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Exploring options for sustainable intensification in different farming system types of four Africa RISING countries

OAR@ICRISAT

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Relation http://oar.icrisat.org/9198/
 
Title Exploring options for sustainable intensification in different farming system types of four
Africa RISING countries
 
Creator Timler, C
Michalscheck, M
Klapwijk, C
Mashingaidze, N
Ollenburger, M
Falconnier, G
Kuivanen, K
Descheemaeker, K
Groot, J
 
Subject Agriculture-Farming, Production, Technology, Economics
 
Description Sustainable intensification is proposed as a promising way to increase the productivity of
agricultural systems while reducing pressure on ecosystems, safeguarding equitable relations
among societal groups, and supporting the economic viability of households, enterprises, and
communities. In sub-Saharan Africa, the identification and dissemination of options for
sustainable intensification is hampered by the large diversity within and between farming
systems, and their complexity arising from the interactions among different farm components
and external factors. This study therefore uses an integrated farming systems approach to identify
and assess context-specific improvements that can then be implemented and tested on-farm to
foster experiential learning and facilitate adoption.
We conducted a farming systems analysis for nine Africa RISING intervention sites across four
countries, based on rapid and detailed farm characterizations, followed by model-supported
diagnosis, and exploration of options for sustainable intensification. Farm diversity was
described and analyzed by means of typologies and cross-site comparisons.
Identified constraints varied depending on site and farming system type, but commonly included
low input availability, climatic variability, poor soil fertility, sub-optimal livestock feeding,
biotic stresses, and poor access to training and technical advice, all impairing farm productivity,
returns to labor and capital inputs, income generation and food security. We investigated entry
points that tackle the above constraints by exploring alternative farm configurations,
technologies and practices for representative farms. By assessing potential impact of these
changes on indicators beyond productivity, trade-offs were identified and assessed, for instance
between profitability and household food self-sufficiency, and between nitrogen availability for
crop uptake and increased nutrient losses. Taking a systems perspective during the entry point
evaluation allowed differentiating potential effects on indicators at the field level versus the farm
and household level. The exploration of options for specific farming system types now enables
more targeted testing of promising innovations with farmers in the second project phase.
 
Date 2015-03
 
Type Conference or Workshop Item
PeerReviewed
 
Format application/pdf
 
Language en
 
Rights —
 
Identifier http://oar.icrisat.org/9198/1/Exploring%20options%20.pdf
Timler, C and Michalscheck, M and Klapwijk, C and Mashingaidze, N and Ollenburger, M and Falconnier, G and Kuivanen, K and Descheemaeker, K and Groot, J (2015) Exploring options for sustainable intensification in different farming system types of four Africa RISING countries. In: International Conference in Integrated Systems Research, March 03 - 06, 2015, Ibadan, Nigeria.