ICARDA Working Papers

Permanent URI for this collectionhttps://hdl.handle.net/10568/51691

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Adoption of Climate-Smart Agricultural Technologies and Practices in Fragile and Conflict-Affected Settings: A Review and Meta-Analysis
(Working Paper) Nshakira-Rukundo, Emmanuel; Tabe-Ojong, Martin Paul; Gebrekidan, Bisrat; Agaba, Monica; Surendran Padmaja, Subash; Dhehibi, Boubaker
A major challenge for countries dealing with conflict and instability is encouraging the use of farming technologies and natural resource management practices that are climate-smart. These practices boost productivity, build resilience to climate challenges and thus contribute to other dimensions of resilience such as those associated with conflict. In this review and meta-analysis, we assess factors associated with farmers’ adoption decisions for such technologies and practices. We use advanced machine learning tools to analyze over 42,000 published papers. Focusing on countries identified as fragile due to either climate shocks or conflict, we select 109 papers and extract 1330 coefficients and implement partial correlation coefficient analysis. Our findings show that most of the research comes from two countries; Ethiopia and Nigeria and we do not find any studies from Small Island States. We categorized the technologies into five technology groups, including soil health, erosion management, mechanization, input use and risk reduction technologies. Analysis reveals that factors such as farmer training, access to information, subsidies, and past experiences of using technologies predicts further technology adoption. However, there are significant differences across various technology groups and most especially, a very low coverage of risk-reduction technologies such as insurance.
Empowering landless women through collectives in the agrifood systems: A review
(Working Paper, 2023-11-01) Mohammed, Kamaldeen; Najjar, Dina
Collectives are viewed as agents for women's economic empowerment in the Agrifood System through collective action. Globally, women constitute about 36% of employed people in AFS and almost half of the workforce in the food processing and services sector. As such, empowering women in the agrifood systems is a vital prerequisite for fostering a fair and peaceful world as well as enhancing women’s income and wellbeing. This review explores how collectives can empower vulnerable and often landless women in the agri-food sector. The review highlights the types of collectives, the level of formality and how that affects women’s participation in collectives. Broadly, the role of collectives in women empowerment can be described as being economical, social or political empowerment. However, for a full and effective empowerment of women, there must be an enabling ecosystem of formal laws, rules and regulations and informal social norms, religious beliefs and customs favouring collectivization. There also need to be favourable socio-economic and cultural factors that allow for women's ability and willingness to collectivize. Women collectives can potentially improve women’s income-earning opportunities, access to financial resources, and other social outcomes. However, collectives still face challenges such as inadequate access to productive resources, insufficient participation of women in decision-making, structural and cultural gender constraints, and the overburden of collectives with women empowerment.
Transdisciplinary Approaches for Market Intelligence Research: Theory, Practice, and Implications for Designing Product Profiles in Crop Breeding
(Working Paper) Amoak, Daniel; Najjar, Dina; Belcher, Brian; Connor, Melanie; Banda, Vishnuvardhan Reddy; Teeken, Bela; Muungani, Dean
The goal of this strategic evidence review is to synthesize and analyze the literature on TDR approaches, with an emphasis on both theory and practice, including research design, team composition, and team dynamics to guide market intelligence research. We seek to highlight the theory behind how TDR works, state-of-the-art TDR project design, and implications for market intelligence TDR in crop breeding. The outcomes of this study add to the body of work seeking to define institutional norms for transdisciplinary teams in developing product profiles in breeding. The findings of this assessment will be valuable for research and development teams at the CGIAR and elsewhere working in agricultural and natural resource management.
Economic Evaluation of Soil and Water Conservation Practices and Forage Mixtures Cropping Under Different Agroecosystems in Northern and Central West Tunisia
(Working Paper, 2023-09-04) Souissi, Asma; Dhehibi, Boubaker; Frija, Aymen; M. Oumer, Ali; Idoudi, Zied; M'hamed, Hatem Cheikh; Ben Youssef, Salah; Bahri, Haithem; Le, Quang Bao; Shiri, Zahra; Wafa, Ameur; Ouerghemmi, Hassen; Rekik, Mourad; Majri, Rihab
Soil erosion and land degradation are critical challenges in Northern and Central West Tunisia. This report assesses the profitability of different forage mixtures used as a key rotation practice to mitigate these challenges. Various soil and water conservation (SWC) practices were put in place using a sample of 33 small farmers in the framework of the SWC@Scale-ProSol project. Cost-benefit and a partial budget analysis were conducted to assess the profitability of the implemented agricultural practices on the selected demonstration plots. Technical and economic surveys were also carried out and forage samples were collected to support the study. Results show that the four tested forage mixtures were profitable in both agroecosystems of the study (Siliana and Kairouan), particularly under the rainfed agriculture production system. The mixture “Vetch-Oat-Triticale” (VOT) has the best net return and benefit-cost ratio. SWC practices, such as the zero and/or minimum tillage and the mechanical sowing, also increase the benefit-cost ratio (BCR). The intercropping system (forage mixtures between lines of olive trees) reached a net return and a BCR remarkably close to the open field cropping system. Using forage mixtures and applying SWC practices significantly contributes to curbing the growing erosion problems in the studied areas, as well as enhancing farmer’s profitability, and can thus widely be considered an option for both profitability and sustainability.
Adoption and impacts of agricultural technologies and sustainable natural resource management practices in fragile and conflict affected settings: A review and meta-analysis
(Working Paper, 2023-09-29) Nshakira-Rukundo, Emmanuel; Tabe-Ojong, Martin Paul Jr.; Gebrekidan, Bisrat Haile; Agaba, Monica; Surendran-Padmaja, Subash; Dhebibi, Boubaker
Climate change and conflicts co-exist in many countries with significant welfare and socio-environmental implications. Different approaches are being promoted to adapt and build resilience to these fragilities including the adoption of sustainable farm practices that have the potential to increase agricultural productivity and maintain environmental sustainability. We undertake a systematic review and perform a meta-analysis to understand and synthesize the adoption and impacts of agricultural technologies and natural resource management practices with a special attention to fragile and conflict affected settings. We employ state of the art machine learning methods to enable process and selection of appropriate papers from a universe of over 78,000 papers from leading academic databases. We find that studies on adoption and impact of agricultural technologies and natural resource management practices are highly clustered around Ethiopia and Nigeria. We do not find any studies on Small Island States. We observe a wide array of characteristics that influence adoption of these technologies. Of the over 1400 estimates of determinants collected, majority predict input technologies while very few studies and estimates are found in relation to risk management and mechanisation technologies. Our meta-analysis shows an average effect size of 7 - 9% for the different technologies and practices. For the outcomes: land productivity, food security and household welfare, we obtain effect sizes of 6, 8 and 9% respectively. We do not observe much in terms of publication bias. Both climate and conflict vulnerability not only cause far more food insecurity, poverty, and degradation of the environment on their own but also reinforce each other through the climate change – conflict linkage. For these detrimental effects to be curtailed, utilisation of climate-smart agricultural technologies and natural resource management practices need to be encouraged. We thus lend credence to the development, dissemination and upscaling of these sustainable practices. We observe a lot of space for growth and adoption of these technologies.
How to Keep it Adequate: A Validation Protocol for Agent-Based Simulation
(Working Paper) Troost, Christian; Bell, Andrew; Delden, Hedwig; Huber, Robert; Filatova, Tatiana; Le, Quang Bao; Lippe, Melvin; Niamir, Leila; Polhill, J.; Sun, Zhanli; Berger, Thomas
Agent-based models are used in a huge diversity of contexts, which complicates the establishment of a shared understanding of model validity and adequate methods for model construction, inference and validation. Starting from the tenet that model validity can only be judged with respect to a well-defined purpose and context, we conceptualise validation as systematically substantiating the premises on which conclusions from simulation analysis for a specific context are built. We revisit the premises of empirical and structural validation and argue that validation should not be understood as an isolated step in the modelling process. Rather, sound conclusions from simulation analysis require context-adequate choices at all steps of simulation analysis. To facilitate communication, we develop a protocol of guiding questions to analyse the modelling context, choose appropriate methods at each step, document the premises involved in a specific simulation analysis, and demonstrate the adequacy of the model for its context.
Using accurate detection tools to develop a successful management strategy for lentil and chickpea viruses in farmers' fields in the highlands of Ethiopia
(Working Paper, 2022-12-01) Kumari, Safaa; Moukahel, Abdulrahman; Ademe, Anteneh; Aynewa, Yetsedaw; Kemal, Seid Ahmed
Since 2019, farmers in the highlands of Ethiopia are losing their chickpea and lentil crops because of virus epidemics, and lentil production area in Ethiopia was reduced due to the virus infection. Based on FAOSTAT, lentil production (tonnes) and Area Harvested (ha) in Ethiopia decreased from 166,274 tonnes and 113,685 ha during 2016 to 113,018 tonnes and 84,512 ha during 2020, respectively (FAOSTAT, 2022). Knowing the exact identity of viruses affecting both crops is essential for breeding for resistance and crop management purposes. To achieve this, field surveys were carried out for four consecutive seasons (2019-2022) in collaboration between ICARDA and Ethiopian researchers, using up-to-date detection tools to monitor virus incidence and distribution on lentil and chickpea crops in the highlands of Ethiopia. Data generated can be used by plant pathologists, scientists, breeders, plant protection organizations, policy makers, National agricultural research, and extension agencies to mitigate the viral diseases.
A review of goat reproduction in East and Horn of Africa
(Working Paper, 2022-12-20) Rouatbi, Mariem; Haile, Aynalem; Getachew, Tesfaye; Dione, Michel; Zannou, Olivier; Tebourbi, Ons; Idoudi, Zied; Rischkowsky, Barbara; Rekik, Mourad
While goats are an important pillar of livestock and agriculture sectors in East and Horn of Africa, little research is being published and access to unpublished data is very difficult. This working paper attempts to review the male and female reproductive characteristics of goats in 11 countries of East and Horn of Africa (Burundi, Djibouti, Eritrea, Ethiopia, Kenya, Malawi, Rwanda, Somalia, Sudan, Tanzania and Uganda), and to summarize studies that have looked at the improvement of reproductive performance of goats, and applications of reproductive biotechnologies, such as artificial insemination and embryo transfer. A section of this paper is dedicated to reviewing the main diseases affecting the reproduction of goats, and analyzing prevalence and main risk factors. This working paper is a first step to fill a gap in knowledge related to reproduction in goats. The volume and quality of information between countries varied considerably, so there are some disproportions in reporting findings and results for certain traits.
Gender and Climate-relevant Agri-Food Systems Governance: A Strategic Evidence Review
(Working Paper, 2022-12-30) Amoak, Daniel; Najjar, Dina; Kyle, Jordan
There is a need to address gender inequalities in agri-food systems governance to close the gender gap and improve women's agency and participation in the agri-food sector. Women often face barriers to expressing their voices and exercising their agency in agri-food systems due to a lack of education and knowledge, which limits their ability to adopt and implement new farming techniques for improved yields. Moreso, women are often underrepresented in decision-making processes and leadership roles, which can lead to policies and solutions that do not adequately address their needs and interests. In addition, societal norms and cultural restrictions often limit women's mobility and interactions with men, hindering their participation in productive meetings and decision-making processes. Furthermore, gendered roles and tasks can disincentivize women's involvement in agri-food systems, and traditional practices often favor men in terms of owning agricultural assets such as land. To overcome these barriers, practical approaches such as the diffusion of gender-sensitive technological innovations and the development of women's leadership skills through training can be effective in supporting women's agency in climate-related AFS governance.
Gender Equality, Climate Change and Agriculture in the MENA region: Priorities and Possibilities
(Working Paper, 2022-12-01) Baruah, Bipasha; Najjar, Dina
The MENA region is both disproportionately vulnerable to compound climate fragility risks and among the most gender unequal regions in the world. Although we must be wary of over-generalizing about women’s needs and experiences across such a diverse set of geographic, ecological, cultural, socio-economic, political, and institutional contexts, the existing body of research on gender and climate change in MENA does enable us to comment reasonably certainly on what we know and what we do not know about the opportunities and challenges women experience in agriculture, the gendered effects and outcomes of climate change upon agriculture, and the roles women have played and could play in the future in adapting and building resilience to climate effects. Based on this existing scientific literature, we also identify gaps in evidence and knowledge, and make practical recommendations for future research and public policy.
Women’s resilience and participation in climate governance in the agri-food sector: A strategic review of public policies
(Working Paper, 2022-12-01) Mohammed, Kamaldeen; Najjar, Dina; Bryan, Elizabeth
The primary objective of this working paper is to review literature (i.e., peer-reviewed and grey) on the extent to which women’s full and effective participation in climate change policies at different scales; defined at the level at which a policy is implemented, including macro, meso and micro; improve women’s resilience to climate change and environmental hazards. Given that women are vulnerable to climate change in unique ways and have important contributions to increase the climate resilience of the agri-food sector, it is imperative for governments to design and enact policies to enhance women’s resilience to climate change by alleviating gendered constraints and building women’s resilience capacities in line with the Sustainable Development Goals (SDG). The SDGs provide a goalpost for strengthening women’s voice and agency in climate resilience. In particular, SDG 5.5 which “seeks to ensure women’s full and effective participation and equal opportunities, defined as meaningful involvement and exertion of influence, for leadership at all levels of decision-making in political, economic and public life.” Improving women’s full, effective, and meaningful participation in the policy process is a critical pre-condition to increasing women’s resilience to climate change and disaster risk. As such, one of the central conclusions of the 65th Commission on the Status of Women (CSW65) reaffirmed the need for government policies to champion women’s full and effective participation and leadership in climate change governance. The review emphasizes government policies that promote women’s agency and voices in climate change resilience at multiple scales; national frameworks for integrating gender in climate policy, and women’s resilience capacities in the agri-food sector. Importantly, and when data allows, the review also details how and under what conditions these policies succeed in enabling women to acquire voice and agency in climate change resilience through specific well-being outcomes.
Review of the reproductive performances of sheep breeds in Ethiopia: Documenting existing knowledge and identifying priority research needs
(Working Paper, 2015-07-15) Rekik, Mourad; Haile, Aynalem; Mekuriaw, Z.; Abiebie, A.; Rischkowsky, Barbara A.; Salem, I.B.
Capturing and Disseminating Lessons Learned from Integrated Natural Resource Management Projects in the Middle East and North Africa
(Working Paper, 2013) Remaury, H.; Aw-Hassan, Aden A.
ICARDA's Sub-Saharan Africa Regional Program and Research Platform
(Working Paper, 2014) International Center for Agricultural Research in the Dry Areas
Strengthening the Capacity of Iraq's Agricultural Sector
(Working Paper, 2014) Al-Haboby, A.; Gasparini, P.
Enhancing the Dairy Processing Skills and Market Access of Rural Women in Jordan
(Working Paper, 2013) Al-Hiary, M.; Yigezu, Yigezu Atnafe; Rischkowsky, Barbara A.; Hilali, M. El-Dine; Shdeifat, B.
Agricultural Research Collaboration in Tajikistan
(Working Paper, 2013) Turok, J.; Begmuratov, M.; Akramov, Kamiljon T.; Carli, C.; Christmann, S.; Glazirina, M.; Jumaboev, Kahramon; Karimov, J.; Kazbekov, Z.; Khalikulov, R.; Mavlyanova, N.; Nishanov, A.; Nurbekov, N.; Saidov, R.; Sharma, K.; Toderich, M.; Turdieva, M.K.; Yuldashev, Tulkun

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