Your search found 24 records
1 Selim, K. S.; Abdalbaki, S. M. 2019. On the relationship between virtual water network and crops intra-trade among Nile Basin countries. Water Policy, 21(3):481-495. [doi: https://doi.org/10.2166/wp.2019.074]
Virtual water ; International trade ; Crops ; Exports ; Integrated management ; Water resources ; Water management ; Water supply ; Water conservation ; Social networks ; Economic aspects / Burundi / Congo / Egypt / Eritrea / Ethiopia / Kenya / Rwanda / Sudan / Uganda / United Republic of Tanzania / Nile Basin
(Location: IWMI HQ Call no: e-copy only Record No: H049232)
(0.32 MB)
This paper aims to investigate the relationship between virtual water (VW) exports and crop exchange by employing the methodology of social network analysis (SNA). This descriptive analysis gives prudence for policy-makers about both central importers and influential exporters of VW using the degree and eigenvector centrality measures. In addition, to facilitate the communications between trading partners, each of them should reach the others with the fewest number of links, so, the small world network properties could be examined. This approach is applied on the yearly average VW exports of the Nile basin countries over the period 2000–2013, and some insights for VW exchange structure are investigated. The empirical results show that all Nile basin countries do not suffer from vulnerable VW export structure. They have a stable and balanced crop export structure. Kenya, Uganda, and Tanzania are identified as the most influential and effective countries in exporting VW of crops. The presence of these countries is unavoidable in drawing trade policy and water management plans. While Kenya succeeded in saving a significant amount from VW export network, Tanzania, Uganda, and Ethiopia are gaining losses. Furthermore, VW export network of crops among Nile basin countries satisfies the conditions of small world effect.
2 Alhassan, S. I.; Kuwornu, J. K. M.; Osei-Asare, Y. B. 2019. Gender dimension of vulnerability to climate change and variability: empirical evidence of smallholder farming households in Ghana. International Journal of Climate Change Strategies and Management, 11(2):195-214. [doi: https://doi.org/10.1108/IJCCSM-10-2016-0156]
Climate change ; Gender ; Smallholders ; Farmers ; Households ; Living standards ; Strategies ; Assessment ; Social networks ; Women's participation ; Water resources ; Natural disasters ; Public health ; Economic situation / Ghana / Mamprusi / West Gonja / Tamale
(Location: IWMI HQ Call no: e-copy only Record No: H049249)
https://www.emerald.com/insight/content/doi/10.1108/IJCCSM-10-2016-0156/full/pdf?title=gender-dimension-of-vulnerability-to-climate-change-and-variability-empirical-evidence-of-smallholder-farming-households-in-ghana
https://vlibrary.iwmi.org/pdf/H049249.pdf
https://vlibrary.iwmi.org/pdf/H049249.pdf
(0.22 MB) (218 KB)
Purpose : This paper aims to investigate farmers’ vulnerability to climate change and variability in the northern region of Ghana.
Design/methodology/approach : The study assessed the vulnerability of male-headed and female-headed farming households to climate change and variability by using the livelihood vulnerability index (LVI) and tested for significant difference in their vulnerability levels by applying independent two-sample-student’s t-test based on gender by using a sample of 210 smallholder farming households.
Findings: The results revealed a significant difference in the vulnerability levels of female-headed and male-headed farming households. Female–headed households were more vulnerable to livelihood strategies, socio-demographic profile, social networks, water and food major components of the LVI, whereas male-headed households were more vulnerable to health. The vulnerability indices revealed that female–headed households were more sensitive to the impact of climate change and variability. However, female-headed households have the least adaptive capacities. In all, female-headed farming households are more vulnerable to climate change and variability than male-headed farming households.
Research limitations/implications : The study recommends that female-headed households should be given priority in both on-going and new intervention projects in climate change and agriculture by empowering them through financial resource support to venture into other income-generating activities. This would enable them to diversify their sources of livelihoods to boost their resilience to climate change and variability.
Originality/value: This is the first study that examined the gender dimension of vulnerability of smallholder farmers in Ghana by using the livelihood vulnerability framework. Female subordination in northern region of Ghana has been profound to warrant a study on gender dimension in relation to climate change and variability, especially as it is a semi-arid region with unpredictable climatic conditions. This research revealed the comparative vulnerability of male- and female-headed households to climate change and variability.
Design/methodology/approach : The study assessed the vulnerability of male-headed and female-headed farming households to climate change and variability by using the livelihood vulnerability index (LVI) and tested for significant difference in their vulnerability levels by applying independent two-sample-student’s t-test based on gender by using a sample of 210 smallholder farming households.
Findings: The results revealed a significant difference in the vulnerability levels of female-headed and male-headed farming households. Female–headed households were more vulnerable to livelihood strategies, socio-demographic profile, social networks, water and food major components of the LVI, whereas male-headed households were more vulnerable to health. The vulnerability indices revealed that female–headed households were more sensitive to the impact of climate change and variability. However, female-headed households have the least adaptive capacities. In all, female-headed farming households are more vulnerable to climate change and variability than male-headed farming households.
Research limitations/implications : The study recommends that female-headed households should be given priority in both on-going and new intervention projects in climate change and agriculture by empowering them through financial resource support to venture into other income-generating activities. This would enable them to diversify their sources of livelihoods to boost their resilience to climate change and variability.
Originality/value: This is the first study that examined the gender dimension of vulnerability of smallholder farmers in Ghana by using the livelihood vulnerability framework. Female subordination in northern region of Ghana has been profound to warrant a study on gender dimension in relation to climate change and variability, especially as it is a semi-arid region with unpredictable climatic conditions. This research revealed the comparative vulnerability of male- and female-headed households to climate change and variability.
3 Ahmadi, A.; Kerachian, R.; Skardi, M. J. E.; Abdolhay, A. 2020. A stakeholder-based decision support system to manage water resources. Journal of Hydrology, 589:125138. [doi: https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jhydrol.2020.125138]
Water resources ; Water management ; Decision support systems ; Stakeholders ; Natural resources management ; Wastewater ; Social networks ; Welfare ; Decision making ; Models / Iran Islamic Republic / Tehran / Kan River Basin
(Location: IWMI HQ Call no: e-copy only Record No: H049947)
(1.82 MB)
Based on the Social Choice Theory (SCT), a new Decision Support System (DSS) is presented and employed to rank-order management alternatives (i.e. scenarios) in the water resources management system of Tehran metropolitan area, Iran. In the framework of the presented DSS, the quantitative characteristics of the stakeholders are taken into account to develop a decentralized decision-making method. An agent-based simulation model is employed to evaluate the outcomes of implementing each management scenario by calculating nine distinct environmental, social, and economic criteria over a 25-year simulation period. It is shown that the best scenarios selected by the DSS have merits to enhance the sustainability of the water resources in the study area, and to shift the stakeholders’ network towards cooperation and collaboration.
4 Molden, O. C.; Khanal, A.; Pradhan, N. 2020. The pain of water: a household perspective of water insecurity and inequity in the Kathmandu Valley. Water Policy, 22(S1):130-145. [doi: https://doi.org/10.2166/wp.2018.116]
Water insecurity ; Households ; Water security ; Water management ; Water supply ; Infrastructure ; Water access ; Urban areas ; Participatory research ; Social networks ; Policies / Nepal / Himalayan Region / Kathmandu Valley
(Location: IWMI HQ Call no: e-copy only Record No: H049972)
https://iwaponline.com/wp/article-pdf/22/S1/130/651606/022000130.pdf
https://vlibrary.iwmi.org/pdf/H049972.pdf
https://vlibrary.iwmi.org/pdf/H049972.pdf
(0.22 MB) (228 KB)
This paper draws on participatory research with 47 household water managers over the dry, pre-monsoon, and monsoon season, alongside expert knowledge of water management in Nepal's Kathmandu Valley. Doing so, it presents the perspectives of water managers to highlight three dimensions of water security that existing approaches often overlook. First, experiences of water security vary greatly between households over the year, even within a relatively small geographic area. Second, social connections and landownership play an important role in mediating these experiences. Third, coping with poor water supply places a burden on certain household members. This paper argues that addressing water inequities and insecurities demands research, development and policy responses to look beyond the main pipe network and engage with the variety of ways in which households secure water.
5 Mulema, A. A.; Boonabaana, B.; Debevec, L.; Nigussie, Likimyelesh; Alemu, M.; Kaaria, S. 2021. Spiraling up and down: mapping women’s empowerment through agricultural interventions using the community capitals framework in rural Ethiopia. Community Development, 52(1):113-130. [doi: https://doi.org/10.1080/15575330.2020.1838589]
Women's empowerment ; Gender equality ; Agriculture ; Rural communities ; Social capital ; Human capital ; Natural capital ; Cultural capital ; Collective action ; Social networks ; Livelihood diversification ; Off farm employment ; Financing ; Infrastructure ; Political aspects ; Households ; Decision making / Ethiopia / Adami Tulu / Yaya Gulele
(Location: IWMI HQ Call no: e-copy only Record No: H050056)
(2.09 MB)
The paper draws on the Community Capitals Framework to frame and analyze the process of rural women’s empowerment through agricultural interventions in two districts of Ethiopia. A blend of qualitative data collection methods comprising group discussions, life histories, and key informant interviews was used. Our study shows that investing in social, human, financial, cultural, natural, physical, and political capitals resulted in increased assets within those capitals and others amongst the beneficiaries. The interaction between capitals builds “power with”, “power within”, “power to” and “power over” in an upward spiral. Specifically, the interaction between social, human and financial capitals is a key entry point to rural women’s empowerment. Cultural capital intermediates the interaction and flow of capital assets during the empowerment process. We argue that empowering women requires an approach that enhances their capability to identify and systematically manage interactions among capitals that foster their voice and agency.
6 Alvi, M.; Barooah, P.; Gupta, S.; Saini, S. 2021. Women's access to agriculture extension amidst COVID-19: insights from Gujarat, India and Dang, Nepal. Agricultural Systems, 188:103035. (Online first) [doi: https://doi.org/10.1016/j.agsy.2020.103035]
Agricultural extension systems ; Gender ; Women farmers ; Access to information ; COVID-19 ; Pandemics ; Resilience ; Agricultural productivity ; Social networks ; Households ; Ethnic groups ; Communities ; State intervention / South Asia / India / Nepal / Gujarat / Dang
(Location: IWMI HQ Call no: e-copy only Record No: H050162)
https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S0308521X20308969/pdfft?md5=770c598c6cc5e8954a4b9426e0f58cc0&pid=1-s2.0-S0308521X20308969-main.pdf
https://vlibrary.iwmi.org/pdf/H050162.pdf
https://vlibrary.iwmi.org/pdf/H050162.pdf
(1.20 MB) (1.20 MB)
COVID-19 induced lockdowns have had far reaching impacts on the rural sector, particularly on women farmers. These impacts have been exacerbated by lack of access to reliable and timely agriculture information. Using panel phone survey data from India and Nepal, we study how women's access to agricultural extension was impacted by the lockdowns and its effect on agricultural productivity. We find that women's already low access to formal extension was reduced further, leading to an increased reliance on informal social networks. In both countries, nearly 50% farmers reported negative impacts on productivity due to inaccessibility of information during the lockdown. In India, we find that access to formal extension is mediated by crop type, geographic location and caste identity. We discuss ways in which extension systems in India and Nepal can be made more inclusive and resilient to future crisis, including by adapting group and community-based approaches to post-pandemic best practices.
7 Mwadzingeni, L.; Mugandani, R.; Mafongoya, P. L. 2021. Assessing vulnerability to climate change in smallholder irrigation schemes of Zimbabwe. Sustainability, 13(18):10023. [doi: https://doi.org/10.3390/su131810023]
Climate change adaptation ; Vulnerability ; Smallholders ; Irrigation schemes ; Livelihoods ; Natural disasters ; Drought ; Irrigation water ; Social networks ; Households / Zimbabwe / Midlands Province / Insukamini Smallholder Irrigation Scheme / Ruchanyu Smallholder Irrigation Scheme
(Location: IWMI HQ Call no: e-copy only Record No: H050635)
(1.85 MB) (1.85 MB)
Globally, climate change poses enormous threats to the livelihoods of rural communities in arid and semi-arid regions. Assessing the extent of vulnerability is critical to identify climate hot spots and develop appropriate adaptation policies and strategies. This paper uses the Livelihood Vulnerability Index (LVI) and the Livelihood Vulnerability Index—Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (LVI-IPCC) to compare vulnerability to climate change in the Exchange, Insukamini, and Ruchanyu smallholder irrigation schemes (SISs) in the Midlands Province of Zimbabwe. A questionnaire was used to collect data from a sample of 317 randomly selected households. Results show higher exposure and sensitivity to climate change in the Insukamini irrigation scheme despite the higher adaptive capacity. Both LVI and LVI-IPCC show that households in Insukamini irrigation scheme are more vulnerable to climate change than in Exchange and Ruchanyu irrigation schemes, attributed to water insecurity, poor social networks, and natural disasters and climate variability. The study recommends that development and investment in Insukamini and Ruchanyu should prioritize improving social networks while Exchange should primarily focus on improving livelihood strategies. Using the LVI-IPCC framework is a key methodology for understanding the vulnerability of communities in SISs and identifying areas that need prime development and investment. These results have implications on implementing investments and livelihood policies in SISs of Zimbabwe.
8 Kurian, M.; Kojima, Y. 2021. Boundary science: re-imagining water-energy-food interactions in the context of a data light approach to monitoring the environment- development nexus. Amsterdam, Netherlands: Elsevier. 158p.
Water resources ; Energy ; Food security ; Nexus ; Monitoring and evaluation ; Environmental management ; Governance ; Environmental policies ; Decision making ; Institutions ; Non-governmental organizations ; Sustainable Development Goals ; Goal 6 Clean water and sanitation ; Wastewater management ; Water reuse ; Water supply ; Resilience ; Natural resources ; Soil erosion ; Open access ; Modelling ; Citizen science ; Social networks ; Public services
(Location: IWMI HQ Call no: e-copy SF Record No: H050768)
9 Ho, T. D. N.; Kuwornu, J. K. M.; Tsusaka, T. W. 2022. Factors influencing smallholder rice farmers’ vulnerability to climate change and variability in the Mekong Delta Region of Vietnam. European Journal of Development Research, 34(1):272-302. [doi: https://doi.org/10.1057/s41287-021-00371-7]
Climate change ; Climate variability ; Rice ; Smallholders ; Farmers ; Vulnerability ; Livelihoods ; Natural disasters ; Rain ; Socioeconomic aspects ; Farm income ; Households ; Economic activities ; Social networks ; Deltas / Vietnam / Mekong Delta Region / Can Tho / Dong Thap / Tien Giang
(Location: IWMI HQ Call no: e-copy only Record No: H050878)
(1.37 MB)
This study analyzed the effects of climate change on rice farmers’ livelihoods vulnerability by using primary data elicited from 405 rice farming households in Can Tho, Dong Thap, and Tien Giang provinces in the Mekong Delta Region (MDR) of Vietnam. The Livelihood Vulnerability Index (LVI) showed that Can Tho province was the most vulnerable to climate change, followed by Dong Thap and Tien Giang provinces. In particular, the social index sub-indicator showed high vulnerability. The beta regression analysis identified seventeen significant factors influencing the susceptibility of rice farming households in the study area, such as weather information, flood occurrence, drought occurrence, access to extension services, access to credit, and cooperative membership as well as demographic variables and livelihoods related factors. The LVI result suggests the need for the government to consider raising the priority on households in Can Tho province through adaptation support to improve the resilience and adaptive capacity, especially by enhancing the social network in this area to stimulate support from local authorities and farmer groups. The regression results imply that extension services should provide adequate and timely weather information to equip the farmers to be more prepared for climatic shocks. Moreover, credit facilities with low interest rates should be made available, especially to those who are members of agricultural cooperatives.
10 Alare, R. S.; Lawson, E. T.; Mensah, A.; Yevide, A.; Adiku, P. 2022. Assessing nuanced social networks and its implication for climate change adaptation in northwestern Ghana. World Development Perspectives, 25:100390. [doi: https://doi.org/10.1016/j.wdp.2021.100390]
Climate change adaptation ; Social networks ; Social capital ; Gender ; Women ; Men ; Smallholders ; Farmers ; Vulnerability ; Communities ; Households ; Livelihoods ; Developing countries / Ghana / Lawra
(Location: IWMI HQ Call no: e-copy only Record No: H050987)
https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S2452292921001065/pdfft?md5=80a62d4277c6eb8d9f2adfa6ce9b9613&pid=1-s2.0-S2452292921001065-main.pdf
https://vlibrary.iwmi.org/pdf/H050987.pdf
https://vlibrary.iwmi.org/pdf/H050987.pdf
(2.78 MB) (2.78 MB)
The current uncertainty, frequency and intensity of climate change impacts limits opportunities for climate adaptation among smallholder farmers in developing countries. This paper seeks to critically examine how gendered relations at the household level influence access to social networks for climate change adaptation in northwestern Ghana. By doing so, the study contributes to an improved understanding of how inter-gender dynamics shape adaptive capacities among vulnerable groups. Using semi-structured interviews, focus group discussions and key informant interviews, a total sample size of 156 respondents were studied. The study also employed an intersectional framework and a network analysis to examine the nuanced networks of smallholder farmer households. Findings revealed that the interplay of age, marital status and educational levels influenced access to social networks for support in minimising climate risk. As such, promoting adaptation actions without addressing structural and relational inequalities within vulnerable communities may deepen existing inequalities.
11 Gebru, K. M.; Rammelt, C.; Leung , M. 2022. Paradoxes of inclusion: adverse effects of inclusive interventions in northern Ethiopia. European Journal of Development Research, 22p. (Online first) [doi: https://doi.org/10.1057/s41287-022-00518-0]
Smallholders ; Business models ; Governance ; Participation ; Value chains ; Inclusion ; Transaction costs ; Food security ; Social networks ; Households ; Markets ; Income / Ethiopia
(Location: IWMI HQ Call no: e-copy only Record No: H051068)
https://link.springer.com/content/pdf/10.1057/s41287-022-00518-0.pdf
https://vlibrary.iwmi.org/pdf/H051068.pdf
https://vlibrary.iwmi.org/pdf/H051068.pdf
(0.98 MB) (0.98 MB)
The involvement of smallholders in various inclusive business models (IBMs) is being widely promoted in Ethiopia. The inclusion, exclusion and distribution effects of IBMs must be better understood, however, in order to make them more impactful. This study, which was carried out in three districts in northern Ethiopia, employed a mixed methods approach. Our results show that inclusion and exclusion are both complex and multidimensional. A focus on transaction costs, productive resource endowments and chain governance is crucial for enhancing smallholders’ inclusion. Our results further indicate that income obtained from participation in IBMs is unequally distributed. The benefits of IBMs vary according to the underlying position of the smallholder. Hence, inclusive development interventions should acknowledge the various positions of smallholders and consider how their positions shape social relations locally. The paper thus reveals the various dimensions, contradictory tendencies, hidden costs and side effects of IBMs.
12 Bazzana, D.; Foltz, J.; Zhang, Y. 2022. Impact of climate smart agriculture on food security: an agent-based analysis. Food Policy, 111:102304. [doi: https://doi.org/10.1016/j.foodpol.2022.102304]
Climate-smart agriculture ; Food security ; Modelling ; Sustainable development ; Food insecurity ; Water stress ; Farmers ; Social networks ; Participation ; Commodities ; Agricultural production ; Food requirements ; Market access ; Crop rotation / Ethiopia
(Location: IWMI HQ Call no: e-copy only Record No: H051274)
(12.20 MB)
The study proposes an agent-based model to investigate how adoption of climate smart agriculture (CSA) affects food security. The analysis investigates the role of social and ecological pressures (i.e. community network, climate change and environmental externalities) on the adoption of physical water and soil practices as well as crop rotation techniques in rural Ethiopia. The findings reveal that CSA can be an effective strategy to improve the rural populations' well-being for farm households with access to capital, strong social networks and access to integrated food markets. The climate scenario simulations indicate that farmers adopting CSA fare better than non-adopters, although CSA adoption does not fully counterbalance the severe climate pressures. In addition, farmers with poor connections to food markets benefit less from CSA due to stronger price oscillations. These results call for an active role for policy makers in encouraging adaptation through CSA adoption by increasing access to capital, improving food market integration and building information sharing among farmers.
13 Bastia, T. 2019. Gender, migration and social transformation: intersectionality in Bolivian itinerant migrations. Abingdon, Oxon, UK: Routledge. 180p. (Gender, space and society)
Gender relations ; Gender equality ; Migration ; Social networks ; Social mobility ; Transformation ; Migrants ; Women ; Labour market ; Mining ; Decision making ; Collective action ; Communities ; Political aspects ; Domestic violence ; Legislation ; Socioeconomic aspects ; Children ; Households / Bolivia / Spain / Argentina / Cochabamba / Buenos Aires / Madrid / Algeciras / San Fernando
(Location: IWMI HQ Call no: e-copy SF Record No: H051328)
14 Mguni, P.; Abrams, A.; Herslund, L. B.; Carden, K.; Fell, J.; Armitage, N.; Dollie, A. 2022. Towards water resilience through nature-based solutions in the global South? Scoping the prevailing conditions for water sensitive design in Cape Town and Johannesburg. Environmental Science and Policy, 136:147-156. [doi: https://doi.org/10.1016/j.envsci.2022.05.020]
Water supply ; Nature-based solutions ; Resilience ; Environmental management ; Governance ; Infrastructure ; Policies ; Social networks ; Sustainability ; Stormwater management ; Stakeholders ; Urban development / South Africa / Cape Town / Johannesburg
(Location: IWMI HQ Call no: e-copy only Record No: H051396)
https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S1462901122001800/pdfft?md5=f6952eddb3aa3f65351ae88db8ba9aa1&pid=1-s2.0-S1462901122001800-main.pdf
https://vlibrary.iwmi.org/pdf/H051396.pdf
https://vlibrary.iwmi.org/pdf/H051396.pdf
(0.61 MB) (624 KB)
Water Sensitive Design (WSD) is gaining attention as a Nature-based Solution (NbS) to urban water problems. It incorporates green infrastructure with engineered urban water systems through innovative design of the built environment and urban landscape. In Africa, Johannesburg and Cape Town are two cities engaging with WSD at a policy level. This paper uses the Strategic Niche Management (SNM) approach in a comparative analysis of ongoing engagement with WSD in Johannesburg and Cape Town. We explore the extent to which this engagement signals the launch of the transition towards water resilience. WSD represents a niche that is in synergy with the visions of sustainable urban (water and environmental) management in both cities. Results indicate a progressive engagement with WSD by different actors at regime and niche levels. However, the lack of coordination and capacity deficiencies due to limited social networks and higher order learning are challenges that constrain take-off and further consolidation of the WSD approach in the transition towards water resilient futures. Furthermore, we find urban governance practitioners struggle with reconciling the pursuit of visions of sustainability to be realised through nature-based urban development with the pressing infrastructure deficits that persist in most African cities.
15 Varshney, Deepak; Mishra, A. K.; Joshi, P. K.; Roy, D. 2022. Social networks, heterogeneity, and adoption of technologies: evidence from India. Food Policy, 112:102360. [doi: https://doi.org/10.1016/j.foodpol.2022.102360]
Agricultural technology ; Social networks ; Mustard ; Hybrids ; Farmers ; Caste systems ; Socioeconomic environment / India / Rajasthan
(Location: IWMI HQ Call no: e-copy only Record No: H051433)
(0.64 MB)
This study examines the role of caste-based affiliations in the smallholders’ social network interactions for adoption choices. In particular, whether lower-caste, namely Scheduled Castes/Scheduled Tribes, farmers rely more on social networks for information than their counterparts. We further explore whether social network effects are more pronounced when farmers interact within their caste than otherwise. Finally, the study tests whether the effects (intra-caste and inter-caste) vary by caste—SC/ST versus non-SC/ST farmers. The study uses a survey of 478 mustard farmers in Rajasthan, India. Econometric concerns related to unobserved heterogeneity are addressed by employing specifications with village fixed effects and a series of robustness tests. Simultaneity concerns are addressed by analyzing the social network effects in a dynamic adoption framework. Results show that the adoption choices regarding hybrid mustard seeds are more pronounced for the lower-caste farmers than for their counterparts. Findings reveal that social network effects are significant in intra-caste but not in the case of inter-caste. Finally, the result shows that the likelihood of accepting advice in technology adoption is higher when SC/ST farmers interact with non-SC/ST network members than when non-SC/ST farmers interact with SC/ ST network members.
16 Varshney, Deepak; Joshi, P. K.; Kumar, A.; Mishra, A. K.; Dubey, S. K. 2022. Examining the transfer of knowledge and training to smallholders in India: direct and spillover effects of agricultural advisory services in an emerging economy. World Development, 160:106067. [doi: https://doi.org/10.1016/j.worlddev.2022.106067]
Agricultural technology ; Information transfer ; Advisory services ; Training ; Capacity development ; Smallholders ; Farmers ; Social networks ; Wheat / India / Uttar Pradesh
(Location: IWMI HQ Call no: e-copy only Record No: H051434)
https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S0305750X22002571/pdfft?md5=451f642c87a9f0528193ce4fe0253a7f&pid=1-s2.0-S0305750X22002571-main.pdf
https://vlibrary.iwmi.org/pdf/H051434.pdf
https://vlibrary.iwmi.org/pdf/H051434.pdf
(0.91 MB) (930 KB)
We evaluate a large-scale model of agricultural advisory services, known as Krishi Vigyan Kendra (KVK) or Farm Science Centers, introduced by the Government of India to facilitate smallholder adoption of new agricultural technologies. The study first evaluates the impact of frontline demonstrations and capacity-building programs conducted by KVKs and aimed at promoting a new wheat variety (HD2967); it then examines gains in the speed of diffusion at the district level. The study’s second objective is to estimate the spillover effects of KVKs through social networks. The study identifies network beneficiaries based on a ‘‘networks within sample” approach. The study uses a matched difference-indifferences approach and sample of 1496 wheat farmers in Uttar Pradesh, India. The finding shows that frontline demonstrations and capacity-building programs positively impact the adoption of HD-2967. The magnitude of the impacts is larger for KVK beneficiaries, but substantial gains also arise for network beneficiaries. The study underscores the importance of frequently conducting interventions to influence adoption on aggregate at the district level. From a policy perspective, the study offers new insights for strengthening outreach and extension services designed to facilitate the transfer of agricultural knowledge and information, emphasizing frontline demonstrations, capacity-building programs, and spillovers in extending the scope of KVKs.
17 Dessalegn, Mengistu; Debevec, L.; Nicol, Alan; Ludi, E. 2023. A critical examination of rural out-migration studies in Ethiopia: considering impacts on agriculture in the sending communities. Land, 12(1):176. (Special issue: The Impact of Rural Out-Migration on Land Use Transition) [doi: https://doi.org/10.3390/land12010176]
Migration ; Rural areas ; Labour ; Agriculture ; Communities ; Household food security ; Farmland ; Land management ; Livelihoods ; Environmental factors ; Climate variability ; Social networks ; Women ; Remittances ; Investment / Ethiopia
(Location: IWMI HQ Call no: e-copy only Record No: H051664)
https://www.mdpi.com/2073-445X/12/1/176/pdf?version=1672910817
https://vlibrary.iwmi.org/pdf/H051664.pdf
https://vlibrary.iwmi.org/pdf/H051664.pdf
(0.28 MB) (291 KB)
Labor migration is a complex phenomenon, yet while much attention has been paid to understanding the drivers of migration, there is a huge knowledge and policy gap regarding the effects of migration on people and communities left behind. We sought to explore the impacts of rural outmigration on migrant-sending communities in Ethiopia. This remains an understudied topic when it comes to research on migration in Ethiopia. Our investigation is based on a critical review of the migration literature pertaining to Ethiopia and, more broadly. We pursued a holistic analysis of the multidimensional aspects of migration. There are indications that rural outmigration impacts involve issues related to remittances, household food security, agricultural labor use, farmland management, and rural infrastructure development. Our analysis revealed that there had been few systematic studies and limited analyses regarding the impacts of outmigration on agriculture and the livelihoods of rural people and households left behind. Instead, Ethiopia’s migration literature largely deals with migration’s causes, including environmental factors, climate variability, agricultural pressures, livelihood stresses, and changing aspirations.
18 Teklu, A.; Simane, B.; Bezabih, M. 2023. Multiple adoption of climate-smart agriculture innovation for agricultural sustainability: empirical evidence from the Upper Blue Nile Highlands of Ethiopia. Climate Risk Management, 39:100477. [doi: https://doi.org/10.1016/j.crm.2023.100477]
Climate-smart agriculture ; Innovation ; Sustainable agriculture ; Highlands ; Food security ; Resilience ; Smallholders ; Water conservation ; Crop residues ; Crop rotation ; Agroforestry ; Policies ; Conservation agriculture ; Climate change ; Risk ; Soil fertility ; Households ; Social networks / Ethiopia / Upper Blue Nile Basin
(Location: IWMI HQ Call no: e-copy only Record No: H051627)
https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S2212096323000037/pdfft?md5=62f7e668dd07d90674d3ae066ff68b10&pid=1-s2.0-S2212096323000037-main.pdf
https://vlibrary.iwmi.org/pdf/H051627.pdf
https://vlibrary.iwmi.org/pdf/H051627.pdf
(1.94 MB) (1.94 MB)
Adoption of appropriate climate smart innovations is the major step towards enhancing food security, building climate resilience capacity as well as reducing or removing GHG emissions from smallholder farms to sustainably maintain agricultural livelihoods. The purpose of this paper is to investigate the rate, intensity, and determinants of multiple adoptions of climate-smart agriculture innovations among smallholder farmers in Ethiopia's Upper Blue Nile Highlands. All Climate Smart Agriculture (CSA) innovations have a synergistic effect on the adoption of other innovations, with the exception of Soil and Water Conservation (SWC). The economic constraint model demonstrated that farm size, number of plots, and access to financial services influence crop residue management, crop rotation, and agroforestry adoption. Hence, a larger number of plots, a larger total farm size, and access to rural savings and credit increase the probability of adoption. The diffusion innovation model, on the other hand, asserted that frequent extension visits, market access, access to information communication, social networks, and strong tenure security have no less of an impact on the adoption of CSA innovations such as improved variety, crop residue management, crop rotation, compost, SWC, and agroforestry. Furthermore, farmers' perceived technology-specific characteristics of CSA innovations increase the likelihood of adoption. Hence, formal education, more awareness about climate change and CSA, and the ability of CSA innovations to reduce the impact of climate change risks such as rising temperatures, increased hailstorms, and increased erratic rainfall have significantly increased the likelihood of adoption. The integrated technology adoption model explains the determinants of adopting multiple CSA innovations simultaneously. Livelihood asset building programs, strong public extension systems via mobile phone, voice messaging, and radio enhance adoption. Policy to identify and scale up a portfolio of farm-level specific CSA innovations is required.
19 Bourceret, A.; Amblard, L.; Mathias, J.-D. 2023. How do farmers’ environmental preferences influence the efficiency of information instruments for water quality management? Evidence from a social-ecological agent-based model. Ecological Modelling, 478:110300. (Online first) [doi: https://doi.org/10.1016/j.ecolmodel.2023.110300]
Water quality ; Water pollution ; Drinking water ; Decision making ; Governance ; Farmers ; Participation ; Policies ; Social networks ; Models
(Location: IWMI HQ Call no: e-copy only Record No: H051689)
(2.67 MB)
Diverse public policies encourage farmers to adopt eco-friendly practices to address the issue of diffuse pollution from agriculture, including measures based on the provision of information on the environment. Indeed, farmers’ perception of the state of the water body and their awareness of the causes and consequences of water pollution affect their willingness to adopt eco-friendly farming practices. Public policies therefore have a role to play in disseminating environmental information. In this article, we investigate how information measures may exert influence on changes in farming practices and thereby water pollution. We extend an existing agent-based model of a social-ecological system representing a drinking water catchment area. In the decision-making process based on the theory of planned behaviour we integrate a dynamical environmental component of farmers’ attitude towards eco-friendly practices, in order to take into account the effect of information on the ecological system. We explore the impact of information measures, heterogeneity in farmers’ environmental preferences and variations in the initial level of water pollution on farmers’ participation to a water catchment protection programme. Our results show that: (1) targeting farmers who have higher environmental preferences is more effective than no targeting; (2) the heterogeneity in farmers’ environmental preferences impacts their involvement in the programme depending on the average environmental preferences; (3) the higher the initial pollution, the higher the farmers are involved in the protection programme; (4) when two different measures are combined, once a certain threshold of public awareness is reached, there is a synergy between them.
20 Haque, A. T. M. S.; Kumar, L.; Bhullar, N. 2023. Gendered perceptions of climate change and agricultural adaptation practices: a systematic review. Climate and Development, 19p. (Online first) [doi: https://doi.org/10.1080/17565529.2023.2176185]
Gender ; Women ; Climate change adaptation ; Farmers ; Intersectionality ; Feminization ; Political ecology ; Rural development ; Social networks ; Sociocultural environment ; Research ; Sustainability / Africa / Asia
(Location: IWMI HQ Call no: e-copy only Record No: H051712)
https://www.tandfonline.com/doi/epdf/10.1080/17565529.2023.2176185?needAccess=true&role=button
https://vlibrary.iwmi.org/pdf/H051712.pdf
https://vlibrary.iwmi.org/pdf/H051712.pdf
(3.05 MB) (3.05 MB)
The present systematic review was undertaken to obtain a detailed understanding of how climate change perceptions and adaptation differ globally by gender and different intersections among the farmers. Findings from 41 studies selected following Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses (PRISMA) protocol, mostly from Africa and Asia, suggest that climate change perceptions and adaptation are highly contextual and considerably varied by gender and different intersections. Existing gender role, farmers’ age, education, knowledge, marital status, intra-household power structure, religion, social status and ethnicity were intersecting with gender and climate change perception and adaptation. Apart from gender and intersectionality, access to resources, social network and local institutions are found to be important correlates of adaptation strategies by farmers. While agriculture being feminized, mere technological changes are not conclusive to climate change adaptation rather socio-cultural, structural and political changes in inevitable. Female farmers were tend to be more concerned and fatalistic about climate change which reminds us the urgency of culturally appropriate climate change communication to obtain informed decision regarding climate change. Future climate change research could be more gender transformative by exploring the existing inequalities lying in different intersections of gender rather than highlighting binary gender differences only.
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