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Kale RB, Gavhane AD, Thorat VS, Gadge SS, Wayal SM, Gaikwad SY, Singh S, Khandagale KS, Bhat R, Mahajan V. Efficiency dynamics among onion growers in Maharashtra: a comparative analysis of drip irrigation adopters and non-adopters. BMC Plant Biol 2024; 24:237. [PMID: 38566021 PMCID: PMC10988828 DOI: 10.1186/s12870-024-04875-2] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/05/2024] [Accepted: 03/01/2024] [Indexed: 04/04/2024]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Onions are economically and nutritionally important vegetable crops. Despite advances in technology and acreage, Indian onion growers face challenges in realizing their full productivity potential. This study examines the technical efficiency of onion growers, the factors influencing it, and the constraints faced by those adopting drip irrigation in the Ghod river basin of western Maharashtra. A sample of 480 farmers including those practicing drip irrigation and those not practicing it, was selected from Junnar, Shirur, Parner, and Shrigonda blocks of the basin. The primary data was collected through semi-structured interviews. Analytical tools such as the Cobb-Douglas production function (represents technological relationship between multiple inputs and the resulting output), a single-stage stochastic frontier model, the Tobit model, and descriptive statistics were used to assess the technical efficiency of onion production at the farm level. RESULTS According to the maximum likelihood estimates of the stochastic frontier analysis, drip adopters exhibited a mean technical efficiency of 92%, while for non-adopters it was 65%. It indicates that the use of drip irrigation technology is associated with higher technical efficiency. The association of technical efficiency and socio-economic characters of households showed that education, extension contacts, social participation, and use of information sources had a positive influence on technical efficiency, while family size had a negative influence on the drip irrigation adopters. For non-drip adopters, significant positive effects were observed for landholding, extension contact, and information source use. The major constraints faced by drip system adopters included a lack of knowledge about the proper operating techniques for drip systems and the cost of maintenance. CONCLUSION The differences with inputs associated with two irrigation methods showed that the response of inputs to increase onion yield is greater for farmers who use drip irrigation than for farmers who do not, and are a result of the large differences in the technical efficiencies. These inefficiencies and other limitations following the introduction of drip irrigation, such as lack of knowledge about the proper operations, need to be addressed through tailored training for farmers and further interventions.
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Affiliation(s)
- Rajiv B Kale
- ICAR-Directorate of Onion and Garlic Research, Pune, Maharashtra, India.
| | | | | | - S S Gadge
- ICAR-Directorate of Onion and Garlic Research, Pune, Maharashtra, India
| | - Sagar M Wayal
- ICAR-Directorate of Onion and Garlic Research, Pune, Maharashtra, India
| | - Shivam Y Gaikwad
- ICAR-Directorate of Onion and Garlic Research, Pune, Maharashtra, India
| | - Sharadveer Singh
- ICAR-Directorate of Onion and Garlic Research, Pune, Maharashtra, India
| | | | - Rohini Bhat
- ICAR-Directorate of Onion and Garlic Research, Pune, Maharashtra, India
| | - Vijay Mahajan
- ICAR-Directorate of Onion and Garlic Research, Pune, Maharashtra, India.
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Martha GB, Barioni LG, Santos PM, Maule RF, Moran D. Getting pastoral systems productivity right. Sci Total Environ 2024; 916:170268. [PMID: 38246390 DOI: 10.1016/j.scitotenv.2024.170268] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/09/2023] [Revised: 01/15/2024] [Accepted: 01/16/2024] [Indexed: 01/23/2024]
Abstract
Beef production in pasture-based systems is increasingly contested due to related biophysical and environmental challenges. Addressing these requires rigorous science-based evidence to inform private decisions and public policies. Increasing yields and simultaneously reducing the negative environmental impacts of agricultural and livestock production are central to sustainable intensification approaches. Yet, stocking rate, the commonly used metric for animal productivity in pastures, or more broadly, of sustainable intensification in pastoral production systems, warrants scrutiny to signpost successful transformative change of food systems and to avoid provision of misleading policy advice. Here we discuss why future studies would benefit of considering the two constituent elements of productivity in pastoral systems - animal performance (kg of animal product/head) and stocking rates (heads/ha) -, rather than stocking rates alone.
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Affiliation(s)
- Geraldo B Martha
- Embrapa Digital Agriculture, Campinas, SP, Brazil; Graduate Program - Institute of Economics/Center for Studies in Applied, Agricultural and Environmental Economics (CEA), Unicamp - Campus Unicamp, Campinas, SP, Brazil.
| | | | | | - Rodrigo Fernando Maule
- Public Policy Group (GPP), "Luiz de Queiroz" College of Agriculture (Esalq), University of São Paulo (USP), Piracicaba, SP, Brazil
| | - Dominic Moran
- Global Academy of Agriculture and Food Security, University of Edinburgh, The Royal (Dick) School of Veterinary Studies and The Roslin Institute, Easter Bush Campus, Midlothian, UK
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3
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Adebayo WG. Cassava production in africa: A panel analysis of the drivers and trends. Heliyon 2023; 9:e19939. [PMID: 37809559 PMCID: PMC10559345 DOI: 10.1016/j.heliyon.2023.e19939] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/03/2022] [Revised: 09/05/2023] [Accepted: 09/06/2023] [Indexed: 10/10/2023] Open
Abstract
Cassava is Africa's most important tuberous crop. It is an all-year-round cheap and reliable staple food for millions of Africans, making it vital for food security on the continent. However, cassava production in Africa is hindered by a persistent problem of low yield per hectare. This study addresses the dearth of research on the specific influences of area harvested and yield per hectare on cassava production in Africa. This work uses panel data from 37 African countries from 1961 to 2020 and sheds light on three key aspects. Firstly, it investigates the extent and nature of the low yield per hectare problem, offering insights into its underlying causes and implications. Secondly, it examines the interplay between area harvested and yield per hectare, revealing the factors driving the observed trends in cassava yields on the continent. Lastly, this study contributes to the achievement of Sustainable Development Goals, particularly Goal 15: Life on Land and Goal 2: Zero Hunger, by providing valuable information to enhance cassava production sustainability. The findings indicate that approximately 95.6% of the variability in production can be explained by changes in the area harvested, around 1.1% by yield variability, about 27.6% by consumer price index and 1.8% by temperature changes. Notably, the study observes a significant increase in the area harvested by 16.8 million hectares and average yield levels varied between 5.7 and 9.6 tonnes per hectare. The analysis also reveals a disparity in translating gains from disease eradication and introducing high-yield, disease-resistant varieties into smallholder cassava farming. In conclusion, the study highlights the potential for sustainable intensification of cassava production as a viable pathway to enhance absolute and per-hectare yields while promoting farmers' income and mitigating cassava cultivation-related deforestation. Understanding and addressing the low yield per hectare problem in cassava production are crucial steps toward ensuring food security and achieving sustainable agricultural practices in Africa.
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Affiliation(s)
- Waidi Gbenro Adebayo
- Department of Philosophy, Politics and Economics, Witten/Herdecke University, Witten, Germany
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Johnson JM, Ibrahim A, Dossou-Yovo ER, Senthilkumar K, Tsujimoto Y, Asai H, Saito K. Inorganic fertilizer use and its association with rice yield gaps in sub-Saharan Africa. Glob Food Sec 2023; 38:100708. [PMID: 37752897 PMCID: PMC10518462 DOI: 10.1016/j.gfs.2023.100708] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/10/2023] [Revised: 06/28/2023] [Accepted: 07/11/2023] [Indexed: 09/28/2023]
Abstract
Where and which countries should receive higher priority for improving inorganic fertilizer use in rice fields in sub-Saharan Africa (SSA)? This study addressed this question by assessing the spatial variation in fertilizer use and its association with rice yield and yield gap in 24 SSA countries through a systematic literature review of peer-reviewed papers, theses, and grey literature published between 1995 and 2021. The results showed a large variation in N, P, and K fertilizer application rates and rice yield and an opportunity for narrowing the yield gap by increasing N and P rates, especially in irrigated rice systems. We identified clusters of sites/countries based on nutrient input and yield and suggested research and development strategies for improving yields and optimizing nutrient use efficiencies. Further research is essential to identify the factors causing low fertilizer use and the poor association between its use and yield in rainfed systems.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jean-Martial Johnson
- Africa Rice Center (AfricaRice), 01 B.P. 2551, Bouaké 01, Cote d'Ivoire
- Institute of Crop Science and Resource Conservation (INRES), University of Bonn, D-53115, Bonn, Germany
| | - Ali Ibrahim
- Africa Rice Center (AfricaRice), PMB 82, 901101, Abuja, Nigeria
| | | | | | - Yasuhiro Tsujimoto
- Japan International Research Center for Agricultural Sciences (JIRCAS), 1-1 Ohwashi, Tsukuba, Ibaraki, 3058686, Japan
| | - Hidetoshi Asai
- Japan International Research Center for Agricultural Sciences (JIRCAS), 1-1 Ohwashi, Tsukuba, Ibaraki, 3058686, Japan
| | - Kazuki Saito
- Africa Rice Center (AfricaRice), 01 B.P. 2551, Bouaké 01, Cote d'Ivoire
- International Rice Research Institute (IRRI), DAPO Box 7777, Metro Manila 1301, Philippines
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5
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Guo S, Zhang Z, Zhang F, Yang X. Optimizing cultivars and agricultural management practices can enhance soybean yield in Northeast China. Sci Total Environ 2023; 857:159456. [PMID: 36257418 DOI: 10.1016/j.scitotenv.2022.159456] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/04/2022] [Revised: 09/19/2022] [Accepted: 10/11/2022] [Indexed: 06/16/2023]
Abstract
Soybean is an important oil crop in China, and the national focus of soybean production is Northeast China. Crop yield is affected by climate, cultivars and agricultural management practices. Optimizing the composite impacts of these factors on soybean yield and yield gaps is crucial for the local agricultural community. In this study, we used the DSSAT-CROPGRO-Soybean model (validated based on longer-than-20-years agro-meteorological experiments data) to simulate the potential yield (Yp), attainable yield (Ya), and potential farmer's yield (Ypf) of soybean for 56 counties from 1981 to 2017 in Northeast China. Combined with actual farmer's yield (Yf), we computed different types of yield gaps. Furthermore, we optimized cultivars, agricultural management practices, and those interactions on soybean yield and yield gaps. On county-level, the Yp, Ya, Ypf and Yf averaged 5528.9, 4762.9, 3786.8 and 1918.8 kg ha-1, respectively. The total yield gap between Yf and Yp was 63.8 % of Yp. The yield gap between Ya and Yp was 12.8 %, which caused by uncontrollable factors; the yield gap between Ypf and Ya was 17.6 %, which caused by agronomic factors; and the yield gap between Yf and Ypf was 33.5 %, which caused by socioeconomic factors. During 1981-2017, climate, cultivar, sowing date and plant density change affected Ypf by -7.5, 4.5, -3.0 and - 2.0 %, respectively. By optimizing cultivar, sowing date and plant density, Ypf would increase by 13.1, 7.9 and 3.1 % and yield gap would close by 9.2, 5.6 and 2.1 %, respectively. By comprehensively optimizing cultivar, sowing date and plant density, Ypf would increase by 19.4 % and yield gap would close by 13.7 %. This work has practical significance for understanding climate, cultivar and agricultural management impacts on soybean yield, and demonstrates an effective approach, by optimizing cultivars and agricultural management practices to address climate change, increase yield and close yield gaps.
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Affiliation(s)
- Shibo Guo
- College of Resources and Environmental Sciences, China Agricultural University, Beijing 100193, China.
| | - Zhentao Zhang
- College of Resources and Environmental Sciences, China Agricultural University, Beijing 100193, China.
| | - Fangliang Zhang
- College of Resources and Environmental Sciences, China Agricultural University, Beijing 100193, China.
| | - Xiaoguang Yang
- College of Resources and Environmental Sciences, China Agricultural University, Beijing 100193, China.
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Kassa Y, Abie A, Mamo D, Ayele T. Exploring farmer perceptions and evaluating the performance of mung bean (Vigna radiata L) varieties in Amhara region, Ethiopia. Heliyon 2022; 8:e12525. [PMID: 36619424 DOI: 10.1016/j.heliyon.2022.e12525] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/13/2021] [Revised: 05/19/2022] [Accepted: 12/13/2022] [Indexed: 12/27/2022] Open
Abstract
The experiment is designed to evaluate the yield performance and profitability of mung bean varieties and to survey the innovation inclination of the farmers in the study area. The experiment was carried out in the potential environments of the North Shewa zone for two years during the main growing period. As experimental treatments, four mung bean cultivars of Rasa, NLV-1, Arkebe, and local varieties were used and evaluated across the four environments (two farmers' fields per each environment). The experimental plots were arranged in a simple random block design. The result of the combined analysis of variance revealed that there was highly significant variation (p < 0.01) of grain yield among the genotypes while the environments and genotype by environment interaction are found insignificant. The highest mean grain yield of 1430.6 kg ha-1 was obtained from the improved variety Rasa, which was selected first by the farmers followed by the variety NVL-1. The results also confirmed the existence of a strong and statistically significant association between the actual values rank and the farmers' preference rank for both grain and biomass yields (R = .80, p < .001). Also, the variety Rasa provides the highest (686.6%) marginal rate of return on investment. Therefore, by considering the results of the grain yield performance, farmers' selection, and the result of the partial budget analysis the variety Rasa was recommended for the study areas.
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Zheng Q, Siman K, Zeng Y, Teo HC, Sarira TV, Sreekar R, Koh LP. Future land-use competition constrains natural climate solutions. Sci Total Environ 2022; 838:156409. [PMID: 35660585 DOI: 10.1016/j.scitotenv.2022.156409] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/30/2022] [Revised: 05/28/2022] [Accepted: 05/29/2022] [Indexed: 06/15/2023]
Abstract
Natural climate solutions (NCS) are an essential complement to climate mitigation and have been increasingly incorporated into international mitigation strategies. Yet, with the ongoing population growth, allocating natural areas for NCS may compete with other socioeconomic priorities, especially urban development and food security. Here, we projected the impacts of land-use competition incurred by cropland and urban expansion on the climate mitigation potential of NCS. We mapped the areas available for implementing 9 key NCS strategies and estimated their climate change mitigation potential. Then, we overlaid these areas with future cropland and urban expansion maps projected under three Shared Socioeconomic Pathway (SSP) scenarios (2020-2100) and calculated the resulting mitigation potential loss of each selected NCS strategy. Our results estimate a substantial reduction, 0.3-2.8 GtCO2 yr-1 or 4-39 %, in NCS mitigation potential, of which cropland expansion for fulfilling future food demand is the primary cause. This impact is particularly severe in the tropics where NCS hold the most abundant mitigation potential. Our findings highlight immediate actions prioritized to tropical areas are important to best realize NCS and are key to developing realistic and sustainable climate policies.
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Affiliation(s)
- Qiming Zheng
- Centre for Nature-based Climate Solutions, National University of Singapore, 6 Science Drive 2, 117546, Singapore.
| | - Kelly Siman
- Centre for Nature-based Climate Solutions, National University of Singapore, 6 Science Drive 2, 117546, Singapore
| | - Yiwen Zeng
- Centre for Nature-based Climate Solutions, National University of Singapore, 6 Science Drive 2, 117546, Singapore
| | - Hoong Chen Teo
- Centre for Nature-based Climate Solutions, National University of Singapore, 6 Science Drive 2, 117546, Singapore
| | - Tasya Vadya Sarira
- Centre for Nature-based Climate Solutions, National University of Singapore, 6 Science Drive 2, 117546, Singapore
| | - Rachakonda Sreekar
- Centre for Nature-based Climate Solutions, National University of Singapore, 6 Science Drive 2, 117546, Singapore
| | - Lian Pin Koh
- Centre for Nature-based Climate Solutions, National University of Singapore, 6 Science Drive 2, 117546, Singapore
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8
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Arouna A, Devkota KP, Yergo WG, Saito K, Frimpong BN, Adegbola PY, Depieu ME, Kenyi DM, Ibro G, Fall AA, Usman S. Assessing rice production sustainability performance indicators and their gaps in twelve sub-Saharan African countries. Field Crops Res 2021; 271:108263. [PMID: 34539047 PMCID: PMC8417817 DOI: 10.1016/j.fcr.2021.108263] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/23/2021] [Revised: 08/01/2021] [Accepted: 08/02/2021] [Indexed: 05/31/2023]
Abstract
The benchmarking and monitoring of rice production performance indicators are essential for improving rice production self-sufficiency, increasing profitability, reducing labor requirements, optimizing fertilizer inputs, engaging youths in rice production, and increasing the overall sustainability of smallholder rice production systems in countries in sub-Saharan Africa (SSA). In this paper, we quantified five sustainability performance indicators (grain yield, net profit, labor productivity, and nitrogen (N) and phosphorus (P) use efficiencies) to benchmark rice production systems in SSA. Data were collected between 2013-2014 from 2907 farmers from two rice production systems (irrigated and rainfed lowlands) across five agroecological zones (arid, semiarid, humid, subhumid and highlands) in 12 countries (Benin, Cameroon, Cote d'Ivoire, Ghana, Madagascar, Mali, Niger, Nigeria, Senegal, Sierra Leone, Tanzania and Togo). The exploitable gap for each indicator (the difference between the mean of 10 % highest-yielding farms and the mean-yielding farms) was calculated across the countries, the two production systems and agroecological zones. The mean yield varied widely between 2.5 to 5.6 t ha-1 and 0.6 to 2.3 t ha-1 in irrigated and rainfed lowlands, respectively, with an average yield of 4.1 and 1.4 t ha-1, respectively. Across the country-production system combinations, there were yield gaps of 29-69 %, profit gaps of 10-89 %, and labor productivity gaps reaching 71 %. Yield, profit, and labor productivity were positively correlated. They were also positively correlated with N and P fertilizer application rate, but not with N and P use efficiencies. Only between 34-44 % of farmers had desirable ranges in N- or P-use efficiencies in the two production systems. All sites for rainfed lowlands were characterized by low-yield and large gaps in yield, profit, and labor productivity, whereas irrigated lowlands in some countries (Madagascar, Mali, and Togo) have similar characteristics as rainfed ones. We conclude that there is an urgent need to disseminate precision nutrient management practices for optimizing nutrient use efficiency and enhancing rice performance indicators especially in rainfed lowlands as well as low-yielding irrigated lowlands. Furthermore, we propose recommendations for specific categories (i.e. farmer, rice production system, agroecological zone and country) to close performance indicator gaps and to allow the production at scale to achieve rice self-sufficiency in SSA.
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Affiliation(s)
- Aminou Arouna
- Africa Rice Center (AfricaRice), 01 BP 2551, Bouaké, Cote d’Ivoire
| | | | | | - Kazuki Saito
- Africa Rice Center (AfricaRice), 01 BP 2551, Bouaké, Cote d’Ivoire
| | - Benedicta Nsiah Frimpong
- Council for Scientific and Industrial Research - Crops Research Institute (CSIR-CRI), Kumasi, Ghana
| | | | | | - Dorothy Malaa Kenyi
- Institut de Recherche Agricole pour le Développement (IRAD), Yaoundé, Cameroon
| | - Germaine Ibro
- Institut National de la Recherche Agronomique du Niger (INRAN), Niamey, Niger
| | | | - Sani Usman
- National Agricultural Extension and Research Liaison Services (NAERLS), Ahmadu Bello University, Zaria, Nigeria
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Devaux A, Goffart JP, Kromann P, Andrade-Piedra J, Polar V, Hareau G. The Potato of the Future: Opportunities and Challenges in Sustainable Agri-food Systems. Potato Res 2021; 64:681-720. [PMID: 34334803 PMCID: PMC8302968 DOI: 10.1007/s11540-021-09501-4] [Citation(s) in RCA: 33] [Impact Index Per Article: 11.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/05/2021] [Accepted: 02/18/2021] [Indexed: 05/06/2023]
Abstract
In the coming decades, feeding the expanded global population nutritiously and sustainably will require substantial improvements to the global food system worldwide. The main challenge will be how to produce more food with the same or fewer resources and waste less. Food security has four dimensions: food availability, food access, food use and quality, and food stability. Among several other food sources, the potato crop is one that can help match all these constraints worldwide due to its highly diverse distribution pattern, and its current cultivation and demand, particularly in developing countries with high levels of poverty, hunger, and malnutrition. After an overview of the current situation of global hunger, food security, and agricultural growth, followed by a review of the importance of the potato in the current global food system and its role played as a food security crop, this paper analyses and discusses how potato research and innovation can contribute to sustainable agri-food systems comparing rural and industrial agri-food systems with reference to food security indicators. It concludes with a discussion about the challenges for sustainable potato cropping enhancement considering the needs to increase productivity in rural-based potato food systems that predominate in low-income countries, while promoting better resource management and optimization in industrial-based agri-food systems considering factors such as quality, diversity of products, health impacts, and climate change effects. Research and innovation options and policies that could facilitate the requirements of both rural and industrial potato-based agri-food systems are described.
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Affiliation(s)
- André Devaux
- International Potato Center (CIP), Louvain-la-Neuve, Belgium
| | | | - Peter Kromann
- Field Crops, Wageningen Plant Research, Wageningen University & Research, Lelystad, The Netherlands
| | - Jorge Andrade-Piedra
- International Potato Center (CIP), CGIAR Research Program on Roots Tubers and Bananas, Lima, Peru
| | - Vivian Polar
- CGIAR Research Program on Roots, Tubers and Bananas (RTB), CIP, Lima, Peru
| | - Guy Hareau
- International Potato Center (CIP), CGIAR Research Program on Roots Tubers and Bananas, Lima, Peru
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10
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Xin F, Xiao X, Dong J, Zhang G, Zhang Y, Wu X, Li X, Zou Z, Ma J, Du G, Doughty RB, Zhao B, Li B. Large increases of paddy rice area, gross primary production, and grain production in Northeast China during 2000-2017. Sci Total Environ 2020; 711:135183. [PMID: 32000350 DOI: 10.1016/j.scitotenv.2019.135183] [Citation(s) in RCA: 33] [Impact Index Per Article: 8.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/19/2019] [Revised: 10/19/2019] [Accepted: 10/23/2019] [Indexed: 06/10/2023]
Abstract
China is the largest rice producer and consumer in the world. Accurate estimations of paddy rice planting area and rice grain production is important for feeding the increasing population in China. However, Southern China had substantial losses in paddy rice area over the last three decades in those regions where paddy rice has traditionally been produced. Several studies have shown increased paddy rice area in Northeast China. Here we document the annual dynamics of paddy rice area, gross primary production (GPP), and grain production in Northeast China (Heilongjiang, Jilin and Liaoning provinces) during 2000-2017 using agricultural statistical data, satellite images, and model simulations. Annual maps derived from satellite images show that paddy rice area in Northeast China has increased by 3.68 million ha from 2000 to 2017, which is more than the total combined paddy rice area of North Korea, South Korea, and Japan. Approximately 82% of paddy rice pixels had an increase in annual GPP during 2000-2017. The expansion of paddy rice area slowed down substantially since 2015. Annual GPP from those paddy rice fields cultivated continuously over the 18 years were moderately higher than that from other paddy rice fields, which suggested that improved management practices could increase grain production in the region. There was a strong linear relationship between annual GPP and annual rice grain production in Northeast China by province and year, which illustrates the potential of using satellite-based data-driven model to track and assess grain production of paddy rice in the region. Northeast China is clearly an emerging rice production base and plays an increasing role in crop production and food security in China. However, many challenges for the further expansion and sustainable cultivation of paddy rice in Northeast China remain.
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Affiliation(s)
- Fengfei Xin
- Ministry of Education Key Laboratory of Biodiversity Science and Ecological Engineering, Institute of Biodiversity Science, Fudan University, Shanghai, 200433, China
| | - Xiangming Xiao
- Department of Microbiology and Plant Biology, Center for Spatial Analysis, University of Oklahoma, Norman, OK 73019, USA.
| | - Jinwei Dong
- Institute of Geographic Sciences and Natural Resources Research, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing, 100101, China
| | - Geli Zhang
- College of Land Science and Technology, China Agricultural University, Beijing, 100193, China
| | - Yao Zhang
- Department of Earth and Environmental Engineering, Columbia University, New York, NY 10027, USA
| | - Xiaocui Wu
- Department of Microbiology and Plant Biology, Center for Spatial Analysis, University of Oklahoma, Norman, OK 73019, USA
| | - Xiangping Li
- Ministry of Education Key Laboratory of Biodiversity Science and Ecological Engineering, Institute of Biodiversity Science, Fudan University, Shanghai, 200433, China
| | - Zhenhua Zou
- Department of Geographical Sciences, University of Maryland, College Park, Maryland, 20742, USA
| | - Jun Ma
- Ministry of Education Key Laboratory of Biodiversity Science and Ecological Engineering, Institute of Biodiversity Science, Fudan University, Shanghai, 200433, China
| | - Guoming Du
- College of Resources and Environment, Northeast Agricultural University, Harbin, 150030, China
| | - Russell B Doughty
- Department of Microbiology and Plant Biology, Center for Spatial Analysis, University of Oklahoma, Norman, OK 73019, USA
| | - Bin Zhao
- Ministry of Education Key Laboratory of Biodiversity Science and Ecological Engineering, Institute of Biodiversity Science, Fudan University, Shanghai, 200433, China
| | - Bo Li
- Ministry of Education Key Laboratory of Biodiversity Science and Ecological Engineering, Institute of Biodiversity Science, Fudan University, Shanghai, 200433, China.
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11
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Sanders JH, Ouendeba B, Ndoye A, Témé N, Traore S. Economics of Increasing Sorghum Productivity in Sub-Saharan Africa: The Mali Case. Methods Mol Biol 2019; 1931:223-243. [PMID: 30652294 DOI: 10.1007/978-1-4939-9039-9_16] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 06/09/2023]
Abstract
Sorghum retains a crucial role in Sub-Saharan Africa for food and in the future feed. Unfortunately, the movement of sorghum technology onto farmers' fields in Sub-Saharan Africa has been slow in spite of substantial research since the great African drought of 1968-1973. What is necessary to get African sorghum yields and profitability up?After reviewing the situation of sorghum in the world, the USA, and Sub-Saharan Africa from 2007 to 2017 the results and the lessons of a twelve-year program in the Sahel of West Africa to introduce new sorghum technology and marketing strategies are the focus of the rest of the paper. In Mali, the program identified new technologies that were extended into a large number of farmers' associations. The Mali program then collaborated with two other agencies to scale up this pilot program. The pilot project demonstrated that yields with moderate fertilization, new varieties, and improved agronomic practices could be increased 50 to 100% and prices increased 30 to 50%. The 2012 military coup and then invasion of Al Queda from the north shut down both the pilot and the scaling up activities as the US government banned collaboration with Malian government agencies after the coup. The pilots were continued in Niger and Burkina Faso through 2014 and then with a Gates Foundation grant from 2014 to 2016. The pilot program in Mali responded to two of the three Second Generation problems identified. But more significantly the pilot project identified the lack of funds for responding to Second Generation problems as a major constraint for implementing a technology-marketing program in a low-income country.
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Affiliation(s)
- John H Sanders
- Agricultural Economics Department, Purdue University, West Lafayette, IN, USA.
| | | | | | - Niaba Témé
- Institute of Agricultural Economy, Bamako, Mali
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12
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Neumann M, Smith P. Carbon uptake by European agricultural land is variable, and in many regions could be increased: Evidence from remote sensing, yield statistics and models of potential productivity. Sci Total Environ 2018; 643:902-911. [PMID: 29960227 DOI: 10.1016/j.scitotenv.2018.06.268] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/25/2018] [Revised: 06/18/2018] [Accepted: 06/21/2018] [Indexed: 06/08/2023]
Abstract
Agricultural plants, covering large parts of the global land surface and important for the livelihoods of people worldwide, fix carbon dioxide seasonally via photosynthesis. The carbon allocation of crops, however, remains relatively understudied compared to, for example, forests. For comprehensive consistent resource assessments or climate change impact studies large-scale reliable vegetation information is needed. Here, we demonstrate how robust data on carbon uptake in croplands can be obtained by combining multiple sources to enhance the reliability of estimates. Using yield statistics, a remote-sensing based productivity algorithm and climate-sensitive potential productivity, we mapped the potential to increase crop productivity and compared consistent carbon uptake information of agricultural land with forests. The productivity gap in Europe is higher in Eastern and Southern than in Central-Western countries. At continental scale, European agriculture shows a greater carbon uptake in harvestable compartments than forests (agriculture 1.96 vs. forests 1.76 t C ha-1 year-1). Mapping productivity gaps allows efforts to enhance crop production to be prioritized by, for example, improved crop cultivars, nutrient management or pest control. The concepts and methods for quantifying carbon uptake used in this study are applicable worldwide and allow forests and agriculture to be included in future carbon uptake assessments.
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Affiliation(s)
- Mathias Neumann
- Institute of Silviculture, Department of Forest- and Soil Sciences, University of Natural Resources and Life Sciences, Peter Jordan Straße 82, 1190 Vienna, Austria.
| | - Pete Smith
- Institute of Biological and Environmental Sciences, University of Aberdeen, 23 St Machar Drive, Room G45, Aberdeen AB24 3UU, Scotland, UK
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13
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Qi A, Holland RA, Taylor G, Richter GM. Grassland futures in Great Britain - Productivity assessment and scenarios for land use change opportunities. Sci Total Environ 2018; 634:1108-1118. [PMID: 29660867 DOI: 10.1016/j.scitotenv.2018.03.395] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/23/2017] [Revised: 03/28/2018] [Accepted: 03/31/2018] [Indexed: 06/08/2023]
Abstract
To optimise trade-offs provided by future changes in grassland use intensity, spatially and temporally explicit estimates of respective grassland productivities are required at the systems level. Here, we benchmark the potential national availability of grassland biomass, identify optimal strategies for its management, and investigate the relative importance of intensification over reversion (prioritising productivity versus environmental ecosystem services). Process-conservative meta-models for different grasslands were used to calculate the baseline dry matter yields (DMY; 1961-1990) at 1km2 resolution for the whole UK. The effects of climate change, rising atmospheric [CO2] and technological progress on baseline DMYs were used to estimate future grassland productivities (up to 2050) for low and medium CO2 emission scenarios of UKCP09. UK benchmark productivities of 12.5, 8.7 and 2.8t/ha on temporary, permanent and rough-grazing grassland, respectively, accounted for productivity gains by 2010. By 2050, productivities under medium emission scenario are predicted to increase to 15.5 and 9.8t/ha on temporary and permanent grassland, respectively, but not on rough grassland. Based on surveyed grassland distributions for Great Britain in 2010 the annual availability of grassland biomass is likely to rise from 64 to 72milliontonnes by 2050. Assuming optimal N application could close existing productivity gaps of ca. 40% a range of management options could deliver additional 21∗106tonnes of biomass available for bioenergy. Scenarios of changes in grassland use intensity demonstrated considerable scope for maintaining or further increasing grassland production and sparing some grassland for the provision of environmental ecosystem services.
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Affiliation(s)
- Aiming Qi
- Sustainable Agriculture Sciences, Rothamsted Research, Harpenden AL5 2JQ, UK; Dept. of Biological and Environmental Sciences, University of Hertfordshire, Hatfield AL10 9AB, UK
| | - Robert A Holland
- Centre for Biological Sciences, University of Southampton, Southampton SO17 1BJ, UK
| | - Gail Taylor
- Centre for Biological Sciences, University of Southampton, Southampton SO17 1BJ, UK; Dept. of Plant Sciences, University of California, One Shields Ave., Davis, CA 95616, USA
| | - Goetz M Richter
- Sustainable Agriculture Sciences, Rothamsted Research, Harpenden AL5 2JQ, UK.
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14
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Timsina J, Wolf J, Guilpart N, van Bussel L, Grassini P, van Wart J, Hossain A, Rashid H, Islam S, van Ittersum M. Can Bangladesh produce enough cereals to meet future demand? Agric Syst 2018; 163:36-44. [PMID: 29861535 PMCID: PMC5903259 DOI: 10.1016/j.agsy.2016.11.003] [Citation(s) in RCA: 16] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 05/05/2023]
Abstract
Bangladesh faces huge challenges in achieving food security due to its high population, diet changes, and limited room for expanding cropland and cropping intensity. The objective of this study is to assess the degree to which Bangladesh can be self-sufficient in terms of domestic maize, rice and wheat production by the years 2030 and 2050 by closing the existing gap (Yg) between yield potential (Yp) and actual farm yield (Ya), accounting for possible changes in cropland area. Yield potential and yield gaps were calculated for the three crops using well-validated crop models and site-specific weather, management and soil data, and upscaled to the whole country. We assessed potential grain production in the years 2030 and 2050 for six land use change scenarios (general decrease in arable land; declining ground water tables in the north; cropping of fallow areas in the south; effect of sea level rise; increased cropping intensity; and larger share of cash crops) and three levels of Yg closure (1: no yield increase; 2: Yg closure at a level equivalent to 50% (50% Yg closure); 3: Yg closure to a level of 85% of Yp (irrigated crops) and 80% of water-limited yield potential or Yw (rainfed crops) (full Yg closure)). In addition, changes in demand with low and high population growth rates, and substitution of rice by maize in future diets were also examined. Total aggregated demand of the three cereals (in milled rice equivalents) in 2030 and 2050, based on the UN median population variant, is projected to be 21 and 24% higher than in 2010. Current Yg represent 50% (irrigated rice), 48-63% (rainfed rice), 49% (irrigated wheat), 40% (rainfed wheat), 46% (irrigated maize), and 44% (rainfed maize) of their Yp or Yw. With 50% Yg closure and for various land use changes, self-sufficiency ratio will be > 1 for rice in 2030 and about one in 2050 but well below one for maize and wheat in both 2030 and 2050. With full Yg closure, self-sufficiency ratios will be well above one for rice and all three cereals jointly but below one for maize and wheat for all scenarios, except for the scenario with drastic decrease in boro rice area to allow for area expansion for cash crops. Full Yg closure of all cereals is needed to compensate for area decreases and demand increases, and then even some maize and large amounts of wheat imports will be required to satisfy demand in future. The results of this analysis have important implications for Bangladesh and other countries with high population growth rate, shrinking arable land due to rapid urbanization, and highly vulnerable to climate change.
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Affiliation(s)
- J. Timsina
- Faculty of Veterinary and Agricultural Sciences, University of Melbourne, Victoria 3010, Australia
- Corresponding author at: 28 Buckley Ave, Blacktown, NSW 2148, Australia.
| | - J. Wolf
- Plant Production Systems, Wageningen University, P.O. Box 430, 6700 AK Wageningen, Netherlands
| | - N. Guilpart
- Department of Agronomy and Horticulture, University of Nebraska-Lincoln, Lincoln, NE 68583, USA
| | - L.G.J. van Bussel
- Plant Production Systems, Wageningen University, P.O. Box 430, 6700 AK Wageningen, Netherlands
| | - P. Grassini
- Department of Agronomy and Horticulture, University of Nebraska-Lincoln, Lincoln, NE 68583, USA
| | - J. van Wart
- Department of Agronomy and Horticulture, University of Nebraska-Lincoln, Lincoln, NE 68583, USA
| | - A. Hossain
- Wheat Research Centre, Bangladesh Agriculture Research Institute, Dinajpur, Bangladesh
| | - H. Rashid
- Bangladesh Rice Research Institute, Gazipur, Bangladesh
| | - S. Islam
- International Maize and Wheat Improvement Center — Bangladesh, House 10/B, Road 53, Gulshan-2, Dhaka 1213, Bangladesh
| | - M.K. van Ittersum
- Plant Production Systems, Wageningen University, P.O. Box 430, 6700 AK Wageningen, Netherlands
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15
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Colbach N, Darmency H, Fernier A, Granger S, Le Corre V, Messéan A. Simulating changes in cropping practices in conventional and glyphosate-resistant maize. II. Weed impacts on crop production and biodiversity. Environ Sci Pollut Res Int 2017; 24:13121-13135. [PMID: 28386883 DOI: 10.1007/s11356-017-8796-9] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/16/2016] [Accepted: 03/09/2017] [Indexed: 06/07/2023]
Abstract
Overreliance on the same herbicide mode of action leads to the spread of resistant weeds, which cancels the advantages of herbicide-tolerant (HT) crops. Here, the objective was to quantify, with simulations, the impact of glyphosate-resistant (GR) weeds on crop production and weed-related wild biodiversity in HT maize-based cropping systems differing in terms of management practices. We (1) simulated current conventional and probable HT cropping systems in two European regions, Aquitaine and Catalonia, with the weed dynamics model FLORSYS; (2) quantified how much the presence of GR weeds contributed to weed impacts on crop production and biodiversity; (3) determined the effect of cultural practices on the impact of GR weeds and (4) identified which species traits most influence weed-impact indicators. The simulation study showed that during the analysed 28 years, the advent of glyphosate resistance had little effect on plant biodiversity. Glyphosate-susceptible populations and species were replaced by GR ones. Including GR weeds only affected functional biodiversity (food offer for birds, bees and carabids) and weed harmfulness when weed effect was initially low; when weed effect was initially high, including GR weeds had little effect. The GR effect also depended on cultural practices, e.g. GR weeds were most detrimental for species equitability when maize was sown late. Species traits most harmful for crop production and most beneficial for biodiversity were identified, using RLQ analyses. None of the species presenting these traits belonged to a family for which glyphosate resistance was reported. An advice table was built; the effects of cultural practices on crop production and biodiversity were synthesized, explained, quantified and ranked, and the optimal choices for each management technique were identified.
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Affiliation(s)
- Nathalie Colbach
- Agroécologie, AgroSup Dijon, INRA, University Bourgogne Franche-Comté, F-21000, Dijon, France.
- INRA, UMR1347 Agroécologie, BP 86510, 17 rue Sully, F-21065, Dijon, France.
| | - Henri Darmency
- Agroécologie, AgroSup Dijon, INRA, University Bourgogne Franche-Comté, F-21000, Dijon, France
| | - Alice Fernier
- Agroécologie, AgroSup Dijon, INRA, University Bourgogne Franche-Comté, F-21000, Dijon, France
| | - Sylvie Granger
- Agroécologie, AgroSup Dijon, INRA, University Bourgogne Franche-Comté, F-21000, Dijon, France
| | - Valérie Le Corre
- Agroécologie, AgroSup Dijon, INRA, University Bourgogne Franche-Comté, F-21000, Dijon, France
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Abstract
Yield gap analyses of individual crops have been used to estimate opportunities for increasing crop production at local to global scales, thus providing information crucial to food security. However, increases in crop production can also be achieved by improving cropping system yield through modification of spatial and temporal arrangement of individual crops. In this paper we define the cropping system yield potential as the output from the combination of crops that gives the highest energy yield per unit of land and time, and the cropping system yield gap as the difference between actual energy yield of an existing cropping system and the cropping system yield potential. Then, we provide a framework to identify alternative cropping systems which can be evaluated against the current ones. A proof-of-concept is provided with irrigated rice-maize systems at four locations in Bangladesh that represent a range of climatic conditions in that country. The proposed framework identified (i) realistic alternative cropping systems at each location, and (ii) two locations where expected improvements in crop production from changes in cropping intensity (number of crops per year) were 43% to 64% higher than from improving the management of individual crops within the current cropping systems. The proposed framework provides a tool to help assess food production capacity of new systems (e.g. with increased cropping intensity) arising from climate change, and assess resource requirements (water and N) and associated environmental footprint per unit of land and production of these new systems. By expanding yield gap analysis from individual crops to the cropping system level and applying it to new systems, this framework could also be helpful to bridge the gap between yield gap analysis and cropping/farming system design.
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Affiliation(s)
- Nicolas Guilpart
- Department of Agronomy and Horticulture, University of Nebraska-Lincoln, Lincoln, NE, USA
- AgroParisTech, UMR Agronomie 211 INRA AgroParisTech Université Paris-Saclay, F-78850 Thiverval-Grignon, France
- Corresponding author at: AgroParisTech, UMR 211, BP 01, F-78850 Thiverval-Grignon, France.AgroParisTechUMR Agronomie 211 INRA AgroParisTech Université Paris-SaclayThiverval-GrignonF-78850France
| | - Patricio Grassini
- Department of Agronomy and Horticulture, University of Nebraska-Lincoln, Lincoln, NE, USA
| | - Victor O. Sadras
- South Australian Research and Development Institute, Waite Campus, Adelaide 5001, Australia
| | - Jagadish Timsina
- Faculty of Veterinary and Agricultural Sciences, University of Melbourne, Victoria 3010, Australia
| | - Kenneth G. Cassman
- Department of Agronomy and Horticulture, University of Nebraska-Lincoln, Lincoln, NE, USA
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17
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Henderson B, Godde C, Medina-Hidalgo D, van Wijk M, Silvestri S, Douxchamps S, Stephenson E, Power B, Rigolot C, Cacho O, Herrero M. Closing system-wide yield gaps to increase food production and mitigate GHGs among mixed crop-livestock smallholders in Sub-Saharan Africa. Agric Syst 2016; 143:106-113. [PMID: 26941474 PMCID: PMC4767044 DOI: 10.1016/j.agsy.2015.12.006] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/31/2015] [Revised: 12/09/2015] [Accepted: 12/15/2015] [Indexed: 05/04/2023]
Abstract
In this study we estimate yield gaps for mixed crop-livestock smallholder farmers in seven Sub-Saharan African sites covering six countries (Kenya, Tanzania, Uganda, Ethiopia, Senegal and Burkina Faso). We also assess their potential to increase food production and reduce the GHG emission intensity of their products, as a result of closing these yield gaps. We use stochastic frontier analysis to construct separate production frontiers for each site, based on 2012 survey data prepared by the International Livestock Research Institute for the Climate Change, Agriculture and Food Security program. Instead of relying on theoretically optimal yields-a common approach in yield gap assessments-our yield gaps are based on observed differences in technical efficiency among farms within each site. Sizeable yield gaps were estimated to be present in all of the sites. Expressed as potential percentage increases in outputs, the average site-based yield gaps ranged from 28 to 167% for livestock products and from 16 to 209% for crop products. The emission intensities of both livestock and crop products registered substantial falls as a consequence of closing yield gaps. The relationships between farm attributes and technical efficiency were also assessed to help inform policy makers about where best to target capacity building efforts. We found a strong and statistically significant relationship between market participation and performance across most sites. We also identified an efficiency dividend associated with the closer integration of crop and livestock enterprises. Overall, this study reveals that there are large yield gaps and that substantial benefits for food production and environmental performance are possible through closing these gaps, without the need for new technology.
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Affiliation(s)
- B. Henderson
- Commonwealth Scientific and Industrial Research Organization, Queensland Bioscience Precinct, 306 Carmody Road, St Lucia, QLD 4067, Australia
| | - C. Godde
- Commonwealth Scientific and Industrial Research Organization, Queensland Bioscience Precinct, 306 Carmody Road, St Lucia, QLD 4067, Australia
| | - D. Medina-Hidalgo
- Commonwealth Scientific and Industrial Research Organization, Queensland Bioscience Precinct, 306 Carmody Road, St Lucia, QLD 4067, Australia
| | - M. van Wijk
- ILRI, International Livestock Research Institute, Nairobi, Kenya
| | - S. Silvestri
- ILRI, International Livestock Research Institute, Nairobi, Kenya
| | - S. Douxchamps
- ILRI, International Livestock Research Institute, Nairobi, Kenya
| | - E. Stephenson
- Commonwealth Scientific and Industrial Research Organization, Queensland Bioscience Precinct, 306 Carmody Road, St Lucia, QLD 4067, Australia
| | - B. Power
- Commonwealth Scientific and Industrial Research Organization, Queensland Bioscience Precinct, 306 Carmody Road, St Lucia, QLD 4067, Australia
| | - C. Rigolot
- Commonwealth Scientific and Industrial Research Organization, Queensland Bioscience Precinct, 306 Carmody Road, St Lucia, QLD 4067, Australia
| | - O. Cacho
- University of New England, Armidale, NSW 2351, Australia
| | - M. Herrero
- Commonwealth Scientific and Industrial Research Organization, Queensland Bioscience Precinct, 306 Carmody Road, St Lucia, QLD 4067, Australia
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