3 research outputs found
Adoption of soil organic carbon-enhancing practices: A case of two watershed sites in Ethiopia.
This study aimed at identifying the factors that determine
the decision to adopt and the intensity of adoption of
soil organic carbon (SOC)-enhancing practices using two
watershed sites in Ethiopia: Yiser (Amhara region) and
Azugashube (Southern region). The study used survey
data collected from 379 sample households drawn from
four Kebele/village administrations at each watershed
site. Multivariate and ordinary least squares regressions
were used to identify the factors that determine the
decision to adopt the SOC-enhancing practices and the
factors that determine the extent of adoption of these
practices, respectively. The study classified these various
practices into three classes: soil and water conservation,
agronomic, and agroforestry SOC-enhancing practices.
We find that the decision to adopt soil and water
conservation practices is negatively related to both the
decision to adopt agronomic and to adopt agroforestry
SOC-enhancing practices. On the contrary, we find
that the decision to adopt agronomic and agroforestry
practices is complementary. The study also identified
diverse agroecological, farming system, institutional, and
household characteristics that determine the decision to
adopt and the intensity of adoption of the three SOCenhancing
practices. Among the different variables, the
study found location as a strong determinant of the type
and intensity of adoption of the SOC practices
Cost-benefit analysis of prioritized climate adaptation strategies among smallholder farmers: Evidence from selected value chains across sub-Saharan Africa
Prioritization of adaptation options is complex. This study presents a multi-dimensional framework to evaluate how to allocate resources among competing alternatives. The main objectives of the study were to identify the prioritized climate-smart agricultural practices adopted among smallholder farmers in different value chains across sub-Saharan Africa (SSA) and to assess the economic feasibility of the practices using Cost-Benefit Analysis (CBA) to develop a portfolio of viable and cost-effective options. This study focused on selected five SSA countries and selected value chains. 153 smallholder farmers and stakeholders were interviewed. The Climate Smart Agriculture Prioritization Framework was applied for the assessment of economically viable adaptation options. The prioritization was based on standard ranks on the ability of the practice to improve productivity, increase resilience, and mitigation. Spearman's rank-order correlation was used to assess the independence of the ranks. A CBA was conducted as the final step. Smallholder farmers in the study areas prioritized the adoption of improved seed, good agricultural practices, and conservation agriculture practices. In the sweet potato value chain in Kenya, good agricultural practices was viable with an NPV of US 8,738, 111%, and two years payback period) respectively. In Nigeria, the most viable option was the improved seed in the potato value chain and good agricultural practices in the rice value chain. In Malawi, Ethiopia, and Zambia, the most viable practices were improved seed, and conservation agriculture in the soybean, faba beans, and peanut value chains respectively. The NPV was highly sensitive to changes in the discount rate, moderately to price, yield, and practice lifecycle, and least to changes in annual labour costs. The results elaborate on the most feasible adaptation practices that enable smallholder farmers to increase productivity and be economically efficient. The use of the CSA-PF consecutively with the CBA tool allows for the proper identification of best-bet CSA options