Selection and implementation of Climate Smart Agricultural Technologies: performance and willingness for adoption.

Masters Degree. University of KwaZulu-Natal, Pietermaritzburg.The role of subsistence and smallholder agriculture on peoples’ livelihoods in the majority of rural African households is directly related to household food security. Subsistence and smallholder farming provides food at household level, it also acts as part of an income generating mix of strategies enabling households to purchase and exchange products at cheaper prices compared to formal markets prices. However, their vulnerability to climate related issues place a large burden upon their production, creating food shortfalls and insecurity for households. Integration of Climate Smart Agricultural Technologies (CSATs) with local indigenous knowledge may be critical towards improving rural farmers’ food production for food and nutrition security. A mixed method approach was employed in conducting the study. In this method qualitative, quantitative and field trial research methods were employed. The study selected and implemented four appropriate CSATs namely, In-field Rainwater Harvesting (IRWH), Mechanized Basin (MB), Minimum Tillage (MT) an Conventional Tillage (CT) in two homestead plots (MaNxusa and Musa) and one school garden (Inyaninga Primary School) in KwaSwayimane, KwaZulu-Natal. These technologies were selected based on biophysical properties, climatic conditions and institutional arrangements that exist in selected study area. Maize crop was considered as a test crop across the treatments in two sites, plot one and plot two (MaNxusa and Musa) respectively, while beans, spinach and cabbage were planted in plot three for dietary requirements at start up level of the food value chain. The results in plot one showed that IRWH and MB outperformed MT and CT. These results revealed that IRWH and MB collected and stored more water in the soil to support plant growth and production since it captures water from runoff area and stores it in the basins, which was not the case for CT and MT. Similar trends were observed in plot 2 except that CT performed better which can be associated with farmer’s management practice. The farmer in this site only treated CT with N-fertilizer while others did not receive the same treatment. The farmers’ perceptions based on the results and information sharing days conducted during the course of the study considered IRWH as the best CSAT. The expressions to upscale the use of this technology by farmers were widely expressed due to better yield from demonstration sites which could improve household food security and sustainable livelihood. The study further found that farmers needed incentives in order to adopt certain technologies and partner with research process. The study concludes that IRWH is a good CSAT and that strong participatory engagement with farmers and stakeholders to foster adoption is important. The study recommends strong farmer centered partnerships supported by other stakeholders including government and NGOs and market related stakeholders

Integrated Water Resources Management Karlsruhe 2010 : IWRM, International Conference, 24 - 25 November 2010 conference proceedings

In dieser Arbeit werden dual-orthogonal, linear polarisierte Antennen für die UWB-Technik konzipiert. Das Prinzip zur Realisierung der Strahler wird vorgestellt, theoretisch und simulativ untersucht, sowie messtechnisch verifiziert. Danach werden Konzepte zur Miniaturisierung der Strahler dargelegt, die anschließend zum Aufbau von Antennengruppen verwendet werden. Die Vorteile der entwickelten Antennen werden praktisch anhand des bildgebenden Radars und des Monopuls-Radars gezeigt

Community perception on rainwater harvesting systems for enhancing food security in dry lands of Kenya : a case study of Uvati and Kawala sub-location in Mwingi District, Kenya

Community rainwater harvesting systems are seen as instrumental in increasing resilience in recurring droughts and enhancing food security in dry lands of Kenya. The study explores and analyses the implementation process, community’s perceptions on the rainwater harvesting project/ technology and its influence on the adoption process by the community. By using a case study of two sub-locations-‘Uvati and Kawala’ in Mwingi District, the study targeted both the participants and non-participants of the In situ rainwater harvesting project. The study used both empirical data and theoretical studies to address the research questions: why and how the rainwater harvesting project was implemented? Does the implementation process affect the community’s perception on the project? How is the rainwater harvesting technology perceived by the community? And, does the perception influence its adoption of the rainwater harvesting project? The methods used to generate data included literature materials, interviews, focus group discussions and direct observations. The results revealed that the rainwater harvesting technology is seen by the community members to be a good initiative in improving agricultural practices in periods of water scarcity. However, the technology’s sustainability and wide spread adoption seems unlikely, as its success is mainly directed and depended on the social factors. Majority of the factors that influence the adoption process based on the community perceptions were found to be: labour intensity of constructing the structures, lack of technical know-how and extensive training, dissemination of information and its future plans were not properly conducted. The implementation approaches used by the project initiators affected the perception of the community, which influenced the adoption of the project. The outcome of the study shows that the decision to adopt rainwater harvesting systems is dependent and influenced by the community’s perception, and better understanding of their choices in making decisions

Marrying water and soil: adaptation to climate by a smallholder farmer in Zvishavane, rural Zimbabwe

This thesis is a qualitative ethnographic study of innovations implemented by Mr Zephaniah Phiri Maseko, a smallholder farmer from Zvishavane, rural Zimbabwe. Ethnographic data provides insight and lessons of his practices for rethinking existing strategies for adaptation to climate change. The concept of adaptation is probed i n relationship to the closely related concepts of vulnerability, resilience and innovation. This study also explores the concept of conviviality and argues that Mr Phiri Maseko's adaptation to climate hinges on mediating barriers between local and exogenous knowledge systems. Ethnographic fieldwork aided by an analytical framework of resilience makes clear that his farming practices are informed by a realisation that dualisms are problematic. His innovations are a way of building resilience to climate change and his practices demonstrate the interdependencies in a socio - ecological system. This study argues that innovations by smallholders play a complementary role to interventions by outsiders in the discourse of adaptation to climate in the drylands of southern Zimbabwe. Mr Phiri Maseko harvested water as a way of adapting to climate variability. I argue that he offered tangible adaptive climate strategies through his innovations that "marry water and soil so that it won't elope and run - off but raise a family" on his plot. His agricultural practices are anchored on the Shona concept of hurudza (an exceptionally productive farmer). This thesis explores the concept and practices of uhurudza , to suggest that the latter - day hurudza (commercial farmer) as embodied by Mr Phiri Maseko offered an important set of resources for the development of climate adaptation strategies in the region. Therefore, his activities call for a revisit of the notion of hurudza based on grain harvested, one that includes consistent income generated from selling farm produce. His innovations demonstrate elements of conviviality, resilience, accommodating local knowledge as well as ideas he learnt from various educational institutions in order to adapt to climate variability. This thesis explores the usefulness of Mr Phiri Maseko's innovations for other smallholder farmers in the Zvishavane area who have replicated it. I demonstrate that due to the success of his innovations, uptake has been high underpinning the fact that these smallholders appear to be managing to adapt to climate variability. This ethnographic study of smallholder farmers' adoption of innovations to climate highlights the "complex interplay" of multiple factors that act as barriers to uptake. Such interplay of multiple stressors increases the vulnerability of smallholders. I conclude by arguing that in as much as the skewed colonial land policy impoverished the smallholder farmers, Mr Phiri Maseko nonetheless redefined himself as a latter - day hurudza and thus breaks free from the poverty cycle by 'conjuring ingenious' ways of reducing vulnerability to climate. I do not suggest that his innovations offer a 'silver bullet' solution to the insecure rural livelihoods of smallholder farmers; nevertheless, they are a source of hope in an environment of uncertainty

Adapting African Agriculture to Climate Change: Transforming Rural Livelihoods

This book summarizes the evidence from different African countries about the local impacts of climate change, and how farmers are coping with current climate risks. The different contributors show how agricultural systems in developing countries are affected by climate changes and how communities prepare and adapt to these changes

Impact of irrigation on poverty and environment in Ethiopia. Draft Proceeding of the Symposium and Exhibition held at Ghion Hotel, Addis Ababa, Ethiopia 27th -29th November, 2007

Poverty, Crop management, Irrigated farming, Rainfed farming, Irrigation systems, Food security, Water harvesting, Institutions, Environmental effects, Public health, Malaria, GIS, Remote sensing, Crop Production/Industries, Environmental Economics and Policy, Farm Management, Food Consumption/Nutrition/Food Safety, Food Security and Poverty, Health Economics and Policy, Institutional and Behavioral Economics, Resource /Energy Economics and Policy,

Gender and climate change adaptation in Kenya

Climate change and variability is a major threat to sustainable development across the globe. Paradoxically, smallholder farmers to a great extend contribute to the spread and also hold the key to effective management of climate change and variability. Despite their centrality in climate change and variability, not much is known about smallholder farmers and climate change adaptation. As a contribution towards addressing this need, the present study analysed the role played by gender in climate change adaptation among smallholder farmers in semi-arid and sub-humid agro-ecological zones in Kenya. The study was conducted in two agro-ecological zones (analogue sites) – one in the semi-arid region, and the other in the sub-humid region, each comprising a pair of cooler and warmer sites. Data for the study were collected at different intervals between June 2011 and June 2013, using multiple approaches including household interviews, focus group discussions (FGDs) and personal observations. Quantitative data were analysed using descriptive and inferential statistics. The results showed a high level of awareness on climate change and variability among smallholder farmers. The results also reveal that both male and female farmers perceive climate change and variability as a serious threat to their crop and livestock production. There were also demonstrable impacts of climate change and variability on smallholder agricultural practices, a number of which differed across the analogue sites. The adjustments in the agricultural practices were significantly different (p≤0.001) between the regions (analogue sites) for methods of land preparation, planting practices, crop management, weed control and pest and disease control. In the semi-arid region, farmers in the warmer areas significantly differed (p≤ 0.001) with those in cooler areas in the timing of land preparation, increased use of manure and fertiliser, crop management and increased use of pesticides. In the sub-humid region smallholder farmers in warmer sites significantly (p ≤ 0.001) differed with their counterparts in cooler sites in use of manure and fertiliser use and crop management. There were comparatively low levels of adoption of appropriate technologies among women than men. Generally, female farmers preferred low cost measures when dealing with the impacts of climate change and variability such as planting tree crops, use of manure and mixed farming as well as use of soil and water conservation measures. Pest and disease control measures, use of improved crop varieties and crop diversification were the common adaptation measures used by the male farmers. Adaptation measures are likely to be insufficient in some cases, particularly for the smallholder farmers in semi-arid region given the high food insecurity. Smallholder farmers are central to climate change and variability management. The farmers in warmer sites offer an important knowledge base that can be of invaluable help to those in the cooler sites in both agro-ecological zones. This therefore means that the success of effective adaptation to climate change variability lies in building on the existing knowledge base and incorporating gender considerations in a participatory research process. The study provides data that can be considered for action agenda by the county governments

Pro-poor adaptation to climate variability in semi-arid regions of Zimbabwe: the role of Ziziphus Mauritiana and network interventions in Muzarabani district

A Thesis submitted to the Faculty Of Science, at the University Of The Witwatersrand, Johannesburg, in fulfilment of the requirements for the degree of Doctor Of Philosophy in Geography and Environmental StudiesThe study seeks to interrogate the role that Ziziphus mauritiana plays, as a non- human actor, in building the adaptive and resilience capacity of poor people in Muzarabani of Zimbabwe through the lens of the Actor Network Theory (ANT) and Commodity Chain Analysis (CCA). The qualitative approach was largely used. Empirical evidence, which is largely the role that Zm plays in the adaptive capacity and resilience discourses on semi-arid space of Muzarabania as established by observations, interviews with diverse actors that included household heads, traditional leadership, civil society organisation (CSOs)and government department is presented in this thesis. The study revealed that there is a myriad of actors that form a complex web of adaptive and resilience capacity in Zm production, processing and marketing in Muzarabani. The analysis and discussion of the results places Zm into perspective, illustrating how Zm could enhance the adaptive capacity and resilience in Muzarabani if it were given the attention it deserves. Furthermore, the study revealed that local communities are not passive, as often portrayed, when they experience adverse weather conditions. Excluding them from processes that directly influence their day to day experience, for example the use of Zm, defeats all efforts to address environmental challenges. The case of Zm is argued with the lens of ANT. The study goes further “to unpack the black box” using ANT. Ultimately the research proposes the Actor Networked Eco-based Resilience Logic Model (ANELRM) as the framework that can catapult Zm to the right position in the adaptive capacity and resilience discourse in Muzarabani. The study further demonstrated another contribution to ANT that is it considers the natural resource Ziziphus mauritiana (Zm) as a non-linear commodity that needs to be followed closely to fully understand its contribution, contrary to the idea of taking natural resources as linear and static. ANT views power relations, not in terms of the physical power, but in terms of connections, offering a base to suggest it can, to some extent, address social inequality, exclusion and power dynamics which characterise local natural resource use. This is important to policy makers as they would understand better actors and the natural resources influencing community resilience after drought or floods. In context this will help government actors, like the Muzarabani Rural District Council, to come up with contextual policy measures and implementation efforts to address resilience challenges in semi-arid spaces of SSA, specifically in Zimbabwe.XL201