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Sustainable Intensification of Farming Systems with Legume Technologies

This article discusses the lessons learned from the N2Africa project and explores new approaches for expanding the project to new countries. Topics covered include understanding variability, tailoring of technologies to farm types, and dissemination approaches.

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Sustainable Intensification of Farming Systems with Legume Technologies

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  1. Sustainable intensification of farming systems through legume technologies: Lessons learnt for expansion of N2Africa to new countries Esther Ronner1, Linus C. Franke1, Greta J. van den Brand1, Judith J. de Wolf2, Ken E. Giller1 1 Wageningen University; 2 CIAT Zimbabwe

  2. Outline • Introduction • Lessons learnt and new approaches: • From proof of concept to understanding variability • Tailoring of technologies to farm types • Dissemination approaches • Conclusions

  3. Introduction – The N2Africa project • ‘Putting nitrogen fixation to work for smallholder farmers growing legume crops in Africa’ • Focus on cowpea, soybean, common bean and groundnut • Funds: Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation and Howard G. Buffet Foundation • Led by Wageningen University; main partners IITA and CIAT-TSBF • Originally eight countries in 2009 • Extension to Ethiopia, Tanzania, Uganda, Liberia, Sierra Leone and DR Congo

  4. Introduction – New countries, new approach? • Dissemination and delivery are the core • Monitoring & evaluation provides the learning • Research analyses and feeds back ‘Development to research’ Research M&E D&D

  5. From proof of concept... (1) • Hypothesis in N2Africa: BNF and legume yields determined by interaction of: (GL x GR) x E x M • Detailed agronomy trials in limited number of sites to test this concept

  6. From proof of concept... (2) Soybean input trial (TGx1740-2F); Nyanza, Western Kenya; long rains 2011 (F. Baijukya + team)

  7. From proof of concept... (3) Soybean input trial; Murehwa, Zimbabwe, season 2010/2011 (T. Mombeyarara + team)

  8. ... to understanding variability (1) • In first year already proof of valuable concept • But with testing technologies at scale in farmers fields: huge variability. • New questions: how to explain this variability? • More emphasis on analysis of simple, non-replicated demonstration trials under farmers’ management

  9. ... to understanding variability (2) Control + P-fertilizer + inoculation + P-fert + inoc.

  10. ... to understanding variability (3) Ghana, 2011

  11. … to understanding variability (4)

  12. Targeting of technologies to farm types (1) • Factors influencing adoption: • Not only high crop yields • Need to fit within farming system (labour availability, trade-off other crops) • Need for ‘tailoring of technologies’ • Per agro-ecological zone • Per region • Per farm type

  13. Targeting of technologies to farm types (2) LUE = labour use efficiency

  14. Targeting of technologies to farm types (2) LUE = labour use efficiency

  15. Targeting of technologies to farm types (2) LUE = labour use efficiency

  16. Dissemination approaches • Great diversity in opportunities legumes demands diversity in dissemination approaches • From uniform lead farmer – satellite farmer approach to dissemination approaches as part of research question • Work along partners in input/ output markets; enable access to inoculants

  17. Conclusions • More emphasis on understanding variability yields in farmers’ fields – start with demonstration trials at scale; detailed agronomy trials for specific issues • Start with characterization of farming systems and farm types – ex ante impact assessment of how legumes fit best within a particular farming system • Adjust dissemination approaches, seed systems and extension messages accordingly

  18. For updates see www.N2Africa.org Lots of video resource materials N2Africa Podcaster - Monthly Newsletter

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