PR | IFPRI3; Land Resource Management for Poverty Reduction | EPTD

PR | EPTD; | IFPRI3; | Journal article

The study explores complex non-linear decisions in land use allocation, focusing on the competition between cash and food crops. We develop an agent-based model to investigate whether the decision to opt for eucalyptus plantation is a rational choice in the perspective of different farmer types. We analyse the negative externalities (i.e. allelopathic effects) caused by the presence of eucalyptus on the productivity of neighbouring plots and the possible spill-over effects. The findings demonstrate that cultivation of eucalyptus as a cash crop may improve the rural populations' well-being only if there are no physical and economical constraints on access to food and services. The model shows that the allelopathic characteristics of eucalyptus strongly affect the soil fertility, inhibiting the possibility to switch to food crops in the future. In addition, the results of policy scenario simulations indicate that government environmental policies can play a key-role in improving awareness of the ecological effects of eucalyptus plantation on soil fertility in fragile socio-economic contexts characterized by high ecological vulnerability.

Harsh climate, characterized by low and erratic precipitation patterns, droughts, and poor soil fertility decrease cereal production in Sub-saharan Africa. Considering that soils in semi-arid west Africa are highly weathered with very low nutrient reserves, long-term sustainability of fertilizer microdosing techniques need to be studied. Research indicates that rain water harvesting (RWH) alone can increase yields of cereal crops by 30 – 50 % in semi-arid areas, due to reduced runoff and enhanced infiltration by RWH structures. Combined with micro-dosing technology, plus better access to credit, there is a high potential for farmers to address issues of poverty and food insecurity.

Ethiopia has a long history in which the food demands of rapidly growing population have periodically outstripped the productive capacity of the land, and this is particularly true in the dryland areas of the country. This has led to a decrease agricultural productivity and environmental degradation of the natural resource base. As the main source of economic activity in SSA is the agricultural production, declining soil productivity means not only less food is grown but also that production of cash crops and income are endangered. Thus, rectifying land degradation and enhancing productivity through appropriate soil management and conservation can play a major role in achieving farm household food security and agricultural development. This publication reviews issues related to land degradation, with focus on problems of soil fertility management in SSA. It highlights some successful experiences in the region, constraints and possible solutions specific to the major agro-ecological zones and the importance of holistic and participatory approaches for soil productivity improvement. The need for action and collaborative efforts of all stakeholders, within the framework of ongoing initiatives are emphasized. It is hoped that his document will contribute to increasing awareness of senior specialists and police-makers about the problems and alternative solutions towards enhanced and sustained soil productivity. This article assesses the major crop production constraints and their causes as related not only to the physical environment (climate, soils) but also in light of some of the important socioeconomic and policy problems. Details of some of the major crop production problems including drought (water stress), low soil fertility, pest infestation, lack of appropriate farm implements, and both socioeconomic and policy problems are indicated. The article also gives some examples of the available technologies and assess their practicality in relation to the low technology adoption by the smallholder farmers. Based on this research gaps are identified and future research strategies for sustainable crop production is proposed. Finally recommendation and suggestions on requirements in terms of capacity building in research and extension including trained manpower and facilities and other improvements in socioeconomic and policy issues required to improve crop production on sustainable basis for the resource poor smallholder farmers of the dry land areas of Ethiopia are forwarded.

This report covers the first visit by the NRI team to Ghana in the start-up of the agronomy component of the Integrated Food Crops Systems Project (IFCSP). The team was fully supported by in-country IFCSP personnel, VSO (Ms Meijer) and other collaborators. The purpose of the visit was to establish the project on the ground following funding approval from the NRSP FAI programme. This involved defining the activities of the various collaborators and conducting a participatory rural appraisal of farmers' perceptions and practices for maintaining soil fertility in dry season vegetable producing areas of Brong Ahafo region. The PRA which was carried out in four typical vegetable growing areas revealed that farmers use considerable amounts of inorganic fertilisers but are concerned about their costs and that increased quantities are required to maintain yields at former levels. Many farmers practice fallowing to maintain soil fertility and to avoid pest build-up, but generally fallow periods are becoming shorter. The project aims to overcome these constraints through the introduction and testing of suitable legume cover crops and green manures. A strategy for introducing the concept of cover crop and green manure usage and testing was developed for each of the four study locales following completion of the PRA. Strategies are related to the soil type(s) present, water availability and husbandry practices employed. Arrangements were made with SRI to conduct an initial soil survey and analysis of two surveyed areas before the start of the rains in April. Funding for the survey will be provided from the newly opened project account in Sunyani. Arrangements were made to purchase seed of suitable cover crops from CRI and seeds of those not available were ordered from European suppliers. Agreement for importing new accessions were made with the Plant Protection and Regulatory Services Department (Accra) and the Plant Genetic Resources Centre, at Bunso.