Lowland Rice Nutrient Responses for the Guinea and Sudan Savannas of Nigeria

Copyright © 2018 by the American Society of Agronomy This is an open access article doi:10.2134/agronj2017.08.046

Lowland Rice Nutrient Responses for the Guinea and Sudan Savannas of Nigeria

Yield response of irrigated lowland rice (Oryza sativa L.) to nutrient application was determined to improve the information base for fertilizer use in the Sudan and Southern Guinea Savannas of Nigeria. Economically optimal rates (EOR) and agronomic efficiency (AE) were determined. Five N levels and four levels each P, K, and Zn were evaluated with two varieties at two locations. Nitrogen effects varied by variety and location but mean paddy yield with 0 kg ha–1 N was 3.4 Mg ha–1 and was increased by 1.3 Mg ha–1 with 40 kg ha–1 N. The mean EOR of N with fertilizer use cost to paddy price ratios (CP) of 2 to 6 were 56 to 38 kg ha–1 N, respectively. Yield increases with P, K and Zn application were infrequent. Paddy yield was increased in one of four cases with up to 1.5 kg ha–1 Zn. There were no paddy yield increases but some decreases with application of Mg-S-B in addition to N-P-K-Zn. The overall AE of N at EOR with a CP of 4 was 25.3 kg kg–1. The profit potential of N application was greater for Faro 44 compared with Faro 52 at both locations. Financially constrained farmers who opt to apply N at 50 compared with 100% EOR when CP was 4 can expect 16% less yield increase but 67% higher AE and value to cost ratio. Application of fertilizer N, maybe with P at Kadawa, can be highly profitable for irrigated lowland rice in these agroecological zones

Mechanization, digitalization, rural youth: Stakeholder perceptions on mega-topics for African agricultural transformation

Agricultural mechanization, digital agriculture, and rural youth engagement are three megatrends occupying policymakers focused on agricultural transformation across Africa. Each of these topics is associated with debates on opportunities and risks and appropriate policy actions. While the contested nature of these debates becomes visible in (international) research discourses and policy fora, little is known about the viewpoints of local stakeholder groups on the national level. This can undermine policy-making, leading to “wrong” policies or policies that are not prioritized by local stakeholders, which, in turn, can undermine the implementation of such policies on the ground. This paper explores the viewpoints of 195 stakeholders from the public, private and third sectors (civil society) as well as from development partners and research bodies in four African countries, namely, Benin, Kenya, Nigeria, and Mali. The results suggest that the stakeholders perceive a need for agricultural transformation using mechanization and digital tools. However, they also perceive risks that have to be addressed. The results also reveal some hitherto neglected aspects. Examples include the role of animal traction as part of agricultural mechanization strategies and the continued appeal of state-led mechanization – despite the perception that such strategies do not work. Regarding digital agriculture, the stakeholders expressed high hopes – which have yet to materialize - but also concerns about a digital divide. Gender, age, and education influence the viewpoints on some topics, but not on others. Paying more attention to the perspectives of local stakeholder groups will help to choose and design the most promising policies and ensure their implementation on the ground

Moving from Productivity to Sustainability in Agricultural Education? : Perspectives from Students and Teachers in four African Countries

It is unclear to what extent environmental and social sustainability goals have been included into agricultural education systems, which have traditionally been focused on increasing agricultural productivity. In sub-Saharan Africa, the urgent need to increase productivity while also ensuring environmental and social sustainability has led to significant calls for developing a skill set among the next generation of professionals to meet the Sustainable Development Goals. This exploratory study assesses the perceptions of students and teachers from various universities and vocational agricultural schools regarding the integration of sustainability topics into course curricula based on a survey comprising over 400 students and 300 teachers from four countries in sub-Saharan Africa (Benin, Kenya, Mali, and Nigeria).Using a set of sustainability indicators, this research aimed to uncover the current state and perceptions of sustainability education in agriculture, and whether the necessary conditions are in place for the integration of sustainability into course curricula. The findings revealed that agricultural education in sub-Saharan Africa covers a broad range of topics across environmental, social, and economic dimensions. Additionally, teachers hold advanced degrees on a range of sustainability topics, giving a pool of expertise within agricultural institutions. Nevertheless, the results highlight the need for training to facilitate the mainstreaming of sustainability in course curricula. Challenges hindering the integration of sustainability in course curricula include structural issues such as limited access to relevant course materials, and poor linkages between agricultural education institutions and other stakeholders within the agricultural innovation systems. These barriers highlight the need for an adjustment of the syllabus and the mainstreaming of innovative methods and technologies to better incorporate sustainability into agricultural education. The findings call for policies that apply an innovation systems approach to curriculum design and implementation. This includes fostering stronger connections between educational institutions and the other stakeholders within the agricultural innovation system to enhance the sustainability and impact of agricultural education

Made in Africa – How to make local agricultural machinery manufacturing thrive

Manufacturing can play a key role in sustained economic growth, job creation, and poverty reduction in Africa. Agricultural machinery manufacturing can contribute to driving overall manufacturing, given the large number of gradually mechanizing African farms and the rapidly growing agro-food processing sector. But harnessing these potentials in today’s globalized world requires manufacturers to compete with manufacturing powerhouses such as China and India. This paper examines the characteristics, opportunities, and challenges of local agricultural machinery manufacturers in Africa based on a survey among randomly chosen manufacturers (N=386) in Benin, Kenya, Mali, and Nigeria. To further explore the factors and actors being key to the success of manufacturers, the surveys were supplemented with two qualitative methods: 1) 45 net-maps, a participatory appraisal method to map the factors, actors, and bottlenecks affecting the enabling environment of local manufacturing; and 2) 97 key-informant interviews, a method that enables additional in-depth discussions from key stakeholders. These results show that local manufacturers have several comparative advantages, in particular, related to the ability to develop locally adapted machinery, an aspect that is of much higher importance related to agricultural manufacturing than other types of manufacturing. This resonates with the experiences of other world regions where vibrant markets for local machinery were key during agricultural mechanization. The results show that markets for local machinery have also emerged in Africa, driven by small but dedicated entrepreneurs. However, these manufacturers are held back by a range of challenges related to production factors such as finance, human resources, utilities, raw materials, production equipment, and the regulatory environment (i.e., import regulations, testing, and certification). The paper derives important new insights into how to ensure a supportive, enabling environment to help local manufacturers harness their comparative advantages and to make “Made in Africa” the first choice of African farmers and agro-food processors

Made in Africa : How to make local agricultural machinery manufacturing thrive?

Manufacturing can play a key role in sustained economic growth, job creation, and poverty reduction in Africa. Agricultural machinery manufacturing can contribute to driving overall manufacturing, given the increasing demand for mechanization from Africa’s 85 million farms and the rapidly growing agro-food processing sector. But while agricultural mechanization creates large opportunities for manufacturing, harnessing this potential in today’sglobalized world requires African manufacturers to compete with (low-cost) imports from today’s manufacturing powerhouses such as India and China. This policy brief presents insights from a study on the characteristics, opportunities, and challenges for local agricultural machinery manufacturers in four African countries, Benin, Kenya, Mali, and Nigeria. The policy brief is based on a survey among ca. 400 randomly chosen manufacturers which assessed business characteristics and opportunities and challenges. The survey was supplemented with qualitative methods (participatory mapping, key-informant interviews) to examine key factors and actors affecting the enabling business environment of local manufacturing – and to derive policy recommendations on how to make local agricultural machinery manufacturing thrive

Impacts of agricultural mechanization: Evidence from four African countries

Agricultural mechanization is on the rise in Africa. A widespread replacement of manual labor will change the face of African agriculture. Despite this potentially transformative role, only few studies have looked at the potential effects of mechanization empirically, mostly focusing on yields and labor alone. This is the first paper that explores agronomic, environmental and socioeconomic effects together, thereby revealing linkages and trade- offs, some of which have been hitherto unknown. Data were collected using a novel data collection method called “Participatory Impact Diagrams” in four countries: Benin, Kenya, Nigeria and Mali. In 130 gendered focus group discussions, 1,330 respondents from 87 villages shared positive and negative effects experienced due to agricultural mechanization and were able to develop their own theory of change. This is the first study that gives a voice to the rural population on mechanization and allows them to identify causal impact chains. Regarding agronomic and environmental aspects, respondents perceived mechanization as a way to reduce labor shortages, improve timeliness and enhance land preparation, leading to higher yields. However, it is also associated with the cutting of farm trees as well as farmland expansion, and, subsequently, deforestation and a decline in firewood availability. Respondents also experienced that (plough-based) mechanization can have detrimental effects on soil fertility and cause erosion, which was associated with yield drops and risks in the long-term. Regarding socioeconomic effects, mechanization was reported to increase incomes, reduce drudgery and free up time for other farm and off- farm activities. However, mechanization was also linked with social tensions and conflicts, for example, related to land issues, which can pitch farmers against pastoralists. Tensions and conflicts also play out across gender. Some effects remain ambiguous. For example, depending on local factors, mechanization reportedly increases or decreases employment. Further research and policy efforts are needed to ensure that mechanization contributes to an African agricultural transformation that is sustainable from a social, economic and environmental perspective

Lowland Rice Nutrient Responses for the Guinea and Sudan Savannas of Nigeria

Yield response of irrigated lowland rice (Oryza sativa L.) to nutrient application was determined to improve the information base for fertilizer use in the Sudan and Southern Guinea Savannas of Nigeria. Economically optimal rates (EOR) and agronomic efficiency (AE) were determined. Five N levels and four levels each P, K, and Zn were evaluated with two varieties at two locations. Nitrogen effects varied by variety and location but mean paddy yield with 0 kg ha–1 N was 3.4 Mg ha–1 and was increased by 1.3 Mg ha–1 with 40 kg ha–1 N. The mean EOR of N with fertilizer use cost to paddy price ratios (CP) of 2 to 6 were 56 to 38 kg ha–1 N, respectively. Yield increases with P, K and Zn application were infrequent. Paddy yield was increased in one of four cases with up to 1.5 kg ha–1 Zn. There were no paddy yield increases but some decreases with application of Mg-S-B in addition to N-P-K-Zn. The overall AE of N at EOR with a CP of 4 was 25.3 kg kg–1. The profit potential of N application was greater for Faro 44 compared with Faro 52 at both locations. Financially constrained farmers who opt to apply N at 50 compared with 100% EOR when CP was 4 can expect 16% less yield increase but 67% higher AE and value to cost ratio. Application of fertilizer N, maybe with P at Kadawa, can be highly profitable for irrigated lowland rice in these agroecological zones

Lowland Rice Nutrient Responses for the Guinea and Sudan Savannas of Nigeria

Copyright © 2018 by the American Society of Agronomy This is an open access article doi:10.2134/agronj2017.08.046

Mechanization, digitalization, and rural youth-stakeholder perceptions on three mega-topics for agricultural transformation in four African countries

Mechanization, digitalization, and rural youth engagement are central to African agricultural transformation. Each of these topics is associated with debates on opportunities, risks, and appropriate policy actions, which become visible in international research discourses and policy fora. In contrast, little is known about the viewpoints of national stakeholders. This paper explores the viewpoints of 195 respondents from different stakeholders categories in Benin, Kenya, Nigeria, and Mali. The results reveal hitherto neglected aspects, e.g., the role of animal traction, the continued appeal of state-led mechanization, and data sovereignty concerns. Gender, age, and education influence the viewpoints on some topics. Paying attention to local stakeholders can help to choose and design the most promising policies/programs and ensure their implementation on the ground