Your search found 3 records
1 Heidenreich, A.; Grovermann, C.; Kadzere, I.; Egyir, I. S.; Muriuki, A.; Bandanaa, J.; Clottey, J.; Ndungu, J.; Blockeel, J.; Muller, A.; Stolze, M.; Schader, C. 2022. Sustainable intensification pathways in Sub-Saharan Africa: assessing eco-efficiency of smallholder perennial cash crop production. Agricultural Systems, 195:103304. [doi: https://doi.org/10.1016/j.agsy.2021.103304]
Crop production ; Cash crops ; Smallholders ; Sustainable intensification ; Cocoa ; Coffee ; Macadamia ; Mangoes ; Environmental impact ; Economic value ; Organic farming ; Case studies ; Soil fertility ; Soil erosion ; Households / Africa South of Sahara / Ghana / Kenya
(Location: IWMI HQ Call no: e-copy only Record No: H050777)
https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S0308521X21002572/pdfft?md5=84b0f1382c836fb544361f4799e0ecd3&pid=1-s2.0-S0308521X21002572-main.pdf
https://vlibrary.iwmi.org/pdf/H050777.pdf
https://vlibrary.iwmi.org/pdf/H050777.pdf
(1.18 MB) (1.18 MB)
CONTEXT: Eco-efficiency offers a promising approach for the sustainable intensification of production systems in Sub-Saharan Africa. Data Envelopment Analysis (DEA), which is widely used for eco-efficiency analyses, is however sensitive to outliers and the analysis of the influence of external factors in the second stage requires the separability assumption to hold. Order-m estimators are proposed to overcome those disadvantages, but have been rarely applied in eco-efficiency analysis.
OBJECTIVE: This paper assesses the eco-efficiency of smallholder perennial cash crop production in Ghana and Kenya. It examines factors influencing eco-efficiency scores and in doing so, tests the application of order-m frontiers as a promising method for eco-efficiency analysis in the agricultural context.
METHODS: The analysis is performed for four selected perennial crop cases, namely cocoa, coffee, macadamia, and mango, applying DEA as well as the order-m approach to a comprehensive empirical dataset. Seven relevant environmental pressures as well as determining factors around capacity development, farm and farmer features, and crop production environment are considered.
RESULTS AND CONCLUSIONS: The distribution of eco-efficiency estimates among coffee farms showed the widest spread, which indicates the greatest potential to increase eco-efficiency. However, also the dispersion of scores within the other crop cases suggests room for improvements of eco-efficiency within the current production context. The subsequent analysis of determinants based on the order-m scores revealed that eco-efficiency scores were strongly influenced by variables, which measure capacity development, and resource endowments, such as labor and land, whereas the crop production environment had some influence, but results were unspecific. Generally, a positive effect is highly context-specific. The results underline the importance of designing effective training modalities and policies that allow knowledge to be put into practice, which involves the creation of marketing opportunities, the provision of targeted and regular advisory services, as well as region-wide measures to build and maintain soil fertility in a sustainable manner.
SIGNIFICANCE: To our knowledge, this study presents the first attempt to apply inputoriented order-m frontiers to assess eco-efficiency in the agricultural context, comparing its eco-efficiency rankings to those estimated with the widely applied DEA approach. This can inform the discussion on robust eco-efficiency assessments.
OBJECTIVE: This paper assesses the eco-efficiency of smallholder perennial cash crop production in Ghana and Kenya. It examines factors influencing eco-efficiency scores and in doing so, tests the application of order-m frontiers as a promising method for eco-efficiency analysis in the agricultural context.
METHODS: The analysis is performed for four selected perennial crop cases, namely cocoa, coffee, macadamia, and mango, applying DEA as well as the order-m approach to a comprehensive empirical dataset. Seven relevant environmental pressures as well as determining factors around capacity development, farm and farmer features, and crop production environment are considered.
RESULTS AND CONCLUSIONS: The distribution of eco-efficiency estimates among coffee farms showed the widest spread, which indicates the greatest potential to increase eco-efficiency. However, also the dispersion of scores within the other crop cases suggests room for improvements of eco-efficiency within the current production context. The subsequent analysis of determinants based on the order-m scores revealed that eco-efficiency scores were strongly influenced by variables, which measure capacity development, and resource endowments, such as labor and land, whereas the crop production environment had some influence, but results were unspecific. Generally, a positive effect is highly context-specific. The results underline the importance of designing effective training modalities and policies that allow knowledge to be put into practice, which involves the creation of marketing opportunities, the provision of targeted and regular advisory services, as well as region-wide measures to build and maintain soil fertility in a sustainable manner.
SIGNIFICANCE: To our knowledge, this study presents the first attempt to apply inputoriented order-m frontiers to assess eco-efficiency in the agricultural context, comparing its eco-efficiency rankings to those estimated with the widely applied DEA approach. This can inform the discussion on robust eco-efficiency assessments.
2 Steinke, J.; Ortiz-Crespo, B.; van Etten, J.; Muller, A.. 2022. Participatory design of digital innovation in agricultural research-for-development: insights from practice. Agricultural Systems, 195:103313. [doi: https://doi.org/10.1016/j.agsy.2021.103313]
Agricultural research for development ; Participatory approaches ; Digital technology ; Innovation ; Information and Communication Technologies ; Smallholders ; Farming systems ; Stakeholders ; Decision making ; Decision support systems ; Agricultural development ; Food security / Africa South of Sahara / Latin America
(Location: IWMI HQ Call no: e-copy only Record No: H051056)
https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S0308521X21002663/pdfft?md5=90156036dc633f3bb1b7a2f24a54688c&pid=1-s2.0-S0308521X21002663-main.pdf
https://vlibrary.iwmi.org/pdf/H051056.pdf
https://vlibrary.iwmi.org/pdf/H051056.pdf
(1.73 MB) (1.73 MB)
CONTEXT: Innovation based on information and communication technology (ICT) plays an increasingly important role in agricultural research-for-development efforts. It has been recognized, however, that the weak adoption and low impact of many ICT-for-agriculture (ICT4Ag) efforts are partly due to poor design. Often, design was driven more by technological feasibility than by a thorough analysis of the target group's needs and capacities. For more user-centered ICT4Ag development, there is now growing interest in the use of systematic, participatory design methodologies.
OBJECTIVE: Numerous methodologies for participatory design exist, but applying any of them in smallholder farming context can create specific challenges that digital development researchers need to deal with. This article aims to support future digital development efforts by contributing practical insights to recent discussions on the use of participatory design methodologies for ICT4Ag development.
METHODS: We present lessons learned from practical experiences within participatory design projects that developed ICT4Ag solutions in sub-Saharan Africa and Latin America. Based on these experiences and supported by literature, we describe common challenges and limitations that digital designers may face in practice, and discuss possible opportunities for dealing with them.
RESULTS AND CONCLUSIONS: The outcomes of digital design projects within research-for-development efforts can be affected by tensions between design ideals and project realities. These tensions may relate to, among others, mismatching expectations among project stakeholders, top-down hierarchies at design partners, insufficient attention to the wider digital ecosystem, and disincentives to re-use ideas and software. Depending on project context, these challenges may need to be addressed by researchers during planning and implementation of digital design projects.
SIGNIFICANCE: The insights in this article may support agricultural development researchers in facilitating more effective participatory design processes. Even though good design is not the only precondition for a successful ICT4Ag service, this can help create more meaningful digital innovation for agricultural development.
OBJECTIVE: Numerous methodologies for participatory design exist, but applying any of them in smallholder farming context can create specific challenges that digital development researchers need to deal with. This article aims to support future digital development efforts by contributing practical insights to recent discussions on the use of participatory design methodologies for ICT4Ag development.
METHODS: We present lessons learned from practical experiences within participatory design projects that developed ICT4Ag solutions in sub-Saharan Africa and Latin America. Based on these experiences and supported by literature, we describe common challenges and limitations that digital designers may face in practice, and discuss possible opportunities for dealing with them.
RESULTS AND CONCLUSIONS: The outcomes of digital design projects within research-for-development efforts can be affected by tensions between design ideals and project realities. These tensions may relate to, among others, mismatching expectations among project stakeholders, top-down hierarchies at design partners, insufficient attention to the wider digital ecosystem, and disincentives to re-use ideas and software. Depending on project context, these challenges may need to be addressed by researchers during planning and implementation of digital design projects.
SIGNIFICANCE: The insights in this article may support agricultural development researchers in facilitating more effective participatory design processes. Even though good design is not the only precondition for a successful ICT4Ag service, this can help create more meaningful digital innovation for agricultural development.
3 Martins, Carolina Iglesias; Opola, Felix; Jacobs-Mata, Inga; Garcia Andarcia, Mariangel; Nortje, Karen; Joshi, Deepa; Singaraju, N.; Muller, A.; Christen, R.; Malhotra, A. 2023. Development of the conceptual framework (version 2.0) of the Multidimensional Digital Inclusiveness Index. Colombo, Sri Lanka: International Water Management Institute (IWMI). CGIAR Initiative on Digital Innovation. 36p.
Digital innovation ; Inclusion ; Frameworks ; Assessment ; Sustainable Development Goals ; Stakeholders ; Artificial intelligence
(Location: IWMI HQ Call no: e-copy only Record No: H052494)
(2.76 MB)
The Multidimensional Digital Inclusiveness Index (MDII), initiated by CGIAR's Digital Innovation Initiative, has transformed from a theoretical concept to a practical tool for assessing digital inclusivity in various sectors. Its foundational document guides stakeholders in the Agri-Food, Water, and Land sectors, promoting collaboration and continuous improvement. The MDII is guided by eight principles, including accessibility, transparency, methodological rigor, adaptability, intersectionality, simplicity, flexibility, and clarity. It faces challenges such as complexity and diverse user needs, addressed through Artificial Intelligence (AI) integration, offline accessibility, and a participatory feedback approach. Evolving beyond an index, the MDII now offers multiple functions like certification, predictive analysis, and strategic guidance for digital innovation, using AI to meet future inclusiveness needs. The next steps for the MDII include conducting surveys to refine its framework, developing a comprehensive roadmap, and creating a prototype for stakeholder review.
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