From Thousands to Millions: Accelerating Agricultural Intensification and Economic Growth in Sub-Saharan Africa

Maatman, A.; Wopereis, M.C.S.; Debrah, Kofi; Groot, J.J.R.

doi:10.1007/978-1-4020-5760-1_5

Cited by 7 publications

(6 citation statements)

References 3 publications

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“…Crop productivity in most parts of Africa is mainly limited by the availability of N and P (Schlecht et al, 2007), and this is also the case for western Kenya. Low use of fertilizer, estimated at only 8 kg ha −1 in year 2002 in sub-Saharan Africa (Maatman et al, 2008;Morris et al, 2007) and less than 20 kg N ha −1 for western Kenya (Okalebo et al, 2007), results in low yields, which are often less than 1.5 t ha −1 for maize grain (Mugwe et al, 2009;Tittonell et al, 2008). The positive yield increase following application of fertilizers N and P is not unique to our study, as this has been reported in several other studies (Kamara et al, 2008;Kihara et al, 2008;Muleba, 1999).…”

Section: N and P Fertilizationsupporting

confidence: 61%

Effect of Reduced Tillage and Mineral Fertilizer Application on Maize and Soybean Productivity

Kihara

Bationo

Waswa³

et al. 2011

Ex. Agric.

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SUMMARYReduced tillage is said to be one of the potential ways to reverse land degradation and ultimately increase the productivity of degrading soils of Africa. We hypothesised that crop yield following a modest application of 2 t ha−1 of crop residue in a reduced tillage system is similar to the yield obtained from a conventional tillage system, and that incorporation of legumes in a cropping system leads to greater economic benefits as opposed to a cropping system involving continuous maize. Three cropping systems (continuous maize monocropping, legume/maize intercropping and rotation) under different tillage and residue management systems were tested in sub-humid western Kenya over 10 seasons. While soybean performed equally well in both tillage systems throughout, maize yield was lower in reduced than conventional tillage during the first five seasons but no significant differences were observed after season 6. Likewise, with crop residue application, yields in conventional and reduced tillage systems are comparable after season 6. Nitrogen and phosphorus increased yield by up to 100% compared with control. Gross margins were not significantly different among the cropping systems being only 6 to 39% more in the legume–cereal systems relative to similar treatments in continuous cereal monocropping system. After 10 seasons of reduced tillage production, the economic benefits for our cropping systems are still not attractive for a switch from the conventional to reduced tillage.

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Section: N and P Fertilizationsupporting

confidence: 61%

Effect of Reduced Tillage and Mineral Fertilizer Application on Maize and Soybean Productivity

Kihara

Bationo

Waswa³

et al. 2011

Ex. Agric.

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“…In the present study, expected and obtained yield for soybean and maize under MF, TDN and EAB application were similar. Based on previous reports, the inorganic fertilizer may have provided a large part of the nutrients and the organic fertilizer may have increased soil organic matter status, structure, and buffering capacity in the fertilized sites [12,35]. In general, the organic matter also improves phosphorus (P) availability through reduction of the P sorption capacities of soil and supply of the P release during their decomposition [36][37].…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Assessing the Effects of Integrated Soil Fertility Management on Biological Efficiency and Economic Advantages of Intercropped Maize (Zea Mays L.) and Soybean (Glycine Max L.) in DR Congo

Muyayabantu¹,

Kadiata²,

Nkongolo

2013

AJEA

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Interactions among species play an important role in determining the structure and the dynamics of plant communities. The main objectives of the study were (i) to assess and compare different competition indices and their relationship with yield component under different inorganic and organic fertilizers regimes; and (ii), to identify nutrient management regimes options that lead to high yields and incomes in a maize-soybean intercropping system. Effects of integrated soil practices management on crop competition, yields components and economics advantage in maize-soybean intercropping system in a savannah region of the DR-Congo were investigated. Field trials were conducted at two sites in a randomized complete block design with six treatments replicated four times. Grain yield and yield components increased under integrated soil fertility management (ISFM) (inorganic or mineral and organic fertilization combined) than other treatments at Research ArticleAmerican Journal of Experimental Agriculture, 3(3): 520-541, 2013 521 the two sites of the study. Organic biomass application resulted in similar grain yield production than the inorganic (mineral) fertilizer application. The required land decreased when soil was fertilized compared to the control. Land equivalent coefficient (LEC) values ranged from 0.50 to 0.79. Soybean intercropped with maize resulted in an area-time equivalency ratio (ATER) higher than 1 for all the treatments confirming the intrinsic advantage of intercropping over sole crops. Among all the treatments, integrated nutrient management (ISFM) resulted in higher yields and monetary advantage index (MAI) values for maize/soybean mixture compared to other treatments. The highest MAI of 343891 was generated by the Tithonia (organic) -inorganic applications. Keywords: Cropping system; land equivalent ratio; land equivalent coefficient; area-time equivalency ratio; monetary advantage index; plant competition; maize and soybean yields; DR-Congo. Egbe OM. Evaluation of agronomic potentials of some pigeonpea genotypes for intercropping with maize and sorghum in Southern Guinea Savanna. Ph.D thesis, University of Agriculture, Makurdi, Nigeria; 2005. 59 Njoroge JM, Waithaka K, Chweya JA. Effects of intercropping young plants of the compact Arabica coffee hybrid cultivar. Ruiru Iwith potatoes, tomatoes, beans and maize on coffee yields and economic returns in Kenya. Expl.

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“…2). At small-scale farming level, the critical and immediate factors that affect crop yield are soil nutrients and rain/water availability (Maatman et al 2007). Soil nutrient deficiency can be tackled through integrated soil fertility management (ISFM) and sustainable land management (SLM) measures (e.g., Alley and Vanlauwe 2009;Liniger et al 2011).…”

Section: Conceptual Frameworkmentioning

confidence: 99%

Assessment of maize yield gap and major determinant factors between smallholder farmers in the Dedza district of Malawi

Tamene¹,

Mponela²,

Ndengu³

et al. 2015

Nutr Cycl Agroecosyst

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This study explored the effect of soil nutrient status, agronomic practices and socio-economic factors on maize yield attained by smallholder farmers in the Dedza District of Malawi. Results show that maize yield ranged between 0.4 and 12 t ha -1 with a mean value of 4.1 t ha -1 . Observed high yields ([8.0 t ha -1 ) were associated with households using improved varieties combined with improved management practices such as NPK, urea and animal manure. With regards to soil factors, boron (B) and nitrogen (N) which are critically deficient in the area were significantly (b = 21.1, p \ 0.01) associated with maize yield increase. From agronomic factors, weeds, seed spacing, plant density and fertilizer application played significant role in maize yield. Weed rating inversely impacted yield (b = -0.5; p \ 0.001) where fields with the lowest weed rating had the highest yield (4.6 t ha -1 ) than those with the highest rating (2.3 t ha -1 ). Socio-economic factors such as household wealth, household members with off-farm employment, number of years the household head has been involved in farming decision making, access to agricultural advice and group membership also influenced agronomic practices and resulted in yield gap. Household wealth and off-farm employment contributed to increased yield while household head experience in farming had negative impact. Extension service impacted yield negatively which can be attributed to the low extension worker to farmer ratio. The study demonstrated that closing yield gap in maize mixed farming systems requires integrated approach to addressing agronomic, biophysical and socio-economic constraints.

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From Thousands to Millions: Accelerating Agricultural Intensification and Economic Growth in Sub-Saharan Africa

Cited by 7 publications

References 3 publications

Effect of Reduced Tillage and Mineral Fertilizer Application on Maize and Soybean Productivity

Effect of Reduced Tillage and Mineral Fertilizer Application on Maize and Soybean Productivity

Assessing the Effects of Integrated Soil Fertility Management on Biological Efficiency and Economic Advantages of Intercropped Maize (Zea Mays L.) and Soybean (Glycine Max L.) in DR Congo

Assessment of maize yield gap and major determinant factors between smallholder farmers in the Dedza district of Malawi

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