Your search found 25 records
1 Pathak, P.; Sahrawat, K. L.; Rego, T. J.; Wani, S. P. 2005. Measurable biophysical indicators for impact assessment: changes in soil quality. In Shiferaw, B.; Freeman, H. A.; Swinton, S. M. (Eds.). Natural resources management in agriculture: methods for assessing economic and environmental impacts. Wallingford, UK: CABI. pp.53-74.
Soil quality ; Indicators ; Soil properties ; Natural resources management ; Impact assessment ; Erosion
(Location: IWMI HQ Call no: 338.1 G000 SHI Record No: H040977)
2 Erkossa, T.; Stahr, K.; Gaiser, T. 2004. Participatory soil quality assessment: the case of smallholder farmers in Ethiopian highlands. Australian Journal of Soil Research, 42(7):793-797. [doi: https://doi.org/10.1071/SR04021]
Soil management ; Soil quality ; Soil types ; Indicators ; Watersheds ; Highlands ; Farmers ; Crop production / Ethiopia / Gimbichu District / Caffee Doonsa
(Location: IWMI HQ Call no: e-copy only Record No: H044812)
(0.28 MB)
The study was conducted at Caffee Doonsa (08°88'N, 39°08'E; 2400 m asl), a small watershed in the central highlands of Ethiopia, in order to identify farmers’ goals of soil management and the indicators they use in selecting soils for a certain function, and to categorise the soils in different quality groups with respect to the major functions. Thirty-six male farmers of different age and wealth groups participated in a Participatory Rural Appraisal technique. They listed and prioritised 12 soil functions in the area and itemised the soil quality indicators (characteristics). Based on the indicators, the soils in the watershed were classified into 3 soil quality (SQ) groups (Abolse, Kooticha, and Carii). The SQ groups have been evaluated and ranked for the major soil functions. For crop production, Abolse was graded best, followed by Kooticha and Carii, respectively. The grain and straw yield data of wheat (Triticum aestivum L.) taken from the SQ groups confirmed the farmers claim, in that Abolse gave the highest grain yield (4573 kg/ha), followed by 4411 and 3657 kg/ha for Kooticha and Carii, respectively. Local insights should be included in systematic soil quality assessment, and in planning and implementation of various soil management interventions.
3 Erkossa, T.; Itanna, F.; Stahr, K. 2006. Tillage effects on sediment enrichment, soil quality, and crop productivity in Ethiopian Highlands. Australian Journal of Soil Research, 44(8):753-758. [doi: https://doi.org/ 10.1071/SR06065]
Tillage ; Sediment ; Soil quality ; Crop production ; Highlands ; Vertisols ; Chemicophysical properties ; Indicators ; Erosion ; Field preparation / Ethiopia / Caffee Doonsa
(Location: IWMI HQ Call no: e-copy only Record No: H044813)
(0.10 MB)
The promotion and adoption of new tillage practices requires that their potential on-site, off-site, and economic effects are acceptable. Consequently, a field experiment was conducted at Caffee Doonsa (2400m a.s.l.; 08 57N, 39 06E) in the Central Highlands of Ethiopia for 6 years (1998–2003) to evaluate the effects of tillage practices on sustainable productivity and quality of the soil. Four tillage methods [broad bed and furrows (BBF), green manure (GM), ridge and furrows (RF), and reduced tillage (RT)]were arranged in a randomised complete block design with 3 replications on permanent plots (22m by 6 m). Three crops comprising durum wheat (Triticum durum Desf.), lentil (Lens culinaries Medik), and tef (Eragrostis tef), were sown in rotation. Relative crop productivity index (RPI), financial profitability, the nutrient enrichment ratio (ER) of the eroded sediment, and soil quality index (SQI) were used as performance indicators. With its highest RPI, the use of BBF significantly increased the grain yield of lentils by 59% compared with the control, and RT resulted in the highest grain yield of wheat and tef. Economically, BBF was the most profitable option for lentils with 65% increase in gross margin, whereas RT resulted in 11% and 8% increase in that of wheat and tef, respectively. The ER indicated that the nutrient and organic matter content of the eroded sediment was always greater than that of surface soil, but there were no consistent effects associated with the treatments. The SQI showed a positive trend for GM, BBF, and RT, but differences were not statistically different at P=0.05. Overall, none of the tillage treatments was superior, but we encourage use of BBF and RT because of their positive productivity and economic trends. Further research is needed to tap the potential soil quality improvements anticipated for the GM treatment. To optimise the overall benefits, a complete system has to be developed, perhaps using BBF for lentils followed by RT for wheat and tef.
4 Erkossa, T.; Itanna, F.; Stahr, K. 2007. Indexing soil quality: a new paradigm in soil science research. Australian Journal of Soil Research, 45(2):129-137. [doi: https://doi.org/10.1071/SR06064]
Soil management ; Soil quality ; Soil analysis ; Tillage ; Indicators ; Field preparation ; Land management ; Highlands ; Vertisols ; Cropping systems / Ethiopia / Caffee Doonsa
(Location: IWMI HQ Call no: e-copy only Record No: H044814)
(0.14 MB)
Soil quality indexing is a new approach in spatial and temporal evaluation of land management systems effects on soils’ capacity to function. A field experiment was conducted at Caffee Doonsa (2400 m a.s.l., 08°57'N, 39°06'E) for 6 years (1998–2003) to compare the effects of land preparation methods on soil quality (SQ) and to test the use of the Soil Management Assessment Framework (SMAF) in assessing SQ under the Ethiopian Central Highlands conditions. Four methods of land preparation [broad bed and furrows (BBF), green manure (GM), ridge and furrows (RF), and reduced tillage (RT)] were arranged in a randomised complete block design with 3 replications on permanent plots (22 m by 6 m). Physical, chemical, and biological SQ indicators were determined and scored, and a soil quality index (SQI) was developed using the SMAF procedures. Seven SQ indicators including microbial biomass carbon (MBC), bulk density, aggregate stability (AGG), soil organic carbon (Corg), pH, available water capacity (AWC), and available phosphorus were selected as a minimum dataset. The scored values of the indicators ranged from 0.21 for AGG and 0.97 for pH, both under BBF. Compared with RF (control), all the alternatives (GM, BBF, and RT) increased the scores of Corg and MBC. Moreover, BBF and GM increased the score values of AWC and AGG, respectively. Consequently, there was a non-significant increase in SQI due to the use of GM, BBF, and RT compared with the control. As a result, the land preparation methods may be preferred in a decreasing order GM = BBF = RT = RF for the management goal of crop production. The study indicated that SMAF could be a robust tool to assess the performance of land management methods on soil quality in the study area, but some modifications may be required to fit to the prevailing cropping system and soil characteristics.
5 Abdullaev, I.; Noble, Andrew; Ul Hassan, M.; Platonov, Alexander. 2011. Improving water and land productivity of marginal farms in Central Asia: lessons from the "bright spots". In ICID. 21st Congress on Irrigation and Drainage: Water Productivity towards Food Security, Tehran, Iran, 15-23 October 2011. New Delhi, India: ICID. pp.11-36.
Water productivity ; Marginal farms ; Socioeconomic environment ; Indicators ; Irrigated sites ; Soil quality ; Statistical methods ; Farmers associations ; Crop production ; Economic aspects ; Land resources ; Land ownership ; Public policy / Central Asia / Uzbekistan / Turkmenistan
(Location: IWMI HQ Call no: e-copy only Record No: H044981)
http://www.irncid.org/GetFileArticles.aspx?FilePrm=9987_85221.pdf
https://vlibrary.iwmi.org/pdf/H044981.pdf
https://vlibrary.iwmi.org/pdf/H044981.pdf
(0.91 MB) (946.93KB)
Land degradation of agricultural areas in Uzbekistan and Turkmenistan, specifically due to soil salinization, has resulted in significant declines in agricultural productivity. This study builds upon previous limited work on ‘Bright Spots’ by focusing on specific farming enterprises in the two target countries. The objective of this study was to identify factors that contributed to the enhanced performance of ‘Bright Spots’ in each of the target countries and based on this evaluation assess possible options for expansion and out-scaling of ‘Bright Spots’ to larger areas. The analysis confirms that while the resource endowment in terms of quality of land was almost identical for both the ‘Bright Spots’ and Control objects studied, the performance of the former was superior with respect to productivity and profitability. An analysis of biophysical and economic indicators of ‘Bright Spot’ farms in Uzbekistan indicated that the profitability of cotton production was predominantly dependent on inputs to the production system that had a significant impact on groundwater depth below the soil surface. In order to out-scale ‘Bright Spots’ innovative approaches in addressing existing knowledge gaps that link the products of research, and in this case ‘induce innovation’, with the majority of beneficiaries are required. This may take the form of creating linkages between farmers, researchers and markets through the formation of learning alliances. In addition, the development of enabling policies that address issues related to inequitable access to land and resources that would enable farmers to invest in rehabilitation is required. The provision of incentives which trigger private investment in rehabilitation would potentially stimulate individuals into addressing resource degradation. This would require access to financial instruments to enable investment to take place.
6 Winrock International India; Institute for Studies and Transformations; Jadavpur University. Department of Economics; EcoFriends; Spatial Decisions; Youth for Unity and Voluntary Action (YUVA). 2006. Urban wastewater: livelihoods, health and environmental impacts in India. Research report submitted to Comprehensive Assessment of Water Management in Agriculture. New Delhi, India: Winrock International India. 160p.
Urban areas ; Urbanization ; Wastewater ; Wastewater treatment ; Sewage ; Water reuse ; Agriculture ; Wastewater irrigation ; Water use ; History ; Social aspects ; Economic aspects ; Legal aspects ; Environmental impact ; Impact assessment ; Water quality ; Soil quality ; Groundwater ; Surface water ; Aquaculture ; Health hazards ; Case studies / India / Ahmedabad / Kanpur / Delhi / Kolkata
(Location: IWMI HQ Call no: e-copy only Record No: H045323)
(2.21 MB)
7 de Silva, Sanjiv; Johnston, Robyn; Senaratna Sellamuttu, Sonali. 2013. Agriculture, irrigation and poverty reduction in Cambodia: policy narratives and ground realities compared. Colombo, Sri Lanka: International Water Management Institute (IWMI); Canberra, Australia: Australian Centre for International Agricultural Research (ACIAR). 70p.
Agricultural development ; Agricultural production ; Irrigation schemes ; Irrigation management ; Participatory approaches ; Water scarcity ; Poverty ; Economic growth ; Climate change ; Rice ; Hydrology ; Geography ; Soil quality ; Pumping ; Institutions ; Smallholders ; Fertilizers ; Prices ; Governance ; Private sector ; Livestock / Cambodia
(Location: IWMI HQ Call no: e-copy only Record No: H046294)
(1 MB)
8 Eguchi, S. 2011. Nitrogen accumulation in soil and ground water systems in Japan. Taipei, Taiwan: Food and Fertilizer Technology Center (FFTC). 12p. (FFTC Technical Bulletin 189)
Nitrogen ; Surface water ; Groundwater pollution ; Water quality ; Soil quality ; Monitoring ; Denitrification ; Fertilizers ; Arable land ; Soils ; Environmental effects / Japan
(Location: IWMI HQ Call no: P 8153 Record No: H046702)
http://www.agnet.org/library.php?func=view&id=20131122101037
https://vlibrary.iwmi.org/pdf/H046702.pdf
https://vlibrary.iwmi.org/pdf/H046702.pdf
(1.17 MB)
9 Dinka, M. O. 2017. Lake Basaka expansion: challenges for the sustainability of the Matahara Irrigation Scheme, Awash River Basin (Ethiopia). Irrigation and Drainage, 66(3):305-315. [doi: https://doi.org/10.1002/ird.2114]
Lakes ; Expansion ; Groundwater table ; Water quality ; Salinity ; Waterlogging ; Irrigation schemes ; Sustainability ; Landsat ; Imagery ; Spatial distribution ; Mapping ; Soil quality ; Soil fertility ; Agricultural production ; Sugarcane ; Plantations ; Productivity / Ethiopia / Lake Basaka / Awash River Basin / Matahara Irrigation Scheme
(Location: IWMI HQ Call no: e-copy only Record No: H048188)
(0.91 MB)
The Matahara Sugar Estate (MSE), after nearly 60 years of irrigation, is experiencing the effects of waterlogging and salinization in some fields. The problem is believed to be the result of the expansion of (saline and alkaline) Lake Basaka towards the plantation fields. The objective of this study was to determine the geometry of the lake (area and shape) in roughly the past half- century (1957–2015) from both Landsat images and local information and then assess its negative effects on MSE’s soil and water quality. Monthly groundwater (GW) depth was monitored using piezometer tubes. Water and soil samples were collected from each of the piezometer locations and analysed for important physico-chemical parameters. The results indicate that the lake expanded approximately 47.3 km2 in the past half-century. The soil quality was found to be very poor in plantation sections with very shallow GW depth and severe salinity conditions. The lake, as revealed by the results, is intruding into the groundwater system of MSE on the Abadir side. Assuming continuation of the past trends, the lake is expected to inundate parts of MSE in the next few years and, hence, challenge the production and productivity of MSE significantly. The lake has the potential to join the Awash River, thereby impacting all downstream irrigation developments in the basin and the livelihood of the people depending on the water resources. As the area is situated in the uppermost part of Main Ethiopian Rift Valley, other factors are expected to exacerbate its expansion even in the future. Overall, the study results present the potential damage caused by the lake to MSE and provides valuable information for the reclamation measures to be taken for the sustainability of MSE.
10 Kadyampakeni, Davie M.; Mul, Marloes L.; Obuobie, E.; Appoh, Richard; Owusu, Afua; Ghansah, Benjamin; Boakye-Acheampong, Enoch; Barron, Jennie. 2017. Agro-climatic and hydrological characterization of selected watersheds in northern Ghana. Colombo, Sri Lanka: International Water Management Institute (IWMI). 40p. (IWMI Working Paper 173) [doi: https://doi.org/10.5337/2017.209]
Watersheds ; Agricultural production ; Intensification ; Agroclimatology ; Hydrology ; Analytical method ; Agronomic practices ; Water balance ; Water quality ; Water management ; Water deficit ; Climatic factors ; pH ; Electrical conductivity ; Soil texture ; Soil quality ; Soil sampling ; Soil fertility ; Land cover mapping ; Land use ; Rain ; Temperature ; Evapotranspiration ; Farmers ; Wet season ; Dry season ; Reservoir storage ; Wells ; Rivers ; Irrigation schemes ; Catchment areas ; Cropping systems ; Crop production ; Meteorological stations ; Cation exchange capacity / Ghana
(Location: IWMI HQ Call no: IWMI Record No: H048209)
(1 MB)
This paper provides the climatic and biophysical context of three watersheds in northern Ghana. The objective of the study is to describe the agro-climatic and hydrological features of the watersheds from a landscape perspective. The analyses show that water surplus occurs about 3 months in a year, with only one month providing a significant surplus. Small-scale irrigation is, therefore, carried out in the dry months between November and June. The quality of water used for irrigation from wells, reservoirs and rivers is good for irrigation and domestic purposes. The soil chemical parameters across the study sites show that the soils are suitable for irrigation and crop system intensification, although it requires substantial fertilizer inputs. The paper concludes that there are opportunities from both a soil quality and water availability perspective to enhance sustainable intensification through small- and medium-scale irrigation in the selected watersheds.
11 Berazneva, J.; McBride, L.; Sheahan, M.; Guerena, D. 2018. Empirical assessment of subjective and objective soil fertility metrics in East Africa: implications for researchers and policy makers. World Development, 105:367-382. [doi: https://doi.org/10.1016/j.worlddev.2017.12.009]
Soil fertility ; Agricultural productivity ; Soil analysis ; Soil pH ; Soil types ; Soil quality ; Cation exchange capacity ; Natural resources management ; Researchers ; Policy making ; Farmers attitudes ; Crop yield ; Maize / East Africa / Kenya / Tanzania
(Location: IWMI HQ Call no: e-copy only Record No: H048769)
(1.09 MB)
Bringing together emerging lessons from biophysical and social sciences as well as newly available data, we take stock of what can be learned about the relationship among subjective (reported) and objective (measured) soil fertility and farmer input use in east Africa. We identify the correlates of Kenyan and Tanzanian maize farmers’ reported perceptions of soil fertility and assess the extent to which these subjective assessments reflect measured soil chemistry. Our results offer evidence that farmers base their perceptions of soil quality and soil type on crop yields. We also find that, in Kenya, farmers’ reported soil type is a reasonable predictor of several objective soil fertility indicators while farmer-reported soil quality is not. In addition, in exploring the extent to which publicly available soil data are adequate to capture local soil chemistry realities, we find that the time-consuming exercise of collecting detailed objective measures of soil content is justified when biophysical analysis is warranted, because farmers’ perceptions are not sufficiently strong proxies of these measures to be a reliable substitute and because currently available high-resolution geo-spatial data do not sufficiently capture local variation. In the estimation of agricultural production or profit functions, where the focus is on averages and in areas with low variability in soil properties, the addition of soil information does not considerably change the estimation results. However, having objective (measured) plot-level soil information improves the overall fit of the model and the estimation of marginal physical products of inputs. Our findings are of interest to researchers who design, field, or use data from agricultural surveys, as well as policy makers who design and implement agricultural interventions and policies.
12 Brindha, K.; Pavelic, Paul; Sotoukee, T. 2019. Environmental assessment of water and soil quality in the Vientiane Plain, Lao PDR. Groundwater for Sustainable Development, 8: 24-30. [doi: https://doi.org/10.1016/j.gsd.2018.08.005]
Environmental impact assessment ; Water quality ; Water pollution ; Water resources ; Drinking water ; Water levels ; Groundwater ; Faecal coliforms ; Bacteria ; Biological contamination ; Chlorides ; Nitrates ; Soil quality ; Soil sampling ; pH ; Sewage ; Land resources ; Filtration / Lao People's Democratic Republic / Vientiane Plain
(Location: IWMI HQ Call no: e-copy only Record No: H048891)
A water and soil quality baseline study was carried out across the ~ 4500 km2 Vientiane Plain in Lao PDR. Eight water quality and nine soil parameters were analysed using field kits at 95 sites in March 2015. Elevated electrical conductivity and chloride were apparent at two sites due to geogenic leaching from the marine rock-salt present in some areas. Groundwater was acidic in most locations. Nitrate and faecal contamination were also observed from nitrogenous fertilizers (diffuse) and from leaky sewage pits (localised) respectively. Soil quality is neither nutrient deficient nor does it pose a threat to plant growth. Where groundwater is used for drinking, removal of bacterial contamination by simple filtration or boiling is sufficient. In the absence of a functional monitoring network in the Vientiane Plain, periodic surveys of this kind should be performed. The results should be made widely available to the relevant government departments and other stakeholders for better management of the land and water resources.
13 Kassa, K.; Ali, Y.; Zewdie, W. 2018. Human urine as a source of nutrients for maize and its impacts on soil quality at Arba Minch, Ethiopia. Journal of Water Reuse and Desalination, 8(4):516-521. [doi: https://doi.org/10.2166/wrd.2018.060]
Wastewater treatment ; Human wastes ; Urine ; Agriculture ; Maize ; Plant growth ; Nutrients ; Soil quality ; Soil properties ; Soil salinity ; Semiarid zones / Ethiopia / Arba Minch
(Location: IWMI HQ Call no: e-copy only Record No: H049062)
https://iwaponline.com/jwrd/article-pdf/8/4/516/482343/jwrd0080516.pdf
https://vlibrary.iwmi.org/pdf/H049062.pdf
https://vlibrary.iwmi.org/pdf/H049062.pdf
(0.25 MB) (260 KB)
A pot experiment was conducted at Arba Minch, Ethiopia to study the effects of urine on soil properties and yield of maize in natural settings. The pot treatments consisted of 500, 800, 1,000 and 1,200 ml of neat human urine collected from a UDDT (Urine Diversion Dry Toilet) added at different portions and control. The results showed that the response of the maize for most of the variables was very well expressed or significantly different at the application rate of 500 ml of urine; however, there was no significant difference between the 500 ml and the rest of the application. A significant increase in height, diameter, and length of leaf of maize was found in the urine treated soils. An improvement in soil phosphate chemical properties was noticed with increasing addition of urine; however, there was no significant increase in the ammonium nitrogen content and pH. The salinity of treated soil significantly increased at the bottom of the pot when compared with the control. In order to limit the increase in salinity of the soil and to get optimum maize growth in natural conditions, 500 ml urine addition per maize is recommended. The findings encourage the use of urine as fertilizer and a possible sink for UDDT waste.
14 Shah, Tushaar; Verma, Shilp; Durga, Neha; Rajan, Abhishek; Goswami, Alankrita; Palrecha, A. 2018. Achieving 'Har Khet Ko Pani': a practical roadmap for PMKSY [Pradhan Mantri Krishi Sinchai Yojana]. In Swain, M.; Kalamkar, S. S. (Eds). Water governance in India: issues and concerns. New Delhi, India: Allied Publishers. pp.11-51.
Irrigation management ; Development programmes ; State intervention ; Water resources ; Water management ; Wastewater irrigation ; Periurban areas ; Public health ; Solar energy ; Pumps ; Groundwater irrigation ; Water policy ; Agricultural productivity ; Irrigated sites ; Soil quality ; Indigenous peoples ; Farmers ; Economic aspects / India / Gujarat / Madhya Pradesh
(Location: IWMI HQ Call no: e-copy only Record No: H049511)
(11.50 MB)
15 Erkossa, Teklu; Geleti, D.; Williams, Timothy O.; Laekemariam, F.; Haileslassie, Amare. 2022. Restoration of grazing land to increase biomass production and improve soil properties in the Blue Nile Basin: effects of infiltration trenches and Chloris gayana reseeding. Renewable Agriculture and Food Systems, 37(S1):S64-S72. (Special issue: Restoring Degraded Landscapes and Fragile Food Systems) [doi: https://doi.org/10.1017/S1742170519000425]
Land restoration ; Grazing lands ; Biomass production ; Soil properties ; Chloris gayana ; Trenches ; Resowing ; Soil conservation ; Water conservation ; Soil water content ; Soil quality ; Soil chemical properties ; Farmers ; Innovation platforms / Ethiopia / Blue Nile Basin
(Location: IWMI HQ Call no: e-copy only Record No: H049501)
https://www.cambridge.org/core/services/aop-cambridge-core/content/view/EF93585DCF6E543CEA679E80E1AF381A/S1742170519000425a.pdf/restoration_of_grazing_land_to_increase_biomass_production_and_improve_soil_properties_in_the_blue_nile_basin_effects_of_infiltration_trenches_and_chloris_gayana_reseeding.pdf
https://vlibrary.iwmi.org/pdf/H049501.pdf
https://vlibrary.iwmi.org/pdf/H049501.pdf
(0.54 MB) (552 KB)
Degradation of crop and grazing lands is a pervasive problem that negatively impacts agricultural productivity and livelihoods of crop-livestock farmers in the Blue Nile basin of Ethiopia. Area enclosure together with a cut and carry livestock feeding system is often advocated as an approach for the regeneration of degraded grazing lands. This paper reports the results of a two-year farmer participatory study conducted to assess the effects of infiltration trenches (ITs) and Chloris gayana Kunth (Rhodes grass; cultivar Masaba; tetraploid; C4 grass species) reseeding on restoration of degraded grazing lands. A split plot design was used with IT as the main plot and C. gayana reseeding as a sub-plot on 28 private grazing plots under enclosure. The results showed that IT alone increased soil moisture content and prolonged the growing period. IT and C. gayana reseeding together significantly (P = 0.05) increased herbage dry matter yield and improved soil chemical properties. The highest mean herbage dry matter yield (21 Mg ha-1 per cut) was recorded for plots treated with IT and reseeded with C. gayana. The higher herbage dry matter yield was attributed to increased soil moisture and the resultant prolonged growing period induced by the trenches coupled with the ability of C. gayana to effectively utilize the retained water. The results suggest that an integrated land management approach involving enclosure, in-situ water conservation and C. gayana reseeding can rapidly increase biomass productivity on degraded grazing lands while also enhancing soil quality with concomitant livelihood benefits for farmers.
16 Assefa, T.; Jha, M.; Reyes, M.; Worqlul, A. W.; Doro, L.; Tilahun, S. 2020. Conservation agriculture with drip irrigation: effects on soil quality and crop yield in Sub-Saharan Africa. Journal of Soil and Water Conservation, 75(2):209-217. [doi: https://doi.org/10.2489/jswc.75.2.209]
Conservation agriculture ; Drip irrigation ; Soil quality ; Crop yield ; Forecasting ; Agricultural policy ; Conventional tillage ; Crop production ; Environmental modelling / Africa South of Sahara / United Republic of Tanzania / Ghana / Ethiopia / Dangishita / Robit / Yemu / Mkindo
(Location: IWMI HQ Call no: e-copy only Record No: H049628)
(0.66 MB)
The traditional agriculture production system in sub-Saharan Africa (SSA) caused significant soil erosion and degradation of soil quality. In addition, dependability of rainfall for irrigation needs limits the crop production. Advanced agricultural practices are thus needed at the local level to sustain the livelihood of smallholder farmers in the region. In this study, conservation agriculture (CA) practice with drip irrigation technology was compared (using field experiments and watershed modeling) with the traditional conventional tillage (CT) practice for its potential in improving soil quality and crop productivity in the region. Biophysical data were collected (2015 to 2017) from a total of 43 paired plots (CA and CT) at four study sites in SSA: Dangishita and Robit in Ethiopia, Yemu in Ghana, and Mkindo in Tanzania. The Agricultural Policy/Environmental eXtender (APEX) model was calibrated and validated with reasonable efficiency in simulating crop yields for both CA and CT practices; average PBIAS =±12% and =±11%, for CA and CT. The impact of the CA system on soil quality (soil carbon [C] and nitrogen [N]) was analyzed based on the well-tested model prediction results. The total C and N were increased under CA across the study sites on average by 6% and 4.1%, when compared to CT over the study period. Both the experiment and model prediction showed that crop yield was significantly improved by CA—on average 37.4% increases across the sites when compared to CT. Conservation agriculture with drip irrigation was an efficient local strategy to improve crop production in the region while enhancing the ecosystem.
17 Sathaiah, M.; Chandrasekaran, M. 2020. A bio-physical and socio-economic impact analysis of using industrial treated wastewater in agriculture in Tamil Nadu, India. Agricultural Water Management, 241:106394. (Online first) [doi: https://doi.org/10.1016/j.agwat.2020.106394]
Industrial wastewater ; Water reuse ; Socioeconomic impact ; Impact assessment ; Wastewater irrigation ; Water quality ; Irrigated farming ; Water availability ; Cropping patterns ; Livestock ; Income ; Wells ; Groundwater ; Soil quality / India / Tamil Nadu
(Location: IWMI HQ Call no: e-copy only Record No: H049844)
(5.25 MB)
Wastewater has high potential for reuse in agriculture; to reduce the water scarcity problems, for increasing food and environmental security, avoiding direct pollution of rivers, canals, surface water, conserving water and nutrients, etc. The study revealed that the water availability increased significantly during both the rainy season and summer in the open wells as well as the new bore wells sunk in the study area. The area cultivated increased by 24.65 per cent along with change in cropping pattern – changing over from coarse cereals namely; sorghum and pearl millet to commercial crops such as; coconut and fodder grass as inter-crops, beside fodder sorghum in the study area in the current period as a result of use of treated wastewater for irrigation. The livestock activity also moved towards more cattle in place of small animals such as; sheep and goats. The land value per hectare remained higher at Rs. 19.76 lakhs in treated wastewater irrigated farms compared to that of the control farms at Rs. 6.42 lakhs. The employment generation through crop activities in the treated wastewater irrigated farms were higher by 129.79 per cent compared to control farms. The treated wastewater irrigated farms could save farm yard manure and N and P nutrients by 5.02 tons, 270.22 kg. and 31.04 kg., respectively. The net income per hectare increased by 9.32 per cent and 1.42 per cent, respectively, compared to the pre-industry period and the net income in control farms. Even while the pH, EC and salt load remained at permissible levels in soil, the salt loads were found moving towards upper permissible limit or exceeding limits in the case of ground water. The positive externalities while require government to bring in policy, making paper mills to treat effluent and provide for irrigation; the negative externalities when read with WHO stipulations and also on the basis of past studies to go for suitable crops which are seasonal or annual with safe transfer factors regarding heavy metals from soil/ground water to plant parts or fiber crops which are not directly consumed by humans.
18 Mekonnen, M.; Abeje, T.; Addisu, S. 2021. Integrated watershed management on soil quality, crop productivity and climate change adaptation, dry highland of northeast Ethiopia. Agricultural Systems, 186:102964. [doi: https://doi.org/10.1016/j.agsy.2020.102964]
Watershed management ; Integrated management ; Soil quality ; Agricultural productivity ; Climate change adaptation ; Highlands ; Arid climate ; Soil conservation ; Water conservation ; Carbon stock assessments ; Soil organic carbon ; Sustainable Development Goals ; Soil chemicophysical properties ; Crop yield ; Land degradation ; Erosion ; Farmers / Ethiopia / Miyo-Hadi Watershed
(Location: IWMI HQ Call no: e-copy only Record No: H050104)
(4.32 MB)
Miyo-Hadi watershed in the northeast dry highland of Ethiopia is known for the excessive degradation of natural resources and recurrent drought. To avert the problem soil and water conservation practices (SWCPs) were exhaustively implemented by governmental and non-governmental organizations based on the integrated watershed management approach. Although many studies have been conducted in the wet highlands of Ethiopia to assess the role of SWCPs on soil physical and chemical properties, carbon stock and grain yield, studies in the dry highlands of northeast Ethiopia are limited. Thus, this research is aimed to (i) investigate the impacts of SWCPs on soil physical and chemical properties, (ii) quantify the carbon stock trapped by the SWCPs, (iii) assess barley grain yield and (iv) evaluate farmers' perception on climate change adaptive strategies. Field experiment, observation, socio-economic survey were conducted for data collection. SPSS was used for data analysis. The result shows that soil and water conservation practices positively influenced the physico-chemical properties of the soil and barley grain yield. The quality of soil physico-chemical properties and barley grain yield in the treated farms/fields were better than the untreated farms. Similarly, the quality of soil physico-chemical properties and barley grain yield were found to be high in farms with lower slope gradients than the higher slope gradients. Almost all of the interviewed households (93%) perceived the existence of climate change in the area; and recurrent drought, pest and disease were among the events. About 65% of the households perceived that the implemented strategies (SWCPs, infrastructure, credit & saving, and capacity building) were helpful to adapt climate related shocks. Therefore, it can be concluded that integrated watershed management as a holistic approach, and SWCPs as specific technologies have meaningful roles in terms of minimizing land degradation, improving soil quality, increasing barley yield, and reducing climate change.
19 Campolo, J.; Guerena, D.; Maharjan, S.; Lobell, D. B. 2021. Evaluation of soil-dependent crop yield outcomes in Nepal using ground and satellite-based approaches. Field Crops Research, 260:107987. [doi: https://doi.org/10.1016/j.fcr.2020.107987]
Crop yield ; Soil deficiencies ; Estimation ; Satellite imagery ; Remote sensing ; Soil maps ; Wheat ; Farmland ; Fertilizers ; Soil quality ; Soil properties ; Smallholders ; Weather data ; Models / Nepal / Terai Region
(Location: IWMI HQ Call no: e-copy only Record No: H050190)
(5.14 MB)
Smallholder farmers face many constraints to achieving food security. Optimal soil management is often limited by a lack of accessible and accurate soil characterization, and an associated lack of soil-specific management practice recommendations. Crop yields depend on both soil quality and soil-mediated fertilizer responses. Existing research on soil-fertilizer interactions is primarily based on farm trials and/or survey data, which are resource intensive and typically restricted to local scales. High-resolution (~10-meter) remote sensing data and digital soil maps provide a low cost, scalable alternative. Here, we deploy methods based on the Sentinel satellite constellation to estimate soil and fertilizer impacts on irrigated wheat grain yields in Nepal and to inform precision soil and nutrient management recommendations. We first combine field data with Sentinel-1 and Sentinel-2 imagery to delineate wheat cropping areas for 2016–2019 with 92 % accuracy. We then estimate wheat yields at 10-meter resolution using Sentinel-2 and weather covariates based on yield models parameterized from two different methods: 1) APSIM crop model simulations and 2) ground cropcuts from 147 fields. Using a large dataset of soil samples collected by the Nepal Agricultural Research Council, we examine the linear and non-linear effects of soil properties on wheat yields. Finally, the soil maps were combined with a survey of field-level crop management data and our yield estimates to test the interaction of soil quality with fertilizer effectiveness. Our ground-calibrated satellite model predicted yields with good accuracy (R2 = 0.55), while the uncalibrated simulation-based approach had weaker but significant prediction accuracy (R2 = 0.24). We find statistically significant gains in yield of 0.9–2.4 % are possible by increasing soil organic matter and zinc from highly deficient values to optimal values of 2.2 % organic matter (OM) and 0.67 ppm zinc (Zn). Using digital soil maps of Nepal produced by the International Maize and Wheat Improvement Center (CIMMYT), we map croplands deficient in zinc (Zn < 0.66 ppm) and organic matter (OM < 2.2 %) and find that 72 % of croplands in the Nepal Terai are experiencing less than optimal levels of these nutrients. We examine the effectiveness of nitrogen and zinc fertilizers, applied in amounts ranging from 0 to 150 kg ha-1 and 0 to 15 kg ha-1 respectively, in different soil quality regimes as determined by a soil quality index informed by standard relationships between crop yields and soil properties. Yields were significantly more responsive to zinc fertilizer inputs in soils with a higher than average soil quality but responded similarly to nitrogen inputs across different soils. Effects of soil and fertilizers on the simulation-based yield estimate were generally similar but less significant than effects on ground-calibrated yields. Overall, nitrogen and zinc increased ground-calibrated yields by 0.8 and 10.4 kg ha-1 per kg of nutrient input, respectively. This research demonstrates the potential of satellite data, crop simulation, and machine learning to examine the influence of soils on yields and guide precision fertilizer use in smallholder regions.
20 Douthwaite, B.; Child, K. 2021. How agricultural research for development achieves developmental outcomes: learning lessons to inform One CGIAR science and technology policy research. Colombo, Sri Lanka: International Water Management Institute (IWMI). CGIAR Research Program on Water, Land and Ecosystems (WLE). 27p. (WLE Legacy Series 2) [doi: https://doi.org/10.5337/2022.201]
Agricultural research for development ; CGIAR ; Research programmes ; Impact assessment ; Monitoring and evaluation ; Agricultural innovation ; Technology ; Policy innovation ; Agronomy ; Capacity development ; Advisory services ; Soil quality ; Cassava ; Seed certification ; Fertilizers ; Phytosanitary measures ; Solar energy ; Irrigation systems ; Electricity supplies ; Donors ; Funding ; State intervention ; Farmers ; Databases ; Models ; Case studies / Ethiopia / India / United Republic of Tanzania
(Location: IWMI HQ Call no: e-copy only Record No: H050909)
(1.14 MB)
At the end of 2021, CGIAR Research Programs (CRPs) will be replaced by Initiatives housed within One CGIAR. This new modality is intended to achieve higher levels of impact at a faster rate and at reduced cost compared to the CRPs. As One CGIAR begins, there is a unique opportunity to reflect on what has worked in different contexts. In this paper, we provide findings that relate to One CGIAR’s overarching view of how it will achieve positive and measurable impacts, and for agricultural research for development (AR4D) more generally. Specifically, we draw from three related CRP evaluations to identify how different types of AR4D approaches have contributed to successful outcomes. In the final section of the paper, we present our conclusions and provide a list of recommendations for the science and technology policy of One CGIAR and possibly other integrated research for development programs.
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