Maize yield and profitability tradeoffs with social, human and environmental performance: Is sustainable intensification feasible?

Snapp, Sieglinde S.; Grabowski, Philip; Chikowo, Régis; Smith, Alex; Anders, Erin; Sirrine, Dorothy; Chimonyo, Vimbayi G. P.; Bekunda, Mateete

doi:10.1016/j.agsy.2018.01.012

Cited by 82 publications

(81 citation statements)

References 41 publications

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“…Research from Malawi found that women are more likely than men to adopt the pigeon pea-maize intercropping approach. The researchers demonstrated that this intercropping approach improved soil organic matter retention and may contribute to soil accrual (Snapp et al 2018). Further, research from India indicated that women were more likely to adopt zero tillage strategies and less likely than men to apply manure to their crops following an intervention designed to promotethe reduction of greenhouse gas emissions from agriculture (Sapkota et al 2018).…”

Section: Agricultural Technology Promotionmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…Further, some studies have found that women's adoption of improved seeds or irrigation schemes does not always result in the longer-term benefit of an increase in crop yield or income, due to limited access to land, equipment, and markets (Kinkingninhoun-Mêdagbé et al 2008, Yokouchi and Saito 2016). By contrast, adoption of new agricultural technologies in Bangladesh and Malawi has been observed to increase women's household decisionmaking power, women's income, provide more time for girls' education, and improve children's nutritional outcomes (Rahman et al 2012, Snapp et al 2018.…”

Section: Agricultural Technology Promotionmentioning

confidence: 99%

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How does gendered vulnerability shape the adoption and impact of sustainable livelihood interventions in an era of global climate change?

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Sellers

2019

Environ. Res. Lett.

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Background. Though many studies have long considered the broad social implications of climate change, researchers have only recently started to consider the gendered unevenness of the global landscape of vulnerability, exposure, and adaptive capacity to environmental stressors and shocks. Historically, policies and interventions addressing natural resource-based livelihoods have rarely considered underlying gender dynamics despite the global pervasiveness of gendered disparities in both economic opportunities and welfare outcomes. Methods/Design. Using two electronic databases, Web of Science and Scopus, we conducted a systematic review of peer-reviewed academic literature describing livelihoods policies or interventions that included documentation of gendered impacts. We focused on natural resource-based livelihoods most likely to be affected by climate change, centering on interventions targeting agriculture, fisheries and aquaculture, and forestry. Review Results/ Synthesis. We identified 131 relevant articles, most of which focus on adoption or participation in interventions rather than outcomes. In general, women are less likely than men to engage with sustainable livelihoods interventions. When women do engage, some researchers have documented income and food security gains as well as improvements in environmental indicators in the shortterm. However, these initiatives have also been found to increase women's labor burden without corresponding gains in income. Few studies measure longer-term effects of women's engagement on welfare and environmental outcomes, a key gap in the literature. Additionally, relatively few studies explore the intersectional impacts of initiatives, such as the added burdens of ethnicity, class, education, or other differences that modify gender disparities. Discussion. Climate change has gendered impacts on natural resource-based livelihoods. In general, existing initiatives designed to increase livelihood resilience fail to reduce gender disparities and improve women's livelihoods. Greater attention should be paid to gender when designing sustainable livelihoods policies and interventions in order to increase adoption and participation, negotiate trade-offs, improve environmental conditions, and promote broadly beneficial welfare outcomes.

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Section: Agricultural Technology Promotionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Section: Agricultural Technology Promotionmentioning

confidence: 99%

How does gendered vulnerability shape the adoption and impact of sustainable livelihood interventions in an era of global climate change?

Call

Sellers

2019

Environ. Res. Lett.

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“…The United States Agency for International Development‐sponsored Feed the Future initiative in Malawi ‘Africa RISING’ has facilitated the development of FPR approaches to address the site‐specific problems of environmental and food insecurity. Combined with on‐farm monitoring to understand yield gaps and the relevance and profitability of SA technologies, the Africa RISING team seeks to fine‐tune recommendations and understand the interaction of climate, soil type, and market goals to support the adoption of SA technologies (Mungai et al, 2016; Snapp et al, 2018). Farmer participatory research is being carried out in three Malawi administrative units, called Extension Planning Areas (EPAs) (Fig.…”

Section: Study Objectivesmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…), and soybean ( Glycine max (L.) Merr.)] diversification of maize ( Zea mays L.)‐based systems through integrated nutrient management (Snapp et al, 2018). In mother trials, this included judicious doses of N and P fertilizer at the recommended rate of 69 kg N ha −1 and 9 kg P ha −1 for sole maize, with reduced rates based on stringent accounting for organic nutrient sources in other treatments.…”

Section: Study Objectivesmentioning

confidence: 99%

Farmer Participatory Research Advances Sustainable Agriculture: Lessons from Michigan and Malawi

2019

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Sustainable production for field crops has proved to be a challenging proposition. Farmer participatory research (FPR) is an important approach to help ensure relevance and define locally adapted solutions for enhanced adoption of sustainable agriculture (SA) technologies. The mother and baby trial (MBT) design has proved effective as a FPR approach to address challenges on smallholder farms. The MBT systematically links long‐term “mother” trials, where slow and erratic processes can be monitored, to “baby” trials led by farmers to capture a wide range of farm practices and environmental contexts. Communication and learning is facilitated through MBTs as well. This distributed FPR approach documents the performance of technologies in diverse contexts and provides multiple opportunities for joint planning, observation, and reflection. We describe two MBT case studies, one within a developing country context (Malawi) and the other representing a novel application of MBT within an intensive agriculture context (Michigan). To explore tradeoffs in SA performance, multiple domains (productivity, environmental, and economic) are presented via radar charts as a visualization tool. In both FPR experiences, farmer perspectives and a wide range of practices were revealed. In Malawi, a mesic site was associated with steep SA tradeoffs compared with a marginal site. In Michigan, diversity in tillage practices, field crop performance, and soil health were found to be conditioned by the environment. Overall, the MBT approach supported the development of SA technologies adapted to local conditions. Core Ideas Sustainable agricultural technologies are needed for environmental services. Agricultural learning communities support joint learning and on‐farm adoption. Case studies from Michigan and Malawi illustrate the mother and baby trial approach. Farmer participatory research enhances stakeholder communication and adaptations.

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“…In Kandeu and Linthipe, less evapotranspiration and the low plant population in MzPp may have resulted in inefficient use of resources at these mesic sites in terms of maize grain yield, although these sites supported large aboveground biomass of the pigeonpea component in the mixed crop systems (Kigalu, 2007). Production of high-quality legume biomass could be an important benefit associated with MzPp Snapp et al, 2018). The plant population in the MzPp system in Golomoti, which is a dry, hot, and low-altitude site, may have resulted in high yield for maize At Golomoti, high evapotranspiration and limited soil water availability at this site appear to have limited pigeonpea development to complement levels that, along with low maize population density, led to minimal plant competition for water.…”

Section: Maize Grain Yield In Response To Treatment Site and Seasonmentioning

confidence: 99%

Grain Legumes Increase Yield Stability in Maize Based Cropping Systems

2019

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Functional crop diversity enhances crop productivity, stability, and food security through efficient nutrient cycling and water utilization; however, performance is variable under marginal environments. We applied stability analysis to assess impacts of grain legume integration on maize (Zea mays L.) grain yield, yield stability, N use efficiency (NUE), and ability to meet household protein requirements. Six field trials were conducted across three agroecological zones over five cropping seasons. We used additive main effect and multiplicative interaction to assess grain yield stability of maize in unfertilized maize, maize fertilized with 69 kg N ha−1 (Mz69), maize–pigeonpea [Cajanus cajan (L.) Millsp.] intercrop (MzPp), and maize in rotation with soybean [Glycine max (L.) Merr.] (SbRot), peanut (Arachis hypogaea L., PnRot), and peanut–pigeonpea intercrop (PnDLR). Maize in rotation or intercrop received 10.5 kg P2O5 and 35 kg N ha−1, whereas the Mz69 treatment received 21 kg P2O5 and 69 kg N ha−1. Maize grain yield in rotation with legumes was not significantly different from yield for Mz69. In wetter environments, MzPp intercrops had low maize grain yield (−35%) relative to Mz69, whereas in drier environments, maize had higher grain yield (14%) relative to rotated maize. Rotating maize with legumes increased NUE (56%) and protein contributions (65%) relative to Mz69. Grain yield of maize in SbRot consistently had the highest yield and was the most stable technology. Simple statistical models can be used to test multicrop stability. Integrating maize with legumes as intercrops or rotation can allow farmers to achieve high and stable yield under varying rainfall, with modest fertilizer investments.

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Maize yield and profitability tradeoffs with social, human and environmental performance: Is sustainable intensification feasible?

Cited by 82 publications

References 41 publications

How does gendered vulnerability shape the adoption and impact of sustainable livelihood interventions in an era of global climate change?

How does gendered vulnerability shape the adoption and impact of sustainable livelihood interventions in an era of global climate change?

Farmer Participatory Research Advances Sustainable Agriculture: Lessons from Michigan and Malawi

Grain Legumes Increase Yield Stability in Maize Based Cropping Systems

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