Environmental Information Systems and Community-Based Resource Management in Ghana: An Investigation of Institutional Policy and Implementation in Context

This study employed a case-study approach and cross-case analysis to investigate the impact of Environmental Information Systems (EIS) and Local Knowledge Systems (LKS) on agro-forestry management and biodiversity conservation. Questionnaire-based interviews with service providers, resource managers and focus group discussions with farmers associated with the United Nations Capacity 21, the Netherlands Tropenbos International (TBI) and the United Nations Project on People Land Management and Conservation (UNPLEC), projects yielded in-depth information on agro-forestry practices in southern Ghana. The findings of the survey revealed that computer-based information systems have been used to identify areas of resource degradation. This has served as a sanitization tool to organize and intensify tree-planting exercises and agroforestry management activities in the affected areas. Evaluation of individual cases and cross-case analysis of EIS projects in Ghana showed parallels and divergences in the modus operandi of EIS implementation at national and district levels. The Capacity 21 project initiated the District Environmental Resource Information System (DERIS). The project procured datasets (eg. satellite images, software, computers and printers) in 8 pilot districts including Sekyere West and Assin Fosu Districts and offered training and skill development programmes under the auspices of the Centre for Environmental Remote Sensing and Geographic Information Services (CERSGIS) to equip focal district planning officers to use tools and datasets to analyze the state of the environment and the extent of resource degradation as well as other development-related activities. This fostered cooperation between the national coordinator of the project, district planners and local farmers to organize regular tree-planting exercises and workshops on alternative livelihood activities which have helped to lessen pressure on the environment to some extent. This approach exhibits a greater degree of top-down planning and implementation. The field survey revealed that PLEC used computer-based information systems during the earlier stages of the project to demarcate demonstration sites and capture spatio-temporal variations in agro-ecological conditions. However, during the subsequent phases, the PLEC project relied heavily and predominantly on local agro-ecological knowledge from a diverse group of farmers to assess resource conditions, and promoted the use of various traditional and exotic agro-forestry and agro-diversity management techniques in the Manya Krobo and Suhum Kraboa Coaltar Districts. The PLEC approach was more bottom-up in its philosophy and practice by allowing natural and social scientists to learn from farmers, and the scientists in turn offered technical advice which enabled farmers to improve their local farming techniques and maximize their farm productivity, while at the same time enhancing the capacity of the biophysical environment to support conventional and alternative livelihood activities continually. The Tropenbos International (TBI) project exhibits elements of both top-down and bottom-up implementation approaches. It recognizes the significant role of tailor-made information (computer-based systems and socio-economic studies mainly from the Forest Services Commission and the University of Ghana, respectively) and skill in forest management. The TBI GORTMAN project streamlined the capacity for information collection in the Goaso and Offinso districts. The findings revealed that farmers associated with the three projects apply various knowledge systems and techniques in agroforestry management. These include, mixed cultivation of domestic, economic and medicinal trees as well as food crops. Reasons such as windbreak, construction materials, medicine, food, fuelwood and nutrient enhancement were cited by farmers for practicing agroforestry. Common food crops found on farms include cocoyam, okro, maize, plantain and yams, among others. These crops are the mainstay of family food and income sources. Other livelihood activities include beekeeping, snail rearing and grasscutter raising and livestock breeding. The diversities of agroforestry practices have engendered decades of farm management practices and resource conservation measures. Another challenge of agroforestry management which is common to all the three projects is that farmers are victims of indiscriminate felling of trees on their farms by timber companies which destroys their crops. Farmers repeatedly cited logistical (tools, seedlings etc) challenges and financial constraints as factors that hamper effective application of knowledge systems in agroforestry management. This is a dominant problem that PLEC and TBI farmers face. Capacity 21 farmers benefited initially from logistical supplies but it was short-lived. In view of these problems, the study recommended measures for improving environmental information systems and local knowledge systems applications in agroforestry management and agrodiversity conservation in southern Ghana

Socio-Economic Evaluation of the Potential for Australian Tree Species in the Philippines

Crop Production/Industries,

Book of abstracts, 4th World Congress on Agroforestry

International audienc

Climate-Smart Agriculture in Indonesia

This CSA Country Profile describes the risks posed by climate change to agriculture in Indonesia, discusses the potential of CSA to attenuate those risks, identifies factors that can influence the adoption of CSA practices, and highlights potential entry points for investment in CSA at scale. The report is split into two parts; the National Profile and Provincial Profiles. In the National Profile, agriculture’s relation to economic development, livelihoods, specific social groups, land use, food security, and greenhouse gas emissions are explored, in addition to agricultural production systems critical to national food security and livelihoods. In the Provincial Profiles, qualitative research is employed to delve deeper into farming systems and agricultural value chains across three Indonesian Provinces (East Java, North Sumatra, and Nusa Tenggara Timur)

Transforming Agriculture in Southern Africa

This book provides a synthesis of the key issues and challenges facing agriculture and food production in Southern Africa. Southern Africa is facing numerous challenges from diverse issues such as agricultural transformations, growing populations, urbanization and climate change. These challenges place great pressure on food security, agriculture, water availability and other natural resources, as well as impacting biodiversity. Drawing on case studies from Lesotho, Malawi, Mozambique, Namibia, South Africa, Swaziland, Tanzania, Zambia and Zimbabwe, the chapters in this book consider these challenges from an interdisciplinary perspective, covering key areas in constraints to production, the most important building blocks of good farming practices, and established and emerging technologies. This book will be a valuable support for informing new policies and processes aimed at improving food production and security and developing sustainable agriculture in Southern Africa. This informative volume will be key reading for those interested in agricultural science, African studies, rural studies, development studies and sustainability. It will also be a valuable resource for policymakers, governmental and nongovernmental organizations, and agricultural practitioners

Situational analysis study of the agriculture sector in Uganda

Uganda submitted its first Nationally Determined Contribution (NDC) in 2015 to the UNFCCC through which it committed to reduce approximately 22% of national GHG emissions in 2030 compared to business-as-usual of 49 million MtCO2eq. The country is currently in the process of updating its NDC in accordance with decision 1/CP.21 of the UNFCCC. As part of the process, the Ministry of Agriculture, Animal Industry and Fisheries (MAAIF) is leading the process of defining the sector’s medium- and long-term low emissions, climate development pathway (Agricultural LTS) in order to identify concrete short-, medium- and long term adaptation and mitigation options that would inform updating of the agricultural component of the Nationally Determined Contributions (NDCs) and successive NDCs. As a precursor to the LTS, understanding the status of the sector (baseline) is critical. This situational analysis study assessed the current status and trends of the agriculture sector in Uganda and identified opportunities to transform the sector towards a low carbon and climate resilient development pathway

Annual Report 2017-18

Not AvailableI am extremely happy and privileged to present the annual report of ICAR-CRIDA for the year 2017- 18. During the reporting year, ICAR-CRIDA has made eloquent progress in technology development and dissemination associated with climate change in rainfed agriculture and dealing contingencies in agriculture and allied sector. The institute has received copyright for “Unreaped yield potentials in major rainfed crops and scope for bridging yield gaps - A decision support system”. ICAR-CRIDA along with SAUs and KVKs prepared contingency plans at district level for all the 126 agro-climatic zones of the country (623 districts) to deal with weather related aberrations. An IFS module with cotton, vegetables, fodder and small ruminants with farm pond using portable raingun at Chenchu tribal farmer field implemented in Petrallachenu village of Nagarkurnool district showed positive impact on socio economic condition of the farmer with total net income of Rs. 96,605/- over the traditional system of growing only rainfed cotton, which gave negative returns of Rs. (-) 3600. A small scale solar powered micro-irrigation system was designed and installed for small farmers having one acre or less land under farm pond system for growing vegetables. The assessment based on daily rainfall dataset, annual average effective rainfall and runoff percentages helped in developing the expected runoff in various rainfall zones, which could be used to estimate the runoff in meso-scale watersheds. Seven inbreds of maize (DTL2, SNJ2011- 03, SNJ2011-37, SNJ2011-26, Z101-15, Z32-12 and HKI7660) were found to be promising for use in crop improvement programme under rainfed conditions. 4:4 strip intercropping system of sorghum and pigeonpea with relay horse gram performed better compared to traditional 2:1 intercropping system. In a study on resource conserving technologies, conventional tillage recorded 15% lower maize yields as compared to conservation agriculture practices. Intensive system of rearing livestock not only improved the profitability but also significantly reduced methane emissions as compared to semi-intensive and extensive systems. Heat Load Index (HLI) and Temperature Humidity Index (THI) was found to be better choice for comparing heat stress in extensively and intensively reared sheep, respectively. A rotary implement for weeding operation was developed to effectively utilize low horse power tractor for field applications. A raised bed planter cum herbicide applicator was developed and the design was transferred to Avanthi Bufa Industries Ltd., Jahirabad. Farmers’ first project, envisaged to transfer rainfed technologies with objective of doubling farmers income is being implemented in 4 villages of Pudur mandal of Vikarabad district. Among 12 pigeonpea genotypes AKT-8811, PUSA-33, GRG-276-1 and RVK-274 were the high yielders in both unstressed and rainfed conditions. An econometric analysis of impact of climate change on crop yields showed that the impacts would be more severe and widespread towards the end of the century. Under changing climatic scenarios, runoff is not expected to vary much in Vijayapura district under low or medium emission scenarios, but the high runoff potential available under the present scenario itself shows substantial scope for rainwater harvesting and its utilization for supplemental irrigation. Decreased grub duration with increased predation capacity of M. sexmaculatus on A. craccivora with elevated CO2 indicated increased predation in future climate change scenarios. For assessing the real time climate change impacts on crop water requirements, SCADA Preface based rainfall simulator and precision lysimeter was designed and developed by using state of art process automation instrumentation in climate change research complex at Hayathnagar. Rotavator, cultivator and disc plough + harrow recorded higher GHG emissions and global warming potential, whereas animal drawn implements recorded lower emissions. Evaluation of the performance of different crops under organic, inorganic and integrated production systems showed that yield of sunflower was 14 and 7% higher under integrated management (1374 kg/ha) than that of under inorganic and organic management, respectively. Supplementation of chromium propionate @ 200 ppb can help in mitigation of heat stress in grazing lambs. An experiment to evaluate 36 elite clones of short rotation and high biomass yielding multipurpose tree species (M. dhubia, Casuarina, B. balcoa, D. sisoo and Eucalyptus) was established at Hayathnagar Research Farm. The KVK under technology assessment and refinement has assessed 17 technologies through 115 trials on crop varieties, integrated crop management, horticulture and livestock management. 269 Frontline demonstrations on 19 technologies were conducted in different disciplines. It also organized 115 need based and skill oriented training programmes on various aspects of improved technologies to 3005 clientele farmers and filed level extension workers. Two special skill development programmes allotted by Department of Horticulture, Government of Telangana in the disciplines of “ farm pond construction and lining” were organized for 520 rural youths. Exemplary performance of its scientists were visible as two scientists attended trainings/exposure visit outside the country and 52 graduate and post graduate students carried out research work at ICAR-CRIDA. Sustained performance of its scientists were exhibited in terms of 20 scientists of Institute receiving several awards, fellowships, copyright and recognition from national academies, professional societies and other institutions. The scientists of the institute published a total of 116 research articles in international and national journals, 29 books/bulletins including 2 in Hindi and 112 book chapters. The contributions of scientists also appeared in the form of a number of policy papers, bulletins, popular articles, presentations in conferences, e-publications and radio and television programmes. The collaborations with several Ministries and Departments, SAUs, NGOs and Private Industries reflect its commitment to work hand-to-hand with grow together and finding the technological solutions to the problems of farmers in rainfed regions of India. I would like to place on record my sincere gratitude to Indian Council of Agricultural Research for its continued guidance and support. I appreciate all the committee members of annual report for their timely compilation and shaping this report in time.Not Availabl

Transforming Agriculture in Southern Africa

This book provides a synthesis of the key issues and challenges facing agriculture and food production in Southern Africa. Southern Africa is facing numerous challenges from diverse issues such as agricultural transformations, growing populations, urbanization and climate change. These challenges place great pressure on food security, agriculture, water availability and other natural resources, as well as impacting biodiversity. Drawing on case studies from Lesotho, Malawi, Mozambique, Namibia, South Africa, Swaziland, Tanzania, Zambia and Zimbabwe, the chapters in this book consider these challenges from an interdisciplinary perspective, covering key areas in constraints to production, the most important building blocks of good farming practices, and established and emerging technologies. This book will be a valuable support for informing new policies and processes aimed at improving food production and security and developing sustainable agriculture in Southern Africa. This informative volume will be key reading for those interested in agricultural science, African studies, rural studies, development studies and sustainability. It will also be a valuable resource for policymakers, governmental and nongovernmental organizations, and agricultural practitioners

Modeling the contribution of ecological agriculture for climate change mitigation in cote d'Ivoire

The use of crop models is motivated by the prediction of crop production under climate change and for the evaluation of climate risk adaptation strategies. Therefore, in the present study the performance of DSSAT 4.6 was evaluated in a cropping system involving integrated soil fertility management options that are being promoted as ways of adapting agricultural systems to improve both crop yield and carbon sequestration on highly degraded soils encountered throughout middle Côte d’Ivoire. Experimental data encompassed two seasons in the Guinea savanna zone. Residues from the preceding vegetation were left to dry on plots like mulch on an experimental design that comprised the following treatments: (i) herbaceous savanna-maize, (ii)10 year-old of the shrub Chromolaena odorata fallow-maize (iii) 1 or 2 year-old Lalab pupureus stand-rotation, (iv) the legume L. pupureus -maize rotation; (v) continuous maize crop fertilized with urea; (vi) continuous maize crop fertilized with triple superphosphate; (vii) continuous maize crop, fertilized with both urea and triple superphosphate (TSP); (viii) continuous maize cultivation. The model’s sensitivity analysis was run to figure out how uncertainty of stable organic carbon (SOM3) can generate variation in the prediction of soil organic carbon (SOC) dynamics during the monitoring period of two years, within the first soil layer and to estimate the most suitable value. The observed variations were of 0.05 % in total SOC within the short-term and acceptable dynamics of changes were obtained for 0.80% of SOM3. The DSSAT model was calibrated using data from the 2007-2008 season and validated against independent data sets of yield of 2008-2009 to 2011-2012 cropping seasons. After the default values for SOM3 used in the model was substituted by the estimated one from sensitivity analysis, the model predicted average maize yields of 1 454 kg ha-1 across the sites versus an observed average value of 1 736 kg ha-1, R2 of 0.72 and RMSE of 597 kg ha-1. The impact of fallow residues and cropping sequence on maize yield was simulated and compared to conventional fertilizer and control data using historical climate scenarios over 12 years. Improving soil fertility through conservation agriculture cannot maintain grain yield in the same way as conventional urea inputs, although there is better yield stability against high climate variability according to our results