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Climate-Smart Agriculture Practices for Reducing Production Risks for Smallholder Farmers

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A special issue of Agronomy (ISSN 2073-4395). This special issue belongs to the section "Farming Sustainability".

Deadline for manuscript submissions: closed (20 August 2022) | Viewed by 30616

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Special Issue Editors

Prof. Dr. Raffaele Vignola

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Guest Editor

Water Systems and Global Change Group, Wageningen University, Droevendaalsesteeg 3, 6708 PB Wageningen, The Netherlands
Interests: water management; adaptive planning; resilient smallholders agriculture; climate change adaptation

Prof. Dr. Fulco Ludwig

E-Mail Website
Co-Guest Editor

Water Systems and Global Change Group, Wageningen University, Droevendaalsesteeg 3, 6708 PB Wageningen, The Netherlands
Interests: climate change adaptation; water-food-energy nexus; climate services for agriculture; water resources; water for food

Prof. Dr. Iwan Supit

E-Mail Website
Co-Guest Editor

Water Systems and Global Change Group, Wageningen University, Droevendaalsesteeg 3, 6708 PB Wageningen, The Netherlands
Interests: crop growth modeling (wheat; maize; potato); climate change impacts on crop growth/production; seasonal forecast

Prof. Dr. Ronald Hutjes

E-Mail Website
Co-Guest Editor

Water Systems and Global Change Group, Wageningen University, Droevendaalsesteeg 3, 6708 PB Wageningen, The Netherlands
Interests: climate-smart villages; mainstreaming climate resilience; mixed crop-livestock farms; (breeding) climate robust cultivars; continuous planting; intercropping; risk spreading

Special Issue Information

Dear Colleagues,

Smallholder farming systems play a central role in the food security of millions worldwide and are also highly vulnerable to climate risks (Morton, 2007; Lipper et al., 2014; Vignola et al., 2015). The global community has called for the promotion of climate-smart agriculture (CSA) as a way to increase the resilience of smallholder farms to extreme weather events and their landscapes. To promote CSA for smallholder farming systems, interventions are required at different scales starting from agronomic practices in the production plot to institutional arrangements that promote planning and investments in support of CSA (Scherr et al., 2012; Campbell et al., 2014; Lipper et al., 2014).

For this Special Issue of Agronomy, we are calling for articles that expand our understanding of what is known and what further research is required to inform interventions that can support the capacity of climate-smart agriculture to provide on-site (at the plot level) and off-site (at the landscape level) adaptation benefits to reduce smallholders’ climate risks.

We thus call for research that sheds light on evidence and research gaps regarding the capacity of agronomic practices at the plot level to provide adaptation benefits for farming systems by regulating, in the face of extreme weather events, its soil and water functions, minimizing the occurrence of pests and diseases, and/or conserving relevant biodiversity. We also call for research that reports evidence and research gaps relevant for planning and innovations that promote CSA planning and implementation from the farming system to the landscape level and from within the agricultural sector (e.g., information and climate services for smallholders crop production) or beyond (e.g., watershed management promoting CSA).

Prof. Dr. Raffaele Vignola
Prof. Dr. Fulco Ludwig
Prof. Dr. Iwan Supit
Prof. Dr. Ronald Hutjes
Guest Editors

Manuscript Submission Information

Manuscripts should be submitted online at www.mdpi.com by registering and logging in to this website. Once you are registered, click here to go to the submission form. Manuscripts can be submitted until the deadline. All submissions that pass pre-check are peer-reviewed. Accepted papers will be published continuously in the journal (as soon as accepted) and will be listed together on the special issue website. Research articles, review articles as well as short communications are invited. For planned papers, a title and short abstract (about 100 words) can be sent to the Editorial Office for announcement on this website.

Submitted manuscripts should not have been published previously, nor be under consideration for publication elsewhere (except conference proceedings papers). All manuscripts are thoroughly refereed through a single-blind peer-review process. A guide for authors and other relevant information for submission of manuscripts is available on the Instructions for Authors page. Agronomy is an international peer-reviewed open access monthly journal published by MDPI.

Please visit the Instructions for Authors page before submitting a manuscript. The Article Processing Charge (APC) for publication in this open access journal is 2600 CHF (Swiss Francs). Submitted papers should be well formatted and use good English. Authors may use MDPI's English editing service prior to publication or during author revisions.

Keywords

agronomic practices
crop production climate risks
landscape planning
ecosystem services
adaptation to climate change
smallholders agriculture
climate-smart agriculture

Published Papers (10 papers)

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Research

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17 pages, 2073 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Smallholders’ Water Management Decisions in the Face of Water Scarcity from a Socio-Cognitive Perspective, Case Study of Viticulture in Mendoza

by Marc Monnet, Raffaele Vignola and Yoana Aliotta

Agronomy 2022, 12(11), 2868; https://0-doi-org.brum.beds.ac.uk/10.3390/agronomy12112868 - 16 Nov 2022

Viewed by 1790

Abstract

Grape producers in the Province of Mendoza (Argentina) are extremely vulnerable to the current water crisis, especially smallholders who have very limited resources to adapt. The discourse on adaptation options is mainly technocratic with a focus on modern irrigation systems not accessible to the majority of grape producers. Thus, this research aims at shedding light and providing information for the design of inclusive adaptation strategies by identifying, with a socio-cognitive model, feasible adaptation options according to grape producers’ perceptions and the related implementation barriers. Grape producers’ water scarcity and adaptation appraisal were explored through qualitative interviews in the Northern Oasis (Mendoza) to better understand how producers’ intentions are shaped through perceptual and socio-cognitive processes. To do so, a socio-cognitive model on grape producers’ adaptation to water scarcity (GPAWS) was developed based on two similar models. The analysis reveals that, as overall grape producers share a similar concern with the risk of water scarcity, their different adaptive behaviours tend to be mostly derived from their differences in adaptation appraisal. Moreover, producers’ adaptation intentions are mainly reactive and limited to answer short term, immediate risks. Most of the grape producers perceive feasibility and plan the implementation of reasonable efficiency measures. However, multiple barriers consequently limit the implementation of such adaptation options perceived as feasible by the producers. The results of this research can support government actors, agriculture research institutes, but also the cooperatives of producers seeking to encourage farmers’ adaptation, by identifying which adaptation options could be implemented according to the type of producers and their adaptation appraisal, but also why certain feasible measures are not being implemented. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Climate-Smart Agriculture Practices for Reducing Production Risks for Smallholder Farmers)

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13 pages, 1151 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Exploring the Impact of Farmer Field Schools on the Adoption of Sustainable Agricultural Practices and Farm Production: A Case of Pakistani Citrus Growers

by Awais Jabbar, Wei Liu, Ye Wang, Jian Zhang, Qun Wu and Jianchao Peng

Agronomy 2022, 12(9), 2054; https://0-doi-org.brum.beds.ac.uk/10.3390/agronomy12092054 - 29 Aug 2022

Cited by 5 | Viewed by 1908

Abstract

In the wake of recent climate changes, extension services have become crucial drivers in disseminating information about the latest agriculture technologies and facilitating sustainable agricultural productivity. Pakistan’s traditional extension cannot yield the expected outcomes which corroborate the introduction of a participatory approach, mainly in farmers’ field schools. Using farm-level data from Punjab province, the current study examined the impact of farmers’ field schools (FFS) on adopting sustainable agriculture practices (SAPs) and citrus yield. The study employed recursive bivariate probit and propensity score matching to explore the objectives. The findings revealed that FFS participants had a higher SAPs adoption than non-participants, demonstrating the positive impact of FFS on the uptake of SAPs. Moreover, the treatment effect showed that FFS participants had a higher yield than the non-participants. The results suggest strengthening and enhancing FFS reach among citrus growers. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Climate-Smart Agriculture Practices for Reducing Production Risks for Smallholder Farmers)

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15 pages, 2577 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Farmers’ Perception of Climate Change and Climate-Smart Agriculture in Northern Benin, West Africa

by Fidèle T. Moutouama, Ghislain T. Tepa-Yotto, Cyriaque Agboton, Brice Gbaguidi, Haruna Sekabira and Manuele Tamò

Agronomy 2022, 12(6), 1348; https://0-doi-org.brum.beds.ac.uk/10.3390/agronomy12061348 - 31 May 2022

Cited by 3 | Viewed by 2547

Abstract

Climate-Smart Agriculture (CSA) is an approach that identifies actions needed to transform and reorganize agricultural systems to effectively support agricultural development and ensure food security in the face of climate change. In this study, we assessed farmers’ perception of climate change, available CSA practices (CSAP) and the determinants of CSAP adoption in northern Benin. A list of CSAP was generated from a workshop with different stakeholders. Face-to-face interviews were then carried out with 368 farmers selected based on stratified random sampling in the study area. Binomial generalized mixed-effect models were run to analyze the relation between socio-demographic characteristics and the use of CSAP. CSAP were evaluated using a three-point Likert scale and the frequency of agreement with the statement that the selected practices meet the pillars of CSA. More than 60% of farmers had heard about climate change, and more than 80% had observed changes in temperature, rainfall amounts and distribution. Thirty-one CSAP were identified in the area, and only 11 were known by more than 50% of farmers. Out of the 12 selected CSAP for the assessment of adoption and evaluation, seven (7) were used by more than 50% of those who knew them. Farmers agreed with the statements that the evaluated practices improved farm productivity and adaptation to climate change but did not mitigate climate change. Ethnic group and education level were the two major factors that significantly determined the use of the evaluated CSAP. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Climate-Smart Agriculture Practices for Reducing Production Risks for Smallholder Farmers)

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30 pages, 509 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Scaling Climate Smart Agriculture in East Africa: Experiences and Lessons

by Thomas Kirina, Annemarie Groot, Helena Shilomboleni, Fulco Ludwig and Teferi Demissie

Agronomy 2022, 12(4), 820; https://0-doi-org.brum.beds.ac.uk/10.3390/agronomy12040820 - 28 Mar 2022

Cited by 6 | Viewed by 3871

Abstract

Climate-smart agriculture (CSA) responds in order to sustain agriculture under a changing environment, and is a major priority in the development sphere. However, to achieve impact at scale, CSA innovations must address agricultural systems’ context-specific and multi-dimensional nature and be purveyed through feasible scaling processes. Unfortunately, knowledge on the scaling of CSA innovations under smallholder farming systems and in the context of developing countries remains scant. Understanding scaling processes is essential to the design of a sustainable scaling strategy. This study aimed to draw lessons on scaling from 25 cases of scaling CSA, and related projects in Ethiopia, Kenya, Uganda, and Tanzania implemented by public institutions, local and international research organisations, Non-Govermental Orginsations(NGOs), and community-based organisations. Generally, scaling follows a linear pathway comprising technology testing and scaling. Most cases promoted technologies and models geared towards climate change adaptation in crop-based value chains, and only a few cases incorporated mitigation measures. Efforts to engage the private sector involved building business models as a potential scaling pathway. The cases were very strong on capacity building and institutionalisation from local, national, and even regional levels. However, four critical areas of concern about the sustainability of scaling emerged from the study: (i) There is little understanding and capture of the dynamics of smallholder farming systems in scaling strategies; (ii) climate data, projections, and impact models are rarely applied to support the decision of scaling; (iii) considerations for the biophysical and spatial-temporal impacts and trade-offs analysis in scaling is minimal and just starting to emerge; and (iv) there are still challenges effecting systemic change to enable sustainable scaling. In response to these concerns, we propose investment in understanding and considering the dynamics of the smallholder farming system and how it affects adoption, and subsequently scaling. Programme design should incorporate climate change scenarios. Scaling programmes can maximise synergies and leverage resources by adopting a robust partnerships model. Furthermore, understanding the spatio-temporal impact of scaling CSA on ecological functioning deserves more attention. Lastly, scaling takes time, which needs to be factored into the design of programmes. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Climate-Smart Agriculture Practices for Reducing Production Risks for Smallholder Farmers)

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18 pages, 3896 KiB

Open AccessArticle

The Role of Soil Moisture Information in Developing Robust Climate Services for Smallholder Farmers: Evidence from Ghana

by Samuel J. Sutanto, Spyridon Paparrizos, Gordana Kranjac-Berisavljevic, Baba M. Jamaldeen, Abdulai K. Issahaku, Bizoola Z. Gandaa, Iwan Supit and Erik van Slobbe

Agronomy 2022, 12(2), 541; https://0-doi-org.brum.beds.ac.uk/10.3390/agronomy12020541 - 21 Feb 2022

Cited by 5 | Viewed by 3120

Abstract

In Ghana, most of the farmers are engaged in small-scale rainfed farming where the success is influenced by the prevailing weather conditions. Current Climate Information Services (CISs) only provide information on rainfall conditions to reduce their farming vulnerability to climate extremes. Access to other practical knowledge, such as soil moisture content would benefit farmers further in the decision-making process. This study aims to assess the role of soil moisture information in farmers’ agricultural decision-making and to understand how this information is being perceived, assessed, and applied. Exploratory research, combined with field visits and farmer interviews, was carried out in Gbulung, Napakzoo, and Yapalsi communities in the outskirts of Tamale, northern Ghana in October–December 2021. Results show that soil moisture information is highly important for activities, such as fertilizer application and sowing. Soil moisture information, however, is not readily available to the farmers, causing them to rely solely on their indigenous knowledge to monitor the soil moisture conditions. Our study reveals that developing a CIS embedded with soil moisture advisory module (CIS-SM) will help farmers in conducting strategic and tactical decision-making in their daily farming activities. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Climate-Smart Agriculture Practices for Reducing Production Risks for Smallholder Farmers)

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15 pages, 4234 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Salinity Constraints for Small-Scale Agriculture and Impact on Adaptation in North Aceh, Indonesia

by Elvira Sari Dewi, Issaka Abdulai, Gennady Bracho-Mujica and Reimund P. Rötter

Agronomy 2022, 12(2), 341; https://0-doi-org.brum.beds.ac.uk/10.3390/agronomy12020341 - 29 Jan 2022

Cited by 6 | Viewed by 3403

Abstract

We investigated the perceived effects of salinity on farming practices, income, and challenges for crop production in Blang Nibong village in North Aceh, Indonesia. We surveyed 120 smallholder farmers chosen in consultation with local leaders considering their agricultural activities and salinity susceptibility. Farmers’ perceptions of major crop production constraints (e.g., salinity) and potential adaptation strategies were assessed using open and closed questions. The study revealed that farmers in the study region primarily grew rain-fed rice using traditional monoculture. Salinity was identified as the primary crop production constraint by all respondents, resulting in plant mortality, decreased soil health and water quality, limited plant growth, and low yields. Additionally, salinity has reduced the arable area (>0.5 ha), resulting in lower total production. The implications of the salinity were further corroborated by the low farmers’ income. In fact, farming activities are not contributing positively to farmers’ income as the results revealed off-farm activities (77%) as the main source of income. Based on the farmer’s current activities to overcome salinity problems on their farms, they were clustered into adaptive and non-adaptive farmers. The non-adaptive group prefers to convert their land to pasture (81%), whereas the adaptive group prefers to improve the irrigation system (77%). Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Climate-Smart Agriculture Practices for Reducing Production Risks for Smallholder Farmers)

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14 pages, 713 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Access, Uptake, Use and Impacts of Agrometeorological Services in Sahelian Rural Areas: The Case of Burkina Faso

by Vieri Tarchiani, Hamidou Coulibaly, Grégoire Baki, Cyriaque Sia, Sara Burrone, Pinghouinde Michel Nikiema, Jean-Baptiste Migraine and Jose Camacho

Agronomy 2021, 11(12), 2431; https://0-doi-org.brum.beds.ac.uk/10.3390/agronomy11122431 - 29 Nov 2021

Cited by 10 | Viewed by 1902

Abstract

Agrometeorological services, as part of weather and climate services, are expected to play a key role in supporting sub-Saharan agriculture facing climate change and variability. In the Sahel, smallholder farmers relying on rainfed crop production systems are particularly vulnerable to climate change and variability because of low resilience and coping capacity. The provision of agrometeorological services is growing across Africa, but they often remain inaccessible for the majority of smallholder farmers or are not very relevant to support on-the-ground decision-making. Our work aims to demonstrate the hypothesis that agrometeorological services can effectively improve agricultural productivity and sustainability provided that appropriate mechanisms are put in place to ensure access, uptake and action. The paper illustrates the case study of Burkina Faso, where the National Meteorological Service, with the support of the World Meteorological Organization, engaged in the provision of accessible, reliable and relevant agrometeorological services for farmers. The study demonstrates that farmers, even in remote rural areas, are willing to profit from weather and climate services for strategic and tactical decisions in agricultural management because of relevant economic benefit. These benefits can be summarized as a 40% reduction in production costs and a 41% increase in income. Results also highlight environmental positive impacts such as the reduction by 50% in the use of fertilizers. Nevertheless, the study concludes that in order to scale-up weather and climate services in West Africa, a new business model released from the development projects approach should be explored. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Climate-Smart Agriculture Practices for Reducing Production Risks for Smallholder Farmers)

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18 pages, 580 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Mainstreaming Climate Change Adaptation into Rural Development Plans in Vietnam—How to Build Resilience at the Interface of Policy and Practice

by Lucia Halbherr, Harro Maat, Tiffany Talsma and Ronald Hutjes

Agronomy 2021, 11(10), 1926; https://0-doi-org.brum.beds.ac.uk/10.3390/agronomy11101926 - 25 Sep 2021

Cited by 2 | Viewed by 2333

Abstract

The interconnectedness between climate change and development has generated an increasing interest amongst development organisations to integrate adaptation into government rural development plans in a way that effectively increases resilience at a local level. However, the nature of climate change resilience is widely debated in the literature, and there is a knowledge gap regarding the best way to address adaptation at the interface with development objectives as part of mainstreaming. This paper aims to address this knowledge gap via a case study of a community-based, Climate-Smart Agriculture (CSA) project in Vietnam. A case study approach was applied with fieldwork at one project site, complemented by semi-structured interviews with government stakeholders, key experts, and project leaders of related projects. The analysis identifies five key factors that enhance rural resilience in a smallholder agricultural context: (i) engaging local governments as partners, (ii) considering broader landscape issues such as markets, (iii) providing farmers with support to facilitate adoption of CSA practices, (iv) fostering community capacity building, and (v) promoting adaptive management and scenario planning to deal with uncertainty. The paper concludes that resilience is multidimensional and not solely in line with any one of the approaches dominant in the literature. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Climate-Smart Agriculture Practices for Reducing Production Risks for Smallholder Farmers)

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21 pages, 2551 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Flood Risk and Adaptation Strategies for Soybean Production Systems on the Flood-Prone Pampas under Climate Change

by Wouter Julius Smolenaars, Spyridon Paparrizos, Saskia Werners and Fulco Ludwig

Agronomy 2021, 11(6), 1187; https://0-doi-org.brum.beds.ac.uk/10.3390/agronomy11061187 - 10 Jun 2021

Cited by 2 | Viewed by 2916

Abstract

In recent decades, multiple flood events have had a devastating impact on soybean production in Argentina. Recent advances suggest that the frequency and intensity of destructive flood events on the Argentinian Pampas will increase under pressure from climate change. This paper provides bottom-up insight into the flood risk for soybean production systems under climate change and the suitability of adaptation strategies in two of the most flood-prone areas of the Pampas region. The flood risk perceptions of soybean producers were explored through interviews, translated into climatic indicators and then studied using a multi-model climate data analysis. Soybean producers perceived the present flood risk for rural accessibility to be of the highest concern, especially during the harvest and sowing seasons when heavy machinery needs to reach soybean lots. An analysis of climatic change projections found a rising trend in annual and harvest precipitation and a slight drying trend during the sowing season. This indicates that the flood risk for harvest accessibility may increase under climate change. Several adaptation strategies were identified that can systemically address flood risks, but these require collaborative action and cannot be undertaken by individual producers. The results suggest that if cooperative adaptation efforts are not made in the short term, the continued increase in flood risk may force soybean producers in the case study locations to shift away from soybean towards more robust land uses. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Climate-Smart Agriculture Practices for Reducing Production Risks for Smallholder Farmers)

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Review

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40 pages, 4344 KiB

Open AccessEditor’s ChoiceReview

Ecosystem-Based Practices for Smallholders’ Adaptation to Climate Extremes: Evidence of Benefits and Knowledge Gaps in Latin America

by Raffaele Vignola, M. Jimena Esquivel, Celia Harvey, Bruno Rapidel, Pavel Bautista-Solis, Francisco Alpizar, Camila Donatti and Jacques Avelino

Agronomy 2022, 12(10), 2535; https://0-doi-org.brum.beds.ac.uk/10.3390/agronomy12102535 - 17 Oct 2022

Cited by 5 | Viewed by 4095

Abstract

Agricultural practices of smallholder farming systems of Latin America can play an important role in reducing their exposure to the risks associated with climate extremes. To date, however, there is no systematic analysis of scientific evidence for the extent to which these practices can provide the multiple benefits needed for smallholders to adapt to climate extremes. In this paper, we searched scientific databases to review scientific evidence of the benefit provided by twenty-six practices in crops commonly farmed by smallholders in the region and highly relevant for their food and nutrition security; namely, coffee, maize and beans. We reviewed scientific documents (n = 304) published in the period 1953–2021 to register evidence of the practices’ effects on fifty-five benefits. Our analysis of these documents found measurement records (n = 924) largely based on field experiments (85%). Our results show strong evidence of the multiple benefits that some ecosystem-based practices (e.g., tree-based practices for coffee and no tillage for maize) can provide to support the adaptation to climate extremes of smallholder farming systems and enhance a farm’s natural assets (e.g., biodiversity, water, soil). We also found that the majority of research on practices in the region focused more on the socioeconomic dimension (54%) rather than on the capacity of practices to improve the natural assets of a smallholder farmers or reduce the impact of climate extremes. Given these knowledge gaps, we discuss the importance of a renovated investment in research to address existing knowledge gaps. Our concluding suggestions for future research include the need for systematizing existing knowledge from different sources (e.g., peer-reviewed, gray literature, farmers, extension agencies, etc.), and to assess the extent to which these practices can provide multiple benefits for smallholder farming systems by improving their wellbeing, reducing their vulnerability to different hydroclimatic extremes while also contributing to ecosystem services provision at the landscape level. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Climate-Smart Agriculture Practices for Reducing Production Risks for Smallholder Farmers)

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