Browsing by Author "Blackie, M. J."

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  • Biodiversity can support a greener revolution in Africa
    Snapp, S.; Blackie, M. J.; Gilbert, R. A.; Bezner-Kerr, R.; Kanyama-Phiri, G. Y. (Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences, 2010)
    In Africa there is an urgent need to increase crop productivity in order to improve environmental and food security in this area. In Malawi, the government has subsidized N-fertilizer and improved maize seed, bringing it to 10% of its original cost. This paper evaluates the results of a countrywide trial which tested the effects of legume diversification on maize yields in this region. The results suggest that long-lived legume crops are important contributors to conservation farming, because growing an 11 to 36 month plant provides extended living cover and leaf cover, which results in lower soil disturbance. This study shows that increased fertilizer efficiency, crop diversification, and increased stability of crop yield can have important implications for food security in Africa.
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    Realigning research and extension to focus on farmer's constraints and opportunities
    Snapp, S.; Blackie, M. J.; Donovan, C. (Elsevier, 2012)
    This article explores the research and extension of farmer innovations of technology. It argues that researchers need to consider farmer's constraints and attempt to improve the farmer's capacity to adapt technologies. They critique current research and extension initiatives for high-dose fertilizer recommendations and argue that small input doses and training farmers should take priority. However, they conclude by claiming this initiative is also an institutional challenge as well as a technological challenge.