Review
Environmental Sciences
Tony W. Carr, Siyabusa Mkuhlani, Alcade C. Segnon, Zakari Ali, Robert Zougmore, Alan D. Dangour, Rosemary Green, Pauline Scheelbeek
Summary: This study systematically reviewed the impact of climate change on major staple crop yields in West Africa and analyzed the potential of common agricultural adaptation strategies. The results showed that crop yields declined by a median of 6% due to climate change in all scenarios analyzed. However, by adopting adaptation strategies such as optimized planting dates and resilient crop varieties, crop yields affected by climate change could be increased by 13%. Increased fertilizer use did not mitigate the impact of climate change on crops but could substantially increase yields. The study suggests that a combination of increased fertilizer use and adopting cropping practices that take advantage of favorable climate conditions has great potential to protect and enhance future crop production in West Africa.
ENVIRONMENTAL RESEARCH LETTERS
(2022)
Article
Business
T. O. Ojo, A. A. Ogundeji, J. A. Belle
Summary: This study investigated farmers' perceptions of climate change and adoption of adaptation strategies in different provinces of South Africa. The results showed that on-farm demonstrations had a positive impact on climate change adoption strategies, and soil and water conservation, migration, and improved varieties were identified as the most suitable adaptation strategies in South Africa.
TECHNOLOGICAL FORECASTING AND SOCIAL CHANGE
(2021)
Article
Green & Sustainable Science & Technology
Jeetendra Prakash Aryal, Dil Bahadur Rahut, Paswel Marenya
Summary: This study investigates the adoption of anticipatory and reactive strategies to manage drought in sub-Saharan Africa, based on data collected from 4351 farm households in five countries. The findings reveal that farmers commonly use measures such as drought-tolerant crop varieties, sustainable land management, alternative employment, savings, and food preservation as anticipatory strategies, and replanting, using drought-tolerant varieties, reducing food consumption, seeking alternative employment, and borrowing as reactive strategies. The study concludes that climate change adaptation policies should prioritize the dissemination of drought-tolerant crops and varieties, as well as strengthening farmers' physical and human capital resources.
ENVIRONMENT DEVELOPMENT AND SUSTAINABILITY
(2023)
Article
Development Studies
Rosaine N. Yegbemey
Summary: The study identified main land use strategies driven by climate change at the farm-level, including crop association/rotation, land reallocation/change of cropping patterns, water and soil conservation strategies, and field relocation. Socioeconomic characteristics of farmers have significant but differential effects on the choices of land use strategies. Extension services need to be revisited to better support smallholder farmers in adopting recommended strategies.
CLIMATE AND DEVELOPMENT
(2021)
Article
Geography
Constantin Seidl, Sarah Ann Wheeler, Alec Zuo
Summary: In the face of future uncertainty due to changes in markets, industry structures, and climate, irrigators in the Murray-Darling Basin will need to adapt. The study found that succession planning and past adaptation experience significantly influence planned future adaptation, with financial capital being the strongest driver for accommodating adaptation. Expansive and contractive adaptation are more strongly impacted by human and social capital variables.
JOURNAL OF RURAL STUDIES
(2021)
Article
Ecology
Fentahun Abebe, Alec Zuo, Sarah Ann Wheeler, Henning Bjornlund, Mario Chilundo, Luitfred Kissoly, Thabani Dube
Summary: This study examines planned and actual farmer adaptation behavior in irrigation schemes in south-eastern Africa. The findings indicate that land size, previous adaptation experience, and credit access are positively associated with all types of adaptation. The study also highlights the significant difference between planned and actual practices, with more farmers actually undertaking the practices. This result may be attributed to project interventions that resolved past issues and enhanced farmers' adaptive capacity. Improving the availability and quality of education, extension services, and finance could further encourage farm adaptation.
ECOLOGICAL ECONOMICS
(2022)
Article
Environmental Sciences
Doan Nainggolan, Faizal Rahmanto Moeis, Mette Termansen
Summary: Farmers' decisions to adopt new technology or measures for agricultural production processes are crucial for adapting to climate change. Risk preference has received great attention over the years in agriculture-related studies as it has been identified as a strong driver for agricultural production decisions.
MITIGATION AND ADAPTATION STRATEGIES FOR GLOBAL CHANGE
(2023)
Article
Geosciences, Multidisciplinary
Selamawit Fantahun Sertse, Nasir Abbas Khan, Ashfaq Ahmad Shah, Yonggong Liu, Syed Asif Ali Naqvi
Summary: The study shows that agriculture in Ethiopia is facing significant challenges from climate change, with farmers adopting various adaptation strategies to manage climate risks. Changes in temperature, precipitation, and rainfall patterns have been perceived by farm households, leading to adoption of measures such as crop diversification, mulching, and soil and water management to cope with the changing climate conditions.
INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF DISASTER RISK REDUCTION
(2021)
Article
Green & Sustainable Science & Technology
Sarah Ephrida Tione, Dorothy Nampanzira, Gloria Nalule, Olivier Kashongwe, Samson Pilanazo Katengeza
Summary: Compelling evidence in Sub-Saharan Africa shows that Climate-Smart Agriculture has a positive impact on agricultural productivity. However, the uptake of CSA remains low, which is related to human-related decisions about CSA and agricultural land use. This paper assesses households' decisions to allocate agricultural land to CSA technologies across space and over time. The results show that household decisions to use CSA and the extent of agricultural land allocation to CSA remain low with a negative trend over time. Owned land and accessing land through rental markets are positively associated with allocating land to CSA technologies.
Article
Development Studies
Charissa Bosma, Lars Hein
Summary: Climate change and land use change are two global forces that have wide-ranging effects on socio-ecological systems. However, they are often considered separately in investment programs. This paper explores an integrated approach to consider their interactions in climate adaptation and ecosystem conservation investments. The analysis identifies forest conservation, protection of peatlands, climate-smart agriculture, and restoration of degraded lands as priorities for interventions. The paper also suggests a set of systemic investment principles to guide capital allocation for climate adaptation and conservation.
SUSTAINABLE DEVELOPMENT
(2023)
Review
Environmental Sciences
Bahati A. Magesa, Geetha Mohan, Hirotaka Matsuda, Indrek Melts, Mohamed Kefi, Kensuke Fukushi
Summary: The study evaluates the choices and adoption of adaptation measures by smallholder farmers to reduce the effects of climate change on their farming activities. It summarizes four categories of adaptation strategies based on a systematic review of associated studies, including crop varieties and management, water and soil management, financial schemes, migration, and culture, and agriculture and weather services. The findings suggest that while current strategies such as crop diversification and planting drought-tolerant varieties are effective, more transformative changes, such as infrastructure development and livelihood diversification, should be considered for future extreme climate changes.
Article
Green & Sustainable Science & Technology
Nasir Abbas Khan, Zaiwu Gong, Ashfaq Ahmad Shah, Muhammad Abid, Uttam Khanal
Summary: The study investigated rice farmers' autonomous adaptation strategies to climate change, indicating that practices such as irrigation water management and changing cultivation dates have been adopted to mitigate adverse effects. Factors such as land and tube well ownership, off-farm income, credit use, and access to climate information were found to influence farmers' adaptation decisions. Farmers who implemented at least one adaptation measure achieved higher rice yields and profits compared to those who did not adopt any measures, with multiple adaptation strategies leading to increased profits.
ENVIRONMENT DEVELOPMENT AND SUSTAINABILITY
(2021)
Article
Environmental Sciences
T. O. Ojo, A. A. Adetoro, A. A. Ogundeji, J. A. Belle
Summary: The study found that factors such as location, access to extension, farming experience, crop and livestock production, among others, influence smallholder farmers' adoption of climate change adaptation strategies; while location, age, marital status, gender, among other factors, influence the decision to adopt climate change adaptation strategies; and factors like location, education, and drought experience affect smallholder farmers' access to credit.
SCIENCE OF THE TOTAL ENVIRONMENT
(2021)
Article
Food Science & Technology
Jaber Rahimi, John Yumbya Mutua, An M. O. Notenbaert, Karen Marshall, Klaus Butterbach-Bahl
Summary: Demand for animal products in East Africa is expected to increase, but rising temperatures due to climate change will negatively impact livestock production. A modeling study shows that dangerous heat-stress events will become more frequent, particularly affecting swine and poultry, urging the development of heat-stress mitigation measures and breeding programs for future livestock sector productivity in the region.
Article
Environmental Studies
Zobaer Ahmed, Gauri S. Guha, Aaron M. Shew, G. M. Monirul Alam
Summary: The study reveals that residents of riverine char islands perceive droughts, river erosion, and floods as major climatic risks. Furthermore, it indicates that char dwellers are more exposed to diverse climatic hazards. Additionally, the study shows that char inhabitants have employed various adaptation strategies in agriculture to respond to existing climate change risks.
Review
Agronomy
Tarirai Muoni, Mattias Jonsson, Alan J. Duncan, Christine A. Watson, Goran Bergkvist, Andrew P. Barnes, Ingrid Oborn
Summary: Legumes play a crucial role in smallholder farming in sub-Saharan Africa, providing livestock feed and enhancing soil fertility. However, the productivity of legumes varies greatly due to the heterogeneous environmental conditions and management practices. A meta-analysis of 128 publications was conducted to assess the effects of intercropping, rhizobia inoculation, minimum tillage, and phosphorus application on legume grain and biomass yield and nitrogen fixation in different contexts. The results showed that intercropping improved overall productivity, while inoculation and phosphorus application increased legume yield. The effects varied depending on legume species, soil type, and other environmental factors.
FOOD AND ENERGY SECURITY
(2022)
Article
Environmental Studies
A. P. Barnes, J. McMillan, L-A Sutherland, J. Hopkins, S. G. Thomson
Summary: The study found that path dependency constrains farmers' intentions towards adopting climate smart approaches, and therefore agricultural policies need to differentiate their support for past adopters and those who are reluctant to adopt.
Article
Environmental Studies
Julie Ingram, Damian Maye, Clive Bailye, Andrew Barnes, Christopher Bear, Matthew Bell, David Cutress, Lynfa Davies, Auvikki de Boon, Liz Dinnie, Julian Gairdner, Caitlin Hafferty, Lewis Holloway, Daniel Kindred, David Kirby, Bethany Leake, Louise Manning, Ben Marchant, Aimee Morse, Simon Oxley, Martin Phillips, Aine Regan, Karen Rial-Lovera, David C. Rose, Juliette Schillings, Fiona Williams, Hefin Williams, Lucy Wilson
Summary: This study aims to identify key existing and emerging issues in digital agriculture and prioritize research questions through a participatory methodology. The study identifies 27 priority research questions across 7 themes and emphasizes the importance of value dimensions and social and institutional arrangements in supporting digital agriculture.
Article
Food Science & Technology
Hernan Botero, Andrew P. Barnes
Summary: This study analyzes the impact of El Nino Southern Oscillation (ENSO) on common bean production in Colombia. The results show that El Nino has a negative effect on yields, while La Nina does not. Additionally, deviations in precipitation from its long-run value due to ENSO in the short-term decrease yields and increase farmers' income from common bean production. The findings suggest the need for countercyclical policies to mitigate price spikes in the Colombian common bean market.
Article
Agricultural Economics & Policy
Andrew P. Barnes
Summary: Family farms dominate less favoured areas in Europe and family life-cycle conditions play a vital role in farm adaptation. A study on Scottish farms reveals that planned succession leads to higher farm efficiency, while farmers nearing retirement show lower levels. Factors such as subsidy dependence, off-farm activity, and severity of disadvantage also contribute to lower efficiencies. These findings emphasize the importance of considering life-cycle conditions in farm efficiency studies.
JOURNAL OF AGRICULTURAL ECONOMICS
(2023)
Article
Environmental Sciences
Bethan Thompson, Andrew P. Barnes, Luiza Toma
Summary: Understanding the factors that influence the adoption intensity of sustainable farming practices is crucial for the sustainable development of the food system. This study found that dispositional influences play a significant role in adoption intensity at the farm level, while productivity objectives have a negative association and value chain support has a positive association with adoption intensity. Participation in agri-environment schemes is not associated with farm-level adoption intensity.
JOURNAL OF ENVIRONMENTAL MANAGEMENT
(2022)
Article
Veterinary Sciences
Andrew P. Barnes, Andrew Moxey, Sarah Brocklehurst, Alyson Barratt, Iain J. McKendrick, Giles Innocent, Bouda Vosough Ahmadi
Summary: Control measures for bovine tuberculosis in Great Britain include testing and culling diseased animals, but farmers are not compensated for the consequential costs of complying with these measures. A survey of 1,600 farm holdings found that while most farms incur modest costs, some experience significant costs.
PREVENTIVE VETERINARY MEDICINE
(2023)
Article
Agricultural Economics & Policy
David Miller, Sophie Legras, Andrew Barnes, Mara Cazacu, Oriana Gava, Janne Helin, Katherine Irvine, Jochen Kantelhardt, Jan Landert, Laure Latruffe, Andreas Mayer, Andreas Niedermayr, Andrea Povellato, Lena Schaller, Gerald Schwarz, Pete Smith, Francesco Vanni, Lionel Vedrine, Davide Viaggi, Audrey Vincent, George Vlahos
Summary: Food systems need to be reoriented to take into account interactions with the environment, economy, health, and society. Transitions to agroecological farming practices and systems can help connect policy areas and achieve environmental, economic, and social goals.
Article
Agricultural Economics & Policy
Andrew Barnes, Helena Hansson, Larissa Billaudet, Gaelle Leduc, Gordana Manevska Tasevska, Mary Ryan, Bethan Thompson, Luiza Toma, Sabine Duvaleix-Treguer, Irene Tzouramani
Summary: Delivering an agricultural policy that addresses ecosystem and climatic pressures and weaknesses in our food system is complex. This study examines the barriers and motivations behind farmers' adoption of ecological practices in Europe. It finds that personal, technical, and institutional factors influence adoption, with tensions between environmental and production motivations being a key barrier. Coordinated efforts between the public and private sectors can help alleviate these tensions.
Article
Agriculture, Multidisciplinary
Andrew P. Barnes, Kev Bevan, Andrew Moxey, Sascha Grierson, Luiza Toma
Summary: This study assesses the heterogeneity in carbon emissions, resource usage, and financial performance of mixed LFA livestock farms in Scotland. Three profiles were identified, representing different levels of performance, including a group with low emissions intensity, high carbon productivity, high technical efficiency, and strong financial resilience.
AGRICULTURAL SYSTEMS
(2023)
Article
Agriculture, Multidisciplinary
Rosie Morrison, Nils Teufel, Alan Duncan, Andrew Barnes
Summary: The use of cultivated forages in smallholder dairy systems can effectively increase livestock productivity. Despite the ambition of the Kenyan and Ethiopian governments to promote forage adoption, policies have not achieved widespread results. This study explores the innovation environment and identifies a potential relationship between milk buyers and forage intensity in Ethiopia, which has not been addressed in previous research. Additionally, the study highlights the importance of informal institutions and farmer-to-farmer information transmission in adoption decisions in Kenya.
OUTLOOK ON AGRICULTURE
(2023)
Article
Entomology
Lois Kinneen, Maria Paula Escobar, Luis Miguel Hernandez, Jill Thompson, Yardany Ramos-Pastrana, Eric Cordoba-Suarez, Miguel Romero-Sanchez, Andrew Barnes, Marcela Quintero, Michael P. D. Garratt
Summary: Silvopastoral practices can help address the long-term loss of primary forests and their impacts on biodiversity and climate change mitigation in the Colombian Amazon. A study in Caqueta, Colombia found that silvopasture areas act as intermediate habitats, supporting similar invertebrate communities to traditional pasture and forest edges. This has positive implications for invertebrate conservation and ecosystem services.
AGRICULTURAL AND FOREST ENTOMOLOGY
(2023)
Article
Multidisciplinary Sciences
Tarek Soliman, Andrew Barnes, Irmelin Slettemoen Helgesen
Summary: Livestock disease outbreaks have indirect costs and carbon impact on greenhouse gas emissions. The severity of outbreaks determines the extent of indirect costs and their effect on carbon emissions. Foot and mouth disease outbreaks have the highest indirect costs and largest reduction in GHG emissions, while African swine fever has the smallest reduction in emissions.
Article
Multidisciplinary Sciences
C. O. Alvarado Sandino, A. P. Barnes, I. Sepulveda, M. P. D. Garratt, J. Thompson, M. P. Escobar-Tello
Summary: Current land use systems in the Amazon mainly consist of conventional productivist livestock operations that drive deforestation. Silvopastoral systems (SPS) can support a transition to low carbon production if they are intensified in line with biophysical and socio-economic contexts. Despite being promoted as an alternative livestock production system for decades, widespread adoption of SPS has yet to be seen. A context-specific approach is needed for the implementation of SPS in the Caqueta region of the Colombian Amazon, considering factors that are unique to this region. Managing increased market access and opportunities for SPS producers is crucial to prevent additional deforestation, and understanding the underlying factors that influence perceptions of silvopastoral systems can help avoid unintended policy outcomes.
SCIENTIFIC REPORTS
(2023)
Article
Environmental Sciences
Andrew P. Barnes, Bethan Thompson, Luiza Toma
Summary: This article explores the attitudes of farmers towards ecological farming and categorizes them into four types based on their ecological self-identities. The study finds that the acceptance of ecological approaches among farmers is influenced by social pressure and the acceptance of ecological practices within their supply chains. The authors argue for clear policy intent and supply chain dialogue to target specific groups of farmers for behavioral change.
CURRENT RESEARCH IN ENVIRONMENTAL SUSTAINABILITY
(2022)
