Abstract
AbstractSmallholder farmers represent the majority of food producers around the world, yet they are often the most at risk of suffering yield gaps and not achieving their production potential. Ecological Intensification (EI) is a knowledge intensive approach to sustainable agricultural intensification which utilizes biodiversity‐based ecosystem services to support greater yield and reduce reliance on agrochemical inputs. Despite the potential benefit of EI based practices, uptake by smallholders is not as widespread as it could be. Here we test the hypothesis that application of EI on smallholder farms in Kenya is a viable approach that could be taken in order to enhance food security. Focusing on natural pest control and crop pollination, we used farmer surveys to explore the potential for EI in central Kenya. We identified to what extent farm typology and access to knowledge determine the incentives and barriers facing smallholder producers and how this influences optimal pathways for sharing knowledge and providing extension services. We found considerable potential for EI of smallholder farms in this region; most farmers grew insect pollinated crops and some farmers already employed EI practices, while others relied heavily on chemical pesticides. Based on physical, social, and economic factors, three farm typologies emerged including “semi‐commercial,” “market orientated,” and “subsistence.” These typologies influenced the appropriate EI practices available to farmers, as well as routes through which knowledge was shared, and the extent to which extension services were utilized. We propose that to support effective uptake of EI practices, smallholder farm heterogeneity should be acknowledged and characterized in order to target the needs and capabilities of farmers and identify appropriate knowledge sharing and support pathways. The approach we take here has the potential to be employed in other regions globally.
Highlights
Smallholders account for 84% of all farms worldwide and produce around 30% of the world's food (Lowder et al, 2019), yet smallholder farms are the most vulnerable to extreme climatic events and often suffer significant yield gaps (Tittonell & Giller, 2013)
Focusing on natural pest control and crop pollination, we used farmer surveys to explore the potential for Ecological Intensification (EI) in central Kenya
We identified to what extent farm typology and access to knowledge determine the incentives and barriers facing smallholder producers and how this influences optimal pathways for sharing knowledge and providing extension services
Summary
Smallholders account for 84% of all farms worldwide and produce around 30% of the world's food (Lowder et al, 2019), yet smallholder farms are the most vulnerable to extreme climatic events and often suffer significant yield gaps (Tittonell & Giller, 2013). Ecological intensification involves the employment of an array of management practices including the establishment of ecological infrastructure, the modification of farm management practices, such as reduced tillage or intercropping, and the protection or creation of semi-natural habitats (Kovács-Hostyánszki et al, 2017; Garibaldi et al, 2019) Such approaches promote functional biodiversity in and around farms, including natural enemies of pests, pollinators, and biodiverse soil communities, and used in combination with or in place of other conventional approaches such as plant genetic improvements and conventional inputs (Tittonell & Giller, 2013) represents a longer term solution to address yield gaps. Findings from this study could be used to direct research to optimize likely candidate EI technologies and help tailor approaches taken by extension services so they can be better utilized by farmers
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