Agroecology Research Articles

Evaluation of rabi season sesame productivity from graded nutrient doses and tillage regimes in rice fallows of southern plateau and hills region of the Indian sub-continent.

Only scattered information is available on the tillage and nutrient management information for the sesame crop following rice in the literature. Sesame as an edible oil yielding crop with high levels of unsaturated fatty acids has high international demand due to superior health benefits. Being a small seeded crop, it requires standard tillage and nutrient management to obtain optimum productivity under rice fallow ecologies. As a sequential crop after rice harvest, the tillage and nutrient management practices followed for the preceding rice have astounding effects on the succeeding sesame crop. To better understand and manipulate the agro ecology in the rice fallow culture, it is necessary to study the behaviour of sesame cultivars, in relation to the tillage requirements and macro nutrient factors that have a bearing on the productivity. The aim of this work was to evaluate the productivity of rice fallow sesame in the southern plateau and hills regions of the Indian sub-continent (Tamil Nadu) with a hypothesis that tillage and nutrient management would immensely benefit the sesame crop. Field experiments were conducted at TNAU, Tamil Nadu Rice Research Institute, Aduturai, Tamil Nadu during 2019-2020 and 2020-2021 with tillage practices (reduced tillage, conventional tillage and zero tillage) and fertilizer doses (zero percent RDF, 25% RDF, 50% RDF, 75% RDF and 100% RDF) in a split plot design replicated thrice. The results have clearly indicated that the performance of rice fallow sesame was poor under zero till conditions as the sesame crop is poorly adapted leading to a yield penalty up to 68%. A total of 75% RDF has yielded statistically similar yield to that of 100% RDF to the rice fallow sesame. Further, neither the oil content nor the fatty acid composition was modified by tillage and nutrient management regimes.

Opportunities and Constraints of Promoting Coffee Plantation in Southern Tigray, Ethiopia

In Ethiopia, coffee is a significant crop, but in the Tigray region, particularly southern Tigray, it receives less emphasis despite its national importance. This study investigates the status of coffee production in southern Tigray, Ethiopia, using a multistage sampling technique to gather data from 113 respondents during 2015. The goal is to identify opportunities and constraints in coffee production in the region. Data were collected using individual interviews and Focus Group Discussions, and analyzed using SPSS software and a ranking index. The study found that favorable agro ecology, fertile soils, accessibility to water, and existence of tolerant coffee varieties are the opportunities in southern Tigray, Ethiopia. However, constraints include irrigation competition, lack of training, limited input use, and shifting to khat (Catha edulis) cultivation. Additionally, most farmers do not practice pruning and rejuvenation due to lack of technical knowledge. This result in the coffee plants stand; more erect, less branched and unmanageably tall which rendering difficult to harvest berries. Hence, the study suggested that an integrated coffee production intervention is important to boost coffee production and local policy instrument is prerequisite that restrict the shifting of coffee to khat production in the study districts.

Food Sovereignty in Nepal : A Current Appraisal

Food sovereignty issue is integrated with agro ecology, climate and environmental justice, right of food workers, agrarian reform and justice to women and peasants. Despite of the promises of food security by the use of new practices and technologies global hunger has significantly increased. Industrial food production and indiscriminant use of chemical fertilizers pesticides have caused air, water and soil pollution and consequently environment and human health has been seriously impaired. Nepal being a developing economy could hardly endow all her possible resources just to address food security issue, hence the food sovereignty issue remained veiled till 2075B.S. Present study aims to enquire the working status of food sovereignty principal on real grounds in the country. The study is based on secondary data and is quantitative in nature. As pre design it is descriptive and prescriptive both. The study examines efficacy of food sovereignty principal on six pillar of it which are: focus on food for people; Value food providers; localize food system; puts control locally; builds knowledge and skills and work with nature. Examining through facts and figures, it is found that there is food crisis in the country with its quantity and nutritive value. The extended net works of cooperative throughout the country may play significant role in activating food sovereignty principals. Existences of middle man, poorer financial assistance, poorer insurance coverage, limitation of minimum price support policy to fewer crops are some of the major problems. In addition land fragmentation, diminishing wet and dry land area are additional bottlenecks. Indiscriminant use of chemical fertilizers and pesticides pose a crucial problem to practice organic farming. Activities as river bed farming, tharu alu cultivation, Jhol mal preparation, kitchen gardening, community seed bank and use of local biochar are working well with positive outcomes to support food sovereignty efforts.

CLIMATE CHANGE AND FOOD SECURITY

This paper discusses the complex nature of climate change-food security linkages, focusing on how a planet under warming affects food governance at global levels. With changing rainfall patterns, high temperature levels and increases in frequency of severe weather events conventional agricultural practices are endangered by the disruptions in crop yields water availability. Disadvantage areas, usually subsistence farmers, have been hit by more food insufficiency risks. The paper highlights the need for adaptive strategies and resilient agricultural methods to combat the effects of climate change on food productivity. Agriculture emerges as a vital solution, focusing on precision farming, agro ecology and technological innovations which use resources efficiently without affecting the environment. These strategies will require global coordination since climate change does not have borders and affects people all over the world. In addition, the article discusses social and economic aspects of food insecurity linked to climate change that significantly affect deprived groups. It promotes policies that consider the weak points of smallholder farmers and strengthen local communities. Educational initiatives and campaigns create a sense of collective awareness about the challenges that are being faced. The article ends by pointing out the need for immediate and coordinated worldwide efforts to strengthen resilience, ensure food sustainability, and secure future food security with a changing climate. Keywords: Climate Change, Food Security, Technological Innovation, Education, Awareness.

Pre-extension Demonstration of Soil Test Based NPS Fertilizer Recommendation under Lime Application for Bread Wheat (Triticum aestivum) in Horo Distric at Horo Guduru Wollega Zone, Oromia Region, Ethiopia

Wheat is a major crop produced in Ethiopian high lands and in particularly in study area, which is a staple food crop. Soil nutrient depletion restrains agricultural crop production and economic growth. A major challenge on recommendations on the amount and type of fertilizers to applied in the country level and in the study area. Soil test based phosphorous calibration study was conducted on bread wheat for three consecutive years for determination of the values of critical level phosphorus (10 ppm) and phosphorus requirement factor (11.03 kg/ha) in Horo District. This District was selected purposively based on potential Bread wheat production. Due to Ethiopia begun to use NPS fertilizer recently, Optimum NPS fertilizer rate for bread wheat production was determined in Horo District. In order to gain confidence in the diffusion of technology to end users, a pre-extension demonstration of the NPS fertilizer recommended rate for bread wheat based on soil tests was completed in the Horo district. The goal of this demonstration was to allow farmers to participate and test the technology during the 2020–21 cropping season. There were two treatments presented: a blanket recommendation and 100% phosphorous critical NPS at optimum nitrogen (46 kg/ha). The research findings were that the soil test crop-based NPS fertilizer rate application from 100% phosphorous critical NPS at optimum nitrogen (46 kg/ha) was recommended for the production of bread wheat in the Horo district. The analysis of variance indicated that, the highest grain yield (4110 kg/ha) was obtained from the application of Soil Test based NPS fertilizer recommendation (STBFR) whereas the lowest grain yield 3322.67 kg/ha from the blanket fertilizer recommendation. The economic analysis also revealed that the maximum net benefit 87089.40 Ethiopia Birr was obtained from STBFR. Soil test based NPS fertilizer recommendation was economically feasible and the highest Marginal rate of return and net income were obtained from soil test based fertilizer recommendation. Therefore, 100% Pc from NPS and Nitrogen 46 kg/ ha fertilizer rate recommended for bread wheat production and productive in the study area. Further scaling up/out the technology to reach more produced in the same soil type and agro ecology in particularly Eastern Wollega Zone and Horo district.

Effect of Hand Frequency Weeding on Crop Growth Parameters and Yield

An effort made to reveal the literatures review about hand weeding frequency attributed on crop yield and crops growth parameters. This review paper has been literature reviewed necessary material that help assesses effect of hand hoeing on crop growth and weed management. Various weed controls methods practiced by small scale farmers of different agro ecology zones in order to compact the injurious effect of weeds on crop yields and growth parameters. Among available farmers practice I used for controlling weeds is hand-hoeing weed control system. Farmer practice of hand- weeding is very time consuming, physically demanding, and not cost efficient for a farmer especially where labour is scarce than other methods While, an advantage of manual control is that it minimizes soil disturbance, and decreases the likelihood of erosion and seed germination. A few farmers have started using herbicides to control weeds. However, herbicides have been found to be less effective than hand-weeding, as they require specific conditions which may be more limiting than other control method. This paper intended to reflect the current state to investigate the effect hand hoeing weeding frequencies on yield and growth parameters is still by far the most widely practiced cultural weed control technique in field crop production throughout the traditional agricultural sector, because of the prohibitive costs of herbicides and fear of toxic residue coupled with the lack of knowledge about their use.

CropCast: Harvesting the future with interfused machine learning and advanced stacking ensemble for precise crop prediction

The Agro-Ecological (AE) zone plays a vital role in determining which crops are suitable for cultivation in specific areas of land. However, changing environmental and climate conditions have made it increasingly difficult for farmers to choose the right crops, resulting in both time and financial losses. Traditional research in this field has struggled with issues like inaccurate predictions, crop variability, diversification, and a high error rate. This research introduces the Inter-fused Machine Learning with Advanced Stacking Ensemble model (IML-ASE) as a solution to improve crop prediction accuracy using AE zone data. The primary goal is to develop the IML-ASE approach, leveraging information about agricultural, environmental, and soil conditions within AE zones to help farmers make knowledgeable decisions about crop selection. The process involves collecting data from crop recommendation datasets, preprocessing it, and feeding it into the proposed model. The advanced stacking model consists of multiple layers, with the first layer using various ensemble techniques as base learners, the second layer acting as a meta-learner, and the third layer serving as the fine learner. This research addresses the challenges faced in modern agriculture by providing farmers with more accurate crop predictions based on AE zone characteristics. Prediction performance is assessed by metrics like mean absolute error, mean square error, root mean square error, accuracy (97.1%), F1-score (97.09%), precision (97.03%), recall (97.12%), and specificity (100%), allowing for comparisons across predictions. This advancement aims to empower farmers to make informed decisions and effectively adapt to the everchanging agricultural landscape.

Assessment of Nutrient Status in the Cassava Growing Tracts of Southern Laterites (Agro Ecological Unit 8), Kerala, India

As part of the study, a survey was conducted to identify the soil fertility constraints of cassava growing tracts of AEU 8, Thiruvananthapuram, which is one of the major cassava growing regions of the State of Kerala in peninsular India. The method of sampling of the survey was random sampling wherein a random sample of size one was taken from each of 50 ha cassava area. Panchayat wise soil samples were collected (77 samples) by geo referenced soil sampling method from major cassava growing areas of the unit. The samples are analyzed for the soil fertility parameters following standard analytical procedures. Results indicated that the soil was very strongly acidic to strongly acidic, normal electrical conductivity, medium organic carbon, medium nitrogen and potassium, high phosphorus, sufficient calcium, sulphur, zinc and copper, deficient magnesium and boron.

Evaluation of the artemisinin content of Artemisia annua L. grown in different Agro ecological zones of Cameroon

Artemisinin and its derivatives are potent antimalarials that have become essential components of Artemisinin Based Combination Therapies (ACTs) for malaria treatment. Production of artemisinin is less compared to its world demand and access to ACTs is still limited in worst hit countries. Secondary metabolite production in plants depends on a number of factors including agro ecology. This work sought to evaluate the growth characteristics and artemisinin content of Artemisia annua grown in four agro ecological zones of Cameroon. Experimental fields comprising of A annua were set up in the different agro-ecological zones, for growth and artemisinin assessments. Artemisinin detection and quantification was compared in leaves/flowers and stems of Artemisia annua from these agro-ecological zones, using High-Performance Liquid Chromatography. Soil provenance and other agro ecological factors significantly affected the growth parameters of A. annua as there were significant differences (p<0.05) in plant height, leaf area, number of branches, stem girth and number of leaves across the different study areas. There was significant variation (P<0.05) in the content of artemisinin from the plant in the different agro ecological zones. The mean levels of artemisinin in the samples was 0.34-0.80% in stem samples, and 0.18-0.61% for leaves/flowers. The highest artemisinin yield in leaf/flowers samples (0.61%) was recorded in samples from Bamenda, while that of stem samples (0.80%) was recorded in samples from Ngaoundere. The study confirms the effect of agro ecological factors on artemisinin content of A. annua in Cameroon and reveal that A. annua grown in most regions of the country contain commercially viable levels of artemisinin which can further be exploited for pharmaceutical purposes.

Effects of Season and Agro Ecology on the Nutritional Quality of Browse Species for the Dromedary Camels (Camelus Dromedarius) in Borana Plateau, Southern Ethiopia

The nutritional value of browsing species is being affected, camel movement is being disrupted, and camel feed resources appear to be being substantially degraded by climate change and its variations. This study explores the effects of season and location on the composition of nutrients and in vitro dry matter digestibility of the main browse species utilized as camel feed. Using an ANOVA model. Lannea rivae had an average DM content of 87.23% while Acacia brevispica had a range of 95.58%. There are no statistically significant variations (p>0.05) in the ash content of browsing species, which ranges from 2.56% in Acacia mellifera to 18.66% in Grewia evolute. The CP content of Lannea rivae in Maerua triphylla ranged from 6.19% to 27.24%. During the wet season, there is a statistically significant difference (p<0.05). On the other hand, Grewia evolute's CP contents varied from 24.56% to 10.44%, showing a significant difference (p<0.05). The results showed that Acacia etabaica had an NDF content that ranged from 25.63% to 72.10% Lannea rivae. Lannea rivae had the greatest ADF content (30.53%), and Grewia tembensis had the lowest (8.20%), with the difference being statistically significant (p<0.05). Grewia villosa in Lannea rivae had an ADL content that ranged from 2.82% to 15.86%. There is a statistically significant difference (p<0.05) during the dry season. During the wet season, the NDF concentration of Maerua triphylla in Boscia mossambicensis varied from 38.33% to 62.43%. The lowest ADF content was found in Acacia etabaica (22.47%), while the highest was found in Boscia mossambicensis (42.56%). The distinction is statistically significant (p<0.001). Grewia evolute contained 2.82% to 15.86% Acacia tortilis ADL. During the dry season, Dichrostachys cinerea had the lowest cellulose concentration (3.68%), whereas Euphorbia nubica had the greatest (18.77%). The study's conclusions indicate that the location is irrelevant. NDF, ADF, and ADL fiber fractions and chemical composition (DM, Ash, and CP) did not differ substantially (P<0. 05). The effects of location and season on the chemical and fiber compositions and nutritional value of browse species for dromedary camels (Camelus dromedarius) are clarified by this study. To identify other variables that affect the nutritional composition of browsing species, more investigation is required.

Tuberisation Pattern of Tannia (Xanthosoma sagittifolium (L.) Schott) in Response to Crop Management Practices in the South Central Laterites (AEU 9) of Kerala, India

The study was conducted to outline the rooting and tuberisation pattern of tannia (Xanthosoma sagittifolium (L.) Schott) as influenced by different crop management practices. As an underutilised crop, it was uncertain as to the management techniques which would increase tuberisation and productivity levels of tannia. Hence the study was to promote tuberisation in tannia with a focus on the underground portions of the plant. The variation in rooting pattern was studied in terms of root number, root weight and root volume and the tuberisation pattern as number of cormels per plant, corm weight per plant, cormel weight per plant and rate of tuber bulking. The study was conducted in Kollam district under AEU (Agro Ecological Unit) 9 during the period from Feb 2021- Dec 2021. The experiment comprised three treatments in completely randomised design with six replications. The treatments were t1 - KAU POP (Kerala Agricultural University Package of Practices Recommendations), t2 - farmers’ practice and t3 - absolute control. The results revealed that, the root number (43.29), root weight (32.74 g plant-1) and the root volume (38.22 g plant-1) were significantly the highest in t1 (KAU POP) at harvest followed by farmers’ practice and absolute control. When considering the percentage increase in root production, KAU POP recorded 19.22 per cent, 8.79 per cent, 11.04 per cent and 15.66 per cent more number of roots at 4 MAP, 6 MAP, 8 MAP and harvest than farmers’ practice. The number of cormels per plant (12.16), corm weight per plant (563.16 g), cormel weight per plant (439.16 g) at harvest and the rate of tuber bulking (1.27 kg ha-1 d-1) at 4 to 5 MAP were found to be the highest with t1 followed by t2 and t3.

Grain yield and quality responses of durum wheat (Triticum turgium L. var. durum) to nitrogen and phosphorus rate in Yilmana Densa, Northwestern Ethiopia

Proper rate of fertilizer application is the major factor that affects yield and quality of durum wheat. Location specific fertilizer recommendation is lacking for durum wheat, therefore, nitrogen (N) and phosphorus (P) field experiment on durum wheat was carried out on farmer's field in 2017 and 2018 cropping seasons at Yilmana Densa district, Northwestern Ethiopia. The objective was to examine the response of durum wheat to N and P application and determine the optimal rate of nitrogen (N) and phosphorus (P) for durum wheat production in the district and similar agro ecology areas. Factorial combinations of four N levels (0, 90, 180 and 270 kg ha−1) and four P levels (0, 17.5, 35 and 52.5 kg ha−1) were evaluated in a randomized complete block design with three replications per site, over two sites in each year. Results indicated that N significantly affected most of the crop parametrs including grain yield, plant height, total number of tillers and effective tillers, spike length and seeds per spike, and the maximum value of the parameters recorded at the highest rate of N while application of phosphorus affected grain yield, plant height and spile length. The interaction effect of N and P significantly affected grain yield, plant height and seeds per spike. Grain yield showed quadratic and linear response to N and P application, respectively. The maximum grain yield (5182 kg ha−1) was obtained from the highest rate 270/52.5 N/P kg ha−1. The economic analysis revealed application of 270/52.5 N/P kg ha−1 gave the highest net benefit of 169741 ETB ha−1 with marginal rate of return 1453% and full fills the standard for quality of durum wheat production and hence can be recommended in Yilmana Densa District and other similar agro-ecologies in Ethiopia. The study revealed the need to further investigation for optimal N and P rates for different durum wheat varieties as they differ in protein content under the same management practices.

Impact of adoption of climate smart agricultural practices to minimize production risk in Ethiopia: A systematic review

Climate change influences agriculture in sub Saharan Africa. The climate-smart agriculture approach is emerging as a new paradigm for adapting agriculture to the changing climate and mitigation. The main aim of this review was to assess the climate smart agriculture practice, factors affecting it and impact of climate smart agriculture. It was conducted by following systematic review procedures. It includes defining a research problem, conducting a literature searches, evaluating relevant material, data analysis, synthesis, and interpretation; and presentation. The result indicated that the climate smart agriculture implemented in Ethiopia were agronomic practices, integrated soil fertility management, conservation agriculture, agroforestry system, irrigation. The factors that affect climate smart agriculture in Ethiopia were age of the family head, sex, household size, education level, distance to farm land, farm size, farming system, farm income source, off-farm income, access to irrigation, market access, access to agricultural credit, access to extension service, membership to organizations, farmers’ perceptions of rainfall shocks, crop yield, access to climate information, access to agricultural inputs, slope, agro ecology, change in precipitation, tenure security and livestock ownership. The impact of climate smart agriculture practice improves soil fertility status, increased crop yield, per capita nutrition consumption and dietary diversity, increased income of smallholder farmers, hence reducing poverty. Therefore, adopting different climate smart agriculture practice should be promoted in different parts of the country. In addition, the study was limited geographically to Ethiopia and it is better to incorporate the study in Africa and worldwide level.

Performance evaluation and sustainability challenges of tropically adopted exotic chicken breeds in Northwest Ethiopia

The study aimed to describe performance and challenges of village-based exotic chicken production in Northwest Ethiopia. Three zones, 13 districts, and 300 households were selected. The data were collected via semi-structured questionnaires, field observations, and key informant interviews. In the study area, the average exotic chicken holding per household was 4.27 ± 0.13 birds. The most dominant flocks were hens followed by pullets with high significant difference (P < 0.01) in the midland agro ecology. The annual number of egg production of Sasso, Bovans brown, and Koekoek was 110.99 ± 1.45, 123.29 ± 1.16, and 102.92 ± 1.22, respectively. The average age of pullets at first egg laying was 5.25 ± 0.03 (Sasso), 5.53 ± 0.02 (Bovans brown), and 5.71 ± 0.03 (Koekoek) months. The age of cockerels (mean ± SE) at first mating was 4.18 ± 0.06 (Sasso), 4.89 ± 0.06 (Bovans brown), and 5.15 ± 0.06 (Koekoek) months. Male age (mean ± SE) at slaughter of Sasso, Bovans brown, and Koekoek were 4.24 ± 0.06, 6.28 ± 0.05, and 5.68 ± 0.06 months, respectively. The lack of improved breed supply was the first production challenge followed by feed shortages and disease outbreaks. Therefore, designing exotic chicken market supply, practicing ration formulation with locally available feed resources, controlling disease, and predator with biosecurity measures and other proper management strategies in respective of agro ecologies could be mandatory.

Managing Rainwater in Rukuramba Village for Water, Food and Energy Security

Rainwater is a very potential water resource. Managing rainwater can provide water availability for households and family farms, which in turn can improve food security. The available water can also be used as a micro hydro power plant (PLTMH). This encourages research to determine sustainable rainwater management policies. First, it is important to analyse the climatology of the area to determine the characteristics of rainfall, namely the potential and distribution of existing rainfall patterns, so that the available water potential can be determined. Second, an investigation regarding the suitability of the soil for crops in the area is based on the Agro Ecological Zoning method, which the crop length growth period was also considers to find the efficient planting date. This will ensure optimal crop yields with efficient water requirements. Third, further study of the applied rainwater management system is related to the potential for renewable energy. Finally, it can be concluded that by managing the potential for rainwater in Rukuramba village, the water needs for households, family farming, and energy are available. Fulfilling the needs of water for households, agriculture and energy has made Rukuramba village independent and prosperous due to a significant economic increase.

FTC Based Forage Demonstration of Elephant Grass Technology in Ginchi, Wonchi and Debrelibanose District, Oromia National Regional State of Ethiopia

The study was conducted in three dairy potential areas of Ginchi, Wonchi, and Debrelibanose districts of Oromia region Ethiopia, to demonstrate promising elephant grass materials to smallholder dairy farmers. As a part of the methodology, a participatory extension approach is employed in this particular study to select a demonstration site. A total of 6 FTC were selected with an area of 10m2x20m2 plot sizes from each district. Elephant grass with accession numbers (14794) material as a candidate along with the check were demonstrated and evaluated for their biomass yield across tested sites. During the implementation phase, on-spot theoretical and practical training was provided to the smallholder farmers, development agents, and agricultural experts of the respective districts. The findings of this research revealed that there was a statistical significant difference in dry matter yield of demonstrated candidate material (accession 14794) over the local check at (p&lt;0.01) probability level. And the dry matter yield of the candidate (accession 14794) ranged from 13.50 to 4.92 t/ha with a mean of 9.21 t/ha while the check provided 8.75 t/ha and 3.91 t/ha dry matter yield across the tested site. Moreover, Elephant/Napier grass materials responded differently across the tested sites because of differential responses of the climatic and biotic factors. The best average yield of the candidate (Accession #14794) were recorded at Ginchi district (10.40 t/ha) and followed by Debrelibanose district (8.87 t/ha) as compare to Wonchi district due to field management and another climate variability’s. Thus, the study recommended that it’s paramount to promote (accession#14794) elephant grass material with its recommended production package for further scaling up and popularization to the study area under similar agro ecology with the joint effort of district office of agriculture, non-government organizations and by other concerned stakeholders.

Vulnerability of local farmers’ livelihood to climate variability across different agro ecology zone in Suha watershed, Upper Blue Nile basin, Ethiopia

ABSTRACT Ethiopia is frequently mentioned as highly vulnerable to climate variability due to its climate-sensitive agricultural sector. As a result, this study aimed to examine farmers’ vulnerability across the various agroecological zones (AEZs) in the Suha watershed based on survey data from 384 respondents. A considerable difference in the two-measurement index, livelihood vulnerability index and IPCC vulnerability index, was seen across the selected agro-ecological zones. The lowland AEZ was more exposed, had a lower adaptive capacity, and was more vulnerable than the mid/high AEZ. This was confirmed by the LVI-IPCC analysis result, which was found as −0.07, 0.03 and 0.18 for midland, highland and lowland AEZs, respectively. The variation is associated with the difference in agro-ecological and socio-economic factors of the respondents. The results suggested that building well firmed adaptation strategies based on agro-ecological scenarios are vital to reduce the vulnerability of smallholder farmers. Further, understanding the physical and climatic diversity of each agro-ecological zone enables us to identify the appropriate requirements to adapt and minimize the vulnerability of smallholders’ livelihood. In the meantime, adaptation measure based on the above index can be applicable at local area since the appraisal takes farmers’ perception about climate variability into consideration.

How much can changes in the agro-food system reduce agricultural nitrogen losses to the environment? Example of a temperate-Mediterranean gradient

Ammonia (NH3) volatilization, nitrous oxide (N2O) emissions, and nitrate (NO3−) leaching from agriculture cause severe environmental hazards. Research studies and mitigation strategies have mostly focused on one of these nitrogen (N) losses at a time, often without an integrated view of the agro-food system. Yet, at the regional scale, N2O, NH3, and NO3− loss patterns reflect the structure of the whole agro-food system. Here, we analyzed at the resolution of NUTS2 administrative European Union (EU) regions, N fluxes through the agro-food systems of a Temperate-Mediterranean gradient (France, Spain, and Portugal) experiencing contrasting climate and soil conditions. We assessed the atmospheric and hydrological N emissions from soils and livestock systems. Expressed per ha agricultural land, NH3 volatilization varied in the range 6.2–44.4 kg N ha−1 yr−1, N2O emission and NO3 leaching 0.3–4.9 kg N ha−1 yr−1 and 5.4–154 kg N ha−1 yr−1 respectively. Overall, lowest N2O emission was found in the Mediterranean regions, where NO3− leaching was greater. NH3 volatilization in both temperate and Mediterranean regions roughly follows the distribution of livestock density. We showed that these losses are also closely correlated with the level of fertilization intensity and agriculture system specialization into either stockless crop farming or intensive livestock farming in each region. Moreover, we explored two possible future scenarios at the 2050 horizon: (1) a scenario based on the prescriptions of the EU-Farm-to-Fork (F2F) strategy, with 25% of organic farming, 10% of land set aside for biodiversity, 20% reduction in N fertilizers, and no diet change; and (2) a hypothetical agro-ecological (AE) scenario with generalized organic farming, reconnection of crop and livestock farming, and a healthier human diet with an increase in the share of vegetal protein to 65% (i.e., the Mediterranean diet). Results showed that the AE scenario, owing to its profound reconfiguration of the entire agro-food system would have the potential for much greater reductions in NH3, N2O, and NO3− emissions, namely, 60–81% reduction, while the F2F scenario would only reach 24–35% reduction of N losses.

Rural livelihood portfolios and determinants of livelihood diversification among rural households in North-Western Ethiopia

In Ethiopia, over the past decades, researchers in the field of rural development have tended to agree that the number of poor people in rural areas of Ethiopia exceeds the capacity of agriculture to provide sustainable livelihood opportunities. Thus, despite the persistent image of Ethiopia as a country of subsistence farmers, over the past decades, there has been an outstanding tendency for rural economic diversification. Thus, the aim of this study is to characterize rural households’ livelihood portfolios and examine the major determinants of income diversification in the study area. The study employed a sequential embedded research design. To evaluate the level of household livelihood diversification, the Simpson Diversification Index (SDI) was used. Censured regression models were also employed to identify the major determinants of livelihood diversification. The findings of the study revealed that households in the study area depend on a variety of livelihood portfolios. Diversification into off-farm sources contributed 35% to total household income. The result also indicated that household livelihood diversification is significantly determined by household head educational status, access to training, age, family size, livestock ownership, land ownership, the proportion of infertile land, access to roads, and agro ecology at less than 5% probability level. As a result, the traditional sector-based approach should be broadened by adopting and implementing a local development strategy that includes both farm and non-farm activities.

Assessing Agroecological Vocational Training Approach Through the Eyes of Farmers

Agroecology (AE) as a broad collection of good farming management practices, recognizes the impacts of agriculture on ecosystems and society. Even though AE does not have a specific certification method, its basic components can be identified at the farm level too. In the context of the trAEce project, research was conducted in order to investigate the concept of AE at the farm level. Furthermore, the topics that can be taught in the form of vocational training designed for farmers in connection with AE have also been identified. Accordingly, a 6-module training with 7 events was organized with the aim of testing the developed AE vocational training curriculum. The main target group of the training was conventional farmers who are committed to changing their farming methods and are open to agroecological solutions. The participants had opportunities to express their opinion about the training after each module day, and after completing the whole course. The analysis of the feedback questionnaires proved that the practice-oriented vocational training course that promotes well-established good practices combined with basic theoretical knowledge is considered an effective method to increase farmers’ knowledge about AE. The training helps conventional farmers in the transition towards AE contributing to the even more efficient use of EU subsidies.