Article
Green & Sustainable Science & Technology
Janina Dierks, Wilma J. Blaser-Hart, Hannes A. Gamper, Johan Six
Summary: This study finds that arbuscular mycorrhizal fungi can increase crop uptake of nitrogen derived from common trees in African smallholder maize fields, sustainably enhancing these agroecosystems.
NATURE SUSTAINABILITY
(2022)
Article
Development Studies
Bekele Hundie Kotu, Oyakhilomen Oyinbo, Irmgard Hoeschle-Zeledon, Abdul Rahman Nurudeen, Fred Kizito, Benedict Boyubie
Summary: This study examines farmers' preferences for sustainable intensification of maize production technologies in northern Ghana. The findings indicate that farmers are interested in maize-based cropping systems that align with sustainable intensification. The study highlights the importance of considering preference heterogeneities among farmers and adapting to local conditions for development actions to succeed.
Article
Agriculture, Multidisciplinary
Dries Roobroeck, Cheryl A. Palm, Generose Nziguheba, Ray Weil, Bernard Vanlauwe
Summary: The use of mineral fertilizers is essential to enhance crop productivity in Sub-Saharan Africa, but non-responsiveness to inorganic fertilizers has been observed in maize and soybean crops. This phenomenon is influenced by multiple factors, and is not consistently related to soil texture and land slope.
AGRICULTURE ECOSYSTEMS & ENVIRONMENT
(2021)
Article
Agronomy
Thomas Katterer, Dries Roobroeck, Geoffrey Kimutai, Erik Karltun, Gert Nyberg, Cecilia Sundberg, Kristina Roing de Nowina
Summary: Applying biochar to degraded cropland soils in the African tropics has the potential to enhance crop productivity and mitigate climate change. A study conducted in different locations in Kenya demonstrated that locally produced biochar from biomass wastes can improve agricultural production and carbon storage under various pedo-climatic conditions.
AGRONOMY FOR SUSTAINABLE DEVELOPMENT
(2022)
Article
Agriculture, Multidisciplinary
Mirja Michalscheck, Fred Kizito, Bekele H. Kotu, Franklin K. Avornyo, Carl Timler, Jeroen C. J. Groot
Summary: Smallholder farmers in Northern Ghana face regular shocks that challenge the sustainability of their farms and livelihoods. Different farm types have varying vulnerability, buffer, and adaptive capacity towards severe climate, economic, and social shocks. Coping strategies differ among households and household members, with the drought shock having the most severe impact on all farm types. Strategies for resilience include technology adoption for sustainable intensification and gendered coping strategies such as livestock sales and post-harvest storage.
INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF AGRICULTURAL SUSTAINABILITY
(2023)
Article
Agronomy
Nurudeen Abdul Rahman, Asamoah Larbi, Bekele Kotu, Mary Otiwaa Asante, Daniel Brain Akakpo, Shaibu Mellon-Bedi, Irmgard Hoeschle-Zeledon
Summary: The study showed that maize-legume strip cropping in West Africa can significantly increase income, reduce operating risk, and save agricultural land compared to sole cropping.
Article
Agriculture, Multidisciplinary
Natson Eyram Amengor, Dadson Awunyo-Vitor, Bright Owusu Asante, Camillus Abawiera Wongnaa
Summary: Maize production and its low yield remain a problem in Ghana, exacerbated by changing weather patterns. The study explores the awareness and adoption rates of Drought Tolerant Maize, as well as the factors influencing adoption. The findings reveal regional disparities in awareness, adoption, and potential adoption rates, primarily attributed to a lack of information. To address these issues, there is a need for improved agricultural technologies and targeted training programs to educate farmers on best practices in drought conditions.
COGENT FOOD & AGRICULTURE
(2022)
Article
Environmental Sciences
William C. D. Nelson, Munir P. Hoffmann, Carlotta May, Frederick Mashao, Kingsley Ayisi, Jude Odhiambo, Thomas Bringhenti, Jan Henning Feil, Sara Yazdan Bakhsh, Issaka Abdulai, Reimund P. Roetter
Summary: This study focuses on the limitations of sustainable intensification of maize-based farming systems for smallholder farmers in South Africa, with a case study in the Limpopo province. By combining survey data and quantitative agronomic observations, the researchers evaluated different technology packages over a period of 21 seasons. The simulations showed that combining multiple management interventions resulted in the highest maize grain yields and lowest harvest failure risk. They also found that simple agronomic adjustments based on weather forecasts can turn rainfall variability into an opportunity.
ENVIRONMENTAL RESEARCH LETTERS
(2022)
Article
Agronomy
Banchayehu Tessema Assefa, Jordan Chamberlin, Martin K. Van Ittersum, Pytrik Reidsma
Summary: Maize yields can be improved through a combination of individual techniques and management practices, but the full potential benefits are best realized when complementary practices are integrated. Complementary management practices can improve yields, but if not combined properly, they may actually decrease yields. It is important to pay attention to the combination of crop protection and integrated management for optimal maize production.
Review
Food Science & Technology
Jonathan Reich, Siddhartho S. Paul, Sieglinde S. Snapp
Summary: The study found that sustainable intensification (SI) technologies in smallholder agriculture show multidimensional performance and highlight the need for enhancing long-term studies, assessment of soil C stocks, food security, gender, labor, and wild biodiversity.
GLOBAL FOOD SECURITY-AGRICULTURE POLICY ECONOMICS AND ENVIRONMENT
(2021)
Article
Green & Sustainable Science & Technology
Thomas Knoke, Elizabeth Gosling, Esther Reith, Andres Gerique, Perdita Pohle, Liz Valle Carrion, Wilman Santiago Ochoa Moreno, Luz Maria Castro, Baltazar Calvas, Patrick Hildebrandt, Martin Doellerer, Felix Bastit, Carola Paul
Summary: Sustainable intensification of agricultural lands can potentially balance tropical forest conservation and food production, but the lack of in-depth assessments considering uncertainty and extreme values is a challenge. Extreme values for indicators of farmer satisfaction may hinder the adoption of sustainable intensification, while pure forest conservation strategy performs better in terms of farmer satisfaction. Agricultural subsidies can break the dominance of pure forest conservation and enhance the economic returns of sustainable intensification.
SUSTAINABILITY SCIENCE
(2022)
Article
Agronomy
Thomas Awio, Kalimuthu Senthilkumar, Christian O. Dimkpa, George William Otim-Nape, Paul C. Struik, Tjeerd Jan Stomph
Summary: Increasing productivity per unit area is crucial for meeting cereal demand in sub-Saharan Africa. This study evaluated the contribution of recommended agronomic practices (RAP) and fertilization on closing the yield gap. Results showed that RAP and farmer-selected best practices significantly increased grain yield, while NPK fertilization further enhanced the yield. Different agronomic practices have varying effects on reducing the yield gap and need to be considered in terms of cost and fertilizer prices.
Article
Infectious Diseases
Oladeji Bamidele, Abdulmojeed Yakubu, Ehase Buba Joseph, Tunde Adegoke Amole
Summary: There is a high prevalence of antibiotic resistance among bacterial isolates from smallholder poultry in the Guinea Savanna agro-ecological zone of Nigeria. Salmonella spp. and Escherichia coli are the most prevalent species with multi-drug resistance. The use of antibiotics significantly influences the prevalence of bacterial species.
Article
Multidisciplinary Sciences
Bekele Hundie Kotu, Abdul Rahman Nurudeen, Francis Muthoni, Irmgard Hoeschle-Zeledon, Fred Kizito
Summary: This study assessed the potential impact of applying a new groundnut planting density on the welfare of smallholder farmers in northern Ghana. The findings showed that increasing plant density can increase farmers' financial returns and promoting a more integrated groundnut value-chain can further enhance farmers' welfare.
Article
Agricultural Economics & Policy
Chalmers K. Mulwa, Milu Muyanga, Martine Visser
Summary: The study explores the impact of large grain traders in sub-Saharan Africa on the adoption of sustainable agricultural inputs. Results indicate that selling to large grain traders leads to higher adoption rates of key agricultural intensification inputs such as inorganic fertilizer and improved seed. Land ownership is also identified as a critical factor for entry into large grain trader markets.
AGRICULTURAL ECONOMICS
(2021)
Article
Agriculture, Dairy & Animal Science
D. B. Akakpo, I. J. M. de Boer, K. E. Giller, S. Adjei-Nsiah, A. J. Duncan, S. J. Oosting
Summary: Crop residues have the potential to address feed shortages and nutrient deficiencies in West Africa. This study assessed the nutritional quality of grain legume fodders under different storage conditions. The results showed that farmers and sheep were able to distinguish quality differences based on physical characteristics, while laboratory analyses could not. Correlations were found between the different quality assessment methods, with crop differences being the important determinants. This highlights the value of farmers' knowledge in formulating and implementing interventions.
SMALL RUMINANT RESEARCH
(2022)
Article
Multidisciplinary Sciences
Samuel Adjei-Nsiah, David Martei, Adam Yakubu, Jacob Ulzen
Summary: Soybean cultivation in the semi-deciduous forest zone of Ghana can be improved by the application of phosphorus fertilizer and rhizobia inoculation. The combined application of phosphorus and inoculant showed the highest yield. Additionally, the study found that soybean cultivation did not significantly affect maize yield.
Article
Food Science & Technology
James Sumberg, Ken E. Giller
Summary: This paper critically examines the framing of 'alternative' versus 'conventional' agriculture and argues that the use of the term conventional agriculture is a strategy of homogenization, normalization, and othering. The paper suggests that focusing on the contributions of different farming systems to the sustainability of agriculture is a more productive approach.
GLOBAL FOOD SECURITY-AGRICULTURE POLICY ECONOMICS AND ENVIRONMENT
(2022)
Article
Food Science & Technology
Andrew Dorward, Ken E. Giller
Summary: The author, who had a major stroke in November 2014, recently regained consciousness and resumed engagement with literature and discussions on agricultural development and climate change. They highlight the lack of attention given to important issues such as climate change impacts on smallholder agriculture, biodiversity conservation, and the need for global financial institution reforms. Additionally, the author comments on emerging issues like animal-free foods and artificial intelligence, concluding by suggesting areas that deserve more attention.
GLOBAL FOOD SECURITY-AGRICULTURE POLICY ECONOMICS AND ENVIRONMENT
(2022)
Article
Ecology
Steven Matema, Catharina H. A. M. Eilers, Akke J. van der Zijpp, Ken E. Giller
Summary: This study aimed to understand the conditions under which people and wildlife can coexist in wetlands in drylands. The findings showed that high population density and riverine agriculture limited wildlife access to wetlands. Factors such as seasonality, drought, water availability, and limited alternative livelihood opportunities further exacerbated human-wildlife conflict. Therefore, strategies that address rent-seeking behavior and promote coexistence are necessary.
AFRICAN JOURNAL OF ECOLOGY
(2022)
Article
Agriculture, Multidisciplinary
Gatien N. Falconnier, Louise Leroux, Damien Beillouin, Marc Corbeels, Robert J. Hijmans, Camila Bonilla-Cedrez, Mark van Wijk, Katrien Descheemaeker, Shamie Zingore, Francois Affholder, Santiago Lopez-Ridaura, Eric Malezieux, David Makowski, Jairos Rurinda, Martin K. van Ittersum, Bernard Vanlauwe, Ken E. Giller, Sabine-Karen Lammoglia, Katharina Waha
Summary: This study estimated the impact of increasing maize yields with mineral fertilizer on household food security and regional/national maize supply in Uganda and Tanzania. Results showed that increasing fertilizer input could significantly improve food security in both countries, but the regions with the highest potential for increased maize supply did not align with the regions where household food security was most improved.
AGRICULTURAL SYSTEMS
(2023)
Article
Biodiversity Conservation
Gabriel Y. K. Moinet, Renske Hijbeek, Detlef P. van Vuuren, Ken E. Giller
Summary: The role of soil organic carbon (SOC) sequestration as a 'win-win' solution to both climate change and food insecurity is critically examined in this article. The inclusion of SOC saturation in estimations significantly reduces the potential contribution of SOC sequestration to climate change mitigation, and the observed yield effects of increasing SOC are inconsistent. The article argues for a shift towards soil-smart agriculture that takes into account specific local conditions and quantifies multiple soil functions for land sustainability and food security.
GLOBAL CHANGE BIOLOGY
(2023)
Article
Food Science & Technology
Ilse de Jager, Gerrie W. J. van de Ven, Ken E. Giller, Inge D. Brouwer
Summary: This study examines the gap between food availability and dietary needs in rural sub-Saharan Africa during the 'hunger season'. Findings highlight the importance of considering seasonality in nutrition-sensitive farming and the necessity of increasing yields of staple crops to free up space for nutritious foods like vegetables. Additionally, small farms rely on income from agriculture and other sources to meet their dietary needs. Overall, the results emphasize the value of modeling dietary effects from agricultural interventions in specific contexts, considering a local feasible nutritious diet and seasonality.
Article
Multidisciplinary Sciences
Hannington Bukomeko, Godfrey Taulya, Antonius G. T. Schut, Gerrie W. J. van de Ven, Jerome Kubiriba, Ken Giller
Summary: Banana weevil is a major pest in East African Highland Banana, but the relationship between crop nutritional status and weevil damage is not well understood. In this study, the effect of insecticides alone and in combination with fertilisers on weevil damage was evaluated using data from two experiments in Uganda. The results showed that chlorpyrifos reduced weevil damage, while N increased damage. Also, application of K and Si reduced weevil damage compared to the control. These findings suggest that combining chlorpyrifos with K and Si fertilisers can help control weevil damage in bananas with low nutrient availability.
Article
Agriculture, Dairy & Animal Science
Wilson C. Wilson, Maja Slingerland, Frederick P. Baijukya, Ken E. Giller, Simon Oosting
Summary: The demand for chicken meat and eggs in Tanzania exceeds production capacity due to low productivity of the sector. This study examines the yield gap in chicken production in Tanzania and explores the potential for increased production by addressing feed deficiencies. The findings highlight inadequate feed quantity and quality, lack of awareness about aflatoxin contamination, and the need for improved feeding strategies to ensure suitable and safe feed formulations.
Article
Agronomy
Joost van Heerwaarden, Esther Ronner, Frederick Baijukya, Samuel Adjei-Nsiah, Peter Ebanyat, Nkeki Kamai, Endalkachew Wolde-meskel, Bernard Vanlauwe, Ken E. Giller
Summary: Grain legumes are crucial for sustainable production systems in sub-Saharan Africa, but nutrient deficiencies limit their yields. While nitrogen requirements can be met through symbiosis with N2-fixing bacteria, other nutrients like phosphorus, potassium, and micronutrients may still be lacking and need supplementation. Response to phosphorus is generally positive but variable, while other nutrients show weak or localized effects.
FIELD CROPS RESEARCH
(2023)
Article
Education & Educational Research
Urcil Papito Kenfack Essougong, Maja Slingerland, Syndhia Mathe, Ken E. Giller, Cees Leeuwis
Summary: This study assessed cocoa farmers' access to, demand for, and satisfaction with five innovation support services in Central Cameroon. The results showed that farmers mostly received training and advice, while inputs, credit, and equipment were the most demanded services. Farmers' satisfaction with service outcomes increased with the number of services received, and location, certification involvement, seniority, and leadership position in farmers' organizations significantly influenced access and demand for services.
JOURNAL OF AGRICULTURAL EDUCATION & EXTENSION
(2023)
Article
Agriculture, Multidisciplinary
James Sumberg, Ken E. Giller, Dominic Glover
Summary: This paper explores the different definitions and meanings of principles and practices in agronomy literature. Understanding the use of these terms provides valuable insights into ongoing debates and politics about the future of agriculture and food. Furthermore, proclaiming and defining principles is a way to exercise discursive power and establish authority in a crowded marketplace.
OUTLOOK ON AGRICULTURE
(2023)
Article
Food Science & Technology
Tesfahun Alemayehu, Guy Marius Assogba, Silke Gabbert, Ken E. Giller, James Hammond, Aminou Arouna, Elliott Ronald Dossou-Yovo, Gerrie W. J. van de Ven
Summary: This study assesses and analyzes the characteristics of smallholder farm households in the inland valleys of West Africa, including their agricultural, economic, and institutional indicators. The findings indicate that there are greater variations between regions than within regions in terms of demographic, economic, and institutional characteristics of the farm households. Rice production plays a crucial role in the daily energy intake and economic income of the farmers. Additionally, the farmers attach high importance to the ecosystem services provided by the inland valleys, particularly in terms of food provisioning.
FRONTIERS IN SUSTAINABLE FOOD SYSTEMS
(2022)
Article
Food Science & Technology
Rechiatu Asei, Robert C. Abaidoo, Andrews Opoku, Samuel Adjei-Nsiah
Summary: Studies have shown that continuous application of N, P, and K fertilizers can deplete secondary and micronutrients, which limit crop growth and yield. An on-farm trial in Ghana found that the combination of site-specific nutrient fertilizers and compost can significantly increase soybean yield and phosphorus use efficiency. The application of FertiSoil with mineral fertilizer can increase soybean grain yield, while using only 50% of the recommended rate of mineral fertilizer with FertiSoil can greatly increase yield at certain locations. In addition, incorporating FertiSoil and mineral fertilizer can improve soil properties, such as exchangeable K, Ca, and Mg, as well as microbial C and P.
FRONTIERS IN SUSTAINABLE FOOD SYSTEMS
(2022)