Irrigation system performance in potato production in Northern Algeria : a case study of the portable sprinkler system

This report presents a case study of the performance of the irrigation system commonly used in potato production in Northern Algeria, the portable sprinkler system. The aim is to determine water use, water losses and water distribution uniformity. Furthermore, it is evaluated whether the applied irrigation water can be stored in the root zone, and if irrigation applications match with crop water demand. Based on the findings, some recommendations will be given to improve the system. Algeria is among the countries with the lowest renewable water resources per capita in the world, but currently, data and information on irrigation system performance is lacking. In this study, the portable sprinkler system is evaluated by means of field measurements (catch can test, sprinkler discharge measurement, soil moisture measurements) and modelling (CROPWAT 8.0 model). It was found that water losses due to wind drift and evaporation are rather high (36%) compared to values found in literature, whereas the water distribution uniformity was low (DU 34.6% and CU 51.2%), from which it can be concluded that the system performs poorly. Furthermore, it was found that water applications are too high, especially in the beginning of the growing season. The most important recommendation to improve the performance of the irrigation system is an alternative irrigation schedule, adapting the timing and duration of irrigation events to crop water demand and the water storage capacity of the root zone

Current potato production in Algeria : an explorative research of the current potato production systems in two regions

While Algeria is among the countries with the lowest renewable water resources per capita in the world, agriculture accounts for 70-80% of the total water use and municipal water use is expected to almost double in the next twenty years. As potato is in Algeria the main irrigated crop and the first vegetable crop in terms of area and production, improving the potato production system and rationalizing the use of water is key to sustain the production in the future and to maintain and enhance food safety. Coherent information of the current potato production system is crucial to improve a system and since this is lacking, we research what is the current situation for potato production in two main production areas of Algeria, in a Mediterranean and desert climate. Through interviews with farmers, other stakeholders and field visits in both areas the current systems are described, analysed on main weaknesses, followed by and advice regarding improvement and implementation of the subsequent project which will be a setup of a demonstration farm to introduce a more productive and sustainable system. It was found that the systems have many points for improvement regarding productivity and sustainability. That both regions have a lack of technology and accurate data of 1) the exact inputs applied, and 2) the exact requirements, especially regarding water supply, lies on the basis of most weaknesses, resulting in rough irrigation, fertilizer and pest management. The main recommendation is to elaborate research of the current system with productivity as focal point to make clear what are the economic advantages for a farmer to adapt the new system. Farmer Field Schools are proposed as a practical and hands-on management approach to implement suggested improvement practices and to introduce a new production system

Multidisciplinary messages on Matooke

On 28-30 September, NARO, IITA, the Alliance of Bioversity International and CIAT and the Plant Productions Systems chair group of Wageningen University and Research organised the ‘Matooke symposium. The aim was to discuss and share our understanding of the sustainability and productivity of banana-based systems in West and South-West Uganda. This report contains a detailed description of the presentations, discussions and key lessons of the symposium. As scientists, we welcome a healthy and critical debate about research findings and their implications. Some topics were indeed critically debated, and as report authors, we tried to do justice to the presentations and discussions. Given the diversity of scientific disciplines and organizations involved in the symposium, the messages in this report do not necessarily reflect the views of the associated organizations

Heritability estimates for 361 blood metabolites across 40 genome-wide association studies

Metabolomics examines the small molecules involved in cellular metabolism. Approximately 50% of total phenotypic differences in metabolite levels is due to genetic variance, but heritability estimates differ across metabolite classes. We perform a review of all genome-wide association and (exome-) sequencing studies published between November 2008 and October 2018, and identify >800 class-specific metabolite loci associated with metabolite levels. In a twin-family cohort (N = 5117), these metabolite loci are leveraged to simultaneously estimate total heritability (h2 total), and the proportion of heritability captured by known metabolite loci (h2 Metabolite-hits) for 309 lipids and 52 organic acids. Our study reveals significant differences in h2 Metabolite-hits among different classes of lipids and organic acids. Furthermore, phosphatidylcholines with a high degree of unsaturation have higher h2 Metabolite-hits estimates than phosphatidylcholines with low degrees of unsaturation. This study highlights the importance of common genetic variants for metabolite levels, and elucidates the genetic architecture of metabolite classes

Scripts and data accompanying publication: "Manure matters: Prospects for regional banana-livestock integration for sustainable intensification in South-West Uganda"

This repository contains the R scripts and data used for the data analysis and modelling for the publication: Manure matters: Prospects for regional banana-livestock integration for sustainable intensification in South-West Uganda, by den Braber et al. in the International Journal for Agricultural Sustainability

N2Africa in northern Ghana : Context to the recent quantitative Impact StudyA qualitative impact assessment in four villages

In May and June 2019 we visited four villages in northern Ghana where N2Africa has been active and which have been included in N2Africa’s Impact Study. With the aim of adding qualitative context to the quantitative Impact Study, we discussed the experiences with N2Africa in an open way in individual interviews and focus group discussions with villagers.When N2Africa commenced in the study villagers, many villagers were eager to learn about new farming practices that would generate a good cash return. Most respondents sounded very content about what N2Africa had brought them: technology options to experiment with that resulted in production increases, especially for soyabean. New varieties were much-appreciated, although they were considered too input-demanding sometimes. Very many respondents liked the method of fertiliser application in a furrow next to a row of seeds. This method was now used on legumes as well as on other crops for efficient fertiliser use. Respondents did not know or care much about inoculants, and they were considered difficult to access. Fertiliser application and row planting were considered very good but tedious practices and a larger workforce was required to get the work done, compared to broadcasting inputs. Labour was sought first in the family, and then among friends and labour groups. Labourers are scarce at the start of the growing season, when everyone is occupied at the same time. The starchy staple crops received priority in terms of land, labour and cash investment. If farmers had investment capacity left, they could invest in legumes as well.N2Africa could only work with a limited number of villagers directly, and it differed per village whether information was pro-actively shared with people that were not directly involved. Those who took most initiative by themselves were most likely to be involved in projects and to benefit most from them. Respondents recommended future agricultural development projects to focus on improving varieties (short-duration, drought-resistant) and on mechanisation (land preparation and processing).<br/

N2Africa in northern Ghana : Context to the recent quantitative Impact StudyA qualitative impact assessment in four villages

In May and June 2019 we visited four villages in northern Ghana where N2Africa has been active and which have been included in N2Africa’s Impact Study. With the aim of adding qualitative context to the quantitative Impact Study, we discussed the experiences with N2Africa in an open way in individual interviews and focus group discussions with villagers.When N2Africa commenced in the study villagers, many villagers were eager to learn about new farming practices that would generate a good cash return. Most respondents sounded very content about what N2Africa had brought them: technology options to experiment with that resulted in production increases, especially for soyabean. New varieties were much-appreciated, although they were considered too input-demanding sometimes. Very many respondents liked the method of fertiliser application in a furrow next to a row of seeds. This method was now used on legumes as well as on other crops for efficient fertiliser use. Respondents did not know or care much about inoculants, and they were considered difficult to access. Fertiliser application and row planting were considered very good but tedious practices and a larger workforce was required to get the work done, compared to broadcasting inputs. Labour was sought first in the family, and then among friends and labour groups. Labourers are scarce at the start of the growing season, when everyone is occupied at the same time. The starchy staple crops received priority in terms of land, labour and cash investment. If farmers had investment capacity left, they could invest in legumes as well.N2Africa could only work with a limited number of villagers directly, and it differed per village whether information was pro-actively shared with people that were not directly involved. Those who took most initiative by themselves were most likely to be involved in projects and to benefit most from them. Respondents recommended future agricultural development projects to focus on improving varieties (short-duration, drought-resistant) and on mechanisation (land preparation and processing).<br/