The farm-level economics of conservation agriculture for resource-poor farmers

Agriculture, Ecosystems and Environment

Volumn 187, Issue , 2014, Pages 52-64

  Pannell, David J ^a   Llewellyn, Rick S ^b   Corbeels, Marc ^c  

^a UNIVERSITY OF WESTERN AUSTRALIA   (Australia)

^b CSIRO   (Australia)

^c EMBRAPA CERRADOS   (Brazil)

Author keywords

Adoption of innovations; Crop residue retention; Cropping system; Groundnuts; Legume rotation; Maize; Mulching; Risk; Uncertainty; Zero tillage; Zimbabwe

Indexed keywords

ALTERNATIVE AGRICULTURE; CONSERVATION MANAGEMENT; CROP RESIDUE; CROP ROTATION; GROUNDNUT; MULCHING; TECHNOLOGY ADOPTION; ZERO TILLAGE;

ZIMBABWE;

ARACHIS HYPOGAEA; ZEA MAYS;

EID: 84898779675     PISSN: 01678809     EISSN: None     Source Type: Journal    
DOI: 10.1016/j.agee.2013.10.014     Document Type: Article

References (82)

1. Abadi Ghadim A.K., Pannell D.J., Burton M.P. Risk, uncertainty and learning in adoption of a crop innovation. Agricultural Economics 2005, 33:1-9.
2. Affholder F., Jourdain D., Quang D.D., Tuong T.P., Morize M., Ricome A. Constraints to farmers' adoption of direct-seeding mulch-based cropping systems: a farm scale modelling approach applied to the mountainous slopes of Vietnam. Agricultural Systems 2010, 103:51-62.
3. Akpalu W., Ekbom A. The Bioeconomics of Conservation Agriculture and Soil Carbon Sequestration in Developing Countries, Environment for Development Discussion Paper Series March 2010. EfD DP 10-07, Environment for Development 2010, http://www.rff.org/rff/documents/EfD-DP-10-07.pdf (accessed 23.09.12).
4. Anderson J.R., Dillon J.L., Hardaker J.B. Agricultural Decision Analysis 1977, Iowa State University Press, Ames.
5. Antle J.M., Crissman C.C. Risk, efficiency, and the adoption of modern crop varieties: evidence from the Philippines. Economic Development and Cultural Change 1990, 38(3):517-537.
6. Asfaw S., Shiferaw B., Simtowe F., Lipper L. Impact of modern agricultural technologies on smallholder welfare: evidence from Tanzania and Ethiopia. Food Policy 2012, 37:283-295.
7. Baudron F., Tittonell P., Corbeels M., Letourmya P., Giller K.E. Comparative performance of conservation agriculture and current smallholder farming practices in semi-arid Zimbabwe. Field Crops Research 2011, 132:117-128.
8. Baudron F., Andersson J.A., Corbeels M., Giller K.E. Failing to yield? Ploughs, conservation agriculture and the problem of agricultural intensification: an example from the Zambezi Valley, Zimbabwe. Journal of Development Studies 2012, 48(3):393-412.
9. Byerlee D., Hesse De Polanco E. Farmers' stepwise adoption of technological packages: evidence from the Mexican Altiplano. American Journal of Agricultural Economics 1986, 68(3):519-527.
10. Chiputwa B., Langyintuo A.S., Wall P. Adoption of conservation agriculture technologies by smallholder farmers in the Shamva District of Zimbabwe: A Tobit application. Paper presented at 2011 meeting of the Southern Agricultural Economics Association 2011.
11. Das R., Bauer S. Bio-economic analysis of soil conservation technologies in the mid-Hill region of Nepal. Soil and Tillage Research 2012, 121:38-48.
12. De Groote H., Vanlauwe B., Rutto E., Odhiambo G.D., Kanampiu F., Khan Z.R. Economic analysis of different options in integrated pest and soil fertility management in maize systems of Western Kenya. Agricultural Economics 2010, 41(5):471-482.
13. D'Emden F.H., Llewellyn R.S., Burton M.P. Adoption of conservation tillage in Australian cropping regions: an application of duration analysis. Technological Forecasting and Social Change 2006, 73:630-647.
14. D'Emden F.H., Llewellyn R.S., Burton M.P. Factors influencing adoption of conservation tillage in Australian cropping regions. Australian Journal of Agriculture and Resource Economics 2008, 52:169-182.
15. Ebanyat P., de Ridder N., de Jager A., Delve R.J., Bekunda M.A., Giller K.E. Impacts of heterogeneity in soil fertility on legume-finger millet productivity, farmers' targeting and economic benefits. Nutrient Cycling in Agroecosystems 2010, 87(2):209-231.
16. Ekboir J., Boa K., Dankyi A.A. Impact of no-till technologies in Ghana 2002.
17. Erenstein O. Crop residue mulching in tropical and semi-tropical countries. An evaluation of residue availability and other technological implications. Soil and Tillage Research 2002, 67:115-133.
18. Erenstein O. Triangulating technology diffusion indicators: zero tillage wheat in South Asia's irrigated plains. Experimental Agriculture 2010, 46(3):293-308.
19. Erenstein O. Cropping systems and crop residue management in the Trans-Gangetic Plains: issues and challenges for conservation agriculture from village surveys. Agricultural Systems 2011, 104(1):54-62.
20. Erenstein O., Laxmi V. Zero tillage impacts in India's rice-wheat systems: a review. Soil and Tillage Research 2008, 100(1-2):1-14.
21. Erenstein O., Farooq U., Malik R.K., Sharif M. On-farm impacts of zero tillage wheat in South Asia's rice-wheat systems. Field Crops Research 2008, 105(3):240-252.
22. Erenstein O., Sayre K., Wall P., Hellin J., Dixon J. Conservation agriculture in maize- and wheat-based systems in the (sub)tropics: lessons from adaptation initiatives in South Asia, Mexico, and Southern Africa. Journal of Sustainable Agriculture 2012, 36(2):180-206.
23. Erkossa T., Stahr K., Gaiser T. Soil tillage and crop productivity on a Vertisol in Ethiopian highlands. Soil and Tillage Research 2006, 85:200-211.
24. Farooq M., Flower K.C., Jabran K., Wahid A., Siddique K.H.M. Crop yield and weed management in rainfed conservation agriculture. Soil and Tillage Research 2011, 117:172-183.
25. Feder G. Farm size, risk aversion and the adoption of new technology under uncertainty. Oxford Economic Papers 1980, 32(2):263-283.
26. Feder G., Just R.E., Zilberman D. Adoption of agricultural innovations in developing countries: a survey. Economic Development and Cultural Change 1985, 33(2):255-298.
27. Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO) The Economics of Conservation Agriculture. Food and Agriculture Organization, Natural Resources Management and Environment Department. FAO Corporate Document Depository 2001, http://www.fao.org/DOCREP/004/Y2781E/Y2781E00.HTM (accessed 03.02.13).
28. Fowler R., Rockstrom J. Conservation tillage for sustainable agriculture: an agrarian revolution gathers momentum in Africa. Soil and Tillage Research 2001, 61(1-2):93-107.
29. Friedrich T., Derpsch R., Kassam A. Overview of the global spread of conservation agriculture. The Journal of Field Actions, Field Actions Science Reports 2012, Special Issue 6. http://factsreports.revues.org/1941 (accessed 03.02.13).
30. Fulton M. Foreword. Landscapes Transformed: The History of Conservation Tillage and Direct Seeding 2010, ix-xiv. Knowledge Impact in Society, Saskatoon, Saskatchewan, http://www.kis.usask.ca/ZeroTill/LandscapesTransformed_HistoryofCT_Book.pdf (accessed 03.02.13). C. Lindwall, B. Sonntag (Eds.).
31. Giller K.E., Witter E., Corbeels M., Tittonell P. Conservation agriculture and smallholder farming in Africa: the heretics' view. Field Crops Research 2009, 114(1):23-34.
32. Giller K.E., Corbeels M., Nyamangara J., Triomphe B., Affholder F., Scopel E., Tittonell P. A research agenda to explore the role of conservation agriculture in African smallholder farming systems. Field Crops Research 2011, 124:468-472.
33. Giller K.E., Tittonell P., Rufino M.C., van Wijk M.T., Zingore S., Mapfumo P., Adjei-Nsiah S., Herrero M., Chikowo R., Corbeels M., Rowe E.C., Baijukya F., Mwijage A., Smith J., Yeboah E., van der Burg W.J., Sanogo O.M., Misiko M., de Ridder N., Karanja S., Kaizzi C., K'ungu J., Mwale M., Nwaga D., Pacini C., Vanlauwe B. Communicating complexity: integrated assessment of trade-offs concerning soil fertility management within African farming systems to support innovation and development. Agricultural Systems 2011, 104(2):191-203.
34. Gowing J.W., Palmer M. Sustainable agricultural development in sub-Saharan Africa: the case for a paradigm shift in land husbandry. Soil Use Management 2008, 24:92-99.
35. Graff-Zivin J., Lipper L. Poverty, risk and soil carbon sequestration. Environment and Development Economics 2008, 13(3):353-373.
36. Gray R., Taylor W., Brown J. Economic factors contributing to the adoption of reduced tillage technologies in central Saskatchewan. Canadian Journal of Plant Science 1996, 76:661-668.
37. Haggblade S., Plerhoples C. Productivity impact of conservation farming on smallholder cotton farmers in Zambia 2010, http://www.aec.msu.edu/fs2/zambia/wp47.pdf (accessed 03.02.13).
38. Hardaker J.B., Huirne R.B.M., Anderson J.R., Lien G. Coping With Risk in Agriculture 2004, CABI Publishing, Wallingford, UK. 2nd Edition.
39. Horowitz J., Ebel R., Ueda K. No-till farming is a growing practice. Economic Information Bulletin, Number 70 2010, Economic Research Service, USDA, Washington, http://www.ers.usda.gov/publications/eib-economic-information-bulletin/eib70.aspx (accessed 03.02.13).
40. Ito M., Matsumoto T., Quinones M.A. Conservation tillage practice in Sub-Saharan Africa: the experience of Sasakawa Global 2000. Crop Protection 2007, 26:417-423.
41. Jaleta M., Kassie M., Shiferaw B. Tradeoffs in crop residue utilization in mixed crop-livestock systems and implications for conservation agriculture and sustainable land management 2012, http://ageconsearch.umn.edu/handle/126282 (accessed 03.02.13).
42. Just R., Pope R. Production function estimation and related risk considerations. American Journal of Agricultural Economics 1979, 61(2):276-284.
43. Kaizzi K.C., Byalebeka J., Wortmann C.S., Mamo M. Low input approaches for soil fertility management in semiarid Eastern Uganda. Agronomy Journal 2007, 99(3):847-853.
44. Kassam A.H., Friedrich T., Shaxson T.F., Pretty J.N. The spread of conservation agriculture: justification, sustainability and uptake. International Journal of Agriculture Sustainability 2009, 7:292-320.
45. Knowler D., Bradshaw B., Gordon D. The Economics of Conservation Agriculture 2001, Natural Resources Management and Environment Department, Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations, Rome, http://www.fao.org/DOCREP/004/Y2781E/Y2781E00.HTM (accessed 03.02.13).
46. Knowler D., Bradshaw B. Farmers' adoption of conservation agriculture: a review and synthesis of recent research. Food Policy 2007, 32:25-48.
47. Koundouri P., Nauges C., Tzouvelekas V. Technology adoption under production uncertainty: theory and application to irrigation technology. American Journal of Agricultural Economics 2006, 88(3):657-670.
48. Kumar S., Sharma K.L., Kareemulla K., Chary G.R., Ramarao C.A., Rao C.S., Venkateswarlu B. Techno-economic feasibility of conservation agriculture in rainfed regions of India. Current Science 2011, 101(9):1171-1181.
49. Lai C., Chan C., Halbrendt J., Shariq L., Roul P., Idol T., Ray C., Evensen C. Comparative economic and gender, labor analysis of conservation agriculture practices in tribal villages in India. International Food and Agribusiness Management Review 2012, 15(1):73-86.
50. Lahmar R., Bationob B.A., Nomaou Dan Lamsoc N., Guéroc Y., Tittonell P. Tailoring conservation agriculture technologies to West Africa semi-arid zones: building on traditional local practices for soil restoration. Field Crops Research 2012, 132:158-167.
51. Llewellyn R.S., D'Emden F.H., Kuehne G. Extensive use of no-tillage in grain growing regions of Australia. Field Crops Research 2012, 132:204-212.
52. Magnan N., Larson D.M., Taylor J.E. Stuck on stubble? The non-market value of agricultural byproducts for diversified farmers in Morocco. American Journal of Agricultural Economics 2012, 94(5):1055-1069.
53. Marra M., Pannell D.J., Abadi Ghadim A. The economics of risk, uncertainty and learning in the adoption of new agricultural technologies: Where are we on the learning curve?. Agricultural Systems 2003, 75(2/3):215-234.
54. Mazvimavi K., Twomlow S. Socioeconomic and institutional factors influencing adoption of conservation farming by vulnerable households in Zimbabwe. Agricultural Systems 2009, 101(1-2):20-29.
55. Mazvimavi K., Ndlovu P.V., Henry A., Murendo C. Productivity and efficiency analysis of maize under Conservation Agriculture in Zimbabwe 2012.
56. McNairn H.E., Mitchell B. Locus of control and farmer orientation: effect on conservation adoption. Journal of Agricultural and Environmental Ethics 1992, 5(1):87-101.
57. Ngwira A.R., Aune J.B., Mkwinda S. On-farm evaluation of yield and economic benefit of short term maize legume intercropping systems under conservation agriculture in Malawi. Field Crops Research 2012, 132:149-157.
58. Ngwira A.R., Thierfelder C., Lambert D.M. Conservation agriculture systems for Malawian smallholder farmers: long-term effects on crop productivity, profitability and soil quality 2012, http://dx.doi.org/10.1017/S1742170512000257 (accessed 03.02.13).
59. Pannell D.J. Pests and pesticides, risk and risk aversion. Agricultural Economics 1991, 5(4):361-383.
60. Pannell D.J. Economic aspects of legume management and legume research in dryland farming systems of southern Australia. Agricultural Systems 1995, 49:217-236.
61. Pannell D.J., Marshall G.R., Barr N., Curtis A., Vanclay F., Wilkinson R. Understanding and promoting adoption of conservation practices by rural landholders. Australian Journal of Experimental Agriculture 2006, 46(11):1407-1424.
62. Pant K.P. Payment experiment for modification of farm practices: a case of rice residue burning in Nepal 2012, http://ageconsearch.umn.edu/handle/126195 (accessed 03.02.13).
63. Probert P.E. Modelling minimum residue thresholds for soil conservation benefits in tropical, semi-arid cropping systems. Technical Report No. 66 2007, Australian Centre for International Agricultural Research, Canberra.
64. Rao M.R., Mathuva M.N. Legumes for improving maize yields and income in semi-arid Kenya. Agriculture, Ecosystems and Environment 2000, 78(2):123-137.
65. Rockstrom J., Kaumbutho P., Mwalley J., Nzabi A.W., Temesgen M., Mawenya L., Barron J., Mutua J., Damgaard-Larsen S. Conservation farming strategies in East and Southern Africa: yields and rain water productivity from on-farm action research. Soil and Tillage Research 2009, 103:23-32.
66. Rusinamhodzi L., Corbeels M., van Wijk M.T., Rufino M.C., Nyamangara J., Giller K.E. A meta-analysis of long-term effects of conservation agriculture on maize grain yield under rain-fed conditions. Agronomy for Sustainable Development 2011, 31:657-673.
67. Sanginga N., Dashiell K.E., Diels J., Vanlauwe B., Lyasse O., Carsky R.J., Tarawali S., Asafo-Adjei B., Menkir A., Schulz S., Singh B.B., Chikoye D., Keatinge D., Ortiz R. Sustainable resource management coupled to resilient germplasm to provide new intensive cereal-grain-legume-livestock systems in the dry savanna. Agriculture, Ecosystems and Environment 2003, 100(2-3):305-314.
68. Shively G.E. Consumption risk, farm characteristics, and soil conservation adoption among low-income farmers in the Philippines. Agricultural Economics 1997, 17(2):165-177.
69. Sibanda A., Homann-Kee Tui S., van Rooyen A., Dimes J., Nkomboni D., Sisito G. Understanding community perceptions of land use changes in the rangelands, Zimbabwe. Experimental Agriculture 2011, 47:153-168.
70. Sidhu R.S., Vatta K., Dhaliwal H.S. Conservation Agriculture in Punjab - economic implications of technologies and practices. Indian Journal of Agricultural Economics 2010, 65(3):413-427.
71. Silici L. Conservation Agriculture and Sustainable Crop Intensification in Lesotho. Integrated Crop Management, Vol. 10-2010 2010, FAO, Rome.
72. Stonehouse P.D. A targeted policy approach to inducing rates of conservation compliance in agriculture. Canadian Journal of Agricultural Economics 1996, 44:105-119.
73. Tanaka T., Camerer C.F., Nguyen Q. Risk and time preferences: linking experimental and household survey data from Vietnam. American Economic Review 2010, 100(1):557-571.
74. Thierfelder C., Cheesman S., Rusinamhodzi L. A Comparative analysis of conservation agriculture systems: benefits and challenges of rotations and intercropping in Zimbabwe. Field Crops Research 2012, 137:237-250.
75. Tittonell P., Vanlauwe B., Leffelaar P.A., Rowe E.C., Giller K.E. Exploring diversity in soil fertility management of smallholder farms in western Kenya: I. Heterogeneity at region and farm scale. Agriculture, Ecosystems and Environment 2005, 110:149-165.
76. Uri N.D. The role of public policy in the use of conservation tillage in the USA. Science of the Total Environment 1998, 216:89-102.
77. Uri N.D. The economic benefits and costs of conservation tillage. Journal of Sustainable Agriculture 1999, 15:5-26.
78. Valbuena D., Erenstein O., Homann-Kee Tui S., Abdoulaye T., Claessens L., Duncan A.J., Gérard B., Rufino M.C., Teufel N., van Rooyen A., van Wijk M.T. Conservation Agriculture in mixed crop-livestock systems: scoping crop residue trade-offs in Sub-Saharan Africa and South Asia. Field Crops Research 2012, 132:175-184.
79. Varner B.T., Epplin F.M., Strickland G.L. Economics of no-till versus tilled dryland cotton, grain sorghum, and wheat. Agronomy Journal 2011, 103(5):1329-1338.
80. Waddington S.R., Karigwindi J. Productivity and profitability of maize+groundnut rotations compared with continuous maize on smallholder farms in Zimbabwe. Experimental Agriculture 2001, 37(1):83-98.
81. Wall P.C. Tailoring conservation agriculture to the needs of small farmers in developing countries: an analysis of issues. Journal of Crop Improvement 2007, 19:137-155.
82. White D.S., Labarta R.A., Leguía E.J. Technology adoption by resource-poor farmers: considering the implications of peak-season labor costs. Agricultural Systems 2005, 85:183-201.