigeria and S. Sumatera (Indonesia) showed that this model should be amended to include the role of old tree root channels. Crop roots can follow these channels, which are coated with partly decayed organic matter, into the acid subsoil. Measurements of water infiltration with a Guelph permeameter and a methylene blue dye showed that such channels form the major infiltration sites during rainstorms. Implications for nitrogen use efficiency and cropping pattern are discussed.
Long term impact of Acacia auriculiformis woodlots growing in rotation with cassava and maize on the carbon and nutrient contents of savannah sandy soils in the humid tropics (Democratic Republic of Congo)
Blood amino acids profile responding to heat stress in dairy cows
Agroforestry for Livelihoods of Smallholder Farmers in Northwest Vietnam – Research in Development
In Northwest Vietnam, rain-fed crop cultivation is dominated by monoculture maize,upland rice and cassava on sloping lands. The loss of topsoil during the rainy season leadsto a depletion of soil fertility and plant nutrients leading to reduction in crop yield. Farmershave to invest heavily in chemical fertilisers for the maize to remain productive comparedto the past. Harsh weather conditions also reduce yields or even lead to crop loss and makesoil and water conservation more difficult.The project has introduced trees in mono-cropped landscapes through agroforestry toreduce dependence on annual crops, as well as increase and diversifies incomes from treeproducts, while also conserving the natural resource base. The research approach combineddifferent activities, which support each other to be possible bring valuable researchresults to apply to reality. The agroforestry systems were designed through participatorywhich the scientific knowledge and local knowledge are combined. These established trialsare evaluated to find out the suitable options. The add value for agroforestry adoptionalso involved research on propagation of priority agroforestry species, small-scale nurserydevelopment, research and transfer processing techniques, exploring value-adding opportunitiesby smallholders and facilitating links between producers and other market actors.The research findings were spread through farm cross-visits, farmer field days and trainingsessions held at the test sites, accompanied by regular impact assessments. In addition,these findings were used to inform the communication strategies, policy dialogues, extensionand expansion activities through workshops, media products, extension materials andtraining. To promote the agroforestry adoption, the project has been developed at threelevels: Participatory Farmer Trials, Farmer Demonstration Trials and Exemplar Landscapeswhere the scientific knowledge and local knowledge are combined and utilised. Thisapproach is primarily based on the classic extension and dissemination theories, but highlightsthe important elements of collective action and social capital development amongfarmers, and between extension workers, local governments and researchers. The resultshave been found useful in demonstrating farmer adoption of agroforestry practices anddeveloping value chains and market linkages in varying contexts, and they support thelocal governments to define strategy development through policy interventions.
Agroforestry systems improvement in Southeast Asia: Annual Report for 1994 – Project 4.6
Agroforestry Systems Improvement research in Southeast Asia focuses on the development of alternatives to unsustainable slash-and-burn agriculture, and the rehabilitation of degraded uplands. This work is targeted to three of the region’s key ecosystems: The forest margins, the imperata grasslands, and the sloping permanent farmlands.This was the second year of ICRAF’s program in Southeast Asia. We formulated a central hypothesis to focus the work in each of our three key ecosystems. We began implementing research in Indonesia and the Philippines to addresses the three issues.
Stressors and Resilience within the Cassava Value Chain in Nigeria: Preferred Cassava Variety Traits and Response Strategies of Men and Women to Inform Breeding
This study investigated the trait preferences for cassava in the context of climate change and conflict stressors among value-chain actors in Nigeria to strengthen social inclusion and the community-resilience outcomes from breeding programs. Multi-stage sampling procedures were used to select and interview male and female value-chain participants in the Osun, Benue and Abia States. The results indicated that farmers preferred cassava traits such as drought tolerance, early bulking, multiple-product use and in-ground storability to strengthen resilience. Climate change and challenges related to social change shaped the response strategies from both genders, and influenced trait preferences, including the early re-emergence of cassava leaves, stems that had ratooning potential, and especially the root milking that was important among female respondents. The major response strategies employed by men included frequent farm visits to prevent theft and engaging in non-agricultural livelihoods. Those employed by women included backyard farming, early harvesting, having preferences for food with fewer processing steps, and depending on remittances. The resilience capacity was higher for men than for women due to their better access to assets, as well as their abilities to relocate their farms and out-migrate in search of other livelihoods. Considering gendered cassava traits, and enhancing their resilience and response strategies, can complement efforts to make breeding more socially inclusive, resilient, and anticipatory to future challenges created by climate and related social changes.
Cassava Production Efficiency in Southern Ethiopia: The Parametric Model Analysis
Due to capital constraints and land scarcity in developing countries, introducing new technology to boost productivity is difficult. As a result, working to improve cassava production efficiency is the best option available. Cassava is increasingly being used as a food source as well as an industrial raw material in the production of economic goods. This study estimates cassava production efficiency and investigates the causes of inefficiency in southern Ethiopia. Cross-sectional data from 158 households were collected using a systematic questionnaire. The Cobb-Douglas (CDs) stochastic frontier production model was used to calculate production efficiency levels. The computed mean result showed technical efficiency (TE), allocative efficiency (AE), and economic efficiency (EE) levels of 74, 90, and 66%, respectively. This demonstrated that existing farm resources could increase average production efficiency by 26, 10, and 34%, respectively. The study found that land size, urea fertilizer application, and cassava planting cut all had a positive and significant effect on cassava production. It was discovered that TE was more important than AE as a source of benefit for EE. Inefficiency effects modeled using the two-limit Tobit model revealed that household head age, level of education, cassava variety, extension contact, rural credit, off-farm activities involvement to generate income, and farm size were the most important factors for improving TE, AE, and EE efficiencies. As a result, policymakers in government should consider these factors when addressing inefficiencies in cassava production. It is especially important to provide appropriate agricultural knowledge through short-term training, to provide farmers with access to formal education, to access improved cassava varieties, and to support agricultural extension services.