InnovAfrica outputs

Permanent URI for this collectionhttps://hdl.handle.net/10568/109946

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InnovAfrica project endline survey data for Ethiopia, Kenya, Malawi, Rwanda, South Africa and Tanzania
(Dataset, 2022-05-12) Athman, Ahmad; Murage, Alice W; Gichangi, Anne W; Hitimana, C.; Banda, David; Njarui, Donald M.G.; Bloem, Esther; Lupafya, Esther; Beyene, F.; Hundessa, F.; Ndubi, Jessica; Mapunda, Kenneth; Kibret, Kibebew; Dakishoni, Laifolo; Myeni, L; Shumba, Lizzie; Katundu, Mangani; Moeletsi, M.; Manzi, M; Magalasi, M.; Mutimura, Mupenzi; Gatheru, M.; Mazibuko, S.; Bezu, T.; Ndolo, Victoria; Puhl, Harald; Guthiga, Paul M.; Ghimire, Sita R.
InnovAfrica project baseline survey data for Ethiopia, Kenya, Malawi, Rwanda, South Africa and Tanzania
(Dataset, 2022-05-16) Athman, Ahmad; Murage, Alice W; Gichangi, Anne W; Tegegne, Bosena; Banda, David; Njarui, Donald M.G.; Gichangi, Elias M.; Bloem, Esther; Nandonde, Felix; Hundessa, F.; Puhl, Harald; Tuyisenge, Jacqueline; Ndubi, Jessica; Mapunda, Kenneth; Dakishoni, Laifolo; Dusengemungu, Leonidas; Myeni, L; Shumba, L.; Katundu, Mangani; Ketema, M.; Moeletsi, M.; Magalasi, M.; Thavhana, M.; Mutimura, Mupenzi; Gatheru, M.; Dechassa, Nigussie; Ndolo, Victoria; Lupafya, Esther; Guthiga, P.; Ghimire, Sita R.
Adoption of improved maize varieties as a sustainable agricultural intensification in eastern Ethiopia: Implications for food and nutrition security
(Journal Article, 2021-09-17) Mengistu, K.; Kibebew, K.; Feyisa, H.; Tewodros, B.
This paper examines factors determining farmers‘ adoption decision for improved maize varieties in the maize-common bean intercropping practices in two districts of East Hararghe zone, Eastern Ethiopia. It is based on data collected from 129 farm households using structured questionnaire. Descriptive results revealed that adopters of improved maize varieties had better food and nutrition security status. Furthermore, logit model output indicated that the decision to adopt improved maize varieties is influenced by location (district) dummy, education status of the household head, age of the household head, distance from the main road, and the number of plots owned. Major recommendations include improving the rural road infrastructure, educating and training farmers, organizing experience sharing events among farmers, and raising awareness about the food and nutrition security benefits of sustainable agricultural intensification practices like intercropping improved maize with improved common bean varieties.
Factors determining the adoption of strategies used by smallholder farmers to cope with climate variability in the eastern Free State, South Africa
(Journal Article, 2020-09-16) Myeni, L.; Moeletsi, M.E.
This study was undertaken to understand the smallholder farmer’s perception of the effects of climate variability, their adaptation strategies to cope with climate variability and factors determining the adoption of their adaptation strategies in the eastern Free State Province of South Africa. Adaptation strategies were grouped into two categories, i.e., traditional adaptation strategies and scientific adaptation strategies. Traditional adaptation strategies consisted of practices that require minimal technical expertise and less external inputs such as changing from crops to livestock, crop diversification, increasing land under production, changing crop type and water harvesting. Scientific adaptation strategies consisted of practices that require additional external inputs, labour, and some level of technical expertise such as changing crop variety, improving soil fertility and soil conservation. Data were collected from 391 smallholder farmers using a structured household questionnaire and were verified through focus group discussion meetings with key informants. Data were analysed using the descriptive statistics, frequency analysis and a binary logistic model. Results indicated that the majority of smallholder farmers perceived that climate change had triggered food-related impacts in the study area and had adopted at least one adaptation strategy. This study showed that awareness and knowledge were the key factors that determined the adoption of traditional adaptation strategies in the study area. The adoption of scientific adaptation strategies was additionally determined by the availability of external financial investments. It is recommended that the promotion of traditional practices should focus on raising awareness of climate change and adaptation strategies while the promotion of scientific practices additionally requires the provision and accessibility of financial institutional support and incentives.
Development and analysis of a long-term soil moisture data set in three different agroclimatic zones of South Africa
(Journal Article, 2021-05-28) Myeni, L.; Moeletsi, M.E.; Clulow, A.D.
Understanding the potential impacts of climate variability/change on soil moisture is essential for the development of informed adaptation strategies. However, long-term in-situ soil moisture measurements are sparse in most countries. The objectives of this study were to develop and analyse the temporal variability of a long-term soil moisture data set in South Africa. In this study, a water balance model was used to reconstruct long-term soil moisture data sets from 1980 through 2018, in three sites that represent the diverse agroclimatic conditions of South Africa. Additionally, long-term changes and variability of soil moisture were examined to investigate the potential impacts of climate variability on soil moisture. The results of the Mann–Kendall test showed a non-significant decreasing trend of soil moisture for inland stations at a rate between -0.001 and -0.02 mm per annum. In contrast, a statistically significant (at 5% level of significance) increasing trend of soil moisture for a coastal station at a rate of 0.1131 mm per annum was observed. The findings suggest that the Bainsvlei and Bronkhorstspruit stations located in the inland region are gradually becoming drier as a result of decreasing rainfall and increasing air temperature. In contrast, the Mandeni station located in the coastal region is becoming wetter as a result of increasing rainfall, despite the increase in air temperature. The findings indicate that climate variability is likely to change the soil moisture content, although the influence will vary with region and climatic conditions. Therefore, understanding the factors that affect soil moisture variability at the local scale is critical for the development of informed and effective adaptation strategies.Significance: Long-term modelled estimates were used to investigate the potential impacts of climate variability on soil moisture in three different agroclimatic conditions of South Africa. Results show that inland regions are gradually becoming drier as a result of decreasing trends of rainfall and increasing air temperatures while coastal regions are becoming wetter as a result of increasing trends of rainfall. This study indicates that climate variability is likely to change soil moisture, although various regions will be affected differently. The development of informed adaptation strategies at the local scale is critical to cope effectively with climate variability.
Forage diversity and fertiliser adoption in Napier grass production among smallholder dairy farmers in Kenya
(Journal Article, 2021-11-10) Njarui, D.M.; Gatheru, M.; Ndubi, J.M.; Gichangi, Anne W; Murage, A.M.
Improving the food and nutritional security of smallholder farmers in South Africa: Evidence from the InnovAfrica Project
(Journal Article, 2021-09-03) Myeni, L; Moeletsi, M.; Nyagumbo, Isaiah; Modiselle, S.; Mokoena, L.; Kgakatsi, I.B
This article highlights evidence and lessons learned from the InnovAfrica project conducted by the Agricultural Research Council in collaboration with other international organizations between 2017 and 2021. This project aimed to test and upscale best-bet Sustainable Agricultural Intensification (SAI) practices through Multi-Actor Platforms (MAPs) and improved dissemination strategies across six African countries (viz. Ethiopia, Kenya, Malawi, Rwanda, South Africa and Tanzania). The goal of the project was to improve the food and nutritional security of smallholder farmers in Africa. The article briefly discusses some of the key challenges that smallholder agriculture is facing, results from the agricultural interventions brought in by the InnovAfrica project, evidence-based actions and policy recommendations to improve the sustainable agricultural productivity of smallholder farmers in the South African case study. The study showed that SAI practices increased crop yields and build climate-resilient farming communities. It is recommended that the promotion of SAI practices should be supported by enabling institutions and conducive policies that will enhance access to inputs, market linkages, improved access to credit and good agricultural lands, the establishment of functional farmer groups and participatory learning models. These recommendations can be used by the government and other agencies to develop effective interventions to improve food and nutrition security.
Field calibration of DFM capacitance probes for continuous soil moisture monitoring
(Journal Article, 2021-01-28) Myeni, L; Moeletsi, M.; Clulow, A.D.
This study was undertaken to derive textural and lumped site-specific calibration equations for Dirk Friedhelm Mercker (DFM) capacitance probes and evaluate the accuracy levels of the developed calibration equations for continuous soil moisture monitoring in three selected soil types. At each site, 9 probes (3 per plot) were installed in 2 m2 plots, for continuous soil moisture measurements at 5 different depths (viz. 10, 20, 30, 40 and 60 cm) under dry, moist and wet field conditions. Textural site-specific calibration equations were derived by grouping the same soil textural classes of each site regardless of soil depth, while lumped site-specific calibration equations were derived by grouping all datasets from each site, regardless of soil depth and textural classes. Sensor readings were plotted against gravimetrically measured volumetric soil moisture (θv) for different textural classes as a reference. The coefficient of determination (r2) was used to select the best fit of the regression function. The developed calibration equations were evaluated using an independent dataset. The results indicated that all developed textural and lumped site-specific calibration equations were linear functions, withr2 values ranging from 0.96 to 0.99. Relationships between the measured and estimated θv from calibration equations were reasonable at all sites, with r2 values greater than 0.91 and root mean square error (RMSE) values ranging from 0.010 to 0.020 m3∙m-3. The results also indicated that textural site-specific calibration equations (RMSE < 0.018 m3∙m-3) should be given preference over lumped site-specific calibrations (RMSE < 0.020 m3∙m-3) to attain more accurate θv measurements. The findings of this study suggest that once DFM capacitance probes are calibrated per site, they can be reliably used for accurate in-situ soil moisture measurements. The developed calibration equations can be applied with caution in other sites with similar soil types to attained reliable in-situ soil moisture measurements.
Feminization of African agriculture and the meaning of decision-making for empowerment and sustainability
(Journal Article, 2021-07-06) Haug, R.; Mwaseba, D. L.; Njarui, Donald M.G.; Moeletsi, M.; Magalasi, M.; Mutimura, Mupenzi; Hundessa, F.; Aamodt, Julie T
The purpose of this study was to assess women’s decision-making power in small-scale agriculture in six African countries in view of the feminization of agriculture and to discuss the meaning of decision-making in relation to women’s empowerment and sustainability. The data are drawn from a multisite and mixed-method agricultural research and development project in six sub-Saharan countries including two sites in each country. The five domains of empowerment outlined in the Women’s Empowerment in Agriculture Index are used to structure the analysis. The results indicate that in the selected sites in Malawi, Rwanda and South Africa, women farmers tend to dominate agricultural decision-making, while the result is more mixed in the Kenyan sites, and decision-making tends to be dominated by men in the sites in Tanzania and Ethiopia. Despite women participating in agricultural decision-making, the qualitative results show that women small-scale farmers were not perceived to be empowered in any of the country sites. It appears that the feminization of agriculture leads to women playing a more important role in decision-making but also to more responsibilities and heavier workloads without necessarily resulting in improvements in well-being outcomes that would enhance sustainability.
From policy promises to result through innovation in African agriculture?
(Journal Article, 2021-06-01) Haug, R.; Nchimbi-Msolla, S.; Cacchiarelli, L.; Murage, A.W.; Moeletsi, M.; Magalasi, M.; Mutimura, Mupenzi; Hundessa, F.; Westengen, O.T.
The problem addressed in this paper is the challenge of moving from formulating policy goals to achieving the promised results. The purpose is to assess the possible role of innovation in agriculture as a way of contributing towards achieving the Malabo Declaration commitments and the zero hunger Sustainable Development Goal 2 (SDG2) in six African countries. Since the SDGs are high on both international and many national agendas, there is a need to increase our knowledge of how to move beyond formulating goals. The approach includes both quantitative and qualitative data from a multisite research and development project. Moving from promises in relation to policy goals such as SDG2 and the Malabo Declaration to actions that make a difference at local level is a challenging task, and COVID-19 has added negatively to that challenge. Technological and institutional innovations exist that have the potential to improve the agricultural productivity, food security, and income levels of smallholder men and women farmers. However, innovation processes are hindered by barriers related to governmental, economic, knowledge-based, socio-cultural, and resource-based factors. To overcome these barriers, governance needs to go further than defining goals, and proceed to the next step of establishing effective implementation mechanisms that ensure the promised result.
Status and factors influencing access of extension and advisory services on forage production in Kenya
(Journal Article, 2021-04-26) Gatheru, M.; Njarui, D.M.G.; Gichangi, Elias M.; Ndubi, J.M.; Murage, A.W.; Gichangi, Anne W
This study assessed the status and factors influencing access of extension and advisory services (EAS) for forage production among smallholder dairy farmers in Kenya. Using a multistage stratified random sampling, data were collected from 316 and 313 farmers in Kangundo sub-County and Kirinyaga Counties of Kenya, respectively. The intensity of dairy farming formed the basis of selection of the study areas. The data were analysed using descriptive statistics and binary logistic regression model. Results indicated that, overall the proportion of farmers who accessed EAS on forage production in Kirinyaga (26.4%) was double that of Kangundo (13.6%). Government was the main provider of EAS on forage production and accounted for between 73 to 90% of services in Kangundo and 54 to 81% in Kirinyaga. The main channels for accessing EAS in both sites were trainings (29 - 31%) and field days (22 - 30%). Overall, majority of farmers (71 - 73%) were satisfied with the information and services they received on forage production. The empirical estimates of logistic regression revealed that the probability of access to EAS increased with access to credit, membership to farmer groups and importance of livestock on household’s food security. We recommend that the governments use innovative extension approaches and strengthen formation of farmer groups/organizations in order to improve access of EAS by smallholder dairy farmers for enhanced forage production.
Brachiaria grass for sustainable livestock production in Rwanda under climate change
(Book Chapter, 2021) Mutimura, Mupenzi; Ghimire, Sita R.
Brachiaria grass is an important tropical forage of African origin. It produces high amount of palatable and nutritious biomass, tolerates abiotic and biotic stresses, improves soil fertility, increases livestock productivity, and reduces adversities of climate change. Since 2007, several improved Brachiaria grass cultivars (Brachiaria brizantha cvs. Marandú, MG4, Piatã, and Xaraés; B. decumbens cv. Basilisk; B. humidicola cvs. Humidicola and Llanero; Brachiaria hybrid cvs. Mulato, Mulato II, and Cayman; and other hybrid lines Bro2/0465, Bro2/1452, and Bro2/1485) have been introduced and evaluated in Rwanda for adaptation, biomass yields, animal nutrition, livestock productivity, and environmental qualities. Both on-farm and on-station evaluations of 13 improved Brachiaria grass cultivars and 2 checks – local Brachiaria grass and buffel grass at two different agroecological zones of Rwanda showed superior adaptation, higher biomass yields, and higher nutritive values of all Brachiaria grass cultivars compared to buffel grass. Subsequent study evaluating the impact of cutting regimes on agronomic and nutritional characteristics of improved Brachiaria cultivars and Napier grass showed forages harvested at 90 days after planting with high crude protein content (between 137 and 167 g/kg DM for Mulato II and Piatã, respectively) and high metabolizable energy (up to 9 MJ/kg DM for Piatã). These attributes have shown to increase animal production optimizing retention time of the particle phase of digesta in dairy cows which was shorter for Piatã (62.8 h) than Napier grass (83.1 h). Piatã had higher voluntary dry matter intake than Napier grass hence increased milk yield up to 50%. Furthermore, heifer fed on Mulato II had up to 54.7% more body weight and less enteric methane (14%) than heifers fed on Napier grass. These studies have shown Brachiaria grass as the most productive forage of high farmer preference due to its adaptation in low rainfall and acidic soils and the production of green foliage year-round. Therefore, improved Brachiaria grass has been promoted in 20 of 30 districts of Rwanda through various livestock development initiatives benefitting more than 4,800 farmers from South, Eastern, and Northern Provinces of Rwanda. In this chapter, we also discussed the prospects of Brachiaria grass in supporting the growing livestock sector in Rwanda and emerging challenges.
Sustainable intensification and maize value chain improvements in sub-Saharan Africa
(Book Chapter, 2018-05-03) Nyagumbo, I.; Tesfai, M.; Udaya, Sekhar N; Setimela, P.; Karanja, J.K.; Mutenje, M.; Madembo, C.
Pulses–millets crop diversification by smallholders and their potential for sustainable food and nutrition security
(Book Chapter, 2018-05-03) Tesfai, M.; Nagothu, U.S.; Asfaw, A.
The use of mobile phones in the extension and advisory service in Rwanda
(Thesis, 2019-12-09) Stokke, A.F.
Agriculture plays a crucial role in most developing countries in sub-Saharan Africa, as it has an essential impact on the economy, food security and poverty. Extension and advisory service (EAS) is established as an important tool to improve agricultural development. The service aims to improve the agricultural production, income and well-being to farmers. However, the EAS is criticised for its limited reach of farmers, top-down approaches and ineffectiveness. Mobile phones are seen as a useful tool to overcome the existing barriers of the EAS due to its rapid growth in developing countries. This thesis assesses the use of mobile phones in the extension and advisory service in Rwanda. It examines farmers and extension service providers experience towards the use of mobile phones as a communication tool within the service. The study also examines barriers that led to the exclusion of certain groups of farmers. This qualitative research is based on twenty semi-structured interviews with respectively fourteen farmers, three extension service providers, one communication officer and two researchers. This study also uses secondary data such as reports and policy documents from Rwanda and the InnovAfrica project to ensure triangulation. The study found that the use of mobile phones has strengthened the EAS in relation to accessibility of the service, timeliness, two-way communication, being demand-driven and costs. However, these improvements only affect farmers with access to a mobile phone and exclude groups of farmers due to poverty and traditional gender roles.
HIV and food systems: A mixed-methods study on the impacts of the human immunodeficiency virus on the local food system for small-scale female farmers in rural Malawi
(Thesis, 2020-05-15) Aamodt, J.
HIV and food insecurity continue to be two of the leading causes of morbidity and mortality in Malawi, and throughout sub-Saharan Africa. Food insecurity threatens progress towards ending the HIV epidemic, and HIV threatens the ability of food systems to provide food security and incomes for rural populations in Malawi. Therefore, this study aims to identify the effects of HIV on the food system for small-scale female farmers in a resource-constrained setting in rural Malawi and to explore how informal and formal coping strategies influence this relationship. The study employs a mixed-methods approach using semi-structured interviews, focus groups, key informant interviews and statistical analysis. Findings from this study demonstrate that HIV impacts several components of the food system, including primary agricultural production, market access and consumer behaviors. Respondents were particularly concerned with the effect that HIV had on their strength, despite taking antiretrovirals. However, the data shows a slightly less dark picture of the impacts of HIV on the food system compared to previous studies, suggesting that the lives for women living with HIV in rural Malawi has slightly improved. Some women emphasized that other issues related to living in poverty were more challenging compared to HIV. Although there is a large diversity in experiences, there are two key pathways through which HIV affects the food system for small-scale farmers in rural Malawi: (1) the deterioration of livelihoods through impacting the ability of women to participate in agricultural work, or (2) positive behavioral changes in the form of changed diets and food safety practices through increasing access to health education, adherence to antiretroviral therapy and motivation amongst the women to improve their health and quality of life.
Determinants of household food and nutrition security among the dairy farmers in Machakos and Kirinyaga Counties, Kenya
(Conference Paper, 2019-09-23) Murage, A.W.; Guthiga, Paul M.; Gichangi, Anne W; Ndubi, J.; Njarui, D.M.G.
‘Clearing the air’: Common drivers of climate-smart smallholder food production in Eastern and Southern Africa
(Journal Article, 2020-10) Branca, G.; Perelli, Chiara
African smallholders should adopt climate-smart agriculture to make a sustainable transition towards cleaner, circular and more productive food systems. Farmers must play a key role in that process. However, the adoption and diffusion of climate-smart technologies have been slow. Here, a cross-sectional econometric analysis using primary data on sustainable farming practices in the cereal-legume farming systems of Ethiopia, Malawi, South Africa and Tanzania is applied to analyse the drivers and intensity of innovation adoption. Socio-economic barriers reduce adoption intensity among marginalised farmers, and proper incentives are needed to overcome them. Business links between technology-ready smallholders and small-to-medium enterprises must be created to enable the uptake and scaling-up of innovations and the development of industrial application models. Such results can support the design of evidence-based strategies for the sustainable transformation of production systems. While national climate policies already include climate-smart agriculture as an adaptation blueprint, policy makers need empirical evidence to support large-scale adoption. This research is an innovative contribution to that effort. It uses a unique household dataset where data is scarce; it considers the impact of smallholders’ conditioning factors on technology climate-smartness level; and it estimates the correlations among a wide range of practices, agro-ecologies and geographical contexts.
Kenya: The Pioneers of Brachiaria Grass
(Video, 2017-12) Makila, Ethel; Njarui, Donald M.G.; Ghimire, Sita R.
An interview by Ethel Makila (ILRI-Beca) with Donald Njarui (KALRO/Kenya) and Sita Ghimire (ILRI-Beca, Kenya) in Nairobi at International Livestock Research Institute (ILRI) in Nairobi/Kenya. Recorded on Nov. 11, 2017
Barriers affecting sustainable agricultural productivity of smallholder farmers in the Eastern Free State of South Africa
(Journal Article, 2019-05-28) Myeni, L.; Moeletsi, M.; Thavhana, M.; Randela, M.; Mokoena, L.
Sustainable Agricultural Practices (SAPs) are the most promising pathways to enhance the productivity and resilience of agricultural production of smallholder farming systems while conserving the natural resources. This study was undertaken to identify the barriers affecting sustainable agricultural productivity of smallholder farmers in the eastern Free State, South Africa. Data were collected from 359 smallholder farmers using questionnaires and the validity of the collected data was confirmed through focus group discussions with key informants. Descriptive statistics and a binary logistic regression model were used to analyze data. Results indicated that traditional SAPs such as intercropping, mulching and crop rotation were more likely to be adopted by farmers with access to land yet without access to credit (and had low levels of education, although this finding was not significant). In contrast, new SAPs such as cover cropping, minimum-tillage, tied ridging and planting pits were more knowledge (education), capital and labor intensive. Therefore, extension strategies should take these differences into consideration when promoting both the adoption of traditional SAPs and new SAPs. Targeting resource-constrained farmers (in terms of access to credit and education) through raising awareness and building capacity is essential to ensure the adoption of traditional SAPs. In turn, promoting the adoption of new SAPs not only needs awareness raising and capacity building but also must fundamentally address resource constraints of South African smallholder farmers such as knowledge, capital and labor. It is recommended that government should provide resources and infrastructure to improve the quality and outreach of extension services through field demonstration trials and training.

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