Soil fertility in mixed crop-livestock farming systems of Punjab, Pakistan: The role of institutional factors and sustainable land management practices

Soil fertility decline is a serious global problem, leading to a decline in crop yields and jeopardizing household food security, particularly in developing countries. This paper examines the impact of socioeconomic and institutional factors and the adoption of sustainable land management practices on soil fertility changes on farms between 2002 and 2018 in the Mahottari District of Nepal. A household survey among 184 smallholder farmers was conducted in 2018 to complement soil survey data collected in 2002. A seemingly unrelated regression model was used to estimate factors influencing soil fertility changes between the two periods. The results showed that soil organic matter (SOM), phosphorus (P), potassium (K), and soil pH increased, on average, by about 0.2%, 97 kg/ha, 4 kg/ha, and 0.5 scales, respectively, on the studied farms. The regression results indicated that extension visits and government support (free seedlings) had positive effects, while cooperative membership negatively affected soil fertility changes. Moreover, practicing fallow land use improved soil fertility changes on farms, while practicing conventional tillage using animals deteriorated soil fertility changes. The adoption of agroforestry practices positively affected changes in P and K and negatively affected SOM. Overall, this study highlighted the importance of institutional characteristics and sustainable land management practices to improve soil fertility. The policy implications of these findings for enhancing soil fertility on smallholder farms are: (1) increase the frequency of extension visits to share relevant information with farmers; and (2) incentivize farmers to adopt agroforestry and fallowing practices on their farms.

Adoption of multiple sustainable land management practices and its effects on productivity of smallholder maize farmers in Nigeria

Aims: To examine the income diversification activities and sustainable land management practices among rural cassava-based farmers in Imo State, Nigeria.
 Study Design: Primary data collection.
 Place and Duration of Study: Michael Okpara University of Agriculture, Umudike, Pre-requisite study, Post-Graduation in Agricultural Resource and Environmental Economics, between August 2017 and January 2018.
 Methodology: Data were collected using well-structured questionnaire, administered to rural cassava-based farmers. Multi-stage and purposive sampling techniques were employed, and one hundred and twenty (120) farmers were randomly selected for the study. Data collected were analyzed using descriptive statistics, Sustainable Land Management Index, Probit model and Inverse Herfindahl–Hirschman Diversity Index. The sustainable land management index (SLMI) was constructed from twelve (12) different sustainable land management indicators based on the sustainable practices prevalent in the study area.
 Results: Results showed that cassava-based production was dominated by female farmers (63.33%) with mean age of 46, married (70.00%) with mean household size of 6 persons. The Inverse Herfindahl-Hirschman Diversity (IHHD) results showed that 87.50% of rural cassava-based farmers diversified their income base into other income-generating activities namely, off-farm and/or non-farm activities. The mean naira value for on-farm income was N 130,646.2k, while that of off-farm and non-farm were N 20,554.17k and N 78,333.33k, respectively. Cassava-based farmers diversified mostly into non-farm activities together with their on-farm activities, with a mean annual income (in naira) of N244,333.60k. The probit analysis showed that off-farm and non-farm activities have positive and significant effects on sustainable land management practices. The off-farm and non-farm activities encouraged the rural cassava-based farmers to adapt sustainable land management practices. However, doubling farmer’s engagement to off-farm activities (off-farm2) had a negative effect on sustainable land management, indicating that doubling their engagement to off-farm activities empowers farmers to adapt unsustainable labour-saving practices such over use of agrochemicals (herbicides, inorganic fertilizers and insecticides), due to drudgery and exhaustion as they allocate more of their labour services to another farmer’s farm.
 Conclusion: In order to improve the adoption and adaption of sustainable land management practices, and reduce the drudgery in cassava production as farmers diversify more into off-farm activities, sustainable labour-saving technologies and practices such as conservation tillage and simple tools that reduce labour requirement in cassava production, save time and energy, were recommended. More lands should be allocated to cassava farmers, as farm land diversity will facilitate the adoption and adaption of sustainable land management practices such as fallowing and crop rotation that increase productivity by replacing fallow periods with growing different crops that replenish soil nutrients.

BackgroundSustainable land management is considered as one of the useful approaches to combat the threat of various forms of land degradation in Ethiopia. Despite this, there is scant information regarding households’ decision towards the implementation of sustainable land management practices. This paper, therefore, looks into the determinants for the continued use and choice of the sustainable land management practices by smallholder farmers and its productivity effect in three randomly chosen districts in Tigrai region, Ethiopia. The study uses data from household survey and key informant interviews. The paper employs a binary logit to analyze the determinants for the decision of continued use of sustainable land management practices, and a multivariate probit to analyze the simultaneous adoption decision of sustainable land management practices using cross sectional data collected from 230 randomly selected households. The impact of sustainable land management practices was also evaluated using propensity score matching.ResultsFarming techniques, wealth status, agro-ecological variations, and plot level characteristics were found to be associated with the implementation decision of sustainable land management practices by rural households. Besides, institutional supports and access to basic infrastructures influenced the overall continued use of sustainable land management practices and the preference of households toward these practices. The study also finds that the value of crop production of sustainable land management users was on average 77–100% higher than that of non-users.ConclusionsThe results of the current study confirm that the implementation of various sustainable land management practices are influenced by farming technologies deployed by rural households, agro-ecological variations, plot characteristics, and institutional supports. The findings also affirm that most of the sustainable land management practices are complementary to one another, and implementing two or more sustainable land management practices on a given plot is highly associated with higher value of crop production. Such complementarity highlights that the productivity effect of a given sustainable land management practice is enhanced by the use of the other ones.

Using a household and plot‐level survey conducted in Ethiopia, this study analyses the difference in farmers' adoption of sustainable land management (SLM) practices between their rainfed and irrigated plots. The paper also investigates the varying influence of different types of irrigation water management systems and associated irrigation technologies on the adoption of SLM practices in irrigated plots. After controlling for heterogeneity among different irrigation water management systems and technologies, we found that access to irrigation play major role in enhancing farmers' motivation to adopt more SLM practices. Furthermore, the combined effect of irrigation water management system and irrigation technology on type and number of SLM practices adopted is quite varied and very significant. The evidence highlights that farmers adopt more SLM practices in their plots with pump irrigation compared with those plots where gravity irrigation is applied because pump irrigation systems enhance complementarities with SLM practices. Finally, the findings underscore that the type of irrigation water management and the irrigation technology applied play an important role in restoring degraded lands and maintaining soil fertility, even when farmers' adoption of irrigation was not explicitly triggered by concerns for soil health.

The slow and discontinuous adoption of agricultural technologies is one of the major threats to low agricultural productivity in developing countries. These actions highlight the challenges encountered in the adoption and the continuous use of sustainable land management practices in addition to the choices regarding the type used. The study investigated factors influencing the adoption decisions of smallholder maize farmers and the intensity of adoption of sustainable land management practices. Empirical data were collected from 250 farmers through interviews using a structured questionnaire. The adopter group and non-adopter group were compared using t-test and chi-square statistics, while the double hurdle with the fractional outcome response model was applied to establish the factors responsible for the adoption and the extent of use of sustainable land management practices. The results indicated that socio-economic and institutional characteristics are determining factors responsible for the adoption of sustainable land management practices and the extent of its use. The study recommended that continuous adoption and extensive use can be fostered by encouraging farmers to join a social organisation where related and relevant information on sustainable land management practices is shared through trained agricultural extension officers. Furthermore, regular training and access to credit facilities should be offered.

The scaling of adopted measures on farms is often proposed however, the factors that inform non-adoption of advised measures are typically overlooked. Better understanding of these factors could offer important insights for overcoming these bottlenecks and therefore offer important potential with respect to addressing agri-environmental challenges. We investigated the factors hampering the adoption of sustainable land management practices advised by the main agricultural extension of Ireland. A large qualitative dataset (N = 760) containing farmers’ reasons for rejection of advised practices was analysed to identify bottlenecks for adoption. Our research showed that rejection can be explained by different underlying reasons. While subsidies exist for the implementation of sustainable land management practices, incentives to implement are insufficient and costs remain the main barrier for the adoption of the sustainable land management practices. Additionally, land ownership challenges and the aging farming population hamper the adoption of sustainable land management practices. Next to an analysis of the reasons for rejection of all advised practices, we investigated three often advised sustainable land management practices in-depth: implementation of riparian buffer zones, preventing cattle access to watercourses and implementation of a nutrient management plan. The differences in barriers for adoption between these practices showed the need for nuanced communication in order to enhance uptake. In order to reach water quality targets through enhanced uptake of sustainable land management practice, advice should be framed and tailored to farmer objectives.

As an outcome of agricultural activities, land degradation causes detrimental impacts on the environment and soil. It requires sustainable measures to combat the problem that is becoming critical worldwide. Despite many technological improvement programmes in agriculture, especially on land conservation, adoption has remained low in many developing countries. This situation triggered a further investigation into potential factors influencing sustainable land management practices (SLMPs) adoption in Mbulu district, a semiarid area in northern Tanzania so as to determine and suggest appropriate measures that can promote greater adoption. A cross-sectional study was conducted, and data from 120 farmers was collected using semi-structured questionnaires. The adoption index was computed and determined the level of SLMPs adoption to be low. Probit regression analysis examined the factors influencing the adoption of SLMPs. Results show that gender, marital status, education, land size, and the distance to the extension office significantly influenced the adoption of SLMPs. Specifically, being male, widowed, having formal education, owning a larger size of land, and being closer to the extension office significantly increased the likelihood of the adoption. Also, being unmarried and unaware of SLMPs reduced the probability of the adoption. Awareness-raising programmes must be more targeted and effective to reach the intended audience. In addition, promoting sustainable land management practices that support income diversification and livelihood improvement is crucial in the study area. Furthermore, the adoption of sustainable land management practices requires supportive policy and institutional frameworks in the study area. Overall, addressing these factors requires a multi-faceted approach that involves collaboration between various stakeholders, including farmers, communities, the government, civil society organisations, and the private sector. By working together, these stakeholders can create an enabling environment that promotes SLMPs adoption and contributes to more sustainable livelihoods and income diversification in the study area.

The relationship between farmers' education and the adoption of Sustainable Land Management (SLM) practices remains unclear in the literature. Additionally, research on the mechanisms underlying this relationship remains limited. This study investigates how farmers' education influences SLM adoption intensity, focusing on mediating factors of trust in extension agents' (EAs') advice, risk aversion, and positive belief in SLM practices. Data from 480 farmers in southeast Nigeria were analyzed using multivariable regression analyzes and Baron and Kenny's mediation approach. We report two key findings: (1) education significantly increases SLM adoption intensity ( p < 0.05). A threshold effect is observed at the adoption of three or more practices ( p < 0.1), indicating that higher education levels are associated with a greater likelihood of adopting multiple SLM practices; (2) farmers' trust in EAs' advice and positive belief in SLM practices mediate the relationship between education and SLM adoption intensity ( p < 0.05), highlighting the psychological mechanisms underlying this relationship. Overall, this study provides insights to guide policies for promoting SLM practices among rural farmers.

Soil degradation has been a major environmental and agricultural challenge in Ethiopia in general and in the study area in particular. Recently, several governmental and nongovernmental organizations have made efforts to reduce the problem and improve the productivity of land through sustainable land management (SLM) practices. The main objective of this study was to investigate the impact of sustainable land management practices on soil condition and landscape greenness in the Jimma Arjo District, Southwestern Ethiopia. The impact of SLM practices on soil condition was examined by collecting twenty-eight (28) composite and core (28) soil samples from treated (14) and nontreated (14) lands. Landsat satellite images of 2012 and 2022 were used to detect changes in landscape greenness using the Normalized Difference Vegetation Index (NDVI). ArcGIS® 10.3, ERDAS® 2014, and Microsoft Excel software packages were used for analysis. The significance test was performed using a one-way ANOVA. The result showed a significant difference in soil physiochemical properties (soil texture, soil pH, soil organic carbon, soil organic matter, total nitrogen, and available phosphorous and calcium) between treated and nontreated lands (P<0.01). However, the landscape greenness result shows that the lowest NDVI value in the SLM-treated kebele during 2012 was −0.15 but increased to 0.09 in 2022. Similarly, the highest value was found to be 0.41 in 2012 and the value rose to 0.53 in 2022. It is concluded that sustainable land management practices implemented in the area have resulted in an important positive effect on improving the soil condition and landscape greenness. Hence, strengthening and scaling up SLM practices and continuous maintenance are advisable for better results in land productivity and livelihood improvement.

Agricultural information plays a vital role in adopting agricultural technology. The study explored if information acquisition is related to the adoption of sustainable land management practices (SLMP) and jointly decided in Mpumalanga Province of South Africa. Primary data were collected through face-to-face interviews, using a proportionate random sampling technique to get 250 smallholder farmers to participate in the survey. A seemingly unrelated bivariate probit (SUBP) model and a recursive bivariate probit (RBP) model were adopted to examine the objective. The statistical estimation of the SUBP showed that there is a relationship, an empirical association between information acquisition and SLMP; while RBP estimation showed that information acquisition was exogenous in the adoption model; thus, the decision to acquire information and adopt SLMP was not jointly decided. Therefore, the study presents the determinants of information acquisition alongside with the adoption of SLPM. The result from the SUBP model, indicated that the years spent in school; agricultural extension service; the number of extension visits and the years of farming, influenced both information acquisition and the adoption of SLMP. The cost attached positively influenced the adoption of SLMP; while gender, marital status and age only influenced the information acquisition.

Sustainable land management practices (SLMP) initiatives can be evaluated using soil physical characteristics and soil organic matter (SOM). SLMP effects on soil water hydraulic characteristics, penetration resistance (PR), and SOM were examined at Adigudom, northern Ethiopia. With three replications, we evaluated six land management types (exclosure AC, crop rotation CR, conventional tillage CT, grazing land GL, conservation agriculture CA, and fallow land FL) in Vertisols and Leptosols soils. Soil texture, infiltration rate (IR), cumulative infiltration (Ic), field-saturated hydraulic conductivity (Kfs), SOM, and PR were measured. IR and Kfs were higher in AC (17.55 and 30.21 cm hr-1, 92.8 and 83.8 cm hr-1) on Vertisols and Leptosols, respectively, followed by CA (63.2 and 9.51 cm hr-1) on Vertisols, while the lowest IR and Kfs were observed in GL (9.40 and 7.45 cm hr-1, 2.43 and 2.37 cm hr-1), and CT (23.8 and 21.4 cm hr-1, 2.8 and 4.22 cm hr-1) on Vertisols and Leptosols, respectively. In AC, CA, and FL, interventions significantly impacted parameters derived water retention curve and PR soil quality indicators. AC, CA, and FL improved soil quality, however, GL and CT dryland farming reduced soil productivity. This shows how important soil parameters are for assessing SLMP programs.

Reasons for adoption of sustainable land management practices in a changing context: A mixed approach in Thailand

Soil erosion is a very chronic environmental issue in the agricultural sector in Ethiopia. This study's objective in the Semen Bench district is to assess the perception of farmers on soil erosion and sustainable land management (SLM) practices. The study used a multi-stage sampling method. 124 sample households were selected by systematic sampling techniques. The Likert scale and descriptive statistics were used to analyses the data. Perceived consequences of soil erosion were loss of soil fertility (79%), yield reduction (82.3%), decreased soil depth (50.8%), formation of rills and gullies (45.2%), and soil color change (33.9%) on their farmland, respectively. The results showed the significance of SLM practices, with 32 and 56% of respondents strongly agreeing and agreeing that households could control soil erosion, respectively. The farmers implemented different indigenous and introduced practices to minimize soil erosion and improve soil fertility. The common indigenous SLM practices were contour farming, intercropping, agroforestry, and crop rotation, while introduced practices included stone bunds, fanyajuu terraces, cut-off drains, trenches, bench terraces, and area enclosures, as well as planting different seedling species and Vetiver grass. It can be concluded that SLM is crucial for minimizing soil erosion and improving crop yield. Based on the results, recommendations should focus on encouraging farmers and creating awareness about the application of integrated modern SLM practices.

The drive for the adoption of Sustainable Supply Chain Management practices among pharmaceutical companies is on the rise given the global effort to attain net zero of carbon emissions as well as attaining other targets for the sustainable development goals. The pharmaceutical industry plays vital role in the manufacturing and distribution of medications, and therefore sustainability issues are critical for the survival of the industry. However, the adoption of sustainable practices in the upstream pharmaceutical industry is still low, and there is lack of empirical research in this area, particularly in emerging economies like Ghana. This study aims to fill this gap by examining the level of adoption of sustainable supply chain practices, focusing on the role of the policy framework, the influence of these practices on company performance, and the role of top executives in ensuring sustainability. The study utilizes a mixed method approach and leverages the upper echelon theory to explore the role of managers on sustainable supply chain practices. This dissertation explore the state of the upstream pharmaceutical Sustainable Supply Chain Management practices in Ghana, evaluate the role of the upstream pharmaceutical policy framework of Ghana on supply chain sustainability, identify how upstream pharmaceutical Sustainable Supply Chain Management Practices influence the performance of pharmaceutical companies in Ghana, and to examine the role of top management in ensuring upstream pharmaceutical sustainable supply chain management practices in Ghana. By addressing the above objectives, the study promotes academic debate and provides insights for policy directions in the pharmaceutical industry for sustainable growth and development. The research design includes both explanatory and exploratory approaches, with a concurrent/parallel mixed methods design combining quantitative and qualitative data. Specifically, the concurrent triangulation design mixed method was adopted. The target population was employees of locally owned upstream pharmaceutical companies in the Greater Accra region of Ghana. From a finite population of about 2000, stratified and purposive strategies were used to select 18 participants under the qualitative aspect, while random sampling technique was used to select 334 for the quantitative aspect of the study. Therefore, the total sample size for this study was 352 participants. Data collection involved the use of questionnaire and structured interview guide, and data analysis included structural equation modeling for quantitative data and thematic analysis as well as content analysis for qualitative data. Quantitative results indicated that Sustainable Supply Chain Management practices have a positive significant association with Sustainable Supply Chain Management performance for upstream pharmaceutical companies. Results showed that, there was positive impact of Top Management Commitment on Sustainable Supply Chain Management to performance. Furthermore, there was justification for Top Management Commitment as a moderator on the association between Sustainable Supply Chain Management practices and Sustainable Supply Chain Management performance. The study's findings on sustainable supply chain management practices in the upstream pharmaceutical sector in Ghana have significant theoretical, managerial, and policy implications. The interviews revealed the importance of socially inclusive practices, eco-friendly manufacturing, waste management, supplier involvement, and collaborations are important factors to consider in achieving sustainability goals. Theoretical implications include the recognition of responsible sourcing as a crucial component of sustainable supply chain management and the importance of socially responsible human resource management strategies. Managerially, the adoption of green manufacturing practices, waste management, and supplier engagement are highlighted as strategies for enhancing sustainability. Policy implications emphasize the need for supportive policies and regulations that promote responsible sourcing, green manufacturing, waste management, and supplier engagement in the upstream of pharmaceutical industry. The study contributes to the literature by providing empirical evidence of the positive association between sustainable supply chain management and organizational performance. The role of top management in ensuring the adoption and implementation of sustainable supply chain management practices is crucial, with implications for leadership, resource allocation, collaboration, and stakeholder engagement. Policy-wise, support for sustainable supply chain management practices and capacity-building initiatives are crucial for the adopting and implementations of these practices within the pharmaceutical industry. Overall, the study provides insights for theory, practice, and policy to enhance sustainability in the pharmaceutical supply chain.