Tag: homegardens
Crop diversity in homegardens of southwest Uganda and its importance for rural livelihoods
Agroforestri pekarangan: kemandirian, ketahanan dan diversifikasi pangan
Are homegarden ecosystems resilient to climate change? An analysis of the adaptation strategies of homegardeners in Sri Lanka
Homegarden ecosystems are considered to be resilient to climatic changes partly due to the use of efficient and effective adaptation strategies by the homegardeners. This study documented the strategies adopted by homegardeners in Sri Lanka and investigated the determinants of the choice of such strategies. Data gathered from household surveys conducted in three selected locations were analysed to achieve the study objectives. About 52% of the homegardeners in all locations were found to be small-scale farmers (<0.5 ha) engaged in semi-subsistence farming over a long period of time. The majority (85%) of them have had their education only up to the primary level. Among the homegardeners, more than 63% in Keeriyagaswewa, 54% in Pethiyagoda and 90% in Siwalakulama have not made any significant changes to the plant, tree and animal composition of homegardens over the past 20 years. A number of adaptation strategies have been used by the homegardeners enabling them to maintain the diversity in the homegarden ecosystem. The changes in planting dates (37%), agronomic practices (39%), use of soil and water conservation measures (41%) and technology (55%) such as use of new varieties and irrigation equipments were the most commonly used adaptation strategies. A considerable variation in the type of adaptation strategies across the households was noted. The results of the probit analysis indicated that the type of employment, age, sex, education level of household head, experience in farming, homegarden size, diversity of homegardens measured by the Shannon Weiner Index (SWI), and perceptions towards climate change significantly influence the decision to adopt a given strategy. The development programs to promote adaptation to climate changes in homegardens should hence be designed taking the above determinants into consideration.
Quantification of carbon stock and tree diversity of homegardens in a dry zone area of Moneragala District, Sri Lanka
Homegarden agroforestry systems are suggested to hold a large potential for climate change mitigation and adaptation. This is due to their multifunctional role in providing income, food and ecosystem services while decreasing pressure on natural forests and hence saving and storing carbon. In this paper, above-ground biomass carbon and tree species diversity of trees was quantified in homegardens around two villages in the dry south-eastern part of Moneragala district of Sri Lanka. A total of 45 dry zone homegardens were sampled on size, diameter at breast height, tree height and species diversity. Using allometric equations, we find a mean above-ground biomass stock of 13 mega grams of carbon per hectare (Mg C ha1) with a large range among homegardens (1–56 Mg C ha1, n = 45) due to a variation of tree diversity and composition between individual homegardens. Mean above-ground carbon stock per unit area was higher in small homegardens (0.2 ha, 26 Mg C ha1, n = 11) and statistically different compared to medium (0.4–0.8 ha, 9 Mg C ha1, n = 27) and large (1.0–1.2 ha, 8 Mg C ha1, n = 7) homegardens. In total, 4,278 trees were sampled and 70 tree species identified and recorded. The Shannon Wiener index were used to evaluate diversity per homegarden and ranged from 0.76 to 3.01 with a mean value of 2.05 ± 0.07 indicating a medium evenly distributed diversity of sampled tree species. The results show a vast heterogeneity in terms of carbon stock and tree diversity within the less studied dry zone homegardens; results that contribute to more knowledge of their expansion potential as well as climate mitigation and adaptation potential. The results are also useful for whether homegardens should be considered to be included as an activity to enhance natural forest cover within Sri Lanka’s newly commenced UN-REDD National Programme.
Nutritional Impacts of Transitioning from Homegardens to Industrial Farms in Uganda
Uganda’s agriculture is currently confronted with a major government decision, set to transform the country’s farming landscape. The national development plan (Vision 2040) calls for a transition from small-scale farming, which currently supports the majority of Ugandans, to large-scale commercial agriculture. While this plan is likely to boost staple crop production, its impacts on human nutrition have not been adequately explored. Given its multifaceted and complex nature, an ex-ante evaluation of Vision 2040 requires the integration of knowledge and systems thinking from beyond the discipline-specific approaches that are often used. To this end, decision analysis, a decision-support approach from the private sector, offers tools for including ‘intangible’ factors that are important for the decision but difficult to measure. We applied Bayesian Networks (BN), a probabilistic causal modelling technique, for decision analysis concerning Vision 2040’s impact on the nutritional situation of Ugandans. To project future supply of micro and macronutrients, we convened a team consisting of technical experts and potentially affected stakeholders to construct a BN impact model.We used various group-work techniques to produce a consensus model that included the perspectives of all participants. To structure the analysis, participants identified five decision-relevant questions, relating to (1) dietary diversity, (2) human displacement, (3) expected changes in urban and rural diets, (4) future income prospects for displaced farmers and (5) changes in crop diversity. For each question, team members designed graphical models that were then reconciled into one comprehensive model projecting the nutritional impacts of Vision 2040. The model was converted into a BN, which was parameterised with probability distributions elicited from participants. To ensure accuracy in this step, participants were trained in techniques aimed at reducing estimation bias (e.g. overconfidence). Results indicated little change in terms of macronutrient deficiency (Hunger) but a worrying increase in micronutrient deficiency (Hidden Hunger) with the implementation of Vision 2040. The BN approach proved effective in generating a comprehensive working model of the implications of ‘Vision 2040’ for the nutritional status of households in Uganda. Such methodologies and model outputs hold promise for helping decision makers gain insight into the important linkages between nutrition and policy.
Homegardens and the future of food and nutrition security in southwest Uganda
Governments around the world seek to create programs that will support sustainable agriculture and achieve food security, yet they are faced with uncertainty, system complexity and data scarcity when making such choices. We propose decision modeling as an innovative approach to help meet these challenges and offer a case study to show the effectiveness of the tool. We use decision analysis tools to model the possible nutrition-related outcomes of the Ugandan government’s long term agricultural development plan termed ‘Vision 2040’. The analysis indicates potential shifts in household nutritional contributions through the comparison of the current small-scale diverse systems and the envisioned industrial agricultural systems that may replace them. A Monte Carlo simulation revealed that Vision 2040 plans outperform homegardens in terms of energy and some macronutrients, yet homegardens are likely to be better at producing key vitamins and micronutrients, such as Vitamin A. Value of information calculations applied to Monte Carlo outputs further revealed that gathering more data on the annual yields and nutrient contents of staples, pulses, vegetables, and fruits could improve certainty about the nutrition contribution of both scenarios. We conclude that the development of Uganda’s agricultural sector should consider the role that agrobiodiversity in the current small-scale agricultural systems plays in national food and nutrition security. Any changes according to Vision 2040 should also include farmers’ voices and current crop management systems as guides for a sustainable food supply in the region. This modeling approach may be a tool for governments to consider agricultural policy implications, especially given the data scarcity and agricultural variability in regions such as East Africa.
Diversification of Coastal Agroecosystems for Climate Resilience and Livelihood Security
The Indian coastal region of India is known for its rich diversity of climate, topography, soils,crops, livestock, fisheries, etc. Despite the abundance of natural resources, the productivity of crops and livestock in this region is poor as compared to the inland regions. Unlike the other parts of the country, the region faces unique problems like demographic pressure, land degradation, rapid urbanization, industrialization, environmental pollution, and climate change effects like increased frequency of floods, droughts, cyclones, and sea level rises. The majority of nations with sizable coastal ecosystems are threatened by extreme weather and climate change. Therefore, appropriate measures must be adopted, especially in developing nations, to lessen the vulnerability of farming communities in coastal areas. An integral part of a diverse agroecosystem, agroforestry offers both rural and urban residents a variety of necessary goods and services. The benefits that trees offer are best retained by incorporating them into agriculturally productive landscapes as natural vegetation is cleared for agriculture and other development types. Various proven agroforestry models are available for different ecologies, farming systems and their management regimes, farmer’s resources and knowledge base. These can be practiced in a spectrum of combinations, designs and scales, from subsistence to commercial farming for different purposes, such as timber, fodder, fruits, medicinal, energy, etc. In essence, agroforestry provides two things: products, and services. Some of the common products are foods and beverages, fruits, nuts, oils,gums, resins, latex, flavours, leaves for food and nutrition, feed for livestock, wood for fuel,biomass for energy generation, and medications for treating illness. As hosts to edible insects, bee habitats for pollination, shelter from the sun and wind, modification of micro-climates, nitrogen fixation, increased soil carbon, erosion control, habitat for biodiversity, and better water regulation, including groundwater recharge, agroforestry also offer a variety of benefits. Tree integration in food-producing systems can be practiced in all ecologies, social settings, and farming systems in various designs and combinations. A portfolio of trees are developed for different purposes; income and nutrition security, resilience to climate change, enhance land productivity, market needs of timber, etc. without sacrificing the farm income. To understand the challenges, potential, and opportunities of agroforestry in the coastal ecosystem, and to promote co-learning through CIFOR-ICRAF’s Asia Continental Program in collaboration with ICARCCARI an International Training Program on Diversification of Coastal Agroecosystems for Climate Resilience and Livelihood Security is being organized at ICAR-CCARI, Goa, India during 07th to 11th November 2022. This training would be vital for priority setting of research and policy decisions. The training will also be very useful for planning the road map for sustainable development of the coastal agriculture and allied sectors.
Adaptation and growth performance of five avocado cultivars in Ethiopia
Ethiopia has diverse agroecology with vast areas, suitable for growing subtropical and tropical fruits. Despite this potential, the avocado industry in Ethiopia is still in its infancy. This study assessed the adaptation of five avocado cultivars: Ettinger, Fuerte, Hass, Nabal, and Reed, survival rate, growth performances, fruit yield, and household contributions in Lemo district Ethiopia. The results revealed that there were significant differences in tree growth performance and yield among avocado cultivars (P < 0.05). The highest vegetative growth performance was demonstrated by Nabal, Fuerte, Ettinger, and Hass, while Reed was the lowest. In 2020, Nabal had the highest fruit yield (96 kg tree1), followed by Hass (47 kg tree1), while Fuerte had a relatively low fruit yield (39.43 kg tree1). Due to its larger fruit size, the Nabal was used for sale, while the Hass cultivar, which has a sweet taste, was mainly used for home consumption. The findings demonstrated that significant difference in management practices applied by male and female farmers. Overall, the study concluded that the Nabal, Hass, and Ettinger cultivars had a great potential for fruit production, which could improve smallholder farmers livelihood. As a result, it is necessary to scale up these avocado cultivars in the midland agroecological zone of the country.