Farming Systems Research Research Articles

Integrated Approach for Liming and Fertilizer Application on Yield of Cabbage and Cauliflower in Acidic Soil of Sylhet

An experiment was conducted at farming system research and development (FSRD) site, Jalalpur and multi location testing (MLT) sites, Moulvibazar and Zokigonj during 2013-2015 to study the effect of liming and fertilizers levels on the yield of cabbage and cauliflower in acidic soil of Sylhet. Trials were laid out in a factorial randomized block design with six dispersed replications. The treatments of fertilizer managements were M1: soil test based (STB) recommended fertilizer and M2: fertilizer dose practiced by the farmers (FP) and the level of limes were L1:0 t ha-1; L2: 1 t ha-1 and L3: 2 t ha-1. Results revealed that yields of cabbage and cauliflower responded significantly to fertilizer doses, levels of lime, and their combinations in all the locations. Soil test based fertilizer rate (M1-N201, P63, K65, S23, Zn0.5 for cabbage and M1-N157, P57, K116, S20, Zn0.5 Kg ha-1 for cauliflower) gave the maximum head and curd yields of cabbage and cauliflower, respectively. The levels of lime at the rate 2 t ha-1 (L3) provided the highest yields of cabbage and cauliflower in all locations. Dolomite lime @ 2 t ha-1 in combination with recommended fertilizer (M1L3) gave the highest yields and maximum economic returns of cabbage and cauliflower in all locations. However, it was identical with 1 t ha-1 of dolomite lime of similar dose of fertilizer nutrients. Therefore, application of lime at the rate 1 t ha-1 with STB recommended fertilizer management (M1) could be enough for profitable economic returns for cultivating cabbage and cauliflower in strongly acidic soil in Sylhet.Bangladesh Agron. J. 2016, 19(1): 49-57

Comparative agriculture methods capture distinct production practices across a broadacre Australian landscape

In farming systems research the link between farm resources, management and performances is often described, but rarely confirmed or quantified. Problems arise in formalising such linkages because substantial spatial and longitudinal whole-farm data are difficult to acquire. This study used the integrative discipline of comparative agriculture to collect such information and address a wide range of related farming system questions. The mixed method procedure included a landscape analysis, a historical investigation, and the collection of current farm information from 36 farms, representing half the farming businesses of a 4 000km2 area in a region of the Western Australian wheatbelt (≈300mm/year) with highly variable soils.Land types influenced management, including cropping specialisation, and explained some of the regional variability in grain yield and enterprise mix. Rotations varied by soil type and farm type. On average their duration was 3–4 years, typically starting with a 2–3 years of wheat, resulting in overall composition of 64% cereals, 20% break crops and 16% pastures/fallows. Break crops were grown more on light sandy soils than on heavier fine-textured soils. Lights soils were managed similarly by all farmers but distinctions occurred on heavier soils between mixed crop-livestock farmers and cropping specialists. This divergence in farming production was explained by farm soil composition: whilst cropping appears more profitable in the region, mixed farmers retained animals and pastures as a strategy to cope with having greater proportions of land less suited to crop production. Typical farm grain yields were indeed found to vary in relation to farm soil composition. The location of the original family farm in the landscape is likely to explain these differences in farm land resources, and subsequently current farm performance, production strategies and trajectories.This study highlighted the potential of a method that deserves wider application: comparative agriculture helped identify and establish complex relationships within the farming system, some of which challenge common assumptions. Further applications to define typical farms, monitor practices, and contribute meaningful divisions of agricultural landscapes are also discussed.

Evaluation of Five Wheat Varieties on Arsenic Contaminated Soils of Bangladesh

An experiment was conducted at Farming System Research and Development Site, Hatgobindapur, Faridpur during 2012-13 to evaluate five wheat varieties against arsenic contaminated soils and determined accumulation of arsenic in grain and straw of wheat varieties. The experiment was laid out in RCB design with six replications. BARI Gom-21, BARI Gom-23, BARI Gom-24, BARI Gom-25 and BARI Gom-26 were used as treatment variables. The arsenic content was determined by using atomic absorption spectrophotometer (AAS). Result revealed that, wheat varieties differed in their grain arsenic concentration (0.49-1.15 mg kg-1). The arsenic translocation in wheat grains usually least and accumulation by different tissues followed the order root>stem>leaf>grain across the varieties. The variety BARI Gom-26 was found to accumulate least arsenic in grains followed by BARI Gom-25 and BARI Gom-24 under same growing condition due to phyto-extraction or phyto-morphological potential of the varieties. Maximum grain yield (4.36 t ha-1) was obtained from BARI Gom-26 followed by BARI Gom-25 and the lowest yield (3.43 t ha-1) was recorded from BARI Gom-23. Therefore, BARI Gom-26 and BARI Gom-25 can successfully be grown for higher yield in arsenic contaminated soils and water of Faridpur. Int J Appl Sci Biotechnol, Vol 4(3): 330-337

Promoting resilience in Cambodian lowland rice ecosystems—Farming system research to support flexible climate response strategies for smallholder farmers

With high levels of seasonal climatic variability impacting on the consistency of rice production in Cambodian rainfed, lowland systems, there is a need to identify strategies that improve farmer food security and better meet national domestic and export demands. While there is a substantial gap between actual and potential rice yield, little research has been undertaken in Cambodia to improve rainfed rice agronomy or the efficiency of use of natural resources which, in a climate constrained environment can hold the key to better productivity and food security.On-station and on-farm research, in combination with farming systems simulation and social research provide the capacity to evaluate cropping options through the lens of climate variability. The testing of technologies and strategies, including the use of modern, short and medium duration varieties, opportunistic timing of crop establishment, mechanisation, supplementary irrigation and improved agronomic practice has shown that there is potential to mitigate the effects of variable climate on farm productivity and household income. However, this requires an increased level of farmer/systems flexibility to allow for near to real-time changes in cropping response to observed seasonal conditions. These factors differentiate this research and provide the opportunities to improve the individuals’ livelihood and in meeting national rice production targets.

Characterization of Small-scale Farming Systems in West Kenya and Opportunities for Their Improvement

Designing agricultural transformation strategies that modernize small-scale farming in Africa require actions built upon solid, holistic baselines and proven, affordable technical intervention. A study was conducted in west Kenya to characterize the farming operations and household condition among smallhold farmers. The assessment consisted of a structured survey among 291 randomly selected households and compiled onto a single spreadsheet with rows as household cases and 98 descriptors as columns. Overall summary statistics were calculated, and then stratified by three criteria; household resource endowment, agro-ecological zone and sex of household head. A farming systems diagram was inferred from these results. Overall average farm size is 0.87 ha, family size is 6.8 persons and majorities of those interviewed were household heads (68% of respondents) and women (58% of respondents). A simple parameter of resource endowment describes weighted per capita field area per household member of about 1800m2. Household income is $466 per year, food shortfalls last 110 days per year, and households produce 819 kg cereals, 211 kg grain legumes and 74 kg root crops per year. These households raised 2.5 cattle, 1.4 goats or sheep and 13 chickens, deriving annual incomes of $78 from animal enterprise. The 39% of households with lowest resource endowment (< 1000m2 per capita) operate on only 0.34 ha per farm, earn only $155 per year, suffer food shortfalls of 122 days per year, and households produce 326 kg cereals and 119 kg grain legumes. Of the three agro-ecological zones within the study area, the Midlands offers the greatest opportunity for interventions as the Lake Victoria Basin is drier and the Upper Midlands is becoming peri-urban. Large contrasts were observed between women- and men-led households, with the former on farms 0.4 ha smaller, annual income $168 less, 18 additional days of hunger per year and producing 248 kg less cereals and 94 kg less grain legumes. Organic resource availability was approximately 3.3 tons per year and allocated in a variety of ways, with women allocating three-fold more manure to grain legumes, and most palatable crop residues being passed through livestock. These findings compare favorably to the four key entry points independently identified by the Humidtropics Program for its West Kenya Action Site; Legume Integration, Striga Elimination, Crop Diversity and Animal Enterprise, and interactions between these entry points offer promising lines to farming systems research in the future.

Effect of fertilizer on coriander seed production

A field experiment on coriander (Coriandrum sativum L.) was carried out during rabi seasons of 2011-12 and 2012-13 in Low Ganges River Flood Plain Soil under AEZ-12 at Farming System Research and Development Site, Hatgobindapur, Faridpur to find out optimum and economic doses of fertilizers for coriander (var. BARI Dhania 1) for sustainable higher yield and to update balanced fertilizer recommendation for target yield. The experiment was laid out in a randomized complete block design with 8 treatments viz. T1=N118P47K26S10Zn2.2B0.8 Kgha-1, T2= N147P47K26S10Zn2.2B0.8 Kg ha-1, T3= N147P59K26S10Zn2.2B0.8 Kg ha-1, T4= N147P47K32S10Zn2.2B0.8 Kgha-1, T5= N118P59K32S10Zn2.2B0.8 Kgha-1, T6= N147P59K32S10Zn2.2B0.8 Kgha-1, T7= N88P35K19S8Zn1.6B0.6 Kgha-1 and T8= Native nutrient (Control). The highest seed yield (1373 kg ha-1) was obtained from the treatment T3 which was statistically similar with T1, T2, T3, T4, T5 and T6 treatments. The soil test based treatment T1 produced 1311 kg yield ha-1 and yield difference of ther added fertilizer treatment with T1 was only 5%. The fertilizer added treatments didn’t exert the significant difference with soil based treatment (T1) on yield and yield contributing characters. However, T1 treatment appeared to be the best suited combination because of its higher gross margin Tk 41,769 ha-1, capability in reducing nutrient cost Tk 13106 ha-1 and the highest marginal rate of return (MRR) (108%) whereas treatment T3 covered 21% MRR and the highest nutrient cost among the treatments and hence treatment, N118P47K26S10Zn2.2B0.8 Kg ha-1 (100% NPKSZnB from STB dose) may be recommended for coriander seed production in the study area.Bangladesh J. Agril. Res. 41(2): 345-352, June 2016

Development of home garden model for year round production and consumption for improving resource-poor household food security in Bangladesh

The government of Bangladesh has long been striving to increase food security and to reduce poverty and malnutrition. In this regard, home gardens can play an important role in providing enhanced food supply and increased diversity of food to some extent. Studies on niche/ecosystem based homestead gardening were carried out at Lahirirhat Farming Systems Research and Development site, Rangpur under the On-Farm Research Division of Bangladesh Agricultural Research Institute during 2008–2009, resulting in the development of a year round production model, known as the Rangpur (Syedpur) model, for Tista Meander Floodplain agro-ecological region of Bangladesh. The objective of the study was to utilize the homestead resources in scientific ways for producing fresh vegetables and fruits over space and time and to enhance the nutritional supplies for the family throughout the year. A total of 12 households were selected from landless (no cultivable land), marginal (0.2–0.6ha) and small (0.61–1.0ha) farmer groups and seven production niches were intervened for round the year production following the Rangpur model. The niches were open sunny place, roof top, trellis, fence, boundary, marshy land and partially shady place. After the intervention, the highest amount of vegetables was produced by the small farmer groups (511kg/year) followed by marginal (499kg/year) and landless (422kg/year) farmers. The yearly vegetable requirements of farmers were largely met by the homestead garden with a supply between 55 and 79kg/head/year compared with the bench mark level of 21–30kg/head/year before the intervention. The highest total income (BDT 5030/year) and net income (BDT 4290/year) were obtained from homestead at small farmers followed by marginal and landless farmers. From this study it is evident that the target farmers were able to fulfill their daily requirement of vegetables in most parts of the year by following the Rangpur model. This suggests an increase in food security and a reduction in malnutrition of farm families in the target households of Rangpur region in Bangladesh. The upscaling of the production model based on niche/ecosystem in different poverty stricken regions of Bangladesh is recommended to achieve food security and malnutrition reduction.

Comparative performance of integrated farming system models inGariyaband region under rainfed and irrigated conditions

Two farming system research models were laid out on farm at KVK Gariyaband during 2014-15 and 2015-16 with an aim to study the economic viability and employment generation of the models. Model I was laid out in 3.5 acre area under rainfed conditions and Model II was laid out in 1.5 acre area under irrigated conditions. IFS Model II under irrigated conditions proved to be more remunerative with highest average net returns of Rs.452096 indicating better economic viability and better employment generation capacity as compared to IFS Model I under rainfed conditions.

Farming systems research: purpose, history and impact in New Zealand hill country

A review of the literature accessed 234 papers that referenced farm or farming systems research in New Zealand hill country. These were categorised into resource allocation/productivity, modelling, farm studies and sociology. Sociology was further categorised into social, cultural, resilience, policy and regulation, and system behaviour and change. Farming systems research developed over the 5 decades studied from 9 papers in 1960-1975, to a peak of 60 papers during the 1986-1995 decade. The number of papers accessed during the latest decade, 2006-2015, was 57. The focus of research has changed significantly from an initial emphasis on biophysical processes and productivity, peaking in the 1976-1985 decade and then tapering off. This provided data for the development of models that could generate many more comparisons at lower cost. Modelling of the biophysical farm and economic outcomes has been steady through the decades from 1986 to present. The impacts of policy and regulation have featured strongly in the 1986-1995 decade after agricultural deregulation, and again in the 2006-2015 decade as consumer and societal concerns about the environment have emerged. Resilience of the farming system, encompassing production, economic, social and environmental trade-offs, has emerged as a topic being most prevalent in the most recent decade from 2006-2015. The discipline of farm systems research has also matured over this time as a greater range of research techniques, over a wider range of subject matter have been applied. An evolution of the discipline has also seen the integration of the principles of complex adaptive systems into the work. Keywords: cultural, economic, environmental, farm systems, modelling, policy, production, regulation, resilience, social

Intercropping Maize with Different Vegetables

An intercropping experiment was conducted in the farmer’s field at Farming Systems Research and Development (FSRD) Site, Kushumhati, Sherpur in sandy loam soil of medium high land during rabi season 2011-12 to observe the productivity and economic feasibility of intercropping systems as compare3d to sole crop (viz. maize + potato, maize + Radish, maize-+-coriander, maize + bushbean, maize + spinach, maize + lalshak and maize sole). The result indicated that grain yield of maize was reduced due to intercropping systems but this reduction was compensated by intercropped. The highest grain yield of maize was found from sole maize (10.90 t ha-1) and lowest (9.32 t ha-1) from intercropped with potato. The maximum maize equivalent yield (14.04 t ha-1), gross return (Tk.10,5300/ha),gross margin (Tk. 75,527/ ha),, and benefit cost ratio (BCR) (3.54) was obtained from maize + bushbean intercropping systems which was adventitious over sole maize cropping.Bangladesh Agron. J. 2015, 18(1): 49-52

Response of lentil to bio and chemical fertilizers at farmer’s field

Field trials were carried out at the Farming System Research &amp; Development site, Hatgavindapur, Faridpur, On-Farm Research Division of Bangladesh Agricultural Research Institute during rabi seasons of 2006-2007 and 2007-2008 with the objectives to evaluate the response of lentil to Rhizobium biofertilizer and to reduce the use of N-fertilizer under farmer’s field condition. The experiment was laid out in Randomized Complete Block Design (RCBD) with four replications. Unit plot size was 4 m x 5 m. Four fertilizer treatments viz. T1: 24-22-42-20-5 kg N-P-K-S-Zn ha-1, T2: 50-22-42-20-5 kg N-P-K-S-Zn ha-1, T3: 0-22-42-20-5 kg N- P-K-S-Zn ha-1 + Rhizobium Inoculum and T4: Farmer’s practices were studied. Farmer’s practice was 25-18-21-0-0 kg N-P-K-S-Zn ha-1. BARI Masur-4 and peat based rhizobial inoculum (strain BARI RLc-102) @ 1.5 kg ha-1 were used. Result revealed that application of Rhizobium biofertilizer along with PKSZn chemical fertilizers produced the highest nodule number (11.62 plant-1) and nodule weight (11.94 mg plant-1), and the seed yield 1.44 t ha-1. The seed yield was higher in T3 treatments (N0P22K42S20Zn5 + Inoculum) than T1 (N24P22K42S20Zn5) and T2 (N50P22K42S20Zn5) treatments. No variation was observed in seed yield in treatments T1, T2 and T3 but significantly different from farmer’s practice. Farmer’s practice showed the lowest yield. Economic analysis revealed that T3 treatment i.e. PKSZn plus Rhizobium inoculum gave the highest 5.36 benefit cost ratio (BCR) followed by T1 4.68 and T2 3.61. It is evident from the experiment that application of biofertilizer can be used as substitute of nitrogenous fertilizer for higher yield of lentil at farmer’s field in Faridpur.Bangladesh J. Agril. Res. 40(3): 501-506, September 2015

Performance of sweet gourd as relay with transplanted aman rice under rainfed ecosystem in Sylhet region

This study was carried out to evaluate the economic benefits of sweet gourd relay with transplanted aman rice under farmer’s field condition at Farming System Research and Development (FSRD) site, Jalalpur and Multi Location Testing (MLT) site, Zakigonj of Sylhet region during 2012-2013 and 2013-2014. The treatment combinations T1: T. aman rice / sweet gourd (var. Mollika), T2: T. aman rice / sweet gourd (var. Hatirpara) local, T3: Sweet gourd (var. Mollika) sole, T4: Sweet gourd (var. Hatirpara) sole and T5: T. aman rice sole (var. Binadhan-7) was maintained. The study was based in a randomized complete block (RCB) design with six dispersed replications. Results in terms of the crops yield, rice equivalent yield, gross return and net return with benefit cost ratio showed higher in sweet gourd / transplanted aman rice relay cropping system. So, sweet gourd relayed with transplanted aman rice could be an economically viable technology, instead of sole cropping, for best utilization of fallow land with residual soil moisture in Sylhet region.Bangladesh Agron. J. 2014, 17(2): 47-53

Effect of site-specific nutrient management on yield, profit and apparent nutrient balance under pre-dominant cropping systems of Upper Gangetic Plains

A field experiment was conducted on a Typic Ustochrept soil at Project Directorate for Farming Systems Research Modipuram (2904' N, 77046' E, 237m asl), for three consecutive years (2007-08 to 2009-10) to evaluate the sitespecific nutrient management (SSNM) option against existing farmers fertilizer practices (FFP), state recommendation (SR), improved SR (ISR) (i.e. 25% higher than SR), and soil testing laboratory recommendation (STLR) in six predominant wheat based cropping systems of Upper Gangetic Plains, in terms of yield gain, economics, nutrient harvest index, soil fertility, and apparent nutrient balances. SSNM improved system wheat equivalent yield over SR, ISR, STLR and FFP by 19%, 8%, 17% and 29%, respectively. SSNM involved additional cost of Rupees 5 097 to 7 938 /ha over SR and FFP under different cropping systems but it gave higher added net return of Rupees 13 649 to 58 776 /ha and Rupees 25 030 to 68 980 /ha over SR and FFP, respectively. The output: input ratio and nutrient harvest index were also highest in SSNM. At the end of the experiment, soil available N, Olsen-P and available K content were either maintained or improved over its initial values in SSNM treatments, whereas these parameters declined or marginally increased over the initial contents under FFP and SR in 0-15 cm soil profile depth. After 03-crop cycles, apparent N and P balances were positive in most of the cropping systems and fertilizer treatments, except a negative N balance was noticed in pigeonpea [Cajanus cajan (L.) Millsp]–wheat (Triticum aestivum L.) and groundnut (Arachis hypogaea L.)–wheat systems under SR and SSNM treatments. The apparent K balances were negative across all the cropping systems and nutrient management options but the magnitude was lower under SSNM.

Evaluation of Farming System research (FSr) on Small Livestock in West timor of East Nusa Tenggara

Small livestock complement other parts of the agricultural system in West timor of East nusa tenggara (ntt), since crop residues, weeds and household wastes areavailable feed resources with low cost. the main roles are as farmers’ income and consumption, provide liquidity, have high value for ceremonies and cultural functions and are a store of wealth and family security. Pigs, goats and native chickens are comparatively important, with relatively large population. there is little published information on the farming systems in which they are kept, on their role, productivity, limitations or potential. Farming systems research (FSr) has been recognized by many government and international development agenciesas an appropriate approach in agricultural research and development, and the concept has been accepted by some organizations in Eastern Indonesia. However, there are few research programs in which an FSr procedure was followed, and evaluated for their effectiveness, especially in the context of livestock research and development. Evaluation of small livestock farming system research in West Timor, indicates that limitation in times and sufficient data at early stage , as well as broad information of target areas and farmers active involvement, became the main constraints in selecting appropriate location and sites for study purposes. the results of the general evaluation of one year research project suggested that FSr approach was appropriate, even for such a very small scale program. the level of progress achieved was largely dependent on the degree of institutional support provided by regional institutions. there was also need for having better understanding of FSr philosophy and methods for those involved in livestock research and development. Sucess of FSr depends largely on the degree and level of participation of farmers, research workers, and relevant specialists, including comittment of research workers, with close involvement with farmers, their families and problems. Key words: FSr, system approach, evaluation, small livestock

Base line survey for farmer livelihood improvement at farming system research and development, Lahirirhat, Rangpur

Base line survey for farmer livelihood improvement at farming system research and development, Lahirirhat, Rangpur

Soil Biological Health under Long-term Fertilization in Sorghum-Wheat Sequence on Swell-Shrink Soils of Central India

A permanent field experiment is continuing since 1984-85 on a swell-shrink soil (Vertic Haplustept) at Research Farm, AICRP on Integrated Farming Systems Research Unit, Dr. Panjabrao Deshmukh Krishi Vidyapeeth, Akola, (Maharashtra) with a view to study the effect of integrated nutrient management (INM) on soil fertility and productivity of sorghum-wheat crop sequence. The long-term impact of different nutrient management options on soil biological properties was studied during 2010-11 (27th crop cycle). The treatments comprised of different levels of RDF viz., 50, 75 and 100% of recommended NPK along with FYM, wheat straw, leuceana loppings and farmers’ practice. The population of bacteria (87.5×106 cfu), fungi (15.25×104 cfu) and actinomycetes (16.25×104 cfu) was significantly influenced with the application of 50% N through FYM along with 50% RDF. The INM using FYM also exerted a profound effect on microbial biomass carbon (267 mg kg-1), CO2 evolution (50.3 mg 100 g-1 soil), dehydrogenase (36.7 µg TPF g-1 d-1), urease (78.4 µg NH4-N g-1 d-1) and alkaline phosphatase activity (194 µg p-nitrophenol g-1 d-1). Similarly, green manuring with leucaena loppings and crop residue recycling using wheat straw in conjunction with fertilizers recorded significant improvement in soil biological properties over fertilizers alone. The biological properties were drastically deteriorated where no organics were used continuously for 27 years. The microbial biomass carbon showed significant and positive correlation with organic carbon (r = 0.743**), available N (r = 0.713**), available P (r = 0.773**) and available K (r = 0.717**). Also, strong correlations were observed between yield and dehydrogenase activity (r = 0.606**), available P (r = 0.588**) and available N (r = 0.524**) content of the soil.

Dry land integrated farming system-A Review

In India, nearly 100 million ha of land is under rainfed cultivation and therefore, rainfed agriculture will continue to play an important role in the Indian economy. The disappointing results of conventional cropping systems in advancing the productivity of small farms were the driving force in the development of farming systems research. It views the whole farm as a system with the integration of crops, animals, soils, workers, other inputs and environmental influences wherein the farm family attempts to produce outputs within the limitations of its capability and resources and the socio-cultural setting. Development and adoption of integrated farming system will help in productivity enhancement, employment, income generation and nutritional security both for human and livestock. The different components of the system have complementarities with waste products of one component becoming source of food and energy for other components. Considerable research efforts are being made in evolving situation specific integrated farming system. Literature on dry land integrated farming system is reviewed and presented below.

수단 농촌지도사업의 현재와 미래

이 연구는 수단의 농촌지도사업의 시스템과 모델, 당면과제, 정부조직구조를 탐색하는 것을 목적으로 하고 있다. 수단의 농촌지도사업은 다양한 정부기구와 사업체에 의하여 수행되고 있다. 농업 및 관계부 산하의 농촌지도사업청은 2000년에 새로운 시스템을 시작하였다. 이 시스템은 새로운 농민조직의 적극적인 참여를 이끌어내기 위하여 제도적인 정비와 농촌지도사업을 추진하기 위하여 것이다. 지도사업과 농업연구사업체 (ARC) 간의 연계는 오랫동안 수단의 농업 및 관계부 산하에서 이루어져 왔지만, 개발도상국이 직면한 가장 큰 문제는 연구와 지도간의 연계가 잘 이루어지지 않는 점이다. AR의 효율성을 제고하기 위한 세 가지 방안은 다음과 같다. 첫째, 지도요원이 모든 ARC에 배치되어야 한다. 둘째, ARC는 농업개발전문가 이거나 농업체계연구 전문가를 증가시켜야 한다. 이들은 역할은 농민의 요구에 맞게 연구결과를 전달하는 것이다. 셋째, 연구자들은 현지농장에서 더 많은 연구를 수행해야 한다. This paper explores agricultural extension systems, extension challenges, research and extension models, governance structures of agricultural extension and advisory services in Sudan. Agricultural extension services in Sudan are provided by a variety of governmental department and corporation. The Technology Transfer and Extension Administration under the Ministry of Agriculture and Irrigation, had been launched during mid 2000's aims at making extension systems farmer driven and farmer accountable by way of new institutional arrangements for technology dissemination in the form of community participation approach at the state level, to make the extension reforms have the active participation of farmers/farmer groups. The main problem facing agricultural extension services in developing countries is poor link between extension organization and research. Both extension administration and Agricultural Research Corporation (ARC) are operating as departments of ministry of Agricultural and irrigation for very long time. There are three recommendations to achieve the effectiveness of the Agricultural Research Corporations (ARC) in reaching farmers. Firstly, extension staff members should be assigned to every ARC station. Secondly, the ARC might increase positions for Agricultural development specialist or Farming System Research (FSR) specialist. Their role would be to reflect the needed of farmer and translate them to the researchable topics. Thirdly, researcher should conduct more research on farmer's fields.

Conceptualising farming systems for agricultural development research: Cases from Eastern and Southern Africa

In the context of broad scale system changes (e.g. climate change) and the prioritisation of impact-at-scale development, there is a particular need for farming systems research (FSR) to improve our understanding of the links between systems at multiple scales. Drawing on three empirical case studies of large-scale agricultural interventions in eastern and southern Africa, we highlight problems that arise from conceiving and justifying interventions on the basis of the simple aggregation of farms into large collective systems. We review changes in the approach and concepts of FSR and point to the value of farming systems concepts that go beyond these aggregations, and find ways to capture the multi-level system dynamics that link on-farm decision making to broader political, social, and environmental changes. Recent attempts at more accurately conceptualising the domain of FSR, and drawing distinctions between ‘farms’, ‘systems’, and ‘systems of farming’, represent a useful contribution to such work.

A Farming System Model to Leverage Agriculture for Nutritional Outcomes

Agriculture is the primary livelihood of a majority of the population in South Asia. The region also houses a large population of undernourished people. The farming system for nutrition (FSN) model envisages developing and demonstrating a sustainable framework of farming to improve nutritional outcomes that can be used for upscaling and wider adoption. Agricultural intervention and farming systems research in India has been largely focused on enhancing production, productivity and profitability of crop and animal resources without much emphasis on better nutritional outcomes. The FSN model has been conceptualized to develop location-specific inclusive models to address the nutritional needs of farm and non-farm families based on their resource endowments and surrounding environment. The main components of the model are as follows: (1) survey to identify the major nutritional problems, (2) design suitable agricultural interventions to address the problems, (3) include specific nutritional criteria in the design, (4) improve small farm productivity and profitability, (5) undertake nutrition awareness programmes and (6) introduce monitoring systems for assessing impact on nutrition outcomes. The objective is to demonstrate feasibility of nutrition-sensitive agriculture. The proposed model is being tested in two select locations to demonstrate improvement in nutrition status through improved agricultural production system, dietary diversification, income enhancement, greater nutrition awareness and changed behaviour patterns, to be evaluated through a set of objective indicators.