bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Livestock integration in conservation agriculture.
Authors: Mkomwa Saidi , Kassam Amir , Duiker Sjoerd W. , Zampaligre Nouhoun 
Published: January 2022

Abstract

Grazing livestock have been presented as an unsurmountable obstacle for Conservation Agriculture (CA) in Africa, because they consume organic cover. But grazing livestock can also make positive contributions to CA, while, if properly managed, sufficient organic cover can be left for soil erosion control and soil health improvement. Urine and manure improve soil fertility and soil health, and increase the agronomic efficiency of fertilizer nutrients. Grazing livestock increase options for crop diversity, such as crop rotations with perennial forages, increased use of cover crops and tree-crop associations. Further, as crop yields improve through application of sustainable intensification methods, greater amounts of above-ground residue become available for livestock nutrition, while greater quantities of below- and above-ground plant residues can be left to improve soil health than are currently returned to the soil. At the same time, in areas where extensive systems are still common, greater amounts of crop residue can be left for soil function because alternative feed sources are available. More research and education on proper integration of livestock in CA in the African context, and successful models of pastoralist-crop farmer collaboration are needed, so both livestock and soil needs can be met.
Enhancing climate resilience using stress-tolerant maize in conservation agriculture in southern Africa.
Authors: Setimela Peter , Nyagumbo Isaiah , Mupangwa Walter , Mutenje Munyaradzi 
Published: January 2022

Abstract

Recurrent and widespread droughts in southern Africa (SA) reduce agricultural productivity and increase food insecurity among smallholder farmers. The average growing-season temperatures are expected to increase by 2.5°C. In SA maize is a staple food, accounting for more than 30% of total calories. The crop is mostly grown by smallholder farmers with limited inputs of fertilizers and improved seed. Most of the maize cultivars grown by farmers are susceptible to heat and drought. Multi-stress-tolerant maize germplasm is one of the climate smart agriculture (CSA) components and, when used in combination with others, can sustainably increase production and resilience of agricultural systems. In this paper we review the performance and economic benefits of drought-tolerant maize cultivars under conventional monocropping practice, under conventional intercropping and in Conservation Agriculture (CA) as part of sustainable intensification to ensure food security for smallholder farmers.
Tillage effect on agronomic efficiency of nitrogen under rainfed conditions of Tanzania.
Authors: Rusinamhodzi Leonard , Njeru James , Sariah John E. , Ngatoluwa Rama , Lagwen Phlorentin P. 
Published: January 2022

Abstract

Nitrogen (N) deficiency is a common feature in soils managed by smallholder farmers in Africa. Crop residue retention, in combination with no-till (NT), may be a pathway to improve agronomic use efficiency of applied N for small-scale farmers under the predominant rainfed conditions. This chapter reports on the results of a study carried out over two cropping seasons in the long rains of 2014 and 2015 on two sites: (i) on-farm (Mandela); and (ii) a research station (SARI) in eastern Tanzania. The experiment consisted of two tillage systems, conventional tillage (CT) and Conservation Agriculture (CA), with a minimum of 2.5 t ha-1 crop residue cover maintained in the plots during the experiment. CT consisted of soil inversion through tillage and removal of crop residues. In the on-farm experiment, maize was grown in plots with four rates of N application: 0, 27, 54 and 108 kg N ha-1. In the on-station trial, five rates were used: 0, 20, 40, 60 and 100 kg N ha-1. Maize yield and agronomic efficiency (AE) of N were used to assess and compare the productivity of the tested treatments. The results showed that tillage, soil type and rate of N application influenced crop productivity. In the clay soils, the differences between tillage practices were small. Under CT, AE ranged between 21.6 and 53.9 kg/kg N, and it was 20.4-60.6 kg/kg N under CA. The lowest fertilizer application rate of 27 kg ha-1 often had the largest AE across the soil types and tillage practices. In the on-station trials at SARI, the largest AE of 24.6 kg/kg N was recorded under CA with 40 kg N ha-1. As in the on-farm trials, the highest N application rate on-station did not lead to the largest AE. In the CT, AE ranged between 11.5 and 16.8 kg/kg N compared with a range of 15.1 to 24.6 kg/kg N for the CA treatment. Overall, crop residue retention, in combination with NT, is important to improve soil moisture and use efficiency of applied nutrients. Additionally, the initial soil fertility status is also important in determining the magnitude of short-term crop response to applied nutrients. Innovative pathways are needed to achieve the multiple objectives played by maize crop residues for results reported here to be sustainable. However, efficiency of nutrient use needs to be assessed, together with returns on investments, as small yields may mean high nutrient use efficiency but not necessarily significant increased returns at the farm level.
Effect of conservation agriculture on soil properties and maize grain yield in the semi-arid Laikipia county, Kenya.
Authors: Kuria Peter , Gitari Josiah , Mkomwa Saidi , Waweru Peter 
Published: January 2022

Abstract

Low and unreliable rainfall, along with poor soil health, is a main constraint to maize production in the semi-arid parts of Kenya that account for over 79% of the country's land area. In the vast county of Laikipia, farmers continue to plant maize despite the predominantly low quantities of precipitation. Participatory farmer experimentation with Conservation Agriculture (CA) was undertaken for six consecutive growing seasons between July 2013 and December 2016 to determine the effectiveness of CA as a method of improving soil properties and enhancing maize yields with the limited rainfall quantities received in these parts of Kenya. The main CA practices tested include chisel tine furrow opening (ripping) and live legume (Lablab purpureus) cover crop, as well as maize stover mulches, all implemented under varying inorganic fertilizer rates. The research was done across 12 administrative locations of Laikipia County where soils are mainly Phaeozems and Vertisols with a clay-loam texture. The research design used was researcher-designed and farmer-managed. In each of the 12 trial sites, participatory farmers' assessments and field days were carried out as a way of outreach to the bigger farming communities around the trial sites. The research findings obtained demonstrated that the use of CA impacts positively on soil properties and is a viable practice for enhancing maize yields in these moisture deficit-prone parts of the country. Soil chemical analysis assessment results showed that CA impacted positively on a number of soil mineral components including organic carbon, total nitrogen, phosphorus, potassium, calcium and pH. Midseason chlorophyll content assessment of the maize crop showed that there was good response to fertilizer application, as well as to mulching with crop residues for soil cover. Maize grain yield data also showed that the use of a CA package comprising chisel tine ripping combined with mulching by plant residues and use of mineral fertilizer resulted in a two- to threefold increase in grain yields above the farmer practice control. Mean maize grain yield in farmer practice plots was 1067 kg ha-1 compared with the CA-treated plot with mineral fertilization that yielded 2192 kg ha-1.
What drives small-scale farmers to adopt conservation agriculture practices in Tanzania?
Authors: Sariah John E. , Mmbando Frank 
Published: January 2022

Abstract

Conservation Agriculture (CA)-based Sustainable Intensification (CASI) practices in this study comprised minimum soil disturbance, permanent soil cover, intercropping of maize and legumes, and use of improved crop genotypes and fertilizers, and were tested on-farm in different agroecologies in northern and eastern Tanzania. The results for six consecutive years of study indicate increased adoption of CASI practices compared to the baseline year (2010). The major impacts of these practices were reduced production costs, labour savings and overall increased crop and land productivity. The average area allocated to improved maize-legume (ML) intercrop rose during the project period by 5.28 ha per household, of which 15% was under complete CASI practices. Adoption trends show that, on average, 6.5% of adopters across the study and spillover communities started adoption in the 2nd year and about 14% of farmers adopted the practices over the next 3-5 years. Demographic and human capital (family size, education, age and farming experience), on-farm CASI demonstrations, farmer to farmer exchange visits, social capital (farmers' group or a cooperative), access to input and output markets (improved seeds, herbicides, fertilizers, insecticides and equipment) and food security were found to have positive and significant effects on adoption of a range of CASI practices. These results suggest continued and long-term efforts in investments in demonstrations, institutionalizing CASI practices in NARS, and good links to input and output markets, including appropriate machinery, are necessary to achieve sustained adoption.
Impact of conservation agriculture on soil health: lessons from the university of fort hare trial.
Authors: Muzangwa Lindah , Gura Isaac , Mcinga Sixolise , Mnkeni Pearson Nyari , Chiduza Cornelius 
Published: January 2022

Abstract

Conservation Agriculture (CA) promotes soil health, but issues to do with soil health are poorly researched in the Eastern Cape, South Africa. This study reports on findings from a field trial done on the effects of tillage, crop rotations composed of maize (Zea mays L.), wheat (Triticum aestivum L.) and soybean (Glycine max L.) and residue management on a number of soil health parameters such as carbon (C)-sequestration, CO2 fluxes, enzyme activities, earthworm biomass and the Soil Management Assessment Framework soil quality index (SMAF-SQI). The field trial was done in a semi-arid region of the Eastern Cape Province, South Africa, over five cropping seasons (2012-2015). It was laid out as a split-split plot with tillage [conventional tillage (CT) and no-till (NT)] as main plot treatment. Sub-treatments were crop rotations: maize-fallow-maize (MFM), maize-fallow-soybean (MFS); maize-wheat-maize (MWM) and maize-wheat-soybean (MWS). Residue management: removal (R-) and retention (R+) were in the sub-sub-plots. Particulate organic matter (POM), soil organic carbon (SOC), microbial biomass carbon (MBC) and enzyme activities were significantly (p < 0.05) improved by residue retention and legume rotation compared to residue removal and cereal-only rotations. Also, carbon dioxide (CO2) fluxes under CT were higher compared to NT. The calculated soil quality index (SQI) was greatly improved by NT and residue retention. MWM and MWS rotations, in conjunction with residue retention under NT, offered the greatest potential for building soil health. Residue retention and inclusion of soybean in crop rotations are recommended for improving soil health under CA systems in the semi-arid regions of South Africa.
Strengthening conservation agriculture education in Africa.
Authors: Clark Cary , Kassam Amir , Mkomwa Saidi , Kuria Peter , Mutai Weldone 
Published: January 2022

Abstract

This chapter brings together recent developments and ongoing efforts in Conservation Agriculture (CA) education in Africa. It covers areas related to online education and training including CA Massive Open Online Courses (MOOCs), CA-based education and training capacity, CA curriculum development and CA quality assurance. An overview of emerging opportunities in CA education and training are elaborated in general, as well as through specific efforts of institutions such as the African Conservation Tillage Network. CA-based land use transformation occurring in Africa, and the growth of related supporting activities in public and private sectors, represent an important area of opportunity for education and training. It also offers opportunity for youth to develop their vocational and professional careers in the food and agriculture sector.
Lessons learnt from concern worldwide's conservation agriculture interventions in Malawi and Zambia, 2010-2018.
Authors: Wahl Carl 
Published: January 2022

Abstract

Conservation Agriculture (CA) is a gateway technology intended to build both the productivity and resilience of smallholder farmers. Since 2010, the Ireland-based NGO Concern Worldwide has been promoting CA with extremely poor farmers in Malawi and Zambia. In the context of the specific regions within both countries, similar conditions of limited labour capacity, low financial capacity, poor soil health and constrained agriculture extension services were the primary barriers to the poorest farmers. Initial CA projects utilized broad, standardized approaches to CA with subsidized inputs that led to yield increases, but saw limited non-subsidized adoption. As a result, Concern has adapted its approaches to CA to better accommodate and embrace innovation by lead farmers, understanding different adoption strategies for follower farmers and working to improve input supply systems to meet farmers' needs. However, major constraints to adoption remain for the poorest and, going forward, CA projects will need to incorporate robust strategies for household financial stability such as the graduation model; fostering greater innovation by lead farmers within CA principles to meet local contexts; and integrating seed selection and saving for non-commercialized food crops to spur large-scale adoption of CA by the poorest farmers.
Development of adaptive training materials for conservation agriculture promotion in Africa.
Authors: Miller Neil , Nyathi Putso , Twilingiyumukiza Jean 
Published: January 2022

Abstract

In order for Conservation Agriculture (CA) to reach and impact small-scale farmers in Sub-Saharan Africa (SSA), CA technologies need to be adapted to suit the diversity of agroecological zones and cultures present on the continent. Training materials for CA promotion need to be similarly customizable to help extension staff and farmers develop their own, context-appropriate solutions from among the many possible CA approaches. From 2015 through 2018, a diverse set of farmer-level training materials for CA and complementary technologies was developed and field-tested by Canadian Foodgrains Bank partners. Together with a participatory, adaptive training methodology, these materials have enhanced the effectiveness of CA promotion, and they have been made available for copyright-free download in English, French, Kiswahili, Portuguese and Amharic (http://caguide.act-africa.org/, accessed 6 August 2021). This paper describes the process of developing these materials as well as challenges and constraints to their utilization.
Sustainable agricultural mechanization and commercialization for widespread adoption of conservation agriculture systems in Africa.
Authors: Kienzle Josef , Sims Brian , Mutai Weldone 
Published: January 2022

Abstract

To confront the situations of climate crisis, natural resource degradation and rising populations, farmers need access to modern sustainable agricultural technologies, especially Conservation Agriculture (CA) and sustainable agricultural mechanization (SAM). Without such access, the UN's SDGs will not be met in their entirety. The implications of mechanizing CA are discussed for both smallholder and larger-scale farmers. Constraints, issues and options are reviewed and the need for commercial, private sector, CA mechanization service provision for smallholders is identified. The Framework for Sustainable Agricultural Mechanization for Africa (SAMA) is a key pillar for achieving Aspiration 1 (a prosperous Africa based on inclusive growth and sustainable development) of the African Union's (AU) Agenda 2063; and SDG 2 (ending hunger and achieving food security). The move towards commercialization of smallholder agriculture in Africa is seen as an inevitable reality in the medium term. It is also a necessary prerequisite for the adoption of SAM, which is being actively promoted in Africa, both at the level of the AU and by national governments, research centres, non-governmental organizations (NGOs) and private-sector agricultural machinery companies. The policy dimensions of promoting SAM are discussed from the public and private-sector perspectives. A forward look identifies novel business models for sustainable mechanization services, an increasing application of information technology (IT) and the (longer term) potential for drones and robotics. The conclusion is that CA and SAM are essential ways forward to answer Africa's needs for sustainable food production while engaging young entrepreneurs in the provision of mechanization services using IT, digital tools and precision equipment.
Centres of excellence in conservation agriculture: developing African institutions for sustainable agricultural development.
Authors: Mkomwa Saidi , Lugandu Simon , Macharia Ngari , Bot Alexandra , Mutai Weldone 
Published: January 2022

Abstract

Conservation Agriculture (CA) is an important component in addressing food insecurity, biodiversity degradation and water scarcity challenges. Its adoption in Africa has lagged behind other continents. One major area of need to enable the acceleration of the adoption of CA in Africa relates to building the necessary cross-sectoral institutional and human capacity across the education-research-extension-enterprise axis along the value chain. This study was conducted in order to contribute to the discussions about the need to create sustainable institutions: specifically, Conservation Agriculture Centres of Excellence (CA-CoEs) in Africa. The CA-CoEs model includes a stakeholder team, a shared facility or an entity that provides leadership, best practices, research, support and/or training in CA, with linkages to service providers along the value chain. This literature-based research involved systematic identification, collection, analysis and documentation of data to identify and address the unique roles these CA-CoEs play in the promotion and adoption of CA and their level of performance. It employed a CA quality assurance self-assessment tool to measure the performance of the CA-CoEs against predetermined performance descriptors. Although the CA-CoEs are facilitating and catalysing adoption of CA, their capacity in providing the CA-related programmes, training and research is not optimal. CA-CoE quality assurance of services can be helpful in identification and design of measures for addressing the challenges faced. To be impactful, CA-CoEs need well-coordinated, participatory and demand-driven CA-based agricultural practices, information services and knowledge for farmers and other stakeholders such as non-governmental organizations (NGOs), CA service providers and CA equipment manufacturers.
The future: towards agenda 2063.
Authors: Bwalya Martin , Mkomwa Saidi , Shula Reynolds , Lugandu Simon , Kassam Amir 
Published: January 2022

Abstract

This chapter discusses the foreseeable future of agriculture in Africa, which has a major contribution to make in terms of food security, and also in terms of economic, social and environmental development. The changing climate in Africa already calls for the adoption of the best alternative agricultural production strategy that can deliver both productivity and ecosystem services. This chapter also highlights important findings from the book such as the new expertise and experience in Conservation Agriculture (CA) that has been gained, especially during the last decade. Research, training, farmer innovation and the increasing agricultural investments in institution building mean that CA now holds greater promise of serving as a sustainable pillar in the implementation of Agenda 2063. Also included in this chapter is a transcription of the speech of the Director General of the Department of Agriculture, Forestry and Fisheries (DAFF), Mr Mzamo Michael Mlenganaduring during the official opening of the Congress, wherein he called for a greater contribution by CA and the multi-stakeholder CA community of practice towards Agenda 2063.
Evaluation of phenotype-driven gene prioritization methods for Mendelian diseases
Authors: Yuan Xiao , Wang Jing , Dai Bing , Sun Yanfang , Zhang Keke , Chen Fangfang , Peng Qian , Huang Yixuan , Zhang Xinlei , Chen Junru , Xu Xilin , Chuan Jun , Mu Wenbo , Li Huiyuan , Fang Ping , Gong Qiang , Zhang Peng 
Published: January 2022

AbstractIt’s challenging work to identify disease-causing genes from the next-generation sequencing (NGS) data of patients with Mendelian disorders. To improve this situation, researchers have developed many phenotype-driven gene prioritization methods using a patient’s genotype and phenotype information, or phenotype information only as input to rank the candidate’s pathogenic genes. Evaluations of these ranking methods provide practitioners with convenience for choosing an appropriate tool for their workflows, but retrospective benchmarks are underpowered to provide statistically significant results in their attempt to differentiate. In this research, the performance of ten recognized causal-gene prioritization methods was benchmarked using 305 cases from the Deciphering Developmental Disorders (DDD) project and 209 in-house cases via a relatively unbiased methodology. The evaluation results show that methods using Human Phenotype Ontology (HPO) terms and Variant Call Format (VCF) files as input achieved better overall performance than those using phenotypic data alone. Besides, LIRICAL and AMELIE, two of the best methods in our benchmark experiments, complement each other in cases with the causal genes ranked highly, suggesting a possible integrative approach to further enhance the diagnostic efficiency. Our benchmarking provides valuable reference information to the computer-assisted rapid diagnosis in Mendelian diseases and sheds some light on the potential direction of future improvement on disease-causing gene prioritization methods.