A Qualitative Evaluation of CSA Options in Mixed Crop-Livestock Systems in Developing Countries

Thornton, Philip K.; Rosenstock, Todd S.; Förch, Wiebke; Lamanna, Christine; Bell, Patrick; Henderson, B.; Herrero, Mario

doi:10.1007/978-3-319-61194-5_17

Cited by 30 publications

(27 citation statements)

References 131 publications

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“…Seeds that are heat-and drought-resistant and high yielding are a key tool for adaptation of vulnerable farmers in sub-Saharan Africa (SSA) and ultimately for achieving SDG2. New seeds represent relatively straightforward adaptation: farmers know the crops and varietal changes generally present few challenges, provided there are no issues around acceptability with respect to taste, color, or other plant attributes, for example (Thornton et al 2018). The time required to develop and disseminate these seeds depends on a number of factors, to do not only with access to expertise, facilities, and appropriate germplasm (Challinor et al 2016), but also with the efficiency of supply chains and national-level requirements for testing and approval.…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…Historical adoption rates of "improved" technology in sub-Saharan Africa have often been much lower than expected as smallholders face major barriers to access, indicating the need for deliberate and targeted interventions. Increasing access requires not only breeding climate-resilient seeds but also investments in seed production and distribution, including seed bulking facilities, expanded extension services, and input subsidies (Thornton et al 2018). Targeted policies are needed to ensure that appropriate interventions can be adopted in the time frame and scale needed.…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

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The value of climate-resilient seeds for smallholder adaptation in sub-Saharan Africa

et al. 2020

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Climate change is threatening food security in many tropical countries, where a large proportion of food is produced by vulnerable smallholder farmers. Interventions are available to offset many of the negative impacts of climate change on agriculture, and they can be tailored to local conditions often through relative modest investments. However, little quantitative information is available to guide investment or policy choices at a time when countries and development agencies are under pressure to implement policies that can help achieve Sustainable Development Goals while coping with climate change. Among smallholder adaptation options, developing seeds resilient to current and future climate shocks expected locally is one of the most important actions available now. In this paper, we used national and local data to estimate the costs of climate change to smallholder farmers in Malawi and Tanzania. We found that the benefits from adopting resilient seeds ranged between 984 million and 2.1 billion USD during 2020–2050. Our analysis demonstrates the benefits of establishing and maintaining a flexible national seed sector with participation by communities in the breeding, delivery, and adoption cycle.

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Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

The value of climate-resilient seeds for smallholder adaptation in sub-Saharan Africa

et al. 2020

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“…Mixed crop-livestock systems, in which crops and livestock are produced on the same land, are central to smallholder production in most of SSA. 51 This largely reflects food security and cultural considerations. Mixed systems are primarily rainfed, and predominantly subsistence-oriented and cropdominated.…”

Section: Mixed Crop-livestock Systemsmentioning

confidence: 99%

Meat, milk and more: Policy innovations to shepherd inclusive and sustainable livestock systems in Africa

Panel¹

2020

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Overarching policy frameworks: Given the duality of livestock production in many countries, with large market-oriented producers operating alongside small and subsistence producers, and formal markets operating alongside informal markets, an overarching policy framework is needed to create an inclusive, holistic, innovative, productive, and profi table livestock sector, that is also environmentally sustainable and promotes further involvement of women and youth. Dedicated departments for livestock can ensure that the sector is funded better, and that there is clear oversight of livestock activities, while crossdepartmental committees composed of representatives from livestock, agriculture, environment, health and fi nance ministries would ensure that cross-cutting themes receive the attention and coordination they require. 2 Regulation: A nimble but clear and health conscious regulatory environment will be critical to ensure that a fl ourishing livestock sector maintains high safety, quality, and welfare standards, produces nutritious food, preserves environmental sustainability, and protects producers' and consumers' health. Domestic regulations for input and output markets need to be harmonized and simplifi ed, while strengthened services are needed to support such regulations. Property rights of herders need to be recognized. 3 Private sector-led development: A viable private sector, including farmer and herder organizations, will facilitate increased investments, and drive growth, job creation, and entrepreneurship in the livestock sector. Dedicated investments in infrastructure-such as provision of electricity, cooling facilities, and transport-could signifi cantly reduce market transaction costs and improve the effi ciency of value chains through innovations as well as the safety and production of animal-sourced products, and make the commercialization of livestock production more feasible. The feed sector needs to expand based on sound investment for stable supplies and innovation in pasture grassland quality. 4 Finance and livestock assets: Despite its signifi cant contribution to agricultural and national gross domestic product (GDP), the livestock sector in most African countries remains heavily underfunded. Financing common goods such as animal health, animal improvement, and research creates a strong foundation upon which both market-oriented and subsistence livestock sectors can prosper. Financial services must be (re-)designed to cater for the unique circumstances of livestock producers, such as the need for different loan sizes and duration of borrowing, alternative forms of collateral, seasonality of production, and other inherent risks. Livestock insurance also provides a vital source of fi nancial support, particularly during and following emergencies. Livestock distribution programs to smallholders can be considered at greater scale when combined with services. 5 6 Data and research: Availability and access to comprehensive and good quality information and data on all aspects of the livestock s...

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“…This reference to untapped food should be articulated with the dominated smallholder agricultural model that needs to be boosted to improve productivity through better access to yield-enhancing innovations [62]. In Africa, about 30% of soils in croplands are unresponsive to fertilizer use despite being nutrient-deficient, likely due to loss of biological fertility [63].…”

Section: Transforming Agriculture and Food In The Context Of Sdgsmentioning

confidence: 99%

Use It Sustainably or Lose It! The Land Stakes in SDGs for Sub-Saharan Africa

Mbow

2020

Land

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Sub-Saharan Africa (SSA) failed to meet most Millennium Development Goals (MDGs). The Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) require knowledge-intensive actions that weigh development goals against sustainability options with several possibilities in various contexts. Land resources are the mainstay for most African communities and the basis of achievement of most SDGs. The “transformation imperative” in Africa will only take place in a differentiated set of resource management and use. The baselines in African countries are rather low in terms of internal policy and economic functions. The objective of this paper is to instate ideas on ways to achieve the SDGs through a new transformative design based on a collective capacity of diverse actors to access a range of land-based practices. We should selectively adapt, adopt, or consolidate various land innovations by targeting place and time where various practices have worked or can work in a range of ecologies; what seems to work over the short-term but reduces risks for the long-term; and what the implications are for wealth, food production, livelihoods, climate change, resilience, and development. This requires a greater capacity to apply what is known about transformative action but also set a collaborative learning system to influence policy-makers and action-takers to support sustainable transformation.

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A Qualitative Evaluation of CSA Options in Mixed Crop-Livestock Systems in Developing Countries

Cited by 30 publications

References 131 publications

The value of climate-resilient seeds for smallholder adaptation in sub-Saharan Africa

The value of climate-resilient seeds for smallholder adaptation in sub-Saharan Africa

Meat, milk and more: Policy innovations to shepherd inclusive and sustainable livestock systems in Africa

Use It Sustainably or Lose It! The Land Stakes in SDGs for Sub-Saharan Africa

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