RAAIS: Rapid Appraisal of Agricultural Innovation Systems (Part II). Integrated analysis of parasitic weed problems in rice in Tanzania

Schut, Marc; Rodenburg, Jonne; Klerkx, Laurens; Kayeke, Juma; Ast, A. van; Bastiaans, L.

doi:10.1016/j.agsy.2014.09.004

Cited by 51 publications

(28 citation statements)

References 38 publications

(43 reference statements)

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“…However, in reality, extension services in SSA are often understaffed, underequipped and often lack the relevant knowledge on, for instance, weed management (e.g. Schut et al 2015). Alternative means of information transfer, like programs or applications based on information and communication technologies (ICT) such as computers and smart-phones (e.g.…”

Section: The Status Quo Of Herbicides In Africamentioning

confidence: 99%

Status quo of chemical weed control in rice in sub-Saharan Africa

et al. 2019

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If future rice production is to contribute to food security for the increasing population of sub-Saharan Africa (SSA), effective strategies are needed to control weeds, the crop's fiercest competitors for resources. To gain better insights into farmers' access to, and use of, herbicides as part of weed control strategies, surveys were conducted in key rice production locations across SSA. Farm surveys were held among 1965 farmers across 20 countries to collect data on rice yields, farmer's weed management practices, herbicide use, frequencies of interventions and information sources regarding herbicides. Markets were surveyed across 17 countries to collect data on herbicide availability, brand names and local prices (converted to US$ ha −1 ). Herbicides are used by 34% of the rice farmers in SSA, but adoption ranges from 0 to 72% across countries. Herbicides are more often used by men (40%) than by women (27%) and more often in irrigated (44% of farmers) than in rainfed lowland (36%) or upland rice growing environments (24%). Herbicides are always used supplementary to hand weeding. Following this combination, yield loss reductions in irrigated lowlands and rainfed uplands are estimated to be 0.4 t ha −1 higher than hand weeding alone. In rainfed lowlands no benefits were observed from herbicide use. Sixty-two percent of the herbicides sold at rural agro-chemical supply markets are unauthorized. These markets are dominated by glyphosate and 2,4-D, sold under 55 and 41 different brand names, respectively, and at relatively competitive prices (below average herbicide price of US $17 ha −1 ). They are also the most popular herbicides among farmers. For advice on herbicide application methods, farmers primarily rely on their peers, and only a few receive advice from extension services (<23%) or inform themselves by reading the product label (<16%). Herbicide application timings are therefore often (38%) sub-optimal. Herbicide technologies can contribute to reduced production losses in rice in SSA. However, through negative effects on crop, environment and human health, incorrect herbicide use may unintentionally counteract efforts to increase food security. Moving away from this status quo will require strict implementation and monitoring of national pesticide regulations and investment in research and development to innovate and diversify the currently followed weed management strategies, agricultural service provision and communications with farmers.

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Section: The Status Quo Of Herbicides In Africamentioning

confidence: 99%

Status quo of chemical weed control in rice in sub-Saharan Africa

et al. 2019

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“…The final open-ended question required respondents to give any additional information and/or make recommendations on how CA uptake could be increased in their region. The above sections and their subsequent questions were guided by other adoption surveys, for example, the CIMMYT 1993 survey program and Rapid Appraisal of Agricultural Innovation Systems (RAAIS), which is a diagnostic tool useful in analyzing agricultural problems [45,46].…”

Section: Data Collectionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Adoption of Conservation Agriculture in Uganda: A Case Study of the Lango Subregion

2018

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Conservation agriculture (CA) is based on three principles: minimum soil disturbance, maintaining a soil cover through mulching with crop residues or planting cover crops, and practicing crop rotations. CA is practiced in many parts of the world for its benefits to soil and ability to improve yields, among others. There is little documented information on the status of CA adoption in the Lango region in mid-Northern Uganda. This study aimed at determining the extent of CA adoption in relation to the socioeconomic status of the farming population and suggesting relevant strategies for accelerating CA uptake specific to this region. A non-discriminative snowball-sampling technique was used to gather data from 417 households spread over three districts. Semi-structured interviews were conducted using household questionnaires. Farmers' uptake of CA was related to information gained from training and the benefits that were observed in their fields. Some farm-level constraints in the region included the diminutive ratio of shared tools and equipment; the minimum presence and involvement of extension services; and seasonal rural markets that are dominated by middlemen. The impact that was attributed to the use of CA at the household level was improved yields. The strategy that was used to spread CA information to farmers also played a key role in increasing CA uptake in the region. This information is important for increasing CA adoption in this context given the socioeconomic status of the region.

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“…Despite this threat, there is limited attention for, and awareness of, parasitic weed problems in rice as compared to other cereal crops such as maize or sorghum, both in the scientific literature (Rodenburg et al, 2010), as well as among practitioners in some of the countries where parasitic weeds are eminent (e.g. Schut et al, 2015b). For rice, Striga hermonthica and Striga aspera dominate in West Africa, S. hermonthica is the most important in east and central Africa (around lake Victoria), while Striga asiatica is the dominant species in southern parts of East Africa (Rodenburg et al, 2010).…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%