Soyabean response to rhizobium inoculation across sub-Saharan Africa : Patterns of variation and the role of promiscuity

Improving bacterial nitrogen fixation in grain legumes is central to sustainable intensification of agriculture in sub-Saharan Africa. In the case of soyabean, two main approaches have been pursued: first, promiscuous varieties were developed to form effective symbiosis with locally abundant nitrogen fixing bacteria. Second, inoculation with elite bacterial strains is being promoted. Analyses of the success of these approaches in tropical smallholder systems are scarce. It is unclear how current promiscuous and non-promiscuous soyabean varieties perform in inoculated and uninoculated fields, and the extent of variation in inoculation response across regions and environmental conditions remains to be determined.We present an analysis of on-farm yields and inoculation responses across ten countries in Sub Saharan Africa, including both promiscuous and non-promiscuous varieties. By combining data from a core set of replicated on-farm trials with that from a large number of farmer-managed try-outs, we study the potential for inoculation to increase yields in both variety types and evaluate the magnitude and variability of response.Average yields were estimated to be 1343 and 1227. kg/ha with and without inoculation respectively. Inoculation response varied widely between trials and locations, with no clear spatial patterns at larger scales and without evidence that this variation could be explained by yield constraints or environmental conditions. On average, specific varieties had similar uninoculated yields, while responding more strongly to inoculation. Side-by side comparisons revealed that stronger responses were observed at sites where promiscuous varieties had superior uninoculated yields, suggesting the availability of compatible, effective bacteria as a yield limiting factor and as a determinant of the magnitude of inoculation response

Review of policies relating to legume intensification in N2Africa countries

The ‘N2Africa Review of policies relating to legume intensification in N2Africa counties’ showed that governments in N2Africa countries acknowledge the importance of legume intensification and its significant potential to contribute to improving food security and health, especially for poor families. At global level, the seventeen Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) of the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development developed by the United Nations (UN) aim to end all forms of poverty, fight inequalities and tackle climate change, while ensuring that no one is left behind. The SDGs recognize that ending poverty must go hand-in-hand with strategies that build economic growth and addresses a range of social needs including education, health and job opportunities, amongst others. Governments are expected to take ownership and establish national frameworks for the achievement of the seventeen goals. Particularly, SDG2 ‘End hunger achieve food security and improved nutrition and promote sustainable agriculture’ seeks sustainable solutions to end hunger in all its forms and to achieve food security. It entails improving the productivity and incomes of small-scale farmers by promoting equal access to land, technology and markets, sustainable food production systems and resilient agricultural practices. The Comprehensive Africa Agriculture Development Programme (CAADP) is the pan-African policy framework for agricultural transformation, wealth creation, food security and nutrition, economic growth and prosperity for all. The CAADP Results Framework 2015 – 2025 is prepared by the Food and Agriculture Organisation (FAO) of the UN in cooperation with the New Partnership for Africa’s Development (NEPAD) Steering Committee. It recognizes the importance of increasing yield of food grains, tubers and legumes to catalyse transformation of Africa’s agricultural systems and presents critical actions required to achieve agricultural development agenda targets. Furthermore, the Association for Strengthening Agricultural Research in Eastern and Central Africa (ASARECA) serves as a platform for promoting regional research and in the sharing of benefits and spillovers that derive from such research. The association focuses on four thematic areas that are well aligned to the major ongoing regional and continental initiatives. These include (i) Integrated capacity strengthening, (ii) Development and scaling up of technologies and innovations, (iii) Policy advocacy, market analysis and institutional arrangement, (iv) Knowledge and information management. High yielding climbing bean varieties and training on different staking options are included in ASARECA projects that scale up best practices to address farmers’ needs.National governments in the N2Africa countries all developed national policies aimed at increasing agricultural productivity, improving food security, diversifying food production to improve nutrition, and increasing agricultural incomes of the rural people. All national policies refer to legumes, mostly indirectly (e.g. intercropping practices, as measure for soil fertility, amongst others). Table 1 presents the N2Africa target legumes mentioned in national policies per N2Africa country.All national policies aim at increasing the production and productivity of various legumes by various strategies, such as (i) adopting modern production techniques, (ii) strengthening coordination, institutional capacity and skills across the key actors, (iii) providing timely and appropriate market entry support for effective market development and (iv) scaling up production and trade, amongst others. Rhizobia are only referred to in a few national policies (e.g. Ethiopia, Kenya, Malawi and Rwanda). The Tanzanian government is the only government that developed an explicit policy tool to promote the pulses sector (e.g. common bean, cowpea, pigeonpea, green gram and chickpea, mung bean and Bambara nut).The study results will be completed and used to provide recommendations to governments about best-fit legume technologies, how to increase production and productivity of various legumes and how to stimulate farmers’ use.<br/

Review of policies relating to legume intensification in N2Africa countries

The ‘N2Africa Review of policies relating to legume intensification in N2Africa counties’ showed that governments in N2Africa countries acknowledge the importance of legume intensification and its significant potential to contribute to improving food security and health, especially for poor families. At global level, the seventeen Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) of the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development developed by the United Nations (UN) aim to end all forms of poverty, fight inequalities and tackle climate change, while ensuring that no one is left behind. The SDGs recognize that ending poverty must go hand-in-hand with strategies that build economic growth and addresses a range of social needs including education, health and job opportunities, amongst others. Governments are expected to take ownership and establish national frameworks for the achievement of the seventeen goals. Particularly, SDG2 ‘End hunger achieve food security and improved nutrition and promote sustainable agriculture’ seeks sustainable solutions to end hunger in all its forms and to achieve food security. It entails improving the productivity and incomes of small-scale farmers by promoting equal access to land, technology and markets, sustainable food production systems and resilient agricultural practices. The Comprehensive Africa Agriculture Development Programme (CAADP) is the pan-African policy framework for agricultural transformation, wealth creation, food security and nutrition, economic growth and prosperity for all. The CAADP Results Framework 2015 – 2025 is prepared by the Food and Agriculture Organisation (FAO) of the UN in cooperation with the New Partnership for Africa’s Development (NEPAD) Steering Committee. It recognizes the importance of increasing yield of food grains, tubers and legumes to catalyse transformation of Africa’s agricultural systems and presents critical actions required to achieve agricultural development agenda targets. Furthermore, the Association for Strengthening Agricultural Research in Eastern and Central Africa (ASARECA) serves as a platform for promoting regional research and in the sharing of benefits and spillovers that derive from such research. The association focuses on four thematic areas that are well aligned to the major ongoing regional and continental initiatives. These include (i) Integrated capacity strengthening, (ii) Development and scaling up of technologies and innovations, (iii) Policy advocacy, market analysis and institutional arrangement, (iv) Knowledge and information management. High yielding climbing bean varieties and training on different staking options are included in ASARECA projects that scale up best practices to address farmers’ needs.National governments in the N2Africa countries all developed national policies aimed at increasing agricultural productivity, improving food security, diversifying food production to improve nutrition, and increasing agricultural incomes of the rural people. All national policies refer to legumes, mostly indirectly (e.g. intercropping practices, as measure for soil fertility, amongst others). Table 1 presents the N2Africa target legumes mentioned in national policies per N2Africa country.All national policies aim at increasing the production and productivity of various legumes by various strategies, such as (i) adopting modern production techniques, (ii) strengthening coordination, institutional capacity and skills across the key actors, (iii) providing timely and appropriate market entry support for effective market development and (iv) scaling up production and trade, amongst others. Rhizobia are only referred to in a few national policies (e.g. Ethiopia, Kenya, Malawi and Rwanda). The Tanzanian government is the only government that developed an explicit policy tool to promote the pulses sector (e.g. common bean, cowpea, pigeonpea, green gram and chickpea, mung bean and Bambara nut).The study results will be completed and used to provide recommendations to governments about best-fit legume technologies, how to increase production and productivity of various legumes and how to stimulate farmers’ use.<br/