Promoting Smallholder Adoption of Conservation Agriculture through Mechanization Services

Sims, B.G.; Heney, Jennifer

doi:10.3390/agriculture7080064

Cited by 29 publications

(19 citation statements)

References 4 publications

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“…These factors imply that there is a high financial barrier for smallholder farmers that needs to be addressed. Promotion of increased CA uptake in the Lango region would require better financial investment, as the work of Sims and Heney [48] explicitly showed. The social perspective explored in the study seems to be supportive of CA uptake.…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Adoption of Conservation Agriculture in Uganda: A Case Study of the Lango Subregion

2018

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Conservation agriculture (CA) is based on three principles: minimum soil disturbance, maintaining a soil cover through mulching with crop residues or planting cover crops, and practicing crop rotations. CA is practiced in many parts of the world for its benefits to soil and ability to improve yields, among others. There is little documented information on the status of CA adoption in the Lango region in mid-Northern Uganda. This study aimed at determining the extent of CA adoption in relation to the socioeconomic status of the farming population and suggesting relevant strategies for accelerating CA uptake specific to this region. A non-discriminative snowball-sampling technique was used to gather data from 417 households spread over three districts. Semi-structured interviews were conducted using household questionnaires. Farmers' uptake of CA was related to information gained from training and the benefits that were observed in their fields. Some farm-level constraints in the region included the diminutive ratio of shared tools and equipment; the minimum presence and involvement of extension services; and seasonal rural markets that are dominated by middlemen. The impact that was attributed to the use of CA at the household level was improved yields. The strategy that was used to spread CA information to farmers also played a key role in increasing CA uptake in the region. This information is important for increasing CA adoption in this context given the socioeconomic status of the region.

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Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Adoption of Conservation Agriculture in Uganda: A Case Study of the Lango Subregion

2018

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“…Such an approach can be understandable in the case of tractors, which have a multi-purpose and sometimes unpredictable use, while it is unacceptable for agricultural implements which, conversely, must be optimised for well-defined operations, thus often playing a crucial role for the success of crop production. The reasons behind unbalanced choices have to be ascribed not only to low awareness of farmers, but also to the lack of knowledge and reference models supporting the same selection process [6]. This is particularly true and critical for one of the most important agronomic operations: sowing.…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Definition of Reference Models for Power, Weight, Working Width, and Price for Seeding Machines

Yezekyan

Marinello

Armentano³

et al. 2018

Agriculture

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Machine functional parameters define fleet composition and management and, thus, play an important role in economic and environmental performance. Large availability of programming methods and decision support systems are available in the market, however, there is still a lack of applicative tools to forecast the perceived and necessary technical parameters and machinery price options to complete tasks. In the current research, most correlated functional parameters for four group of seeding machines were determined with the application of linear and multiple linear regression analyses. Power, weight, working width, number of rows, and list price were studied, and reference equations were developed for seed drills, precision, combined and no-tillage planters. Two statistical analyses models were, therefore, developed for each of the groups in order to allow evaluation and prediction of performance and cost, thus contributing to the selection process optimisation and perceived choice of the needed implement.

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“…Some behavioural insights useful for scaling up of the technology have been identified in Focus Group Discussion carried out in Sunsari district of Nepal. Sims and Heney (2017) have suggested to develop motivated, well-trained, and equipped CA mechanization service, preferably from farmers themselves. The continued availability of mechanization service is also important (Keinzle & Sims, 2015).…”

Section: Resultsmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…CASI demands mechanization, however, the machines are expensive and beyond the resources of most smallholders. Developing motivated, well-trained, and equipped CASI mechanization service entrepreneurs, preferably among farmers themselves is the best way to increase farmer's access to CA mechanization services to boost the adoption of CA in target regions (Sims & Heney, 2017). Similarly, a logical solution could be for CA mechanization services to be provided by private sector entrepreneurs.…”

Section: Characteristics Of Farms and Farming In Eastern Teraimentioning

confidence: 99%

Behavioural science principles for scaling-up zero tillage wheat and maize in the Eastern Terai region of Nepal

Ghimire¹,

Timsina²,

Adhikari³

et al. 2021

J. Agric. Nat. Res.

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Farmers have a set of convictions and tend to do what their forefathers had practiced. By identifying their beliefs and designing appropriate ways of upscaling to convince them of new and improved practices, we can improve the adoption of zero tillage technology for maize and wheat. Small and fragmented landholdings that resulted from the cultural system of distributing land to heirs are diverse in their cropping requirements. Moreover, farmers are risk-averse and do not believe easily in new technologies. Traditional extension approaches have not been effective in upscaling these technologies. A new way of thinking based on behavioural science can provide some insights and guidelines for improving the effectiveness of technology adoption. Understanding farmers' socioeconomic circumstances and their decision-making system at the household and society level can help in designing upscaling approaches. Approaches such as capitalising on social bonding, use of established technology leaders, and use of farmers' organizations can improve adoption. Recommended strategies include encouraging a comprehensive contracting system of service provision, using active community influential local leaders in technology expansion, taking group and social identity approaches in technology extension, and capacity building programs for service providers/operators and farmers to help raise confidence and to remove perceived barriers to technology adoption.

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Promoting Smallholder Adoption of Conservation Agriculture through Mechanization Services

Cited by 29 publications

References 4 publications

Adoption of Conservation Agriculture in Uganda: A Case Study of the Lango Subregion

Adoption of Conservation Agriculture in Uganda: A Case Study of the Lango Subregion

Definition of Reference Models for Power, Weight, Working Width, and Price for Seeding Machines

Behavioural science principles for scaling-up zero tillage wheat and maize in the Eastern Terai region of Nepal

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