Conservation agriculture on steep slopes in the Andes: Promise and obstacles

Barrowclough, Michael; Stehouwer, Richard C.; Alwang, Jeffrey; Gallagher, Robert S.; Mosquera, Víctor Hugo Barrera; Domínguez, Juan Manuel

doi:10.2489/jswc.71.2.91

Cited by 22 publications

(28 citation statements)

References 18 publications

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“…In the Chimbo River watershed, Bolivar Province, Ecuador, farm families control relatively small holdings and produce potatoes and faba beans at high elevations; and maize, beans and Andean fruits at lower elevations (Barrowclough et al, 2016). Pesticide use is high as late blight and two insect pests affect potatoes; and Andean fruits (e.g.…”

Section: Study Sitementioning

confidence: 99%

“…Several donor-supported projects work in the area and two focus on increasing profitability of agriculture through promotion of more sustainable farming practices i . The government of Ecuador is interested in reducing pesticide use in these ecologically fragile areas and is concerned with water quality degradation from pesticide runoff and human health problems related to improper pesticide storage, handling and application (Barrowclough et al, 2016). …”

Section: Study Sitementioning

confidence: 99%

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Farm Decision Making and Gender: Results from a Randomized Experiment in Ecuador

2017

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Substantial resources have been devoted to mitigating the asset gender gap in developing country agriculture. Efforts have been taken to understand the role of women in decision making and in farm operations. Recommendations for best practices in eliciting information on women's roles have emphasized the importance of sex-disaggregated data collection and analysis. Collection of sex-disaggregated data is not straightforward and careful attention to context is needed. In Ecuador's highlands, chemical use in agriculture is widespread, and outreach and training programs to reduce this use are essential. These programs should target the appropriate decision makers. This paper presents results from a field experiment conducted in the Ecuador highlands where responding farm households are randomly assigned to one of three treatment groups: (i) a male respondent, (ii) a female respondent, and (iii) both adult male and female respondents (interviewed separately, but with knowledge that the other would also be interviewed). We assess whether treatment assignment affects responses to questions about decision making and responsibility for agricultural activities.Perceptions about household decision making and who is responsible for agricultural activities vary substantially by type of respondent. Men are more likely to claim sole responsibility; women are more likely to claim responsibility or that decisions are jointly made. In households where both man and woman were interviewed (separately) we found stark differences in responses about responsibilities, with men claiming sole responsibility at higher rates. Interviewing both members led to less divergence in responses, but large differences in perceptions about responsibilities remain when both are interviewed. Best interviewing practices depend on the type of information needed: for precise quantification of gender roles, complex methods may be necessary, but where qualitative information is sufficient, single-member interviews may be sufficient. Keywords:Women's decisionmaking, survey design, randomized control trial, integrated pest management, Ecuador. 3 Highlights:Household decision makers should be targeted in pesticide education programs, yet no solid guidance exists for identifying these decision makers Randomized survey experiment uncovers information about how survey design affects responses about decision making and responsibilities Women and men have different perceptions about decision making, but interviewing both in the same household does not solve the problem More research is needed on how to measure gender roles in household decision making 4 Acknowledgements

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Section: Study Sitementioning

confidence: 99%

Section: Study Sitementioning

confidence: 99%

Farm Decision Making and Gender: Results from a Randomized Experiment in Ecuador

2017

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“…1). Excessive use of agrochemicals and machinery has led to a steady rise in production costs and a significant reduction in yields (Barrera et al, 2012; Barrowclough et al, 2016; Escudero et al, 2014).…”

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confidence: 99%

Conservation Agriculture Increases Yields and Economic Returns of Potato, Forage, and Grain Systems of the Andes

et al. 2019

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Physical and environmental vulnerability analysis conducted for the Illangama watershed located in Ecuador's Andean highlands, shows deteriorated soil quality and declining crop productivity. These problems are caused by soil erosion in steep slopes and inappropriate soil management practices. Research projects conducted from 2011 to 2014 adopted and examined the feasibility of conservation agriculture practices for potato (Solanum tuberosum L.), oat (Avena sativa L.) and vetch (Vicia sativa L.), barley (Hordeum vulgare L.), bean (Vicia faba L.), and a mixture of pastures (annual ryegrass [Lolium multiflorum Lam.], perennial ryegrass [L. perenne L.], orchardgrass [Dactylis glomerata L.], white clover[Trifolium repens L.], and red clover [T. pratense L.]). The practices included surface water deviation ditches, reduced tillage, residue retention, and application of N, all within an improved rotation. The study examined crop yields and economic returns in an effort to identify the best practices. Results indicate that crop productivity and net (of cost of production) benefits of the system were increased as much as 25 and 24%, respectively, using a feasible conservation agriculture system compared to conventional practices. This study shows that conservation agriculture increases yields and saves on production costs due to less tillage. We also found that N fertilization with these conservation agriculture practices increases yields and net returns. This study concludes that conservation agriculture practices are good alternatives for these high‐altitude Andean soils. The practices should be promoted among Andean producers to increase the productivity and sustainability of their potato–grain–pasture systems. Core Ideas The Andean region of Ecuador is critical for the country's food security. Cultivation of high‐slope mountainous agriculture is accelerating erosion. Conservation agriculture is an attractive management alternative. Implementation of reduced tillage could contribute to higher net income for farmers. These practices could benefit nearly 200,000 Ecuadorean farms.

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“…Reductions in soil erosion and sediment yield (SY) in agricultural areas are related to the motivation of farmers to adopt soil conservation practices (SCP) and to the investment in public policies designed to support such changes. The motivation may be associated with sociocultural, ethical (Ahnström et al, ), and economic factors (Barrowclough et al, ). In addition to the soil and water conservation advantages of SCP, other economic sectors, such as hydropower generation, water quality, flood control, and navigation, also benefit, as observed by Pimentel et al () and Palmieri, Shah, and Dinar ().…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Long‐term sediment yield from a small catchment in southern Brazil affected by land use and soil management changes

Minella

Merten

Barros

et al. 2017

Hydrological Processes

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Sediments produced from eroding cultivated land can cause on-site and off-site effects that cause considerable economic and social impacts. Despite the importance of soil conservation practices (SCP) for the control of soil erosion and improvements in soil hydrological functions, limited information is available regarding the effects of SCP on sediment yield (SY) at the catchment scale. This study aimed to investigate the long-term relationships between SY and land use, soil management, and rainfall in a small catchment. To determine the effects of anthropogenic and climatic factors on SY, rainfall, streamflow, and suspended sediment concentration were monitored at 10-min intervals for 14 years (2002)(2003)(2004)(2005)(2006)(2007)(2008)(2009)(2010)(2011)(2012)(2013)(2014)(2015)(2016), and the land use and soil management changes were surveyed annually. Using a statistical procedure to separate the SY effects of climate, land use, and soil management, we observed pronounced temporal effects of land use and soil management changes on SY. During the first 2 years (2002)(2003)(2004), the land was predominantly cultivated with tobacco under a traditional tillage system (no cover crops and ploughed soil) using animal traction. In that period, the SY reached approximately 400 t·km −2 ·year −1 . From 2005 to 2009, a soil conservation programme introduced conservation tillage and winter cover crops in the catchment area, which lowered the SY to 50 t·km −2 ·year −1 . In the final period (2010)(2011)(2012)(2013)(2014)(2015)(2016), the SCP were partially abandoned by farmers, and reforested areas increased, resulting in an SY of 150 t·km −2 ·year −1 . This study also discusses the factors associated with the failure to continue using SCP, including structural support and farmer attitudes.

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Conservation agriculture on steep slopes in the Andes: Promise and obstacles

Cited by 22 publications

References 18 publications

Farm Decision Making and Gender: Results from a Randomized Experiment in Ecuador

Farm Decision Making and Gender: Results from a Randomized Experiment in Ecuador

Conservation Agriculture Increases Yields and Economic Returns of Potato, Forage, and Grain Systems of the Andes

Long‐term sediment yield from a small catchment in southern Brazil affected by land use and soil management changes

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