Communicating complexity: Integrated assessment of trade-offs concerning soil fertility management within African farming systems to support innovation and development

Agricultural Systems

Volumn 104, Issue 2, 2011, Pages 191-203

  Giller, K E ^a   Tittonell, P ^b   Rufino, M C ^a   van Wijk, M T ^a   Zingore, S ^c   Mapfumo, P ^d   Adjei Nsiah, S ^e   Herrero, M ^f   Chikowo, R ^d   Corbeels, M ^b,p   Rowe, E C ^g   Baijukya, F ^h   Mwijage, A ^h   Smith, J ⁱ   Yeboah, E ^j   van der Burg, W J ^a   Sanogo, O M ^k   Misiko, M ^l   de Ridder, N ^a   Karanja, S ^f   Kaizzi, C ^m   K'ungu, J ⁿ   Mwale, M ^o   Nwaga, D ^q   Pacini, C ^r   Vanlauwe, B ^s   more..

^a WAGENINGEN UNIVERSITY   (Netherlands)

^b Research Unit Agroecology and Sustainable intensification of Annual Crops   (France)

^c Inst of the International Centre for Tropical Agriculture (TSBF CIAT)   (Malawi)

^d UNIVERSITY OF ZIMBABWE   (Zimbabwe)

^e UNIVERSITY OF GHANA   (Ghana)

^f INTERNATIONAL LIVESTOCK RESEARCH INSTITUTE   (Kenya)

^g CENTRE FOR ECOLOGY AND HYDROLOGY   (United Kingdom)

^h Lake Zone Agricultural Research and Development Institute Maruku   (Tanzania)

ⁱ UNIVERSITY OF ABERDEEN   (United Kingdom)

^j CSIR Soil Research Institute   (Ghana)

^k Agrosystems Research Plant Research International ^*  (Mali)

^l AFRICA RICE CENTER AFRICARICE   (Benin)

^m Kawanda Research Institute   (Uganda)

ⁿ KENYATTA UNIVERSITY   (Kenya)

^o Mt Makulu Central Research Station   (Zambia)

^p International Centre for Tropical Agriculture (CIAT)   (Zimbabwe)

^q UNIVERSITY OF YAOUNDÉ I   (Cameroon)

^r UNIVERSITY OF FLORENCE   (Italy)

^s the International Centre for Tropical Agriculture TSBF CIAT   (Kenya)

more..

Author keywords

Crop livestock systems; Farm types; Simulation modelling; Smallholders; Soil fertility

Indexed keywords

AGROECOLOGY; CLIMATE CHANGE; COMPUTER; CROPPING PRACTICE; DEVELOPMENT STRATEGY; FARMERS ATTITUDE; FARMING SYSTEM; FIELD SURVEY; INNOVATION; MIXED FARMING; NUMERICAL MODEL; NUTRIENT USE; POPULATION PRESSURE; RESEARCH AND DEVELOPMENT; SMALLHOLDER; SOCIOECONOMIC CONDITIONS; SOIL CONSERVATION; SOIL FERTILITY; TRADE-OFF; TRADITIONAL KNOWLEDGE;

SUB-SAHARAN AFRICA;

ANIMALIA;

EID: 78651244294     PISSN: 0308521X     EISSN: None     Source Type: Journal    
DOI: 10.1016/j.agsy.2010.07.002     Document Type: Article

References (72)

1. Adjei-Nsiah S. Cropping system, land tenure and social diversity in Wenchi, Ghana: implications for soil fertility management. Synthesis of Soil, Water and Nutrient Management Research in the Volta Basin 2008, 233-250. TSBF-Ecomedia, Nairobi. A. Bationo, R. Tabo, B. Waswa, J. Okeyo, J. Kihara, M. Fosu, S. Kabore (Eds.).
2. Adjei-Nsiah S., Leeuwis C., Giller K.E., Sakyi-Dawson O., Cobbina J., Kuyper T.W., Abekoe M., Van der Werf W. Land tenure and differential soil fertility management practices among native and migrant farmers in Wenchi, Ghana: implications for interdisciplinary action research. NJAS Wageningen J. Life Sci. 2004, 52:331-348.
3. Adjei-Nsiah S., Leeuwis C., Sakyi-Dawson O., Giller K.E., Kuyper T.W. Exploring diversity among farmers for orienting inter-disciplinary action research on cropping system management in Wenchi, Ghana: the significance of time horizons. Int. J. Agric. Sust. 2007, 5:176-194.
4. Adjei-Nsiah S., Leeuwis C., Giller K.E., Kuyper T.W. Action research on alternative land tenure arrangements in Wenchi, Ghana: learning from ambiguous social dynamics and self-organized institutional innovation. Agric. Human Values 2008, 25:389-403.
5. Andriesse W., Giller K.E., Jiggins J., Löffler H., Oosterveer P., Woodhill J. The Role of Agriculture in Achieving MDG1 - A Review of the Leading Reports 2007, Wageningen International, Wageningen.
6. Baijukya F.P. Adapting to Change in Banana-based Farming Systems of Northwest Tanzania; The Potential Role of Herbaceous Legumes 2006, Wageningen University, Wageningen.
7. Baijukya F.P., de Ridder N., Masuki K.F., Giller K.E. Dynamics of banana-based farming systems in Bukoba District, Tanzania: changes in land use, cropping and cattle keeping. Agric. Ecosyst. Environ. 2005, 106:395-406.
8. Bebe B., Udo H., Rowlands G., Thorpe W. Smallholder dairy systems in the Kenya highlands: breed preferences and breeding practices. Livest. Prod. Sci. 2003, 82:117-127.
9. Birner R., Davis K., Pender J., Nkonya E., Ananajayasekeram P., Ekboir J., Mbabu A., Spielman D., Horna D., Benin S., Kisamba-Mugerwa W. From " Best Practice" to " Best Fit": A Framework for Designing and Analyzing Pluralistic Agricultural Advisory Services 2006, IFPRI, Washington.
10. Replenishing Soil Fertility in Africa 1997, ASSA, CSSA, SSSA, Madison, Wisconsin. R.J. Buresh, P.A. Sanchez, F. Calhoun (Eds.).
11. Carter S.E., Murwira H.K. Spatial variability in soil fertility management and crop response in Mutoko communal area, Zimbabwe. Ambio 1995, 24:77-84.
12. de Jager A., Kariuku I., Matiri F.M., Odendo M., Wanyama J.M. Monitoring nutrient flows and economic performance in African farming systems (NUTMON) - IV. Linking nutrient balances and economic performance in three districts in Kenya. Agric. Ecosyst. Environ. 1998, 71:81-92.
13. de Ridder N., Breman H., van Keulen H., Stomph T.J. Revisiting a 'cure against land hunger': soil fertility management and farming system dynamics in the West African Sahel. Agric. Syst. 2004, 80:109-131.
14. Defoer T., De Groote H., Hilhorst T., Kanté S., Budelman A. Participatory action research and quantitative analysis for nutrient management in southern Mali: a fruitful marriage?. Agric. Ecosyst. Environ. 1998, 71:215-228.
15. Defoer, T., Budelman, A., Toulmin, C., Carter, C., Ticheler, J., 2000. Soil Fertility Management in Africa. Resource Guide for Participatory Learning and Action Research. KIT, IIED, TSBF, Amsterdam.
16. Dercon S. Income risk, coping strategies and safety nets. World Bank Res. Obser. 2002, 17:141-166.
17. Dorward A. Integrating contested aspirations, processes and policy: Development as hanging in, stepping up and stepping out. Dev. Policy Rev. 2009, 27:131-146.
18. Ebanyat, P., 2009. A Road to Food: Efficiency of Nutrient Management Options Targeted to Heterogeneous Soilscapes in the Teso Farming System, Uganda. PhD Thesis. Wageningen University, Wageningen.
19. Ebanyat P., de Ridder N., de Jager A., Delve R.J., Bekunda M.A., Giller K.E. Drivers of land use change and household determinants of sustainability in smallholder farming systems of Eastern Uganda. Popul. Environ. 2010, 31:474-506.
20. Fafchamps M., Udry C., Czukas K. Drought and saving in West Africa: are livestock a buffer stock?. J. Dev. Econ. 1998, 55:273-305.
21. Fermont A.M., van Asten P.J.A., Giller K.E. Increasing land pressure in East Africa: the changing role of cassava and consequences for sustainability of farming systems. Agric. Ecosyst. Environ. 2008, 128:239-250.
22. Figueroa, B.M., Tittonell, P., Ohiokpehai, O., Giller, K.E., 2008. The contribution of traditional vegetables to household food security in two communities of Vihiga and Migori Districts, Kenya. In: International Symposium: Underutilized Plants for Food, Nutrition, Income and Sustainable Development, Arusha, Tanzania.
23. Galpin, M., Dorward, P., Shepherd, D., 2000. Participatory Farm Management Methods for Agricultural Research and Extension: A Training Manual. University of Reading, Reading.
24. Giller K.E., Rowe E., de Ridder N., van Keulen H. Resource use dynamics and interactions in the tropics: scaling up in space and time. Agric. Syst. 2006, 88:8-27.
25. Giller K.E., Witter E., Corbeels M., Tittonell P. Conservation agriculture and smallholder farming in Africa: the heretics' view. Field Crops Res. 2009, 114:23-34.
26. Herrero M., Gonzalez-Estrada E., Thornton P.K., Quiros C., Waithaka M.M., Ruiz R., Hoogenboom G. IMPACT: generic household-level databases and diagnostic tools for integrated crop-livestock analysis. Agric. Syst. 2007, 92:240-265.
27. Hoddinott J. Shocks and their consequences across and within households in rural Zimbabwe. J. Dev. Stud. 2006, 42:301-321.
28. IER, 1988. Memento: l'Approche Village a l'Usage des Encadreurs. DRSPR (Division de Recherche sur les Systemes de Production Rurale), CMDT (Compagnie Malienne pour le Developpement des Textile), IER (Institut d'Economie Rurale), KIT (Institut Royal des Regions Tropicales), Sikasso, Mali.
29. Kapkiyai J., Karanja N., Qureshi J., Smithson P., Woomer P.L. Soil organic matter and nutrient dynamics in a Kenyan nitosol under long-term fertilizer and organic input management. Soil Biol. Biochem. 1999, 31:1773-1782.
30. Malawi Government, 2008. Enhancing Agricultural Input Use Efficiency in Malawi. A Research Report of the National Subsidy Programme Technical Support Workshop in Lilongwe, 15-16 April 2008. Department of Planning, Ministry of Agriculture, Lilongwe.
31. Mapfumo P., Mtambanengwe F., Giller K.E., Mpepereki S. Tapping indigenous herbaceous legumes for soil fertility management by resource-poor farmers in Zimbabwe. Agric. Ecosyst. Environ. 2005, 109:221-233.
32. Misiko, M., 2007. Fertile Ground? Soil Fertility Management and the African Smallholder. PhD Thesis. Wageningen University, Wageningen.
33. Misiko M., Tittonell P., Ramisch J.J., Richards P., Giller K.E. Integrating new soybean varieties for soil fertility management in smallholder systems through participatory research: lessons from western Kenya. Agric. Syst. 2008, 97:1-12.
34. Moll H.A.J. Costs and benefits of livestock systems and the role of market and nonmarket relationships. Agric. Econ. 2005, 32:181-193.
35. Mtambanengwe F., Mapfumo P. Effects of organic resource quality on soil profile N dynamics and maize yields on sandy soils in Zimbabwe. Plant Soil 2006, 281:173-191.
36. Mwijage A.N., de Ridder N., Baijukya F.P., Pacini C., Giller K.E. Exploring the variability among smallholder farms in the banana-based farming systems in Bukoba district, Northwest Tanzania. Afr. J. Agric. Res. 2009, 4:1410-1426.
37. Ojiem J.O., de Ridder N., Vanlauwe B., Giller K.E. Socio-ecological niche: a conceptual framework for integration of legumes in smallholder farming systems. Int. J. Agric. Sust. 2006, 4:79-93.
38. Prudencio C.F. Ring management of soils and crops in the West African semi-arid tropics: the case of the Mossi farming system in Burkina Faso. Agric. Ecosyst. Environ. 1993, 47:237-264.
39. Ramisch J.J. Inequality, agro-pastoral exchanges, and soil fertility gradients in southern Mali. Agric. Ecosyst. Environ. 2005, 105:353-372.
40. Rowe E.C., van Wijk M.T., de Ridder N., Giller K.E. Nutrient allocation strategies across a simplified heterogeneous African smallholder farm. Agric. Ecosyst. Environ. 2006, 116:60-71.
41. Rufino M.C., Rowe E.C., Delve R.J., Giller K.E. Nitrogen cycling efficiencies through resource-poor African crop-livestock systems: a review. Agric. Ecosyst. Environ. 2006, 112:261-282.
42. Rufino M.C., Tittonell P., van Wijk M.T., Castellanos-Navarrete A., Delve R.J., de Ridder N., Giller K.E. Manure as a key resource within smallholder farming systems: analysing farm-scale nutrient cycling efficiencies with the NUANCES framework. Livest. Sci. 2007, 112:273-287.
43. Rufino M.C., Herrero M., van Wijk M.T., Hemerik L., de Ridder N., Giller K. Lifetime productivity of dairy cows in smallholder farming systems of the Central highlands of Kenya. Animal 2009, 3:1044-1056.
44. Rufino, M.C., Dury, J., Tittonell, P., van Wijk, M.T., Herrero, M., Zingore, S., Mapfumo, P., Giller, K.E., 2010. Competing use of organic resources, village-level interactions between farm types and climate variability in a communal area of NE Zimbabwe. Agric. Syst. doi:10.1016/j.agsy.2010.06.001.
45. Sanchez P.A. Soil fertility and hunger in Africa. Science 2002, 295:2019-2020.
46. Sanchez P.A., Swaminathan M.S. Cutting world hunger in half. Science 2005, 307:357-359.
47. Sanogo O.M., de Ridder N., van Keulen H. Diversité et dynamique des exploitations agricoles mixtes agriculture-élevage sud du Mali. Cah. Agric. 2010, 19:185-193.
48. Schlecht E., Hiernaux P., Kadaouré I., Ḩlsebusch C., Mahler F. A spatio-temporal analysis of forage availability and grazing and excretion behaviour of herded and free grazing cattle, sheep and goats in Western Niger. Agric. Ecosyst. Environ. 2006, 113:226-242.
49. Shepherd K.D., Walsh M.G. Development of reflectance spectral libraries for characterization of soil properties. Soil Sci. Soc. Am. J. 2002, 66:988-998.
50. Smaling E.M.A., Fresco L.O. A decision-support model for monitoring nutrient balances under agricultural land use (NUTMON). Geoderma 1993, 60:235-256.
51. Staal S., Baltenweck I., Waithaka M., DeWolff T., Njoroge L. Location and uptake: integrated household and GIS analysis of technology adoption and land use, with application to smallholder dairy farms in Kenya. Agric. Econ. 2002, 27:295-315.
52. Tittonell P., Vanlauwe B., Leffelaar P.A., Rowe E., Giller K.E. Exploring diversity in soil fertility management of smallholder farms in western Kenya. I. Heterogeneity at region and farm scale. Agric. Ecosyst. Environ. 2005, 110:149-165.
53. Tittonell P., Vanlauwe B., Leffelaar P.A., Shepherd K.D., Giller K.E. Exploring diversity in soil fertility management of smallholder farms in western Kenya. II. Within-farm variability in resource allocation, nutrient flows and soil fertility status. Agric. Ecosyst. Environ. 2005, 110:166-184.
54. Tittonell P., van Wijk M.T., Rufino M.C., Vrugt J.A., Giller K.E. Analysing trade-offs in resource and labour allocation by smallholder farmers using inverse modelling techniques: a case-study from Kakamega district, western Kenya. Agric. Syst. 2007, 95:76-95.
55. Tittonell P., Vanlauwe B., de Ridder N., Giller K.E. Heterogeneity of crop productivity and resource use efficiency within smallholder Kenyan farms: soil fertility gradients or management intensity gradients?. Agric. Syst. 2007, 94:376-390.
56. Tittonell P., Zingore S., van Wijk M.T., Corbeels M.C., Giller K.E. Nutrient use efficiencies and crop responses to N, P and manure applications in Zimbabwean soils: exploring management strategies across soil fertility gradients. Field Crops Res. 2007, 100:348-368.
57. Tittonell P., Corbeels M.C., van Wijk M.T., Vanlauwe B., Giller K.E. Combining organic and mineral fertilizers for integrated soil fertility management in smallholder farming systems of Kenya - explorations using the crop/soil model FIELD. Agron. J. 2008, 100:1511-1526.
58. Tittonell P., Misiko M., Ekise I. Talking soil science with farmers. LEISA Mag. 2008, 24:9-11.
59. Tittonell P., Shepherd K.D., Vanlauwe B., Giller K.E. Unravelling the effects of soil and crop management on maize productivity in smallholder agricultural systems of western Kenya - an application of classification and regression tree analysis. Agric. Ecosyst. Environ. 2008, 123:137-150.
60. Tittonell P., Vanlauwe B., Corbeels M., Giller K.E. Yield gaps, nutrient use efficiencies and response to fertilisers by maize across heterogeneous smallholder farms of western Kenya. Plant Soil 2008, 313:19-37.
61. Tittonell P., van Wijk M.T., Herrero M., Rufino M.C., de Ridder N., Giller K.E. Beyond resource constraints - Exploring the biophysical feasibility of options for the intensification of smallholder crop-livestock systems in Vihiga district, Kenya. Agric. Syst. 2009, 101:1-19.
62. Tittonell P., Corbeels M., van Wijk M.T., Giller K.E. FIELD-a summary simulation model of the soil-crop system to analyse long-term resource interactions and use efficiencies at farm-scale. Eur. J. Agron. 2010, 32:10-21.
63. Tittonell P., Muriuki A., Shepherd K.D., Mugendi D., Kaizzi K.C., Okeyo J., Verchot L., Coe R., Vanlauwe B. The diversity of rural livelihoods and their influence on soil fertility in agricultural systems of East Africa - a typology of smallholder farms. Agric. Syst. 2010, 103:83-97.
64. van Keulen H., Aarts H.F.M., Habekotte B., van der Meer H.G., Spiertz J.H.J. Soil-plant-animal relations in nutrient cycling: the case of dairy farming system 'De Marke'. Eur. J. Agron. 2000, 13:245-261.
65. van Wijk M.T., Tittonell P., Rufino M.C., Herrero M., Pacini C., de Ridder N., Giller K.E. Identifying key entry-points for strategic management of smallholder farming systems in sub-Saharan Africa using the dynamic farm-scale simulation model NUANCES-FARMSIM. Agric. Syst. 2009, 102:89-101.
66. Vanlauwe B., Tittonell P., Mukulama J. Within-farm soil fertility gradients affect response of maize to fertiliser application in western Kenya. Nutr. Cycl. Agroecosyst. 2006, 76:171-182.
67. Vanlauwe B., Bationo A., Chianu J., Giller K.E., Merckx R., Mokwunye U., Ohiokpehai O., Pypers P., Tabo R., Shepherd K., Smaling E.M.A., Woomer P.L. Integrated soil fertility management: operational definition and consequences for implementation and dissemination. Outlook Agric. 2010, 39:17-24.
68. Waddington S.R., Gilbert R., Giller K.E. " Best Bet" technologies for increasing nutrient supply for maize on smallholder farms. Soil Fertility Research for Maize-based Farming Systems in Malawi and Zimbabwe 1998, 245-250. SoilFertNet/CIMMYT-Zimbabwe, Harare, Zimbabwe. S.R. Waddington, H.K. Murwira, J.D.T. Kumwenda, D. Hikwa, F. Tagwira (Eds.).
69. Zingore S. Exploring Diversity Within Smallholder Farming Systems in Zimbabwe: Nutrient use Efficiencies and Resource Management Strategies for Crop Production 2006, Wageningen University, Wageningen.
70. Zingore S., Murwira H.K., Delve R.J., Giller K.E. Soil type, historical management and current resource allocation: three dimensions regulating variability of maize yields and nutrient use efficiencies on African smallholder farms. Field Crops Res. 2007, 101:296-305.
71. Zingore S., Murwira H.K., Delve R.J., Giller K.E. Influence of nutrient management strategies on variability of soil fertility, crop yields and nutrient balances on smallholder farms in Zimbabwe. Agric. Ecosyst. Environ. 2007, 119:112-126.
72. Zingore S., Delve R.J., Nyamangara J., Giller K.E. Multiple benefits of manure: the key to maintenance of soil fertility and restoration of depleted sandy soils on smallholder farms in Zimbabwe. Nutr. Cycl. Agroecosyst. 2008, 80:267-282.