Adoption Of Agroforestry Technologies Research Articles

Adoption of agroforestry systems by smallholders’ farmers in the Sudano-Sahelian zones of Mali and Burkina Faso, West Africa

AbstractDespite the well-known potential of agroforestry systems to sustain livelihoods and ecosystem services, their targeted adoption in the Sudano-Sahelian zone of West Africa is low. To address this, we used questionnaires with 279 farmers to understand their socio-economic characteristics determining the adoption of agroforestry technologies and to record the preferred tree species in the Koulikoro region of Mali and West-Central region of Burkina Faso. The result of a binary logistic regression showed that income, off farm activities, average number of owned sheep, cooperative membership, forage security, and maintained trees and shrubs fostered the adoption of agroforestry technologies. Contrarily, the adoption of agroforestry technologies was negatively influenced by household size and crop yield. Our data show that agroforestry parklands are the most popular agroforestry technology. The most common agroforestry tree species in the study region was Vitellaria paradoxa C. F. Gaertn. The dominance of V. paradoxa within these parklands may be partly explained by the tree’s adaptation to severe drought and fire hazards, which are common to the study region. The study also revealed that smallholder farmers in Mali maintained trees on farms mainly for food security, whereas in Burkina Faso trees were mainly kept for maintaining soil fertility. We conclude that in all initiatives aimed at promoting the adoption of agroforestry in the study region, efforts should be made to consider farmers’ socioeconomic characteristics, tree preferences, and perceptions (as identified in this study).

Evaluating the performance of farmer-managed fruit trees in participatory homestead trials of semi-arid Ethiopia: the case of East Shoa Zone, Oromia

ABSTRACT The growth of farmer-managed tree seedlings (FMTS) is pramount to impact agroforestry technology adoption. This paper presents the performances of FMTS of 3 avocado varieties (Hass, Ettinger and Fuerte) and one papaya variety (Solo) in three districts (Dugda, Adamitulu, and Lome). Thirty-six trials were established (12 trials per district) in 36 homsteads selected purposively. Each homestead was considered as a block in RCBD. Watering frequency was found higher in Dugda than the remaining districts. Seedling survival exhibited significant differences (α<0.05) among varieties with in and across districts. Survival of Solo papaya was significantly higher (α<0.05) at Dugda (91%) than in Adamitulu and Lome. Hass avocado reveled significantlly higher survival (91%) at Dugda than Ettinger and Fuerte across districs. Significant differences in Plot Volume Index (PVI, an integrative growth measurement) among varieties within and across districts indicated that seedling growth was influenced by variety, planting site and, watering fequency. PVI of Hass at Dugda was significantly higher (by 35% and 110%) than that of Ettinger and Fuerte, respectively. PVI of Solo Papaya at Dugda was significantly higher (α<0.05). Hass was found promising avocado variety for planting locations considered, and frequent watering was found crucial for good growth of the tested plant varieties.

Adoption of agroforestry technologies: a case study from central highlands of Ethiopia

Adoption of agroforestry technologies: a case study from central highlands of Ethiopia

ICTs Use, Agroforestry Technologies’ Adoption and Crop Farmers’ Welfare: An Empirical Evidence from Southwest, Nigeria

There is a glaring shortage of studies on the impact of ICTs use on the adoption of agroforestry technologies and combined effects of ICTs use and agroforestry technologies’ adoption on farmers’ welfare. To fill the information gap, this study examined the impact of ICTs use on agroforestry technologies’ adoption and their heterogenous impacts on crop farmers’ welfare in Southwest, Nigeria. Endogenous-treatment poisson regression (ETPR) model and unconditional quantile regression (UQR) model were used to analyse the data collected from 488 respondents. The results indicated that the use of ICTs improved the adoption of agroforestry technologies which facilitate friendly environment. Also, ICTs use and agroforestry technologies’ adoption statistically and heterogeneously influenced farm revenue and household food insecurity access scale (HFIAS). Precisely, ICTs use had the highest influence on farm revenue at the lowest quantile, while agroforestry technologies’ adoption had the highest effect on household food insecurity access scale (HFIAS) at the lowest quantile. Therefore, policies that promote crop farmers’ access to ICTs should be the priority of policy makers who are interested in the welfare of crop farmers and increased farmers’ level of agroforestry technologies’ adoption.

Impacts of agroforestry technologies on livelihood improvement in Vihiga County, Kenya

The adoption of agroforestry technologies remains an important strategy to reduce poverty and hunger among resource-constrained rural farmers. However, the potential contribution of agroforestry technologies to the economy and sustainable development goals in Vihiga County, Kenya, is yet to be fully exploited. This study determined the impacts of agroforestry technologies on livelihoods and the socio-economic factors influencing the adoption of agroforestry technologies. A multi-stage sampling technique was used to sample four major villages in Hamisi and Sabatia sub-counties; Shamakhokho, Kaimosi, Sabatia, and Mago. A total of 110 households were interviewed. Semi-structured questionnaires and observation checklists were used to collect quantitative data, while key informant interviews were conducted to collect qualitative data. Data was analyzed using both descriptive and inferential statistics. Significant level was expressed at P≤ 0.05. The Chi-square test of association indicated that the socioeconomic factors influencing the adoption of agroforestry technologies were income (χ2 = 20.951) and land size (χ2 = 23.282). The study showed that 85% of respondents reported over 30% monthly income increase from the sale of agroforestry products, such as; firewood (57%), timber (27%), fruits (15%), and charcoal (1%). In light of the benefits realized, 57% of the respondents affirmed that they were able to meet their basic needs from agroforestry technologies. In conclusion, this study established that agroforestry technologies positively impacted the livelihoods of farmers in the study area. The study recommends strengthening extension service delivery, intensifying agroforestry production through diversification of agroforestry products and harmonizing the market structures.

Does Agroforestry Technology Adoption Affect Income Inequality among Arable Crop Farmers in Southwest, Nigeria? A Gender Perspective

Does Agroforestry Technology Adoption Affect Income Inequality among Arable Crop Farmers in Southwest, Nigeria? A Gender Perspective

Determinants of farmers’ adoption of agroforestry technology in Ibarapa Area of Oyo State, Nigeria

This study examined the various forms of agroforestry technologies adopted by the farmers as well as assessed the factors influencing the adoption of agroforestry technologies among farmers in the study area. A multi-stage sampling technique was used to select the respondents from the study area. Both descriptive statistics such as frequencies and percentages as well as inferential statistics such as Logistic Regression model were used in the study. From the study, it was discovered that adopters of agroforestry technology accounts for 42.47%, while non-adopters accounted for 57.53% of the sampled respondents. The result further shows the different forms of agroforestry practices adopted by the farmers in the study area which includes boundary planting, multipurpose trees/shrubs, wind breaks and live fencing. The result of the analysis of the factors that influence the adoption of agroforestry technologies among farmers from the logistic regression analysis revealed that access to extension services, age, education, farming experience, farm size and gender were positive and significant factors in determining the adoption of agroforestry technologies among the farmers.

Factors Affecting Adaptation to Climate Change through Agroforestry in Kenya

The environmental effects of climate change have significantly decreased agricultural productivity. Agroforestry technologies have been applied as a solution to promote sustainable agricultural systems. This study evaluates the factors influencing the adoption of agroforestry technology in Kenya. A multistage sampling technique was employed to collect data from 239 households in West Pokot County, Kenya. A Probit model and K-means algorithm were used to analyze the factors affecting farmers’ agroforestry technology adoption decisions based on the sampled households’ socio-economic, demographic, and farm characteristics. The study found that the total yield for maize crop, farm size, extension frequency, off-farm income, access to training, access to credit, access to transport facilities, group membership, access to market, gender, distance to nearest trading center, and household education level had significant effects on the adoption of agroforestry technologies. The findings of this study are important in informing policy formulation and implementation that promotes agroforestry technologies adoption.

Assessing the impact of the adoption of agroforestry technology on food production and poverty reduction among farming households in Oyo State, Nigeria

Assessing the impact of the adoption of agroforestry technology on food production and poverty reduction among farming households in Oyo State, Nigeria

Assessing smallholder farmers’ motivation to adopt agroforestry using a multi-group structural equation modeling approach

This study applied the multi-group structural equation modeling technique to identify differences in farmer motivations to adopting agroforestry practices in the Mt. Elgon region of Uganda. Data were collected from interviews with 400 smallholder coffee farmers belonging to four categories which included: (1) those actively participating in an Australian-funded trees for food security (T4FS) project from phase 1 (2014); (2) farmers neighbouring those actively participating in the T4FS project; (3) farmers actively participating in the T4FS project from phase 2 (2017) and; (4) farmers living distant and unaware of the T4FS project. We used the theory of planned behaviour framework to assess the adoption behaviour of these farmer categories resulting from project interventions. About 40% of the variation in farmer motivation to integrate trees in their coffee plantations was explained by the significant variables of ‘attitude’ and ‘perceived behavioural control’ among farmers actively participating in the T4FS project from phase 1. However, the neighbors of participating farmers and farmers who had never interacted with the project were only motivated by ‘attitude’ and ‘social norms’ respectively. Farmer motivation resulting from social pressure was strongest among farmers who had never interacted with the project, and in the absence of project interventions, rely on existing social structures to drive change in their community. Farmers’ perceived behavioural control to overcome tree planting barriers and their attitude to the economic benefits of shaded coffee were significantly different among the four farmer categories (p < 0.05). The findings indicate that psychological factors are key drivers to the farmers’ internal decision-making process in agroforestry technology adoption and can be context-specific. The adoption behaviour of smallholder farmers is mainly shaped by existing community social norms and beliefs that tend to promote knowledge exchange, as opposed to the conventional knowledge transfer extension approaches. Norms are therefore an inherent part of social systems and can create distinct farming practices, habits and standards within a social group. Researchers and extension agents can act upon these identified positive attitudes, norms and perceived behavioural controls to guarantee adoption and sustainability of agricultural technologies.

Gliricidia Agroforestry Technology Adoption Potential in Selected Dryland Areas of Dodoma Region, Tanzania

Declining soil fertility is one of the major problems facing producers of field crops in most dryland areas of Sub-Saharan Africa. In response to the declining soil fertility, extensive participatory research has been undertaken by the World Agroforestry (ICRAF) and smallholder farmers in Dodoma region, Tanzania. The research has, amongst others, led to the development of Gliricidia agroforestry technology. The positive impact of Gliricidia intercropping on crop yields has been established. However, information on farmers’ willingness and ability to adopt the Gliricidia agroforestry technology on their farms is limited. This study predicts the adoption of Gliricidia agroforestry and conventional mineral fertilizer use technology. Focus Group Discussions (FGDs) were conducted with groups of farmers, purposively selected based on five sets of criteria: (i) at least 2 years of experience in either trying or using Gliricidia agroforestry technology, (ii) at least 1 year of experience in either trying or using the mineral fertilizer technology (iii) at least 10 years of living in the study villages, (iv) the age of 18 years and above, and (v) sex. The Adoption and Diffusion Outcome Prediction Tool (ADOPT) was used to predict the peak adoption levels and the respective time in years. A sensitivity analysis was conducted to assess the effect of change in adoption variables on predicted peak adoption levels and time to peak adoption. The results revealed variations in peak adoption levels with Gliricidia agroforestry technology exhibiting the highest peak of 67.6% in 12 years, and that the most influential variable to the peak adoption is the upfront cost of investing in Gliricidia agroforestry and fertilizer technologies. However, in Gliricidia agroforestry technology most production costs are incurred in the first year of project establishment but impact the long term biophysical and economic benefits. Moreover, farmers practicing agroforestry technology accrue environmental benefits, such as soil erosion control. Based on the results, it is plausible to argue that Gliricidia agroforestry technology has a high adoption potential and its adoption is influenced by investment costs. We recommend two actions to attract smallholder farmers investing in agroforestry technologies. First, enhancing farmers’ access to inputs at affordable prices. Second, raising farmers’ awareness of the long-term environmental benefits of Gliricidia agroforestry technology.

Influence of Women Empowerment on Adoption of Agroforestry Technologies to Counter Climate Change and Variability in Semi-Arid Makueni County, Kenya

Climate change has become a major concern in Africa, where many climate models predict that it will cause among other things; decreasing rainfall especially in arid areas, warmer temperatures and increasing severity and frequency of extreme weather events. Subsistence farmers in developing world are unable to cope with such climate variability since they do not have the capital to invest in new adaptive practices. They are also especially sensitive to climate change since they rely almost entirely on rain- fed agriculture. This study was carried out at Nguumo and Makindu locations in Makindu sub-county, Makueni County. The main objective of the study was to examine the role of women in agroforestry technologies as an adaptation strategy to climate change and variability in Makindu and Nguumo locations, Makindu sub county, Makueni County, Kenya.

Household Level Determinants of Agroforestry Practices Adoption in Rural Ethiopia

ABSTRACTAgroforestry is increasingly promoted as an economically and environmentally sustainable land use system. Understanding factors affecting smallholder farmers’ decision to adopt agroforestry technologies and intensity of adoption is thus considered critical for the development of agroforestry. This research attempts to analyze and understand why agroforestry technologies are not being taken up more by examining household level factors that could influence the adoption of agroforestry technologies. We estimate Heckman selection model using household level data collected from different regions of rural Ethiopia. Our findings show that the age of the household head, land size, tenure insecurity, and proximity to towns have a significant effect on the probability of adopting. They also show that, once adoption decision had been taken, the area devoted to agroforestry technologies is influenced by household characteristics such as gender of the household head, land size, and proximity to towns. We also identify important measures that could help promoting agroforestry technologies in rural Ethiopia. Our findings may also provide scientific evidence for other similar countries whose livelihood depends mainly on agriculture and natural resources such as forests.

Views and Attitudes of Local Farmers towards Planting, Growing and Managing Trees in Agroforestry System in Basona Worena District, Ethiopia

Agroforestry is a dynamic ecological-based natural resources management practice that integrates food crops, trees, and livestock in an agricultural landscape where the components may have ecological, economical, and social impacts. This study aimed at examining the views and attitudes of local farmers towards ‘planting, growing, and managing trees in agroforestry system’ in Basona Worena District, Ethiopia. As there was already a traditional agroforestry adopted by the farmers, the study kebele was purposely selected. A structured questionnaire was developed by accounting different socioeconomic variables. A total of 94 respondents were randomly contacted to collect the questionnaire data. Multiple linear regression technique was employed to analyze and interpret the data. Contrary to expectation, the findings showed that a greater proportion (about 60%) of the respondents did not practice agroforestry. However, those farmers who used to practice traditional agroforestry mainly exercised it to meet their household wood demands. Based on their economic values, the most commonly preferred tree species planted and grown by the farmers in descending order, included eucalyptus species, Acacia abyssinica, Croton macrostachyus, Sesbania sesban, Cupressus lusitanica, and Olea africana. The results also suggested that the farmers had conscious perceptions to determine the negative and positive effects of tree species on food crops, soils, and water. Generally, a greater proportion of the farmers strongly agreed (73.33%) that they had developed positive attitudes towards ‘planting, growing, and managing trees in agroforestry system’. Moreover, the multiple linear regression models showed that different socioeconomic variables significantly influenced the attitudes of farmers towards ‘planting, growing, and managing trees in agroforestry system’. Generally, the regression model explained about 36% of the variance in attitudes of the respondents towards ‘planting, growing, and managing trees’. Hence, providing improved agroforestry extension services, including incentives (e.g., seeds, tree seedlings, technical supports, and credits) may help increase the active participation of the farmers to adopt plant, grow, and manage trees in agroforestry system. Moreover, provision of adequate technical trainings on agroforestry technologies and establishing demonstration site is indispensable to increase the awareness level of the local farmers and thereby promote the adoption of agroforestry technologies in Basona Worena District and elsewhere.

Socio-economic factors affecting agro-forestry technology adoption in Nyando, Kenya

AbstractAgro-forestry (AFR) technologies are perceived to improve livelihoods and natural resource sustainability of the rural households. Despite their aggressive promotion by multiple national and international agencies, the adoption of AFR technologies has been minimal in Kenya. This study conducted a survey to examine the socio-economic factors that affect the adoption process in Nyando, Kenya. Results revealed that farmers with bigger farms and higher education were more likely to adopt the new technology. Additionally, farmers were quicker to adopt technology if they had an increase in crop yields and had stayed longer in the study area. Generally, wealthier famers tended to adopt more AFR technology than those with less income. Access to information was the only factor strongly correlated with the rest of the independent variables. The results suggest that, adoption would be more enhanced with a clear focus on extension activities, income enhancing AFR practices and soil amelioration technologies. This study may be replicated in other parts of Kenya and East Africa to improve the level of AFR technology adoption for sustainable rural development.

Cocoa Agroforestry Technology Adoption and Productivity: An Application of Regression Based Models that Estimate Binary Treatment Effects Under CIA Assumption

The study uses a sample of 1,175 cocoa farmers to assess the effects of cocoa agroforestry technology on the productivity of maize farmers. The study applied the commonly used regression based methods that estimate binary treatment effects based on the confoundedness assumption and compared the results from each of these estimators for both male and female cocoa farmers. Results from the study show that cocoa agroforestry technology adoption significantly increased the productivity of both male and female cocoa farmers by equal margin irrespective of the model employed. Thus, the study recommends that safety net policies should generally pay more attention to the factors that allow increased cocoa production technology adoption by cocoa farmers, since they could then build on existing pattern of increasing cocoa productivity in Ghana whilst alleviating rural poverty.

Benefits and challenges of agroforestry adoption: a case of Musebeya sector, Nyamagabe District in southern province of Rwanda

ABSTRACTRwanda's natural forest is under pressure due to increasing rural population growth and subsistence farming. The Rwanda Ministry of Agriculture has therefore introduced agroforestry technology in forest-dependent communities to minimize the pressures on the forests and improve local people's livelihoods. This new technology has, however, not seen massive adoption in the country. This study examined the socioeconomic and environmental benefits of the agroforestry technology introduced particularly in Nyamagabe District and the challenges facing its adoption. Results showed that the agroforestry practices are contributing to an increase in income of agroforestry adopters compared to non-agroforestry adopters, and are improving soil fertility, reducing deforestation, and conserving soil and water in the district. However, results showed that, due to lack of skills and technical know-how, capital and quality seeds, some farmers are declining to adopt the new agroforestry practices. The respondents perceived that by providing subsidies to farmers, regular training, and informal education, establishing tree nurseries to improve the production of quality seeds, and also involving farmers in decision-making will increase agroforestry adoption. The government and other stakeholders should consider the views expressed by the farmers and take the necessary steps to address these challenges facing agroforestry technology adoption.

Determinants of agroforestry technology adoption among arable crop farmers in Ondo state, Nigeria: an empirical investigation

In addressing the problem of land degradation as well as enhancing sustainable food production, agroforestry was advocated among the arable crop farmers in the area. The study was thus conducted to investigate the determinants as well as the constraints of agroforestry technology adoption in Ondo State, Nigeria. Data collected from a multi-stage sampling procedure were analysed with the aid of descriptive statistics and double hurdle model. Findings revealed that the mean age, farming experience, level of education, and plot age were 58.6 ± 13.3, 31.9 ± 13.8, 7 ± 6.3, and 30.3 ± 10.5, respectively. While the number of adult male and extension contact increased the intensity of agroforestry adoption, value of livestock reduced the technology adoption. This implies that varying factors affect farmers’ decision to adopt and intensity of use. The major constraint of agroforestry practice in the area is insecure land tenure. Policy thrust that would enhance farmers’ access to extension service and redistribute land should be put in place.

Factors Affecting Adoption Rate of Agro Forestry Technologies in Tamil Nadu

The paper has to determined the factors affecting the adoption of agroforestry technologies by farmers in Tamil Nadu. Despite the low rates of adoption, agro forestry remains an important component of sustainable land-use, development of agricultural production and reduction of food insecurity. For data collection, structured questionnaire were designed and administered to 240 farmers who were selected randomly from two villages in Dharmapuri district. The data were analysed using descriptive statistics regression analysis and pearson product moment correlation (PPMC). The study has indicated that the farmers were largely aware of agroforestry and had adopted silviculture/agrisilviculture technology. The mean adoption rate of agroforestry technologies was 79.0 per cent. The main determinants of the adoption were farmers’ age, household size, educational level, farm size, farming experience, income, access to credit and extension contacts. All these variables, except the age of farmers, affected the adoption rate of agroforestry technologies positively. The study has recommended that farmers be provided with loans at concessional interest rates for adopting innovations. Additionally, information on management of agroforestry systems needs to be communicated in a simpler local language for easy understanding and interpretation by the farmers in this region.

Factors Affecting Adoption of Agroforestry and Evergreen Agriculture in Southern Africa

This paper examines the factors that affect adoption of agroforestry and integrated soil fertility management (ISFM) practices in Southern Africa. Agroforestry practices, especially evergreen agriculture and conservation agriculture with trees have emerged as sustainable measures of addressing land degradation and loss of soil fertility. Although agroforestry is known to be beneficial to farmers and the environment, its adoption rate falls far behind the projected goals. The present study reviewed several publications on adoption of agroforestry in Southern Africa and complemented the review with household and key informant interviews to obtain evidence from farmers and promoters of the technologies on the factors affecting adoption. The study revealed that the major factors affecting adoption of agroforestry fall into two main categories of socioeconomic and biophysical factors. The factors are high initial costs of agroforestry practices (75%), low extension knowledge (69%); unavailability of agroforestry germplasm (69%) for economic, social and biophysical categories respectively. Up to 84% of the key informants indicated that awareness of the connection between agroforestry and land quality improvement could lead to wide scale adoption of the technology. We conclude that Government policies will strongly influence adoption of agroforestry technologies. There is need to institutionalise sustainable agricultural land management practices through policy formulation, budgetary allocation for extension officers and farmer training and starter up inputs. Promotion of agroforestry should be coupled with investment in awareness creation, farmer-centered approaches in selection of technology and provision of inputs in the initial stages. Strong collaboration among policy makers, researchers and extension providers will be required to harmonise messages to be delivered to farming communities.