A contextual ICT model to explain adoption of mobile applications in developing countries: A case study of Tunisia

In Tunisia, agriculture is the main source of livelihood for more than 75% of small and sub sistence farmers with minimal use of technology. The use of information and communication technology (ICT),such as mobile applications, represents a pertinent opportunity for these smallholders to access agricultural innovation and market information and improve their farming technologies and farm management. Thus, ICT can act as a replacement to foster access to innovation for this category of farmers. Unfortunately, the underuse of mobile applications has contributed to low and slow adoption of agricultural innovation and conse quently the benefits of this technology have not been attained. The purpose of this study is to identify the factors affecting the adoption of Short Message Service (SMS) through a con textual ICT model for livestock, olive crop, and beekeeping. Data were collected from 200 small-scale beekeepers, 225 olive growers, and 140 livestock breeders selected in Jen douba, Kairouan, and Zaghouan in Tunisia. The objective of this paper is to examine the fac tors that influence mobile applications using the partial least squares structural equation modelling technique, for livestock, olive crop, and beekeeping agricultural activities. The results showed that the final ICT-induced structural models were highly predictive of the use of SMS and its increased adoption. Factors affecting the use of SMS differed according to the farming system. The major perceived factor affecting the use of SMS was ‘observability’ for livestock farmers, ‘compatibility’ for olive growers, and ‘information quality’ for beekeepers. Understanding these factors by taking into account the specificity of the agricultural activity leads to a better understanding of the adoption of ICT tools by smallholder farmers in Tunisi

Assessing complementary synergies for integrated crop–livestock systems under conservation agriculture in Tunisian dryland farming systems

The aim of this paper is twofold. The first objective is to measure the technical efficiency of mixed crop-livestock (CL) smallholder producers operating under conservation agriculture systems in Tunisian rainfed areas. The second objective is to explore complementarities, synergies, and economies of diversification across the different production system components of these crop-livestock producers using the cross-partial derivative framework of output variables in the distance function. A simple random sampling process was employed to select and survey 59 CL smallholders operating under conservation agriculture. The collected data were analyzed using a stochastic input distance function in which synergies were estimated based on the second cross-partial derivative concept of output variables in the distance function. Results show that technical inefficiencies are significant in integrated crop-livestock systems, and there is evidence that economic diversification provides a productivity buffer against climate change threats. As a sustainable intensification strategy, this integrated system also offers a potential advantage. The results further contribute to the debate on crop diversification vs. specialization. Although an enhanced system integration could be a financially and ecologically viable option for mixed crop-livestock systems, more pathways for profitable and viable diversification of cereal-based or orchard-based systems remain to be explored

Profitability of Manufactured Feed Pellets for Small-Scale Crop-Livestock Farmers in Tunisia

The aim of this R4D Initiatives is to explore the profitability of manufactured feed pellets for small-scale crop-livestock farmers in Tunisia. During the past few growing seasons, within several R4D initiatives and projects (the SWC@Scale as part of the global GIZ ProSol Program; the CRP-Livestock “feed and forages”, and the International Fund for Agricultural Development (IFAD) funded CLCA phase 2), ICARDA and its national partners have introduced imported feed pellet machines that were donated with a 10% financial contribution (to ensure strong ownership of the technology) to some pre-selected professional farmer organizations (FO) (SMSA and GDA5) and individual farmers including agri-preneurs, with the idea of developing small feed businesses using these machines and boosting the nutrition of local herds. After assessing the available feed resources for each region (Northern, Center, and Southern), the leading members of each FO, under the supervision of the project’s scientific teams, developed various feeding formulas. Other farmers have been developing their own formulas based on consultation with local extension agents. Some of the formulas used by farmers are still under experimentation and will be the subject of this brief, aiming at validating their economic viabilities

Faisabilité technico-économique des bouchons alimentaires fabriqués pour les petits éleveurs en Tunisie

Les bouchons alimentaires représentent une technologie prometteuse pour l’alimentation du bétail en Tunisie. Cette Technologie offre des multiples intérêts économiques, financiers, et techniques pour les petits agriculteurs et éleveurs dans les systèmes mixtes "Culture-Elevage". Cette fiche démontre la faisabilité technico-économique des bouchons alimentaires fabriqués pour les petits éleveurs en Tunisie

الجدوى التقنية والإقتصادية للمكعبات الغذائية المصنعة لدى صغار المزارعين في البلاد التونسية

تناقش هذه الجذاذة الفنية تقنية المكعبات الغذائية للحيوانات، مبرزة مزاياها في تغذية الماشية. كما تبين حدود هذه التقنية، و العوامل التي تؤثر على جودة المكعبات الغذائية للحيوانات. وفي النهاية، تقترح البطاقة الفنية نموذج أعمال للإنتاج المحلي للمكعبات الغذائية للحيوانات، مع التركيز على الجوانب الاقتصادية والمالية لهذه النشاط، بالإضافة إلى الاستنتاجات والآفاق المتعلقة بالاستدام

Business model identification in the selected value chains in the Northwest of Tunisia: Case of Kef and Siliana

The report describes the approach used to co-identify potential Business Models through the integration of HLPE’s agroecological principles in a variety of Value chains co-selected in the Agroecological Living Landscape ‘Kef-Siliana Transect’, Northwest Tunisia

Scoping study report on potential existing value chains in the North-West region of Tunisia

The objective of this report is to select the main value chains with potential to integrate the agroecological principles in the Northwest of Tunisia. A descriptive analysis on the two governorates chosen was first made, then 4 focus group discussions were organized with local farmers associations. The VC assessment according to agroecological principles conducted with the main actors places the olive oil VC as the major value chain with agroecological character

Value chain analysis and actors mapping: Case of Tunisia

The objective of this report is to analyze, mapping and select the main value chains with potential to integrate the agroecological principles in Tunisia. Based on the secondary data, rapid value chain analysis, focus group discussions at the living labs and participatory approach with the main stakeholders, three value chains were identified in Siliana and Kef governorates: olive oil, sheep meat and honey. The VC assessment according to agroecological principles conducted with the main actors places the olive oil VC as the major value chain with agroecological character. In this sense, an olive oil business model was proposed to encourage the olive producers of SMSA to produce a labeled olive oil to improve their revenues, enhance livelihoods and create a system of values that includes land (terroir)

Data on how tree planting and management practices influence tree seedling survival in Kenya and Ethiopia

Understanding which trees farmers prefer, what determines their survival and enhancing farmer knowledge of tree management is key to increasing tree cover in agricultural landscapes. This article presents data on tree seedling survival under different tree planting and management practices in Kenya and Ethiopia. Data were collected from 1600 households across three Counties in Kenya and 173 households across four Woredas in Ethiopia, using a structured questionnaire which was administered through the Open Data Kit. Data on seedling survival were collected at least six months after tree seedlings were planted. To understand how planting and management practices influence tree planting across the different socioeconomic and biophysical contexts, both household level and individual tree level data were collected. Household level data included socio-economic and biophysical characteristics of the households while tree specific data included when the tree seedling was planted, where it was planted, the management practices employed and whether surviving. The datasets described in this article help understand which options confer the best chance survival for the planted seedlings and in which socio-economic and biophysical contexts they are most successful. [Abstract copyright: © 2021 The Author(s). Published by Elsevier Inc.

Transition Pathway Toward Agroecology in Agroforestry Systems: Case of Kesra

The mountain of Kesra is located at an altitude of 1245 m with a very uneven relief. It belongs to the upper semi-arid bioclimatic stage. The range of soils is very diverse due to the extreme variability of substrates, climates, and plant species. Despite the richness of natural resources and heritage, and the ancestral know-how of local populations, the region of Kesra, continues to suffer from economic and social underdevelopment. Standard applications, which do not take into account the specificities of each area, often do not achieve the objectives of ecodevelopment and sustainability. The application of a holistic agroecological transition approach in this rural mountain area requires an inclusive co-design which takes into consideration the socio-ecological context (Natural resources use, agricultural practices, agroforestry, etc.). So, the main objective was to define and build context-specific agroecological transition pathways throw a solid methodology which combines literature review, consultation, and focus group discussions. The visioning approach was conducted with 12 farmers from the community to reflect on the state of agriculture in Kesra and to identify a desirable future of agriculture in 10 years (2022-2032) from their own perspective. This vision was discussed and debated referred to the 13 principals of agroecology. The AE transition pathway identified in Kesra suggests an emphasis on the diversification of local and natural based products to insure synergies between system components as a basis of a swift transition. The resulting impact pathway promotes increasing resilience to market and climate change, economic autonomy, diversifying market, and promotion of local products. Based on this approach and other research activities a set of actions will be executed during 2023 and 2024 to monitor the co-designed transition pathways and to scaling-up the agroecological transition in the mountainous areas like Kesra