Challenges and approaches in data management of LTE trials in tropical field sites: Experiences from two trials in India and Bolivia

Quality data is the key commodity of research projects. But with the size of a research project, number of parties involved and range of data collected, the complexity of data management increases significantly. In long-term experiments (LTE), continuity and comparability of collected data throughout the study duration is important but being challenged by personnel changes and development in infrastructure and technology, as well as changes to the trial itself. Managing a longterm trial remotely at field sites in the tropics adds another layer of challenges, including timely transfer of new data, time consuming pre-processing and validation of data between field and scientific staff, data literacy of local field staff and language barriers due to varying levels of English and local languages within the project team. We share our challenges in data management and the strategies and tools used in the context of two LTE trials with field sites in India and Bolivia, managed by local partner organizations and coordinated by the Research Institute of Organic Agriculture in Switzerland, highlighting the technical infrastructure in use, definition of responsibilities and workflows. Our main considerations are a) finding a balance between data security, easy and timely sharing of data in both directions and minimising number of different data repositories and file versions, b) the use of simple, well-known tools that are flexible enough to consider (evolving) needs of different involved parties including field staff, and c) the importance of quick data availability for analysis to serve as a basis for decision making in trial management

Effects of pruning on workload and yields of native cacao under agroforests in Bolivia

Cacao Nacional Boliviano (CNB) is the denomination for cacao derived from wild populations found in the Bolivian Amazon, traditionally collected by local communities. But cultivation surfaces are increasing as CNB beans are recognised internationally for their organoleptic qualities. So far, little selection has been done on the semi-wild populations cultivated and agricultural practices might have to be adapted to better support farmers’ livelihoods. We studied three different agricultural systems: CNB in agroforestry with bananas, fruit and timber trees with a management focusing on weeding and cacao pruning (AF); CNB planted in the cleared understory of a largely unmanaged secondary forest with (SFwP) or without (SFnP) cacao tree pruning. We monitored the yearly dry bean yield, labour time required for field activities, and resulting efficiencies of these three systems on plots established in 2012. Cacao was planted using CNB progenies from locally selected trees. In all systems, the first cocoa pods matured 4 years after planting; production increased significantly in the 6th year and again between the 9th and 11th year. Cumulative dry yields in this third phase (2020-2022) were highest in SFnP (911.2 kg/ha), followed by AF (591.2 kg/ha) and SFwP (277.8 kg/ha). Heavy pruning was labour-intensive (up to 56% of total labour time) and limited yields but increased harvesting efficiency in the following years without pruning. In 2020-2022, harvesting in SFnP was 5 times more laborious as in SFwP and 2.7 times more as in AF, while its yield was only 3.3 and 1.5 times higher, respectively. Harvesting efficiency was thus higher in both pruned systems (AF: 7.3 kg/Workday, SFwP: 6.7 kg/WD), compared to the unpruned system (4.4 kg/WD). Our results underline the delicate balance between the practice of pruning, aiming at facilitating and concentrating the harvest at a limited height, and its effect on cacao physiology. Yet, association in AF shows that in completely managed systems, CNB is able to reach fair yield levels despite pruning. All in all, our results call for further domestication of CNB progenies aiming at earlier start of production, and adaptation of management practices (timing and intensity of pruning) for CNB

Challenges for crop diversification in cotton-based farming systems in India: a comprehensive gap analysis between practices and policies

Introduction: Crop diversification is a promising practice to improve the sustainability of agricultural production systems, contributing to biodiversity conservation, ecosystem functions, and food security without compromising productivity. Although diverse cropping systems may be more labour-intensive and require good knowledge of the specific cropping system in the local context, they have high potential in managing many of the problems faced in current cotton production in India. However, the adoption of crop diversification is still moderate, with an overall crop diversification index (CDI) of 0.65 for all of India and state-wise CDI between 0.43 and 0.83. Methods: Therefore, a four-phased study was conducted to identify the main barriers to crop diversification in cotton-based farming systems in India and highlight levers that can foster their wide adoption to improve the livelihoods of smallholder farmers. The study was carried out between January to October 2020 and consisted of i) a literature review of regional and national policy and planning, ii) situational analysis with a problem tree approach, iii) individual stakeholder interviews with stakeholders from the broader Indian cotton sector, and iv) a participatory feedback workshop with said stakeholders. A total of 51 stakeholders from 24 different organizations were interviewed, 37 of them on technical aspects of crop diversification and 21 stakeholders on market and policy aspects. The same stakeholders were invited to the participatory feedback workshop, where 26 participated in the session on different benefits of crop diversification practices, and the session on market and policy challenges counted 24 participants. The study focused on the main organic cotton producing states in India: Gujarat, Madhya Pradesh, Maharashtra, Haryana, Odisha, and Andhra Pradesh. Results and discussion: In our study, it became evident that many policies and governmental schemes exist to promote national food security, sustainable agriculture, and agricultural marketing infrastructure, but crop diversification is still not gaining momentum on the ground. Various levers were identified in the areas of market and procurement, capacity building and knowledge transfer, supply industry and infrastructure, and farmers and women empowerment, where the current policy landscape is failing to foster crop diversification effectively on the farm level

Was wäre, wenn im Jahr 2035 50% der Schweizer Landwirtschaft Bio wäre? Zukunftswerkstatt 2021 NBFF

Das Nationale Bioforschungsforum (NBFF) hat im Jahr 2021 eine Zukunftswerkstatt gestartet. Ziel war, künftige Herausforderungen und Möglichkeiten zu erkennen, um so zur Weiterentwicklung der Biolandwirtschaft in der Schweiz beizutragen. Im interaktiven Austausch entlang der gesamten Wertschöpfungskette der Land- und Ernährungswirtschaft wurden Antworten zu folgenden beiden Fragestellungen erarbeitet: Was wäre, wenn 2035 fünfzig Prozent der Schweizer Landwirte und Landwirtinnen biologisch wirtschaften würden? Wenn dies gesellschaftlich gewollt wäre, welche Hürden wären zu überwinden? Das Video fasst die Ergebnisse der Arbeitsgruppen zusammen, welche im Rahmen der Schlussveranstaltung im Dezember 2021 im Schützi in Olten präsentiert wurden