Your search found 25 records
1 Musiyiwa, K.; Harris, D.; Filho, W. L.; Gwenzi, W.; Nyamangara, J. 2017. An assessment of smallholder soil and water conservation practices and perceptions in contrasting agro-ecological regions in Zimbabwe. Water Resources and Rural Development, 9:1-11. [doi: https://doi.org/10.1016/j.wrr.2016.09.001]
Water conservation ; Soil conservation ; Smallholders ; Farmers attitudes ; Water management ; Technology assessment ; Information services ; Constraints ; Climate change ; Agroecological zones ; Subhumid zones ; Semiarid zones ; Households ; Gender ; Socioeconomic environment / Africa South of Sahara / Zimbabwe / Mazowe / Goromonzi / Kadoma / Matobo / Chiredzi
(Location: IWMI HQ Call no: e-copy only Record No: H048197)
(0.59 MB)
Improved soil and water management practices can reduce moisture stress and crop failures associated with rain-fed cropping systems. Little information exists on soil and water management technologies requirements for male and female farmers in different agro-ecological regions. The objective of current study was to investigate farmers’ sources of information and perceptions on soil and water management technologies. Four sites selected from different agro-ecological regions (AERs), sub-humid (Mazowe/Goromonzi, and Kadoma) and semi-arid (Matobo and Chiredzi). Data on sources of information on soil and water management, types of technologies preferred by farmers and constraints to adoption of technologies were collected through household interviews and focus group discussions. Results showed that government extension agents, farmer-to farmer extension and non-governmental organizations were the main sources of information on soil and water management technologies at all the sites. NGOs mainly provide information on reduced tillage methods. Main technologies were mulching (61%), reduced tillage methods (53%), and contour ridges (33%) in Mazowe/Goromonzi district, reduced tillage method (83) and mulching (64%) in Kadoma, and reduced tillage methods (54%) and contour ridges (47%) in Matobo. More farmers used soil and water management technologies at the sub-humid sites than at the semi-arid sites. Soil and water conservation technologies used were similar between male-headed (MHH) and female-headed households (FHH). Soil and water conservation technologies used by farmers matched their preferences in two of the four study sites. The findings are important for targeting soil and water management practices in the various agro-ecological zones.
2 Asante, W. A.; Acheampong, E.; Kyereh, E.; Kyereh, B. 2017. Farmers’ perspectives on climate change manifestations in smallholder cocoa farms and shifts in cropping systems in the forest-savannah transitional zone of Ghana. Land Use Policy, 66:374-381. [doi: https://doi.org/10.1016/j.landusepol.2017.05.010]
Climate change adaptation ; Farmers attitudes ; Cropping systems ; Farming systems ; Theobroma cacao ; Forests ; Savannas ; Agroecological zones ; Land use ; Landscape ; Smallholders ; Living standards ; Indicators ; Strategies / Ghana / Brong Ahafo Region
(Location: IWMI HQ Call no: e-copy only Record No: H048312)
(0.55 MB)
The study was conducted to explore actual manifestations of climate change in smallholder cocoa farms to aid extension response to climate impacts, and to understand the reasons for a renewed interest in cocoa production in the forest-savanna agro ecological landscape in Ghana, in spite of unfavorable climatic conditions. Two hundred cocoa farmers were interviewed in nine cocoa farming communities. Selected farms were also visited to document on-farm manifestation of climate impacts as well as innovations and strategies farmers are employing to respond to the adverse impacts of climate change on their cocoa systems. The results revealed various manifestations of climate impacts on cocoa farms which included, increased incidence of pests and diseases, wilting of cocoa leaves, high mortality of cocoa seedlings which affected expansion and farm rehabilitation, and wilting of cherelles resulting in low yield. The farmers maintained that their response to the immediate impacts of climate on cocoa was a shift to cereals due to the unpredictable climatic patterns and the shortened duration of rainfall. However, a combination of storage and supply chain challenges and low returns from cereal production, coupled with land scarcity in the Western Region, where most of them are migrant farmers accounted for their decision to return to cocoa production lately. It was observed, among other adaptive responses, that some farmers plant about three times the plantain suckers they usually plant, to provide a dense temporary shade over cocoa seedlings, and resort to planting more cocoa seedlings randomly per unit area on new farms, contrary to recommended planting approach, as a form of insurance against seedling mortality. More importantly, a community-based fire response system was identified to be a major safeguard mechanism to the threat of fire. Clearly, the farmers are not replanting cocoa in the forest-savanna agro ecological landscape because it is more productive than cereals, but they believe that a low yielding cocoa is far better than a productive cereal cropping systems that offer low returns when compared to cocoa. The study brings out the sustainable livelihood challenges of the rural farmer within the context of a changing climate for appropriate policy response.
3 Nhemachena, Charles; Matchaya, Greenwell; Nhlengethwa, Sibusiso. 2017. Agricultural growth trends and outlook for Lesotho. Washington, DC, USA: International Food Policy Research Institute (IFPRI); Pretoria, South Africa: International Water Management Institute (IWMI). 30p. (ReSAKSS-SA Annual Trends and Outlook Report 2016)
Agricultural development ; Agricultural sector ; Performance evaluation ; Agricultural production ; Agricultural productivity ; Environmental effects ; Climate change ; Socioeconomic environment ; Living standards ; Poverty ; Equity ; Economic indicators ; Gross national product ; Agricultural trade ; Expenditure ; Agroecological zones ; Soils ; Arable land ; Development programmes / Southern Africa / Lesotho
(Location: IWMI HQ Call no: e-copy only Record No: H048751)
http://resakss.org/sites/default/files/ReSAKSS-SA%20-%20ATOR%20-%202016%20-%20high%20res%20with%20crop%20marks%20%28002%29.pdf
https://vlibrary.iwmi.org/pdf/H048751.pdf
https://vlibrary.iwmi.org/pdf/H048751.pdf
(1.05 MB) (1.05 MB)
4 Kosmowski, F. 2018. Soil water management practices (terraces) helped to mitigate the 2015 drought in Ethiopia. Agricultural Water Management, 204:11-16. [doi: https://doi.org/10.1016/j.agwat.2018.02.025]
Soil management ; Water management ; Drought ; Climate-smart agriculture ; Terraces ; Contour bunding ; Crop yield ; Agroecological zones ; Households ; Statistical methods / Ethiopia
(Location: IWMI HQ Call no: e-copy only Record No: H048753)
https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S0378377418301203/pdfft?md5=8df17524412482ff20489616813d8401&pid=1-s2.0-S0378377418301203-main.pdf
https://vlibrary.iwmi.org/pdf/H048753.pdf
https://vlibrary.iwmi.org/pdf/H048753.pdf
(0.84 MB) (864 KB)
While the benefits of soil water management practices relative to soil erosion have been extensively documented, evidence regarding their effect on yields is inconclusive. Following a strong El-Niño, some regions of Ethiopia experienced major droughts during the 2015/16 agricultural season. Using the propensity scores method on a nationally representative survey in Ethiopia, this study investigates the effect of two widely adopted soil water management practices – terraces and contour bunds – on yields and assesses their potential to mitigate the effects of climate change. It is shown that at the national level, terraced plots have slightly lower yields than non-terraced plots. However, data support the hypothesis that terraced plots acted as a buffer against the 2015 Ethiopian drought, while contour bunds did not. This study provides evidence that terraces have the potential to help farmer deal with current climate risks. These results can inform the design of climate change adaptation policies and improve targeting of soil water management practices in Ethiopia.
5 Drechsel, Pay. 2018. Consumption. In Karg, H.; Drechsel, Pay (Eds.). Atlas of West African urban food systems: examples from Ghana and Burkina Faso. Colombo, Sri Lanka: International Water Management Institute (IWMI). CGIAR Research Program on Water, Land and Ecosystems (WLE). pp.60-65.
Food consumption ; Household consumption ; Meal patterns ; Diet ; Women's participation ; Malnutrition ; Food safety ; Health hazards ; Willingness to pay ; Agroecological zones ; Vegetables ; Cereals ; Animal products ; Fruits / West Africa / Ghana / Burkina Faso / Accra / Kumasi / Tamale / Ouagadougou
(Location: IWMI HQ Call no: e-copy only Record No: H049013)
(956 KB)
6 Abera, W.; Tamene, L.; Tibebe, D.; Adimassu, Zenebe; Kassa, H.; Hailu, H.; Mekonnen, K.; Desta, G.; Sommer, R.; Verchot, L. 2020. Characterizing and evaluating the impacts of national land restoration initiatives on ecosystem services in Ethiopia. Land Degradation and Development, 31(1):37-52. [doi: https://doi.org/10.1002/ldr.3424]
Land restoration ; Ecosystem services ; Land degradation ; Landscape conservation ; Impact assessment ; Sustainable land management ; Projects ; Agroecological zones ; Soil erosion ; Highlands ; Case studies / Ethiopia / Tigray / Amhara
(Location: IWMI HQ Call no: e-copy only Record No: H049428)
(9.02 MB)
Land restoration is considered to be the remedy for 21st century global challenges of land degradation. As a result, various land restoration and conservation efforts are underway at different scales. Ethiopia is one of the countries with huge investments in land restoration. Tremendous land management practices have been implemented across the country since the 1970s. However, the spatial distribution of the interventions has not been documented, and there is no systematic, quantitative evidence on whether land restoration efforts have achieved the restoration of desired ecosystem services. Therefore, we carried out a meta-analysis of peer-reviewed scientific literature related to land restoration efforts and their impacts in Ethiopia. Results show that most of the large-scale projects have been implemented in the highlands, specifically in Tigray and Amhara regions covering about 24 agroecological zones, and land restoration impact studies are mostly focused in the highlands but restricted in about 11 agroecological zones. The highest mean effect on agricultural productivity is obtained from the combination of bunds and biological interventions followed by conservation agriculture practices with 170% and 18% increases, respectively. However, bunds alone, biological intervention alone, and terracing (fanya juu) reveal negative effects on productivity. The mean effect of all land restoration interventions on soil organic carbon is positive, the highest effect being from “bunds + biological” (139%) followed by exclosure (90%). Reduced soil erosion and runoff are the dominant impacts of all interventions. The results can be used to improve existing guidelines to better match land restoration options with specific desired ecosystem functions and services. Although the focus of this study was on the evaluation of the impacts of land restoration efforts on selected ecosystem services, impacts on livelihood and national socioeconomy have not been examined. Thus, strengthening socioeconomic studies at national scale to assess the sustainability of land restoration initiatives is an essential next step.
7 Mutenje, M. J.; Farnworth, C. R.; Stirling, C.; Thierfelder, C.; Mupangwa, W.; Nyagumbo, I. 2019. A cost-benefit analysis of climate-smart agriculture options in Southern Africa: balancing gender and technology. Ecological Economics, 163:126-137. [doi: https://doi.org/10.1016/j.ecolecon.2019.05.013]
Climate-smart agriculture ; Cost benefit analysis ; Gender ; Women's participation ; Households ; Decision making ; Technology transfer ; Climate change adaptation ; Conservation agriculture ; Smallholders ; Farmers ; Agroecological zones ; Models / Southern Africa / Malawi / Mozambique / Zambia
(Location: IWMI HQ Call no: e-copy only Record No: H049486)
(0.72 MB)
Climate change and extreme weather events undermine smallholder household food and income security in southern Africa. Climate Smart Agriculture (CSA) technologies comprise a suite of interventions that aim to sustainably increase productivity whilst helping farmers adapt their farming systems to climate change and to manage risk more effectively. Cost-benefit analysis (CBA) and a mixed methods approach were used to assess the likelihood of investment in various CSA technology combinations. The data were drawn respectively from 1440, 696, and 1448 sample households in Malawi, Mozambique and Zambia, covering 3622, 2106 and 5212 maize-legume plots in these countries over two years. The cost-benefit analysis and stochastic dominance results showed that CSA options that combined soil and water conservation management practices based on the principles of conservation agriculture (CA), improved varieties, and associations of cereal-legume crop species were economically viable and worth implementing for risk averse smallholder farmers. A dynamic mixed multinomial logit demonstrated that women's bargaining power, drought shock, and access to CSA technology information positively influenced the probability of investing in CSA technology combinations. This study provides evidence of the importance of cultural context, social relevance and intra-household decision-making in tailoring suitable combinations of CSA for smallholder farmers in southern Africa.
8 Mapa, R. B. (Ed.) 2020. The soils of Sri Lanka. Cham, Switzerland: Springer. 128p. (World Soils Book Series) [doi: https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-030-44144-9]
Soil types ; Soil surveys ; Soil sciences ; Geomorphology ; Geology ; Soil degradation ; Soil fertility ; Soil salinity ; Soil erosion ; Mineralogical soil types ; Tropical soils ; Clay minerals ; Kaolinite ; Smectites ; Luvisols ; Acrisols ; Alluvial soils ; Rock ; Weathering ; Highlands ; Landslides ; Arid zones ; Lowland ; Climatic zones ; Agroecological zones ; Coastal plains ; Floodplains ; Plantation crops ; Land resources ; Land use planning ; Legislation ; Drainage systems ; Eutrophication ; Environmental effects ; Monsoon climate ; Rain ; Temperature ; Waterlogging / Sri Lanka
(Location: IWMI HQ Call no: e-copy SF Record No: H049945)
9 Maru, H.; Haileslassie, Amare; Zeleke, T.; Esayas, B. 2022. Agroecology-based analysis of meteorological drought and mapping its hotspot areas in Awash Basin, Ethiopia. Modeling Earth Systems and Environment, 8(1):339-360. [doi: https://doi.org/10.1007/s40808-021-01101-y]
Drought ; Mapping ; Agroecological zones ; Meteorological factors ; Precipitation ; Evapotranspiration ; Rain ; Temperature ; Risk management ; Disaster preparedness ; Adaptation ; Arid zones ; Highlands ; Lowland / Ethiopia / Awash Basin
(Location: IWMI HQ Call no: e-copy only Record No: H050179)
(11.30 MB)
Drought-related risk is among the major global challenges of our time. It negatively impacts food security and ecosystem health. It is becoming a persistent problem in many parts of sub-Saharan Africa and specifically in Ethiopia. Information on its intensity and spatiotemporal distribution is critical to contextualize interventions and build agroecosystem and community resilience. This study aims at analyzing spatiotemporal characteristics of meteorological drought over eight Agroecological Zones (AEZs) of the Awash Basin, Ethiopia. Annual gridded temperature and precipitation dataset obtained from the National Meteorological Agency of Ethiopia for the period 1983–2016, covering 1655 grid points, were used. The study applied the Standard Precipitation and Evapotranspiration Index (SPEI) and Standard Precipitation Index (SPI) methods to characterize the meteorological droughts. The study applied Arc GIS 10.5 to map the drought hotspots. From the result, the value of SPEI and SPI methods was divergent in characterizing the magnitude and spatial occurrence of drought episodes. SPEI has more advantages in detecting dry months and a small advantage in detecting dry seasons compared to the SPI. Temporally, wet and dry years dominated the 1990s and 2010s, respectively. Drought dominated 1980s and normal years dominated the 2000s. The spatial context of drought hotspot showed that AEZs in the upper and lower parts of the Awash Basin were hit by severe to extreme drought while the escarpments and middle parts of the basin experienced mild to moderate drought. This contrasts with the common perception that the hot to warm arid lowlands AEZs are the only hotspot areas to drought. Moreover, previously none frequent drought AEZs, such as tepid to cool humid mid-highlands were identified as drought hotspots in the basin. This information could help policymakers to target AEZs and implement context-specific and informed drought risk management decisions and adaptation measures.
10 Nartey, Eric Gbenatey; Cofie, Olufunke; Gebrezgabher, Solomie; Nikiema, Josiane. 2021. Crops and farmers’ response to application of fecal sludge derived - Fortifer™ in different agro-ecological zones in Ghana. Journal of Environmental Management, 293:112970. [doi: https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jenvman.2021.112970]
Fertilizer application ; Organic fertilizers ; Composts ; Faecal sludge ; Farmers' attitudes ; Crop yield ; Nutrient content ; Awareness raising ; Willingness to pay ; Marginal analysis ; Pilot farms ; Agroecological zones / Ghana / Tuba Irrigation Scheme / Annum Valley Irrigation Scheme / Kpong Irrigation Scheme / Busa / Wenchi / Tekuru / Nyangua
(Location: IWMI HQ Call no: e-copy only Record No: H050489)
(3.70 MB)
Fecal sludge (FS)-derived fertilizer material, Fortifer™ was used in farmers’ field to cultivate different crops under varying soil and agro-climatic conditions in Ghana. The aim was to (1) create awareness among smallholder farmers for widespread use of Fortifer™ (2) observe the response of crops to Fortifer™ application by farmers in different agro-ecological zones (3) obtain farmers feedback on the FS-derived product to enhance further dissemination across the country. In total 95 farmers in six locations participated in the farmer-led pilots. Fortifer™ containing up to 3.0% nitrogen, 3.6% phosphorus, 1.3% potassium and 44.3% organic matter was applied to tomato, rice, maize and pepper in comparison to inorganic fertilizers at recommended rates. Subsequently, farmers’ perception of, and willingness to use the product were studied. Crop yield was significantly higher (p = 0.05) in the Fortifer™ plots compared to the inorganic fertilizer plots for all the selected crops. Yield was 12% higher for tomato, 27% for rice and maize and 30% for pepper under the Fortifer™ plots. Farmers indicated that, nutrient content was the most important factor they consider when making fertilizer purchasing decision.
11 Ketema, H.; Wei, W.; Legesse, A.; Zinabu, W.; Temesgen, H.; Yirsaw, E. 2021. Ecosystem service variation and its importance to the wellbeing of smallholder farmers in contrasting agro-ecological zones of East African Rift. Food and Energy Security, 18p. (Online first) [doi: https://doi.org/10.1002/fes3.310]
Ecosystem services ; Smallholders ; Farmers ; Agroecological zones ; Water supply ; Land use ; Land cover ; Cultivated land ; Agroforestry ; Erosion control ; Economic value ; Socioeconomic aspects / East Africa / Ethiopia / Rift Valley
(Location: IWMI HQ Call no: e-copy only Record No: H050514)
(1.80 MB) (1.80 MB)
Smallholder farmers lead their lives using multiple ecosystem services (ESs). Understanding the contribution of these services to smallholder farmers' wellbeing is essential for addressing ecosystem-related problems. While the economic valuation of ESs has received major emphasis, smallholder farmer perceptions of ESs, ecosystem disservices (EDs), and the importance of their wellbeing are repeatedly overlooked. We analyzed variations in ES values (ESVs) in response to land use land cover (LULC) change, perceptions of ES/ED and the importance of these ecosystems to wellbeing in contrasting agro-ecological zones (AEZs). To obtain datasets, we used geospatial technology, focus group discussion, and face-to-face cross-sectional surveys in a highly populated area of the Southeastern escarpment of the Ethiopian Rift Valley. The research was carried out between October 1 and December 30, 2018. The results revealed the following. (1) Total area of 75,246.98 ha (34%) was changed to various LULC classes across AEZs. Woodland decreased at annual rates of 5.28% while agroforestry increased at annual rates of 1.03%, respectively. (2) ESV was estimated to be approximately $164 million and declined by approximately $24 million between 1988 and 2018, owing to the expansion of cultivated land. (3) More than 55% of smallholder farmers consistently identified benefits from food-cereal and vegetables, food-meat, and erosion control, problems associated with human disease vectors, as of very high importance for their wellbeing. ESs are the positive benefits while ecosystem functions that are perceived as negative for human wellbeing are termed as EDs. ESs were perceived as positively contributing to wellbeing, while EDs detracted from health and material wellbeing. The assigned values varied significantly with AEZs and socioeconomic groups, highlighting the need for careful consideration of site-specific ecosystem management strategies that improve smallholder farmers' wellbeing and sustainable development. Moreover, the cost incurred due to ESV loss may not be covered by economic gains resulting from the expansion of cultivated land and thus, implementing appropriate land-use policies at the local level would recuperate ES values.
12 Maru, H.; Haileslassie, Amare; Zeleke, T.; Esayas, B. 2021. Analysis of smallholders’ livelihood vulnerability to drought across agroecology and farm typology in the Upper Awash Sub-basin, Ethiopia. Sustainability, 13(17):9764. (Special issue: New Challenges for the Sustainability and Competitiveness of Agricultural Systems: Bioeconomy Strategies Focused on Soil Management, Use of Natural Resources and Climate Change Mitigation) [doi: https://doi.org/10.3390/su13179764]
Drought ; Smallholders ; Farmers ; Livelihoods ; Vulnerability ; Resilience ; Agroecological zones ; Farm typology ; Households ; Farm income ; Livestock / Ethiopia / Upper Awash Sub-Basin
(Location: IWMI HQ Call no: e-copy only Record No: H050617)
(3.36 MB) (3.36 MB)
Assessing the magnitude of smallholder farmers’ livelihood vulnerability to drought is an initial step in identifying the causal factors and proposing interventions that mitigate the impacts of drought. This study aimed to assess smallholders’ livelihood vulnerability to the drought in the upper Awash sub-basin, Ethiopia. Household (HH) and climate data were used for indicators related to sensitivity, exposure, and adaptive capacity that define vulnerability to drought. The vulnerability of farmers’ livelihood to drought was compared among the studies agroecological zone (AEZ) and farm typologies. The result illustrated a diverse magnitude of vulnerability index (VI) ranging from -1.956 to -4.253 for AEZ. The highest magnitude of VI was estimated for livelihood in the lowland AEZ, while the lowest magnitude of VI was estimated in midland AEZ. This could be accounted for by the fact that lowland farmers shown the highest exposure (0.432) and sensitivity (0.420) and the lowest adaptive capacity (0.288). A closer look at farmers’ livelihood typology, in each of the AEZ, showed substantial diversity of farmers’ livelihood vulnerability to drought, implying potential aggregations at AEZ. Accordingly, the vulnerability index for livestock and on-farm-income-based livelihood and marginal and off-farm-income-based livelihood typologies were higher than the intensive-irrigation-farming-based smallholders’ livelihood typology. Based on the result, we concluded that procedures for smallholders’ livelihood resilience-building efforts should better target AEZ to prioritize the focus region and farmers’ livelihood typology to tailor technologies to farms. Although the result emphasizes the importance of irrigation-based livelihood strategy, the overall enhancement of farmers adaptive capacity needs to focus on action areas such as reducing the sensitivity and exposure of the households, improving farmers usage of technologies, diversify farmers’ livelihood options, and, hence, long-term wealth accumulation to strengthen farmers’ adaptive capacity toward drought impacts.
13 Akhtar, F.; Nawaz, R. A.; Hafeez, Mohsin; Awan, Usman Khalid; Borgemeister, C.; Tischbein, B. 2022. Evaluation of GRACE derived groundwater storage changes in different agro-ecological zones of the Indus Basin. Journal of Hydrology, 605:127369. [doi: https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jhydrol.2021.127369]
Groundwater depletion ; Water storage ; Agroecological zones ; River basins ; Water extraction ; Aquifers ; Precipitation ; Trends ; Satellite observation / Pakistan / Afghanistan / Indus Basin / Kabul River Basin / Lower Bari Doab Canal
(Location: IWMI HQ Call no: e-copy only Record No: H050895)
(4.45 MB)
The Gravity Recovery and Climate Experiment (GRACE) has recently been identified as a useful tool for monitoring changes in groundwater storage (GWS), especially in areas with sparse groundwater monitoring networks. However, GRACE’s performance has not been evaluated in the highly heterogeneous Indus Basin (IB) to date. The objective of this study was thus (i) to evaluate GRACE’s performance in two distinctively different agroecological zones of the IB, and (ii) to quantify the trend of groundwater abstraction over 15 years (i.e., from 2002 to 2017). To capture this heterogeneity at the IB, the two different agro-ecological zones were selected: i) the Kabul River Basin (KRB), Afghanistan, and ii) the Lower Bari Doab Canal (LBDC) command area in Pakistan. The groundwater storage anomalies (GWSA) for both regions were extracted from random pixels. The results show a correlation (R2 ) of 0.46 for LBDC and 0.32 for the KRB, between the GWSA and in-situ measurements. The results further reveal a mean annual depletion in GWSA of - 304.2 ± 749 and - 301 ± 527 mm at the LBDC and the KRB, respectively. Overall, a net GWS depletion during 2002–2017 at the LBDC and KRB was 4.87 and 4.82 m, respectively. The GWSA’s response to precipitation analyzed through cross-correlation shows a lag of 4 and 3 months at the KRB and the LBDC, respectively. The GWSA’s poor correlation with the in-situ measurements particularly in the mountainous region of the KRB is driven by the 4 months lag time unlike in the LBDC (i.e. 3 months); besides, the observations wells are sparse and limited. The complex geomorphology and slope of the landscape also cause discrepancies in the correlation of the in-situ measurements and the GRACE-derived changes in GWS at the two different agroecological zones of the IB. The spatially averaged GWSA in monthly time steps is another reason for the lower correlation between GRACE-based GWSA estimates and point-based in-situ measurements. Therefore, care must be taken while using GRACE’s output in regions with heterogeneous geomorphologic features.
14 Yakob, G.; Smith, J. U.; Nayak, D. R.; Hallett, P. D.; Phimister, E.; Mekuria, Wolde. 2022. Changes in soil properties following the establishment of exclosures in Ethiopia: a meta-analysis. Frontiers in Ecology and Evolution, 10:823026. [doi: https://doi.org/10.3389/fevo.2022.823026]
Exclosures ; Soil properties ; Agroecological zones ; Soil organic carbon ; Nitrogen ; Grazing lands ; Degraded land ; Land restoration ; Farmland ; Soil types ; Eucalyptus ; Meta-analysis / Ethiopia
(Location: IWMI HQ Call no: e-copy only Record No: H050965)
https://www.frontiersin.org/articles/10.3389/fevo.2022.823026/pdf
https://vlibrary.iwmi.org/pdf/H050965.pdf
https://vlibrary.iwmi.org/pdf/H050965.pdf
(7.11 MB) (7.11 MB)
Community-led watershed development activities, including the establishment of exclosures (areas where both livestock and farming activities are excluded) on degraded communal grazing land, have become a common practice in Ethiopia since the 1990s. However, it is not yet fully understood how these exclosures change soil organic carbon and total soil nitrogen in different soil types and under different agroecologies. A meta-analysis using data gathered from the most relevant peer reviewed articles from Ethiopian exclosure systems was conducted to assess the variation in the effects of exclosures on soil carbon and nitrogen and to investigate the factors controlling change. The results demonstrate that after 16 years, exclosures can increase soil organic carbon and total soil nitrogen up to an effect size greater than two. This is moderated by soil type, exclosure age, landscape position and agroecology. More effective restoration of soil carbon was observed in less developed Leptosols and Cambisols than in more developed Luvisols, and in drier than more humid agroecologies. The results suggest that soil type and agroecology should be taken into consideration when planning and implementing exclosures on degraded communal grazing land. The findings of this study provide base line information for the future expansion of exclosures, and guide where to focus implementation. They also provide criteria to be used when planning and establishing exclosures to restore soil carbon and nitrogen. In addition, the results generated through this meta-analysis provide better understanding of the spatial and temporal variation of the effectiveness of exclosures to restore soil carbon and nitrogen.
15 Adimassu, Zenebe; Tamene, L. 2023. Benefits of selected land management practices on ecosystem services: case studies in four watersheds of Ethiopia. International Journal of Environmental Science and Technology, 20(2):1919-1936. [doi: https://doi.org/10.1007/s13762-022-04136-5]
Land management ; Ecosystem services ; Watersheds ; Agroecological zones ; Soil conservation ; Water conservation ; Crop yield ; Nutrients ; Soil properties ; Case studies / Ethiopia / Emba-Hasti Watershed / Alekit-Wonz Watershed / Borodo Watershed / Jawe-Gumbura Watershed
(Location: IWMI HQ Call no: e-copy only Record No: H051078)
(3.26 MB)
Investments in land management practices, such as stone and soil bunds, are a key strategy to recover degraded lands in Ethiopia. However, the benefits of these practices in relation to ecosystem services are not properly assessed and documented. Therefore, the objective of this study was to assess the benefits of land management practices in relation to provisioning, supporting and regulating ecosystem services. The study was conducted in four watersheds with selected indicators of provisioning, supporting and regulating ecosystem service. Generally, the results show that provisioning services (e.g. yield of crops), regulating services (e.g. organic matter accumulation) and supporting services (e.g. soil nutrient content) were improved with age of stone and soil bunds except in Jawe-gumbura watershed. Accordingly, in Alekit-wonz watershed, the grain yield of barley recorded from 4-year-old stone bunds was higher than the yield recorded from 2-year old soil bund. Similarly, in Borodo watershed, the grain yield of wheat from 5-year-old soil bunds was higher than the yield obtained from the control treatment. The results also showed that highest regulating and supporting ecosystem services were recorded in the accumulation zones in all watersheds compared with erosion zone. Similarly, the highest provisioning services were recorded at the accumulation zone in all watersheds. This shows that land management practices are effective to improve supporting, regulating and provisioning ecosystem services. Hence, more investments in land management are needed to enhance ecosystem services from degraded lands of Ethiopia.
16 Acheampong, P. P.; Obeng, E. A.; Opoku, M.; Brobbey, L.; Sakyiamah, B. 2022. Does food security exist among farm households? Evidence from Ghana. Agriculture and Food Security, 11:24. [doi: https://doi.org/10.1186/s40066-022-00362-9]
Food security ; Households ; Farmers ; Food consumption ; Dietary diversity ; Policies ; Indicators ; Agroecological zones ; Models ; Probit analysis / Ghana
(Location: IWMI HQ Call no: e-copy only Record No: H051069)
https://agricultureandfoodsecurity.biomedcentral.com/track/pdf/10.1186/s40066-022-00362-9.pdf
https://vlibrary.iwmi.org/pdf/H051069.pdf
https://vlibrary.iwmi.org/pdf/H051069.pdf
(1.21 MB) (1.21 MB)
Background: Food security exists when households have physical, social and economic access to sufficient, safe and nutritious food at all times that meets their dietary needs and food preferences for an active and healthy life. Food security remains a serious challenge for many households in Ghana and the situation is even more prevalent among smallholder farmers. Therefore, this study had its objectives to assess food security status and also estimate their determinants for policy recommendations.
Methodology: Using data collected from 2,603 farm households across Ghana and employing an ordered probit model the determinants of food security among farm households were assessed. The food security indicator, Food Consumption Score (FCS) which combines diet diversity, frequency of consumption and relative nutritional importance of different food groups was used to determine food security status of farm households.
Results: Results showed that farm households (76%) across Ghana were within the acceptable household food consumption groups. Nonetheless, 19% and 6% of farm households, respectively, were within the borderline and poor food consumption groups, respectively. Determinants of food security included experience, gender, improved variety adoption, access to credit and location.
Conclusion: Food security risk is prevalent among farm households in Ghana. Based on the results on determinants of food security, the suggestions are that government and private institutions should create an enabling environment to enhancing credit access and encouraging adoptions of improved crops varieties for increased production.
Methodology: Using data collected from 2,603 farm households across Ghana and employing an ordered probit model the determinants of food security among farm households were assessed. The food security indicator, Food Consumption Score (FCS) which combines diet diversity, frequency of consumption and relative nutritional importance of different food groups was used to determine food security status of farm households.
Results: Results showed that farm households (76%) across Ghana were within the acceptable household food consumption groups. Nonetheless, 19% and 6% of farm households, respectively, were within the borderline and poor food consumption groups, respectively. Determinants of food security included experience, gender, improved variety adoption, access to credit and location.
Conclusion: Food security risk is prevalent among farm households in Ghana. Based on the results on determinants of food security, the suggestions are that government and private institutions should create an enabling environment to enhancing credit access and encouraging adoptions of improved crops varieties for increased production.
17 Gurung, Pabitra; Dhungana, Shashwat; Kyaw Kyaw, Aung; Bharati, Luna. 2022. Hydrologic characterization of the Upper Ayeyarwaddy River Basin and the impact of climate change. Journal of Water and Climate Change, 13(7):2577-2596. [doi: https://doi.org/10.2166/wcc.2022.407]
River basins ; Hydrology ; Climate change ; Water availability ; Water balance ; Precipitation ; Water yield ; Evapotranspiration ; Parameters ; Groundwater ; Datasets ; Spatial data ; Climatic data ; Models ; Forecasting ; Agroecological zones ; Mountains ; Plains / Myanmar / Ayeyarwaddy River Basin
(Location: IWMI HQ Call no: e-copy only Record No: H051307)
https://iwaponline.com/jwcc/article-pdf/13/7/2577/1082781/jwc0132577.pdf
https://vlibrary.iwmi.org/pdf/H051307.pdf
https://vlibrary.iwmi.org/pdf/H051307.pdf
(1.53 MB) (1.53 MB)
This study characterizes the hydrological regime of the Upper Ayeyarwaddy River Basin (UARB) of Myanmar under current and future climate change scenarios by using the Soil and Water Assessment Tool (SWAT). The model simulation results show that the annual precipitation, actual evapotranspiration and water yields are 1,578, 524 and 1,010 mm, respectively. These will increase by 13–28%, 11–24% and 42–198% under two representative concentration pathways (RCPs), RCP 4.5 and RCP 8.5, for the future. There is seasonal variability across the cool, hot and rainy seasons in the agro-ecological regions – mountains, hills and inland plains. As in other Asian regions, the model shows that the wet (rainy) season is becoming wetter and the dry (cool) season is becoming drier in the UARB too.
18 Jones, K.; Nowak, A.; Berglund, E.; Grinnell, W.; Temu, E.; Paul, B.; Renwick, L. L. R.; Steward, P.; Rosenstock, T. S.; Kimaro, A. A. 2023. Evidence supports the potential for climate-smart agriculture in Tanzania. Global Food Security, 36:100666. (Online first) [doi: https://doi.org/10.1016/j.gfs.2022.100666]
Climate-smart agriculture ; Mitigation ; Adaptation ; Socioeconomic aspects ; Resilience ; Food security ; Semiarid zones ; Agroecological zones ; Agroforestry ; Livestock ; Intercropping ; Crop management ; Water management ; Conservation agriculture ; Greenhouse gas emissions ; Gender ; Soil management ; Agricultural productivity / United Republic of Tanzania / Africa South of Sahara
(Location: IWMI HQ Call no: e-copy only Record No: H051613)
(1.21 MB)
National governments across Sub-Saharan Africa include climate-smart agriculture (CSA)—context-specific interventions that support resilience, productivity, and climate mitigation—in plans, policies, and strategies to jointly address climate change, agricultural production, and rural livelihood goals. This paper synthesizes the evidence on field-based CSA management practices generated through ten years of research led by the CGIAR in Tanzania. Results show consistent positive impacts of CSA on productivity, mixed impacts on resilience, short-term negative impacts on emissions intensity, and highly variable impacts on socioeconomic characteristics. Tanzania provides an example of how an agriculturally diverse country can use evidence of impacts, synergies, and tradeoffs to prioritize CSA activities for sustainable development.
19 Wubaye, G. B.; Gashaw, T.; Worqlul, A. W.; Dile, Y. T.; Taye, Meron Teferi; Haileslassie, Amare; Zaitchik, B.; Birhan, D. A.; Adgo, E.; Mohammed, J. A.; Lebeza, T. M.; Bantider, A.; Seid, Abdulkarim; Srinivasan, R. 2023. Trends in rainfall and temperature extremes in Ethiopia: station and agro-ecological zone levels of analysis. Atmosphere, 14(3):483. (Special issue: Water Management and Crop Production in the Face of Climate Change) [doi: https://doi.org/10.3390/atmos14030483]
Extreme weather events ; Rainfall ; Temperature ; Trends ; Meteorological stations ; Agroecological zones ; Climate change adaptation ; Precipitation ; Spatial distribution ; Time series analysis / Ethiopia
(Location: IWMI HQ Call no: e-copy only Record No: H051768)
https://www.mdpi.com/2073-4433/14/3/483/pdf?version=1678174504
https://vlibrary.iwmi.org/pdf/H051768.pdf
https://vlibrary.iwmi.org/pdf/H051768.pdf
(9.01 MB) (9.01 MB)
Climate extreme events have been observed more frequently since the 1970s throughout Ethiopia, which adversely affects the socio-economic development of the country, as its economy depends on agriculture, which, in turn, relies heavily on annual and seasonal rainfall. Climate extremes studies conducted in Ethiopia are mainly limited to a specific location or watershed, making it difficult to have insights at the national level. The present study thus aims to examine the observed climate extreme events in Ethiopia at both station and agro-ecological zone (AEZ) levels. Daily rainfall and temperature data for 47 and 37 stations, respectively (1986 up to 2020), were obtained from the National Meteorology Agency (NMA). The Modified Mann–Kendall (MMK) trend test and the Theil–Sen slope estimator were employed to estimate the trends in rainfall and temperature extremes. This study examines trends of 13 temperature and 10 rainfall extreme indices using RClimDex in R software. The results revealed that most of the extreme rainfall indices showed a positive trend in the majority of the climate stations. For example, an increase in consecutive dry days (CDD), very heavy rainfall days (R20), number of heavy rainfall days (R10) and consecutive wet days (CWD) were exhibited in most climate stations. In relation to AEZs, the greater number of extreme rainfall indices illustrated an upward trend in cool and sub-humid, cool and humid, and cool and moist AEZs, a declining trend in hot arid AEZ, and equal proportions of increasing and decreasing trends in warm semi-arid AEZs. Concerning extreme temperature indices, the result indicated an increasing trend of warm temperature extreme indices and a downward trend of cold temperature extreme indices in most of the climate stations, indicating the overall warming and dryness trends in the country. With reference to AEZs, an overall warming was exhibited in all AEZs, except in the hot arid AEZ. The observed trends in the rainfall and temperature extremes will have tremendous direct and indirect impacts on agriculture, water resources, health, and other sectors in the country. Therefore, the findings suggest the need for identifying and developing climate change adaptation strategies to minimize the ill effects of these extreme climate events on the social, economic, and developmental sectors.
20 Sanogo, K.; Birhanu, B. Z.; Sanogo, S.; Ba, A. 2023. Landscape pattern analysis using GIS and remote sensing to diagnose soil erosion and nutrient availability in two agroecological zones of southern Mali. Agriculture and Food Security, 12:4. [doi: https://doi.org/10.1186/s40066-023-00408-6]
Landscape ; Soil erosion ; Nutrient availability ; Soil fertility ; Agroecological zones ; Revised Universal Soil Loss Equation ; Models ; Geographical information systems ; Remote sensing ; Land use change ; Land cover change ; Soil conservation ; Water conservation ; Farmland / Mali / Bougouni / Koutiala
(Location: IWMI HQ Call no: e-copy only Record No: H051834)
https://agricultureandfoodsecurity.biomedcentral.com/counter/pdf/10.1186/s40066-023-00408-6.pdf
https://vlibrary.iwmi.org/pdf/H051834.pdf
https://vlibrary.iwmi.org/pdf/H051834.pdf
(2.82 MB) (2.82 MB)
Background: Soil is a basic natural resource for the existence of life on earth, and its health is a major concern for rural livelihoods. Poor soil health is directly associated with reduced agricultural land productivity in many sub-Saharan countries, such as Mali. Agricultural land is subjected to immense degradation and the loss of important soil nutrients due to soil erosion. The objective of the study was to diagnose the spatial distribution of soil erosion and soil nutrient variations under different land use in two agroecological zones of Southern Mali using the Geographical Information System (GIS) software, the empirically derived relationship of the Revised Universal Soil Loss Equation, in-situ soil data measurement and satellite products. The soil erosion effect on agricultural land productivity was discussed to highlight the usefulness of soil and water conservation practices in Southern Mali.
Results: The results of the land use and land cover change analysis from 2015 to 2019 revealed significant area reductions in water bodies, bare land, and savanna woodland for the benefit of increased natural vegetation and agricultural land. There was significant variation in the annual soil loss under the different land use conditions. Despite recordings of the lowest soil erosion rates in the majority of the landscape (71%) as a result of field-based soil and water conservation practices, the highest rates of erosion were seen in agricultural fields, resulting in a reduction in agricultural land area and a loss of nutrients that are useful for plant growth. Spatial nutrient modelling and mapping revealed a high deficiency and significant variations (p < 0.05) in nitrogen (N), phosphorus (P), potassium (K), and carbon (C) in all land use and land cover types for the two agroecologies.
Conclusions: The study highlighted the inadequacies of existing field-based soil and water conservation practices to reduce soil erosion and improve landscape management practices. The findings of the study can inform land management planners and other development actors to strategize and prioritize landscape-based intervention practices and protect catchment areas from severe erosion for the enhanced productivity of agricultural fields.
Results: The results of the land use and land cover change analysis from 2015 to 2019 revealed significant area reductions in water bodies, bare land, and savanna woodland for the benefit of increased natural vegetation and agricultural land. There was significant variation in the annual soil loss under the different land use conditions. Despite recordings of the lowest soil erosion rates in the majority of the landscape (71%) as a result of field-based soil and water conservation practices, the highest rates of erosion were seen in agricultural fields, resulting in a reduction in agricultural land area and a loss of nutrients that are useful for plant growth. Spatial nutrient modelling and mapping revealed a high deficiency and significant variations (p < 0.05) in nitrogen (N), phosphorus (P), potassium (K), and carbon (C) in all land use and land cover types for the two agroecologies.
Conclusions: The study highlighted the inadequacies of existing field-based soil and water conservation practices to reduce soil erosion and improve landscape management practices. The findings of the study can inform land management planners and other development actors to strategize and prioritize landscape-based intervention practices and protect catchment areas from severe erosion for the enhanced productivity of agricultural fields.
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