Impact of farmer field schools on agricultural productivity and poverty in East Africa

Farmer field schools (FFSs) are a popular education and extension approach worldwide. Such schools use experiential learning and a group approach to facilitate farmers in making decisions, solving problems, and learning new techniques. However, there is limited or conflicting evidence as to their effect on productivity and poverty, especially in East Africa. This study is unique in that it uses a longitudinal impact evaluation (difference in difference approach) with quasi-experimental methods (propensity score matching and covariate matching) together with qualitative approaches to provide rigorous evidence to policymakers and other stakeholders on an FFS project in Kenya, Tanzania, and Uganda. The study provides evidence on participation in FFSs and on the effects of FFSs on various outcomes. The study found that younger farmers who belong to other groups, such as savings and credit groups, tended to participate in field schools. Females made up 50 percent of FFS membership. Reasons for not joining an FFS included lack of time and information. FFSs were shown to be especially beneficial to women, people with low literacy levels, and farmers with medium-size land holdings. FFS participants had significant differences in outcomes with respect to value of crops produced per acre, livestock value gain per capita, and agricultural income per capita. FFSs had a greater impact on crop productivity for those in the middle land area (land poverty) tercile. Participation in FFSs increased income by 61 percent when pooling the three countries. FFSs improved income and productivity overall, but differences were seen at the country level. Participation in FFSs led to increased production, productivity, and income in nearly all cases: Kenya, Tanzania, and at the project level (all three countries combined). The most significant change was seen in Kenya for crops (80 percent increase) and in Tanzania for agricultural income (more than 100 percent increase). A lack of significant increases in Uganda was likely due to Uganda’s National Agricultural Advisory Services. When disaggregating by gender, however, female-headed households benefited significantly more than male-headed households in Uganda.farmer field schools, agricultural productivity, adoption, extension services,

Gauging potential based on current adoption of banana hybrids in Tanzania

In the mid-1990s, new banana planting material was introduced into Tanzania in response to increased pest and disease pressures on banana production and the high levels of susceptibility of local endemic varieties, coupled with a lack of chemical inputs to combat these constraints. The formal introduction of new hybrid bananas into the region began in 1997 with the efforts of the Kagera Community Development Program (KCDP). The goal of the program was to increase farmers’ food and income security by improving banana productivity. About a dozen new banana varieties were introduced to the Kagera region of Tanzania.Non-PRIFPRI1; Science and Technology; DCAEPT

Projected impact of climate change on rice yield in two agro-ecological zones in South- Kivu, Democratic Republic of Congo

Rice (Oryza sativa) is one of the five most important staple foods in South-Kivu, with high and increasing demand. The gap between the demand and supply has led to increased importation of rice in the region. Changes in climate are likely to further worsen this gap. This study determined the impact of future climate on paddy rice yield in high altitude plateau and semi-arid Lowland plain of South Kivu region. The Agricultural Production Systems Simulator Model (APSIM) was used to simulate the impact of climate change scenarios -two periods: Mid and end-century, and for two Representative Concentration Pathways: 4.5 and 8.5- on rice yield. Based on the APSIM, rice grain yield is projected to increase with climate change in high altitude plateau while in the semi-arid lowland plain a slight increase in grain yield followed by a decline is projected in the end-century under RCP 8.5. These findings have potential to compliment rice farmers increase their coping capacity against climate change especially in semi-arid lowland plain where negative impacts are projected