Small Landowners Research Articles

Performance evaluation of manually operated single row cotton planter

A proper placement of seed in field is most important operation in order to obtain optimum yield of crop. In India about 75 % of the land holders are small and marginal land holding capacity. Considering the limitations due to costly seed, traditional method of manual dibbling, labour shortage and small marginal land holding pattern there is need of small manual planter for small and marginal land holders. Cotton, the white gold, is the king of textile, fibers and it is an important worldwide cash crop. The sowing of cotton is labour intensive as its planting requires 3-4 man days/ha. In view of the above, the single row cotton planter was tested in laboratory as well as in field as per IS code: 6316-1993 with specific objectives. The cost of planting cotton by manually method is approximately 600 to 700 Rs/ha, whereas the cost by this machine is 470 Rs/ha. The field evaluation of manually cotton planter was done at speed of 1.72 km/hr with field capacity of 0.170 ha/hr and field efficiency of 82.49 %. The seed uniformity of cotton planter was observed higher as compared to manual sowing. The average labour requirement for sowing cotton in manually operated cotton planter was 6.82 man hr/ha.

Rural Non-farm Employment in Eastern India: Implications for Economic Well-being

To be inclusive, economic development in India must focus on eastern India, which has a high population growth rate, population pressure, high incidence of poverty, small landholding size in agriculture, and underdeveloped rural infrastructure. Employment diversification towards the non-farm sector in eastern India from 1993–1994 to 2011–2012 shows considerable variation by income group and farm-size. The effects of diversification—whether driven by pursuit of higher income or distress—are stratified. Estimates based on instrumental variable regressions suggest that all types of non-farm employment improve the economic well-being of households.

Protecting Smallholder Land Rights in Mozambique, 1997–2017: Unfinished Business?

AbstractMozambique’s land law is notable for its intent to balance the recognition and protection of smallholder land use rights with attracting foreign and domestic investment to rural areas. However, the state’s legitimacy may be undermined through the process of recognition, as state actors and local elites circumvent the law for private gain. Walker focuses on two areas where the law has failed to protect smallholder rights: issues of women’s land rights, and the expansion of protected areas. These issues speak to the problem of recognition, revealing ways the state produces authority, but not necessarily legitimacy, in rural settings.

Assessing drought-induced temporary migration as an adaptation strategy: evidence from rural India

ABSTRACT Drought is a regular occurrence in the western part of West Bengal state in Eastern India. Here, drought-like ambience ensues during every summer. Summers manifest intensively in some years leading to prevalence of drought in this region. Recurring drought has been one of the most important reasons forcing the rural people of this region to migrate out and the area experiences the highest out migration rate in the state. Most of the migrants seek employment in the nearby agriculturally and economically developed districts. The present study aims at investigating the importance of migration as a part of their livelihood strategy in times of drought. The study is based on information collected from door to door survey of migrant households through a structured schedule designed for the purpose. Livelihood threats loom large on the marginal and small landholding households in drought years which results in severe crop failures. Members of these households often try to adapt to the crisis by resorting to migrate out for a short duration. The study reveals that this coping strategy benefits the small land holders to some extent but the poorest continue to be extremely vulnerable. Even the institutional level assistance cannot eliminate drought vulnerability. The study also reveals that seasonal migration is resorted to as the last option as a strategy after exhausting all other possibilities.

On-farm evaluation of farming system modules for improving profitability and livelihood of small and marginal tribal farmers in high altitudes tribal zone of Andhra Pradesh

Small and fragmented land holdings do not allow a farmer to keep independent farm resources like draught animals, tractors, bore wells/ tube wells and other sophisticated machineries for various cultural operations. Further, most of the inputs have become costly and out of reach of these resource poor farmers which has resulted farming as an uneconomic and unsustainable enterprise. To fulfil the basic needs of household including food (cereal, pulses, oilseeds, milk, fruit, honey, fish meat, etc.) for human, feed and fodder for animals and fuel and fibre for general use warrant an attention about integrated farming system. The emergence of integrated farming systems (IFS) has enabled us to develop a framework for an alternative development model to improve the feasibility of small sized farming operations in relation to larger ones. Integrated farming system is a commonly and broadly used word to explain a more integrated approach to farming as compared to monoculture approaches. AICRP-IFS, Seethampeta, ANGRAU centre implemented on farm research on “on-farm evaluation of farming system modules for improving profitability and livelihood of small and marginal farmers” with financial and technical assistance from Indian Institute of Farming System Research, Modipuram in 12 small and marginal tribal farmers’ households in Seetampeta mandal of Srikkakulam district of Andhra Pradesh objectives of to address critical constraints of small and marginal farm holders for overall improvement of productivity and to increase the profitability of small and marginal households and ensure livelihood. By diversification in all enterprises farmers realized Rs. 62755, 65387, 82235 and 88967 gross returns and Rs.32125, 34117, 47075and 49747 net returns was more than the bench mark Rs.46720, 47856, 58240 and Rs. 62376 with the additional interventions costs of Rs.3770 in 2012-13, 2013-14, 2014-15 and 2015-16, respectively. Further, with integration of enterprises viz., Crops+Poultry, Crops+Dairy and Crops+Poultry+Dairy farmers realized Rs. 65387, 82235and 88967 gross returns and Rs.34117, 47075 and 49747 net returns when compared to crops only i.e., Rs. 62755 and Rs.32125, respectively. The increase income is attributed to increase in income from intervention in paddy crop and ragi crop, feeding of supplement feed to the cattle and also the introduction of Vanaraja and Rajshri back yard poultry birds. In addition to this not only due to diversification of existing enterprises, but also addition of enterprises in farming system modules. Gross income in all farming systems increased when compared to cropping system only. Gross income increased in crop – poultry farming system due to different modules from Rs. 47856/house hold to Rs. 65387/house hold with B: C ratio 2.09 and Gross income increased in crop – dairy farming system due to different modules from Rs. 58240/house hold to Rs. 85235/house hold with B: C ratio 2.23. Gross income increased in crop – dairy -poultry farming system due to different modules from Rs. 62376/house hold to Rs. 88967 /house hold with B: C ratio 2.26.

The Influence of Old and New Machines on Productivity and Costs of Four Yarding Methods in Small-Scale Forestry in a Maine Forest

Small forest landowners and loggers require information on the cost and productivity of available timber harvesting systems in order to make the best equipment allocation decisions, especially when the current generation of highly productive, capital-intensive harvesting machinery is well suited for clearcutting in large stands. Conversely, small-scale equipment is becoming more readily available that can help minimize the capital and operating costs associated with partial cuts and intermediate stand treatments or when operating in small-scale forests. The present study evaluated the productivity and yardings costs of four different yarding systems for old machines—a farm tractor, bulldozer, cable-skidder and forwarder—working in a group selection harvest of a mixed hardwood stand in the state of Maine, USA. A sensitivity analysis using the break-even technique and considering the same harvesting productivity and machines brands and models was used in this study to assess study differences between yarding machines costs in two different scenarios: old and new machines. Results indicate that the total machine and yarding costs for old machines were lower than for the new machines. For old machines, the yarding cost per unit delivered to the landing was lowest for the forwarder method ($2.34/m3) and highest for the cable-skidder method ($4.46/m3). In the case of new machines, the yarding cost per unit was lowest for the forwarder method ($3.95/m3) and highest for the cable-skidder method ($9.46/m3). The older machines might be a better option than new machines, particularly for small landowners who need to harvest small areas with low levels of harvesting.

Integrating Animal Husbandry With Crops and Trees

Per capita intake of animal protein is expected to increase globally through 2050, and the rate of increase will be more in emerging economies than that in developed countries. Global meat consumption between 1980 and 2050 is projected to increase from 133 million to 452 million tonnes, of which 86% (279 million tonnes) of the global increase will occur in developing countries. Animal-based agricultural systems occupy 45% of the global land area and contribute 18% of anthropogenic emissions. In addition to being a major source of nitrous oxide (N2O), methane (CH4) and other greenhouse gases (GHGs), livestock also use 8% of the global water withdrawal. The animal sector is dominated by resource-poor and small landholders of developing countries. Adverse effects of livestock on the environment are caused by the way animal husbandry is practiced, and animals are not integrated with other agricultural and forestry-based practices. Thus, improving and sustaining the livestock sector is critical to advancing the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) of the United Nations, especially SDG #1 (No Poverty), SDG #2 (Zero Hunger), SDG #6 (Clean Water and Sanitation), and SDG #13 (Climate Action). Separation of the raising of livestock from that of the cultivation of seasonal crops and perennial trees has decoupled the biogeochemical/biogeophysical cycling of carbon (C), water (H2O), nitrogen (N), phosphorus (P), and sulfur (S). This decoupling is a causative factor of the increase in emissions of N2O and CH4, eutrophication and contamination of water resources, degradation of rangelands, and decline in its biodiversity. Therefore, identification and a widespread adoption of integrated systems of livestock with that of crops and trees are critical to reduce the environmental footprint of animal-based dietary products. Incorporation of pastures/forages in the rotation cycle along with controlled grazing, called ley farming, and agroforestry, such as alley cropping, are examples of integrated farming systems. Other strategies of reducing the environmental footprint comprise the following: reducing enteric fermentation by precision feeding and matching dietary protein to animal need, processing CH4 and N2O emissions for other uses, and managing manure and other animal waste prudently. Other considerations include multiple GHG perspectives and SOC sequestration.

A consilience-driven approach to land use history in relation to reconstructing forest land use legacies

The importance of societal factors in shaping forest area, structure and composition through economic activity, policy, governance, and population changes is frequently acknowledged in ecologic studies, however the specific socioeconomic factors that lead to land use change through time are rarely articulated. We present a consilience-driven approach for integrating socioeconomic and paleoecologic data to explore land use legacies and interpret causes of past abrupt environmental change. We combine paleoecologic history reconstructed from pollen analysis of lake sediments and contemporary historical narratives of socioeconomic change developed from archival sources illustrated by three case studies from two sites in the Italian Apennines. We found that in the Rieti Basin, central Italy, between 850 and 900 AD (coeval with the beginning of the Medieval Climate Anomaly—MCA), under the new Carolingian rule, the imperially sponsored monastery at Farfa consolidated small landholdings, leading to more active land management and significant forest loss for agricultural activities. In contrast, at Pollino in southern Italy between 1050 and 1100 AD, also during the MCA, Norman conquest helped to convert a deforested landscape into an actively managed fir forest for timber needed for construction. At both sites, depopulation and land management between 1350 and 1400 AD caused by the Black Death, led to forest rewilding, however each site took a different trajectory. The studies presented offer examples of how the integration of detailed historical narratives with high-resolution paleoecologic reconstructions can provide a more nuanced examination of the interrelationship between societal factors and climate forcing in shaping land-use legacies and has the capacity to illuminate the link between specific human pressures and pathways of ecological change over many centuries.

Productivity potential and profitability of whole package technology in oilseed crops

The productivity of oilseed crops in India is low due to rainfed cultivation, small operational land holdings, lack of varietal replacement (groundnut and sesame), losses due to biotic and abiotic stresses and low adoption of agronomic practices and other improved technologies. There is a potential to increase productivity of oilseeds by using best production practices and right combination of inputs at right time. Several technologies were developedby the All India Coordinated Research Projects (AICRP) on oilseed crops that can significantly increase the productivity of oilseeds. Realizing the importance of extending these technologies to farmers, frontlinedemonstrations (FLDs) were conducted. Data from a total of 24,035 FLDs conducted on whole package technology over an area of 9727 ha in nine oilseed crops in different agro-ecological situations of the country during 2014-15 to 2018-19 were analyzed in this paper. The results showed increased yield, gross monetary returns and additional net returns with improved technologies (IT) as compared to farmers' practices. The benefit cost ratio was also higher indicating the profitability of improved technology. In order to speed up the adoption of improved technologies by farmers, there is a need to provide timely access to key inputs like, quality seeds of high yielding cultivars and availability of agro-chemicals in time at village level. There is also a need to forge required partnerships involving extension agencies, state departments of agriculture and input agencies in educating the farmers on the impact of improved technologies, organizing exposure visits to model farms and ensuring timely availability of quality inputsto enhance oilseed productivity and profitability.

Effects of Climate Change on the Small Landholder’s Livelihoods: A Study of Tehsil Rajanpur, Punjab

Pakistan is an agricultural country and majority of the population are agrarian in its nature. It is evident that due to climate changes the sector is strongly affected. Mainly the small landholders are more affected by these climate changes. The focus of the study is small landholders. To study the area holistically the objectives of the study were to find out means by which climate change affects small landholders’ livelihoods, to study socio-economic problems faced by small landholders and to know cultural beliefs of small landholders regarding climate change, to see adaptation techniques opted by small landholders to survive the harms of climate change. To accomplish the objectives, qualitative research approach was used in which thematic research design was followed. Data was gathered through focus group discussion. Purposive sampling technique was used to select respondents. In it interviews were conducted from 70 respondents. The study resulted that extensive floods, changes in the rain pattern and increased temperature are the means by which crops are being more vulnerable to the disease. It was also found that small landholders strongly believed that the climatic changes were divinely controlled and regulated so these changes are the result of their sins and cruel deeds and they could not control it and they did not use the new technology.

Who is resilient in Africa’s Green Revolution? Sustainable intensification and Climate Smart Agriculture in Rwanda

Under the banner of a "New Green Revolution for Africa," agricultural intensification programs aim to make smallholder agriculture more productive as well as "climate smart". As with Green Revolutions in Asia and Mexico, agricultural innovations (hybrid seeds, agronomic engineering, market linkages,and increased use of fertilizer and pesticides) are promoted as essential catalysts of agriculture-led economic growth. Intensification programs are now frequently linked to Climate Smart Agriculture (CSA), which attempts to build resilience and reduce greenhouse gas emissions while increasing crop yields. This article considers who and what is resilient in Africa’s Green Revolution. We report on a multi-season study of smallholder food producers' experiences with Rwanda’s Crop Intensification Program (CIP) and related policies that aim to commercialize subsistence agriculture while implementing CSA. . We suggest that there are fundamental limits to the climate resilience afforded by CSA and development efforts rooted in Green Revolution thinking. Our findings illustrate that such efforts foreground technology and management adjustments in ways that have reduced smallholder resilience by inhibiting sovereignty over land use, decreasing livelihood flexibility, and constricting resource access. We put forth that rural development policies could better promote climate-resilient livelihoods through: 1) adaptive governance that enables smallholder land use decision-making; 2) support for smallholder food producers’ existing agro-ecological strategies of intensification; 3) participatory approaches to visualize and correct for inequalities in local processes of social-ecological resilence Such considerations are paramount for meeting the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals and building climate-resilient food systems.

Levels, Pattern and Distribution of Income of Farmers in Rural Punjab: An Empirical Analysis

The present study examined the levels, pattern and distribution of income of farmers in rural Punjab. For this purpose, the primary data was collected from 510 farm households randomly from the selected villages from all the development blocks of the high, medium and low productivity regions during the period of 2015-16. The results of the study revealed that average household and per capita income increased with an increase in the farm size. The average household income of the large farm-size category was 9.94 and 6.31 times of the marginal and small farm-size categories, respectively. Farm business income was the largest source of income for all the farm-size categories followed by milk and milk products. The marginal and small farm-size categories have to work as labourers in agricultural and non-agricultural sector due to inadequate income from small landholdings, whereas the semi-medium, medium and large farm-size categories supplemented their income by hiring out agricultural machinery. The marginal and small farm-size categories earned 6.05 and 4.28 times less per capita income than the large farm-size category. The study showed the highly skewed distribution of per household and per capita income among farmers in the rural areas of Punjab.

Climate risk, vulnerability and resilience: Supporting livelihood of smallholders in semiarid India

Using panel data from 256 smallholder households from 2006 to 2014 in three semiarid regions India, this study develops a framework for quantifying vulnerability and resilience by accounting for a smallholder household’s ability to adapt and respond to climatic risk. Findings indicate that although smallholders with smaller landholdings are more vulnerable to climatic risk (drought, in our case), they are also more resilient than their counterparts. Results reveal that cropping intensity and crop risk increase the vulnerability of smallholders to climatic risk, but large farms are less vulnerable. Diversification in on-farm enterprises, like livestock units, and off-farm income sources, play significant roles in increasing smallholder households’ resilience to climatic risk. Other drivers of resiliency include the choice of cash and risky crops, borrowing capacity, liquid investments, and the ability to regain yields.

Food security impacts of the “4 per Thousand” initiative

The “4 per Thousand” (4p1000) initiative of the COP21 in Paris, and the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) or the Agenda 2030 of the U.N. were both launched in 2015. The SDG #2 (Zero Hunger) and SDG #13 (Climate Action) of the Agenda 2030 are also in accord with the principal objectives of the 4p1000. Among numerous benefits of enhancing soil organic matter (SOM) content in degraded soils is increase in agronomic productivity and use efficiency of the inputs. The magnitude and nature of the agronomic response to increase in SOM content depend on a range of factors including the initial SOM content, plant nutrient management, soil texture, mineralogical composition, supplementary irrigation and farming/cropping system. Soil factors affecting agronomic response include physical/hydrological properties and plant available water capacity (PAWC), plant nutrients and chemical properties, soil depth and biological properties. Thus, there is a need to develop and standardize methodology to establish the cause-effect relationship between SOM content and agronomic yield based on the data from long-term field experiments. A low SOM content may be a cause of low agronomic productivity, especially in degraded soils managed by resource-poor small land holders who use little or no inputs. There is a strong need for additional research on establishing the threshold or critical limit of SOM content for diverse soils and management systems, as well as to determine if there is any masking effect of fertilizer, irrigation, cover cropping, etc. on the response of crop yield to increase in SOM content.

Socio-economic Survey of Uttar Pradesh, Bihar and Maharashtra States of Indian Continent

Dairy farming plays a very important role in improving the economy of rural India. The study was conducted to explore the socio-economic profile of dairy farmers and farmers feedback about dairy development project. The survey was conducted to study the education status, family structure, education status and management of animals, different patterns of rearing of dairy animals and status of milk production. Data was collected from the 3000 dairy farmers of three states namely Maharashtra, Bihar and Uttar Pradesh during year 2016 .Concentration of poor farmers was relatively high in Bihar (35.5%), followed by Uttar Pradesh (30.9%) and 16.3% in case of Maharashtra. Average family size show 8.74 members per household in Bihar, 6.76 members in Uttar Pradesh and 6.17 members in Maharashtra. Results revealed that majority of the families were nuclear families. Main source of income was agriculture which includes livestock farming. As regards to the size of land owned, nearly 56% of the landowners were Marginal farmers (owning 0.1 -1 ha of land), 23% were small (1.1-2 ha) landowners while about 12% farmers owned above 2 ha of land. Literacy level was higher among farmers of Maharashtra (71.6%) as compared to Uttar Pradesh (65.8%) and Bihar (65.4%). Majority of the farmers followed mixed cropping system, Maximum number of cows and buffaloes were owned by the farmers of Maharashtra i.e. 3.37 cows and 1.42 buffaloes, followed by Uttar Pradesh (1.60 cows & 1.42 buffaloes) and Bihar (1.75 cows & 0.24 buffaloes).Farmers of Maharashtra owned maximum percentage of crossbred cows (90.97%), followed by Uttar Pradesh (83.4%) and Bihar (75.9%).Maharashtra farmers possessed maximum number of upgraded buffaloes (79.4%), followed by Bihar (55.7%) and Uttar Pradesh (51.5%). In study of average quantity of milk produced by cows was higher among the crossbred cows (10.18 litres), in indigenous cows it was (4.47 litres) and 4.23 liters in Non-Descript cows. The data shows the same pattern of milk produced across the three states with slight variation. In buffaloes, the average quantity of milk produced was observed to be higher among the upgraded buffaloes (8.42 litres) as compared to Non-Descript buffaloes (5.17 litres). Respondents appreciated the fact that due to dairy development project by BAIF their family and social status have increased.

Impact of Climate Change on Arable Crops among Farmers in Akko Local Government, Gombe State, Nigeria

The study was conducted on the impact of climate change on arable crops production among farmers in Akko Local Government Area of Gombe State, Nigeria. A multistage sampling method was adopted selecting one hundred and fifty respondents. Both primary and secondary data were collected covering a period of five years. The data collected were subjected to descriptive statistics. The research found that male farmers within the age bracket of 20-40 years dominate the farming system, with 62.2% being married and having one form of formal education or the other. The result indicated that 92.9% of the respondents are aware of climate change and are predominantly small land holders. The farmers highlighted increased in drought period, higher temperature, erosion, desert encroachment, loss of vegetation and reduced vegetation as effects of climate change. It was revealed that 92.9% of the respondents’ cropping patterns have been affected by climate change. To cope with these effects, farmers diversify their enterprises. The findings show that farming activities such as deforestation, clean clearing, bush burning, open grazing contributes to climate change. The amount of rainfall experienced from 2015-2019 in the area was moderate. The respondents use farmers’ saved seed as planting materials with 62.2% comprising of improved seed. The result indicates that over 95% of the sampled population uses synthetic and organic fertilizers in soil management. From the result, 52.0% of the respondents obtained good yield during the period under study. However, farmers engaged in different cropping systems to mitigate the effect of climate change. It is recommended that extension services should be improved to educate farmers more on adaptation strategies to increase output; Research Institutes should develop more advance or improved seeds as well as disseminate same to farmers timely and adequately.

Nutrient-Dense Orange-Fleshed Sweetpotato: Advances in Drought-Tolerance Breeding and Understanding of Management Practices for Sustainable Next-Generation Cropping Systems in Sub-Saharan Africa

Almost half of children < 5 years old living in sub-Saharan Africa (SSA) suffer from vitamin A deficiency and 60% suffer from iron deficiency. Thus, there has been a strong commitment to breeding for, promoting awareness of, and delivering adapted pro-vitamin A rich orange-fleshed sweetpotato (OFSP) in SSA during the past two decades and for enhanced iron content since 2014. This review article focuses on major breeding efforts in SSA to enhance the drought tolerance of OFSP and reviews integrated crop management practices for improved and sustained sweetpotato production in SSA farming systems. Under climate change, the frequency and severity of droughts is expected to increase. Technical issues are presented in the context of addressing challenges along the entire value chain to ensure adoption. First, the use of an accelerated breeding scheme reduced the breeding cycle from 8–10 to 4–5 years. Since 2010, 19 drought-tolerant OFSP cultivars have been released in Mozambique, 7 in Malawi, and 2 in South Africa. Moreover, research in four breeding populations using the heterosis exploiting breeding scheme (HEBS) demonstrated that within one breeding cycle of 5 years, clones with significantly higher root yield, abiotic tolerance, host plant resistance to pests and diseases, and early maturity can be produced. In the future, HEBS will be combined with greater use of modern genomic tools, new phenotyping tools, and CRISPR/Cas9-mediated gene editing. Second, beyond genetic enhancements, evidence is presented that using improved crop management systems, existing sweet potato yields can be increased 2–4 times. Current knowledge is reviewed concerning sweetpotato’s role in diverse farming systems, but integrated crop management is clearly under researched. Third, the outlook for drought tolerance breeding indicates that two distinct classes of nutrient-rich cultivars are emerging: (1) Early maturing cultivars (< 4 month growing period) that escape drought but also serve humid environments with small landholding size per capita; and (2) Medium maturing (4–6 month growing period) cultivars that avoid drought, are drought tolerant and exhibit continuous root formation. Increasing commercialization of the crop and climate change will drive demand, and the willingness of farmers to invest in improved sweetpotato crop management.

Indian Society of Agribusiness Professionals: Helping Agripreneurs Innovate

The Indian Society of Agribusiness Professionals (ISAP) was a non-government, non-profit organization that had been working for sustainable livelihood in rural India. Indian farmers had several challenges: Poverty, illiteracy, small land holdings, inadequate access to clean water and hygiene, lack of quality seeds and fertilizers, inefficient marketing channels and corrupt middle-men, and little exposure to modern methods of farming, technology and communication. ISAP created a network of agricultural scientists, farmers, producers and government agencies, to facilitate an exchange of knowledge and resources. It ran skill development programs, entrepreneurship programs and used mobile apps, community radio to generate awareness in the farmers and provide them the necessary support through its network to help the agripreneurs in their innovations. The case showcases some innovations by these agripreneurs and how ISAP helped them achieve their objectives.

No-Till Farming and Conservation Agriculture in South Asia – Issues, Challenges, Prospects and Benefits

Of late, intensive farming for higher food production is often associated with many negative implications for soil systems, such as decline of soil organic matter (SOM), increase in risks of soil erosion by wind and/or water, decline in soil biological diversity, increase in degradation of soil physical quality, lower nutrient-use efficiency, high risks of groundwater pollution, falling water tables, increasing salinization and waterlogging, in-field burning of crop residues, pollution of air and emission of greenhouse gases (GHG), leading to global warming, and decline in factor productivity. These negative implications necessitate an objective review of strategies to develop sustainable management practices, which could not only sustain soil health and ensure food security, but also enhance carbon sequestration, decrease GHG emissions, and offer clean and better ecosystem services. Conservation agriculture (CA), that includes reduced or no-till practices along with crop residue retention and mixed crop rotations, offers multiple benefits. Adoption of a system-based CA conserves water, improves and creates more efficient use of natural resources through the integrated management of available soil nutrients, water, and biological resources, and enhances use efficiency of external inputs. Due to apparent benefits of CA, it is increasingly being adopted and now covers about 180 million hectares (Mha) worldwide. However, in South Asia its spread is low (<5 Mha), mostly concentrated in the Indo-Gangetic Plains (IGP). In this region, one of the serious issues is “residue burning” with severe environmental impacts. A huge amount of crop residue left over after the combine harvest of rice has forced farmers to practice widespread residue burning (∼140 M tonnes) to cope with excessive stubble and also for timely planting/sowing of succeeding crops. In rice-wheat cropping systems, which cover more than 10 Mha in the IGP, CA practices are relatively more accepted by farmers. In these systems, any delay in sowing leads to yield penalty of 1–1.5% per day after the optimum sowing date of wheat. The strong adoption of CA practices in IGP is mainly to overcome delayed sowing due to the field preparation and control of weeds, timely planting, and also escape from terminal heat during the grain-filling stage. Major challenges to CA adoption in South Asia are small land holdings (<1 ha), low technological reach to farmers, nonavailability of suitable farm implements for small farm holders, and the staunch conventional farming mind-set. South Asia region consists of many countries of diverse agro-ecologies with contrasting farming systems and management. This region, recently known for rapid economic growth and increasing population, necessitates higher food production and also hot-spots for adoption of CA technologies. Therefore, in this review critically explores the possibility, extent of area, prospects, challenges, and benefits of CA in South Asia. HIGHLIGHTS Conservation agriculture (CA), consisting of reduced or no-tillage and crop residue retention, is a self–sustainable system which offers an alternative to crop residue burning. The CA approach improves soil health by increasing soil organic carbon (SOC) and aggregation and also conserves soil, water and energy than conventional farming systems. South Asian countries are suitable for adoption of CA practices but the area under CA remains low (<5 Mha) as compared to the global area (180 Mha). Adoption of CA in South Asia has skewed distribution, mainly in Indo-Gangetic Plains (IGP) in India, Pakistan, Nepal and Bangladesh in South Asia. Development of herbicide-resistant weed species and weed shift by continuous application of herbicides are the major challenges in adoption of CA. The traditional-farming mind-set, socio-economic conditions, small farm-holdings, weed and residue management, and non-availability of suitable machinery are key constraints to the low adoption of CA practices in South Asia.

The Commercialization of Smallholder Farming—A Case Study from the Rural Western Middle Hills of Nepal

A vast majority of farmers in the rural middle hills of Nepal are smallholders who often use family labor and follow traditional agricultural and water management practices. This study examines a range of perspectives (from rural farmers to development experts) on the limited commercialization of rural agriculture in this region of Nepal and the potential approaches to promoting agricultural growth and commercialization among small landholders. An analysis of household surveys, key informant interviews, and focus group discussions in three wards of Kaski, Syangja, and Palpa districts of Nepal revealed that nearly one-third of farmers left their agricultural lands barren or only partly cultivated, and more than one-third were not motivated to engage in agricultural activities. This lack of motivation was found to be connected with limited or no access to irrigation water, poor production systems, a lack of access to markets, a low return on investment in agriculture, the low social status of farm-work, the incidence of crop infestations, and fear of production risks due to extreme climatic factors (such as low/high rainfall, droughts, etc.). Remittances related to outmigration were also found to be important factors limiting a farmer’s involvement in agriculture, which also creates labor shortages. This research confirms that, for agricultural production to be profitable and commercial, households need to receive qualified technical support to introduce new technologies, engage in markets, access input suppliers and service providers, and adopt high-value production crops and related techniques. Households that receive an income from government jobs, private sources, and remittances reported agriculture being a laborious and difficult task. Addressing these mediating factors along with the provision of effective crop insurance and subsides for the lower-income segments of the population, has the potential to (re)engage rural households in farming activities. Such an approach could provide a way to realize the government’s plans to commercialize smallholder farming.