How can we make smallholder agriculture in the semi-arid tropics more profitable and resilient?. Working Paper Series No. 59

This White Paper synthesizes current knowledge about how to make smallholder agriculture in the semi-arid tropics (SAT) more profitable and resilient. To structure the discussion, we developed a simple conceptual framework based on the CGIAR Research Programs for Dryland Cereals and Grain Legumes, which are led by ICRISAT. The framework links demand drivers, smallholder diversity, product lines, impact pathways, and impacts. Product lines are developed in response to demand drivers, which include not only income and urbanization but also shocks. We distinguish between reducing vulnerability and increasing resilience and how these operate at crop, household, and system level. Smallholder diversity is recognized by developing product lines for two target groups, namely subsistence- and market-oriented farmers. We identify the key demand drivers and shocks that create demand for new technology. Development domains show the role of endowments in determining smallholder demand for different types of product lines..

Who is quitting? An analysis of the dis-adoption of climate smart sorghum varieties in Tanzania

Purpose – New agricultural technologies are continuously generated and promoted for adoption by farmers with the expectation that they bring about higher benefits than older technologies. Yet, depending on the perceived benefits, the user of the technology may choose to stop using it. This paper aims to analyze what drives farmers to dis-adopt climate smart sorghum varieties in Tanzania. Design/methodology/approach – The study uses cross-sectional farm household level data collected in Tanzania from a sample of 767 households. The determinants of dis-adoption are explored using a bivariate probit with sample selection model. Findings – The authors find that while farmers switch between different sorghum varieties, most farmers actually quit sorghum production. Older farmers and those facing biotic stresses such attacks by birds are more likely to dis-adopt sorghum. Practical implications – These findings suggest that there is scope for improving and sustaining the adoption of sorghum varieties in Tanzania once extension services are strengthened. The findings also point to a well-founded theory on the role ofmarkets in enhancing the overall sustainability of food systems. Social implications – The study findings have broader implications for understanding the sustainability of improved technology adoption Originality/value – Dis-adoption is also positively associated with the lack of access to markets underscoring the role of markets in enhancing the overall sustainability of technology adoption and food systems

Assessing the Effectiveness of Agricultural R&D for Groundnut, Pearl Millet, Pigeonpea, and Sorghum in West and Central Africa and Eastern and Southern Africa

Arable land in sub-Saharan Africa is often cultivated during seasonal rains in regions where the supply of rainfall exceeds the demand for rainfall for only 2–7 months of the year. These rainfall supply and demand conditions define rainfed agriculture in the semi-arid tropics (SAT). In 1972, the International Crops Research Institute for the Semi-Arid Tropics (ICRISAT) was established in India with a global mandate to increase agricultural production in the SAT, thereby enhancing poor people’s welfare in these rainfall-unassured production environments. Technically, the SAT encompassed large areas of Australia, Latin America and Asia, but the geographic focus at ICRISAT was always on peninsular India and sub-Saharan Africa where most rural and urban poor lived. By 2020, the total population of people in Asia’s and Africa’s SAT is projected to be about 850 million, comprising a 70% share for Asia and a 30% share evenly split between West and Central Africa and East and Southern Africa (Walker, 2009). When ICRISAT was founded in 1972, the relative importance of the two continental populations was about 80% for Asia’s SAT and 20% for Africa’s SAT. The total SAT population in 1972 was only about 35% of the projected population in 2020..

Value chain analysis and mapping for groundnuts in Uganda, Socioeconomics Discussion Paper Series Number 14

Groundnut is grown on about 23.95 million ha worldwide with the total production of 36.45 million tons and an average yield of 1520 kg/ha in 2009 Developing countries in Asia, Africa and South America account for about 97% of world groundnut area and 95% of total production. It is one of the important legumes grown in Uganda, ranking second after beans. Its production is most common in Northern, Eastern and Southern parts of the country with higher volumes being produced in the Eastern part compared to the other two. The value chain for groundnuts in Uganda consist of many actors (individuals and institutions) including input suppliers and seed dealers, producers, market sellers, rural traders, urban traders, processors, exporters and consumers. The general objective of this study was to map the value chain for groundnuts, indicating the opportunities that value chain actors can benefit from and strategies that can be used to upgrade the chain. The specific objectives were to characterize the key actors along the groundnut value chain; determine the costs and value added along the groundnut value chain; determine the level of awareness of health problems associated with groundnuts; and determine the constraints and opportunities in the value chain and suggest ways to upgrade the chain. A cross sectional survey was conducted among the key actors in the value chain in 16 purposively selected districts in Uganda where groundnuts are predominantly produced marketed and/or consumed. The districts are Arua in North western Uganda, Lira in the North, Bugiri, Bukedea, Busia, Iganga, Jinja Kaberamaido, Mbale, Pallisa, Kumi and Tororo in Eastern Uganda; Soroti and Katakwi in the North east, Kampala and Wakiso in Central where a total of 145 wholesale traders, 209 retail traders wand 51 processors were randomly selected and interviewed. In addition, data collected by NARO from a total of 314 randomly selected groundnut farmers were used in this study.The data collected included socio-economic characteristics of the value chain actors, type and varieties of groundnuts handled, sales volumes and prices, trends in demand and supply, aflatoxins awareness and control, challenges, constraints and opportunities in groundnuts and trade policy related issues

Colliding paradigms and trade-offs: Agri-food systems and value chain interventions

Managing trade-offs for ‘do no harm’ outcomes is central to achieving the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) and requires an understanding of impact processes within agri-food systems. However, agricultural programming continues to rely on single point interventions framed by earlier development paradigms at odds with the systemic change goals of the SDGs. The implications of these colliding paradigms are explored using an agri-food systems lens to highlight trade-offs in interventions for pro-poor value chains, nutrition-sensitive value chains and greening of value chains. Analysis reveals problematic assumptions and limited supporting evidence and points to conflicting logics and targets that require societal negotiations about goals and priorities. Steps are outlined to embed a ‘do no harm’ principle in intervention design and evaluation

Women’s production capacities enhancement and gender yield gap reduction in groundnuts in Uganda

Literature shows that women in many African farming communities are more involved in agricultural production activities than men, but their capacities, including access to key farm resources and markets are lower, leading to gender differentials in productivity or yield gaps. In Uganda, women make up 53% of the agricultural labor force, but reportedly manage plots that are 20-30% less productive than plots managed by the men. This study analyses groundnut production differences among female and male farmers in Uganda. Yield gaps between the male and female farmers are considered at two levels; differences between actual and potential yields, and differences between expected and actual yields. A total of 240 randomly selected farmers (58% females) were interviewed using a pre-tested questionnaire. Using regression analysis, factors that contributed to groundnut yield gaps among and between female and male farmers were determined. Results show that both female and male farmers experience a yield gap ranging from about 20% to 37%. The results further indicate that more men than women use improved seed, fungicides, and carry out timely weeding; the crucial factors that affect groundnut output and yield. Majority of farmers, especially women, use home saved seeds and fewer improved technologies due to high cost, leading to low production. Other factors contributing to the yield gap are socio-demographic, economic and institutional factors including less access to extension services by women, less access to and/or control over land, lower affordability of labor and other key inputs

Who are those people we call farmers? Rural Kenyan aspirations and realities

Rural Kenyan households have different aspirations and income portfolio strategies, including agricultural intensification and income diversification. This article reports on a study that interviewed 624 households to explore rural aspirations and derive lessons for agricultural technology development and transfer. Though few households specialised in farming, many households self-identified as farmers and aspired to increase their agricultural income. Despite the prevalence of agricultural aspirations, few aspired for their children to have a future in farming. Combining aspirations with potential to invest, the article provides suggestions for targeting agricultural interventions. We need to start listening better to those people we call “farmers” to develop and offer innovations that meet their realities

Global homogenous groundnut zones – a tool to estimate the regional and international impact of agricultural research. Working Paper Series no. 31

The HZs developed for groundnuts are able to fu

Targeting resilience and profitability in African smallholder agriculture: Insights from ICRISAT-led research programs

We reviewed the strategy for Agricultural Research for Development (AR4D) adopted by the International Crops Research Institute for the Semi-Arid Tropics (ICRISAT). The objective was to examine ICRISAT’s research strategy related to the twin challenges of resilience and profitability in developing technologies aimed at improving the livelihoods of smallholder farmers in the drylands of Africa. To do this, we examined the expected impact on resilience and profitability of its present program and the realized impact of ICRISAT’s previous research. We argue that the current CGIAR Research Programs led by ICRISAT envisage separate product lines for resilience and profitability, targeted at two groups, i.e., subsistence- and market-oriented smallholders. This approach, expected to make technology more appropriate for farmers’ needs, risks overlooking the interconnectedness of the two targets if they are too rigorously separated. Although our review of ICRISAT’s previous research program suggests that success stories have taken numerous forms—some increasing resilience, others profitability—our review also suggests that it is possible to develop win–win technologies that improve both targets. Finding ways to replicate win–win technologies will require that ICRISAT tests the resulting technologies and their implementation in specific contexts to improve and replace them as the research programs evolve

A recipe for success? Learning from the rapid adoption of improved chickpea varieties in Ethiopia

Many studies detail constraints deemed responsible for the limited adoption of new technologies among smallholder farmers in sub-Saharan Africa. By contrast, here we study the conditions that led to the remarkably fast spread of improved chickpea varieties in Ethiopia. Within just seven years, the adoption rate rose from 30 to 80% of the farmers. A combination of factors explains the rapid uptake. Their attraction lay in superior returns and disease resistance. Chickpea was already an important crop for rural households in the studied districts, for both cash income and consumption. Good market access and an easy accessibility of extension services advanced the adoption process. Thus, an attractive technology suitable for rural households in a conducive environment enabled adoption. Our findings prompt us to stress the importance of tailoring agricultural innovations to the realities and demands of rural households, and the need to design and deploy interventions on the basis of ex-ante knowledge on factors potentially determining their success or failure