ICT4Agroecology: a participatory research methodology for agroecological field research in Tanzania

Agroecology has become increasingly popular but locally optimized agroecological production methods and information and communication technology (ICT) support tools are limited. This study was conducted at three different geographic locations across Tanzania; we co-developed an integrated participatory field research methodology consisting of two components, each supported by a specifically developed, complementary ICT tool, with maize and cassava as the two focal crops, to examine soil fertility and conservation (compost and mulching), increased biodiversity through intercropping (legumes), and organic pest control measures. Two specifically developed ICT tools, the AgroEco Research application (AER) and AgroEco Analysis application (AEA) were used for data gathering & storage and visualization & statistical analysis, respectively. Further, farmer-managed satellite experiments were performed to further test the research premises and validate their outcomes in the "real world" of smallholder farmers, which was supported by a smartphone application called "Ugunduzi" - enabling farmers to collect, store, and evaluate data generated at different stages of their research. Farmers were free to choose any type, number, and combination of the agroecological practices tested in the field research. This study serves as a methodology reference for a number of companion publications reporting on the findings of this project.ISSN:2168-3565ISSN:2168-357

ICT4Agroecology part I: Outcomes for cassava production system

This study discusses the results of a 5-year Agroecology Research and Advocacy project at three Tanzanian field sites in different agroecological zones. We investigated four common agroecological practices: compost application, mulching, intercropping, and biological pest control either alone or in combination. Two custom-built ICT tools - AgroEco Research (AER) and AgroEco Analysis (AEA) application - supported the field research. AER and AEA integration allowed secure data storage and real-time automated visualization and statistical analyses without programming. At no field station did legume intercropping or biological pest control increase cassava yields. The Chambezi field station had the highest yields even under untreated control conditions and only here, soil fertility amendments further increased root weights. Intercropping with cowpea legumes, alone or in combination with other practices, had no significant effect on cassava plant size or survival at the Mumbaka and Vianzi field sites and even negatively affected one or both parameters. Organic pest control had no effect on any target variable, except for plant size at Chambezi. Therefore, labor-intensive and expensive pest control practices may not be worth the investment at least when virus-resistant cassava varieties like Kiroba are used.ISSN:2168-3565ISSN:2168-357