Browsing by Author "Chan-Halbrendt, Catherine"

Now showing 1 - 20 of 36
  • Analysis of conservation agriculture preferences for researchers, extension agents, and tribal farmers in Nepal using Analytic Hierarchy Process
    Reed, Brinton F.; Chan-Halbrendt, Catherine; Tamang, Bishal B.; Chaudhary, N. (2014)
    Food security in the Middle Hills region of Nepal is threatened by decreased agricultural productivity resulting from accelerated soil degradation. Conservation agricultural (CA) practices can improve soil health and improve livelihoods, but adoption remains low. This study seeks to improve transfer of CA technology by identifying and comparing farmer, researcher, and extension agent preferences for CA through conducting Analytic Hierarchy Process (AHP). AHP is a method to evaluate multi-criteria decision making that allows for different preferences to be weighted. A hierarchy is constructed where the top row is a goal that has been identified. In this case, focus groups identified improved income as the primary goal. The second row consists of major objectives or criteria for fulfilling the goal, in this case these were profit, labor saving, yield, and soil quality. The bottom rung consists of the available options: a traditional farming system and three different versions of CA production systems. Although researchers, extension agents and farmers agree on improved income as the ultimate goal, their preferred methods for achieving this goal differ. The research revealed indications of knowledge gaps that could inhibit technology transfer. Because of this, the authors emphasize need for communication, listing three communication-related recommendations for improving technology transfer.
  • Analysis of farmer and extension agent preference in Nepal using Analytic Hierarchy Process
    Chan-Halbrendt, Catherine; Reed, Brinton F.; Halbrendt, Jacqueline; Lai, Cynthia; Radovich, Theodore J. K.; Limbu, P. (Honolulu, HI: University of Hawaii, Department of Natural Resources and Environmental Management, 2012)
    Subsistence farmers in Nepal rely on marginal lands that are subject to declining fertility due, in part, to traditional farming practices. These farmers regularly face critical decisions regarding which crops to produce and which production practices to adopt. The introduction of conservation agriculture (CA) practices has the potential to improve livelihoods and food security but depends on farmer perceptions and knowledge sharing between farmers and extension staff. This study uses Analytic Hierarchy Process (AHP) to determine farmer and extension staff preferences for selected CA strategies. This data is then used to determine which practices have the highest likelihood of adoption, identify farmer incentives, and facilitate mutual understanding among farmers and extension agents. AHP was conducted in three villages and two organizations that provide extension services for rural subsistence communities. Overall, soil quality was identified as the most important factor affecting household income. Farmers preferred full till and cowpea monocrop while extension agents preferred strip till with cowpea /millet intercrop. Results suggest that (1) there is a knowledge gap among farmers regarding the advantages of minimal till and soil fertility; (2) farmers prefer short term profits over sustainable production; and (3) there is a lack of understanding between farmers and non-farmers regarding the effectiveness of intercropping. In order to maximize adoption of CA practices, farmer education and communications with extension agents should be improved by means of increasing the frequency of focus groups, workshops, and site visits.
  • CAPS options for Tentuli Village
    Idol, Travis; Chan-Halbrendt, Catherine; Radovich, Theodore J. K. (Honolulu HI: College of Tropical Agriculture and Human Resources, Department of Natural Resources and Environmental Management, 2011)
    This presentation uses the results of soil and agronomic data analysis to make recommendations for CAPS options in Tentuli Village, India.
  • Comparative analysis of farmer and professional preferences towards conservation agriculture practices in Kendujhar, Odisha; an analytical hierarchy process study
    Lai, Cynthia; Chan-Halbrendt, Catherine; Halbrendt, Jacqueline; Naik, D.; Ray, Chittaranjan (College Station, Texas, USA: International Food and Agribusiness Management Review, 2012)
    This study compares farmer and professional mental perceptions, in the village of Tentuli, India, of their preferences of specific conservation agricultural production systems and objectives as they relate to the goal of improved income. The analytical hierarchy process is used to compare mental perceptions of various agricultural technology characteristics. Results reveal that farmers prefer intercrop/ plow with yield, while professionals prefer intercrop/ minimum tillage with profit as the most preferred objective. Results can be used to support and promote collaborations amongst stakeholders and farmers to reduce perception gaps and provide recommendations towards other agricultural efforts in extension, government and agribusiness.
  • Comparative economic analysis of conservation agricultural practices in Tentuli Village, India
    Lai, Cynthia (2011)
    During this time of environmental change, the management of natural resources may be our wisest pursuit; specifically, where it relates to international agricultural development. This research has studied the potential for agricultural development in the tribal villages of Kendujhar, one of the poorest districts in the East Indian state of Odisha. With a population primarily consisting of smallholder farming systems characterized by poor soil fertility and moisture retention, limited irrigation, and susceptibility to erosion, agricultural productivity in this region has been adversely impacted. As such, this study’s research evaluates the impact of conservation agriculture (CA) practices in these villages. This dynamic approach of CA focuses on two interventions: minimum tillage and intercropping. Primary data collection through face-to-face interviews was completed to establish agricultural household baselines in the district, while a field experiment was used to assess the productivity of the two CA practices. Maize/cowpea intercropping and minimum tillage treatments were established to determine differences in yields and labor requirements. The results showed that with a maize/cowpea intercrop, the greatest returns occur when we consider labor without the opportunity for off-farm employment. On the other hand, if labor has opportunity for off-farm employment, it is more economical to work off-farm; however, this applies primarily to young male household members who have greater opportunity for employment. The implications for gender, in terms of labor, are such that with CA, male labor reduces while female labor increases. Based on the results, there are multiple recommendations for agribusiness and policy-makers: (1) assist farmers with input and seed subsidies and access to credit for CA adoption to enhance yields, increase returns, and improve food security; (2) increase extension efforts for farmer education on the benefits of CA; and (3) train farmers on the benefits of high-yielding commercial seeds and improved farming practices.
  • A comparative study of conservation agriculture production systems (CAPS) for tribal people of Odisha, India
    Pradhan, Aliza; Halbrendt, Jacqueline; Lai, Cynthia; Idol, Travis; Chan-Halbrendt, Catherine; Evensen, Carl; Ray, Chittaranjan; Roul, Pravat K.; Mishra, K. N. (Honolulu, HI: University of Hawaii, Department of Natural Resources and Environmental Management, 2012)
    Tribal farming in Kendujhar district of Odisha, India is primarily based on traditional shifting cultivation which is becoming unsustainable - resulting in natural resources degradation, reduced production efficiency, and threatened food security. As maize (Zea mays L.) was the primary field crop grown by the tribal farmers, maize-based Conservation Agriculture Production Systems (CAPS) were taken as an innovative approach for conserving resources, enhancing productivity and sustaining livelihood through minimum soil disturbance, permanent organic soil cover, and adoption of diversified crop rotation. An on-station experiment was conducted in Kendujhar during June 2011 to March 2012 to estimate the effect of CAPS on yield and soil properties. The experiment was laid in a split plot design with four treatments and three replications. The treatment combinations comprised of two factors each at two levels: tillage (minimum and conventional), and cropping system (maize and maize+cowpea (Vigna unguiculata)). The maize seed yield both in conventional and minimum tillage were comparable, though it was highest in maize+cowpea under minimum tillage (5610 kg/ha). Maize+cowpea intercropping produced comparable seed yield (4955 kg/ha) to that of sole maize cropping (4825 kg/ha). As cowpea was an additional output without any reduction in maize seed yield and had high market value, maize+cowpea intercropping under minimum tillage recorded a highest net profit of $655/ha. Though there was no significant effect of CAPS on soil properties in the experimental year, it can be assessed over multiple years.
  • Conservation Agriculture in Southeast Asia and Beyond
    Mulvaney, Michael J.; Reyes, Manuel R.; Chan-Halbrendt, Catherine; Boulakia, Stephane; Jumpa, K.; Sukvibool, C.; Sombatpanit, Samran (Bangkok, Thailand: Funny Publishing, 2012)
    Conservation agriculture (CA) provides a tool with the potential for smallholder farmers to improve soil fertility and increase production. These proceedings, from the 2nd International Agriculture Workshop and Conference in Southeast Asia, in Phnom Penh, Cambodia July 4-7, 2011, addresses biophysical and socioeconomic questions related to locally-adapted CA practices throughout Southeast Asia and in the rest of the world. The papers and abstracts cover various facets of conservation agriculture, including economic impacts, process of dissemination and adoption, effects on soil quality and yields, and farmer preferences.
  • Conservation agriculture production systems (CAPS) in tribal societies of India
    Roul, Pravat K.; Ray, P.; Mohanty, T. R.; Mishra, K. N.; Chan-Halbrendt, Catherine; Idol, T. W.; Pradhan, Aliza; Ray, Chittaranjan (Bhubaneswar, India: Orissa University of Agriculture and Technology (OUAT), 2012)
    Tribal farming systems in India and Nepal, which rely on traditional shifting cultivation, are unsustainable, resulting in the degeneration of natural resources and lowered production efficiency. Conservation agriculture production systems (CAPS), which stresses minimal soil movement, retention of adequate levels of crop residues on the soil surface, and crop rotation, offers a long-term solution to boost yields and conserve the environment. This presentation introduces the first year results of on-station CAPS trials and experimental farm plots in Odisha, India and announces the trials in progress in Nepal. The objective of the studies in India was to evaluate the feasibility of introducing CAPS to farmers in Kendujhar, a district of Odisha. The researchers conducted participatory studies and analytical hierarchy process before conducting on-farm research. This research involved the application of maize+cowpea intercropping, mustard cover cropping, and minimum tillage. In Nepal, they experimented with a rotation of maize with black gram, millet, or black gram + Millet under strip or conventional tillage. The Economic, gender, networking, and capacity building analyses conducted at each location are also described.
  • Conservation agriculture production systems (CAPS) poster for Orissa, India 2011
    Halbrendt, Jacqueline (Honolulu, HI: University of Hawaii, Natural Resources and Environmental Management, 2011)
    This poster illustrates how the short-term costs of CAPS implementation are outweighed by long-term benefits. The CAPS shown are specific to those implemented on trial plots in Orissa, India; minimum till, cover crops and intercropping with legumes. Specific factors mentioned include farm labor, yields, soil disturbance, and nutrition.
  • Constructing community fuzzy cognitive maps to promote adoption of conservation agricultural production practices
    Halbrendt, Jacqueline; Chan-Halbrendt, Catherine; Shariq, L.; Gray, S.; Lai, Cynthia (Honolulu HI: College of Tropical Agriculture and Human Resources, Department of Natural Resources and Environmental Management, 2011)
    FCM was used to identify and map the factors involved in decision-making regarding the adoption of conservation agricultural practices in three villages in Central Nepal. Face-to-face interviews with farmers were conducted to develop an initial list of relevant factors, followed by extensive surveys conducted with both farmers and in-country NGO staff and researchers to develop the “mental models” used by these groups to guide decision-making. Mental models of the groups were quantitatively compared to determine differences between stakeholder groups. The results show significant differences between farmers and experts, as well as between villages. Such variation in the perception of agricultural practices can be attributed to differences in formal training, farming experience, soil conditions and culture. This research can be applied to improve understanding of cultural decision-making and values for improved transfer of sustainable agricultural technologies.
  • Thumbnail Image
    Economic analysis of conservation agriculture in maize-based farming system in Nepal
    Paudel, Bikash; Chan-Halbrendt, Catherine; Norton, George W.; Nguema, Abigail M.; Limbu, P.; Radovich, Theodore J. K.; Crow, Susan; Halbrendt, Jacqueline (Honolulu HI: College of Tropical Agriculture and Human Resources, Department of Natural Resources and Environmental Management, 2013)
    A linear programming technique was used to estimate the revenue maximizing allocation of land for a representative household using conservation agriculture production system (CAPS) and farmers’ traditional practices. The model was optimized in five different scenarios. Scenario 1, 2, 3 and 4 were build by allowing annual soil loss to 1, 2, 3 and 4 t ha-1 yr-1 respectively, whereas scenario 5 was build with unconstrained soil loss. Scenario suggested that unless soil loss is considered, conservation tillage does not appear in the profit maximizing allocation of land. Practice with strip tillage appeared in the profit optimized model of all scenarios where soil loss was constrained. Scenario 1 and 2 had about 71 and 66 % of land allotted to maize followed by millet+cowpea intercrop with strip tillage practice. Result also suggested that the representative farm have to sacrifice about $88.6 for about 7 years and $50.1 ha-1 yr-1 (-7.6% and -4.1% revenue) if they aim to reduce the soil loss to 1 and 2 t ha-1 yr-1 respectively. An analysis of the total change in economic surplus associated with adopting the revenue maximizing crop mix was completed. The analysis suggests that conservation agriculture will eventually pay off because total change in economic surplus for 12 years is estimated to be $3,735 million (net present value) if only 1% of the total area adopts the revenue maximization crop mix with a 2 t ha-1 yr-1 soil loss constraint.
  • Thumbnail Image
    Economic analysis of conservation agriculture in maize-based farming systems in Nepal
    Paudel, Bikash; Chan-Halbrendt, Catherine; Norton, George W.; Nguema, Abigail M.; Sharma, G. B. (Honolulu HI: College of Tropical Agriculture and Human Resources, Department of Natural Resources and Environmental Management, 2013)
    A linear programming technique was used to estimate the revenue maximizing allocation of land for a representative household using conservation agriculture production system (CAPS) and farmers’ traditional practices. Four practices with conventional tillage taken for model were maize followed by millet i.e. CT[M-Mi], black gram i.e. CT[M-Bg], cowpea i.e. CT[M-C] and followed by millet+cowpea intercrop i.e. CT[M-Mi+C]. One strip tillage practice included in model was maize followed by millet+cowpea intercrop i.e. ST[M-Mi+C]. The model was optimized in five different scenarios. Scenario 1, 2, 3 and 4 were build by allowing annual soil loss to 1, 2, 3 and 4t ha-1yr-1 respectively, whereas scenario 5 was build with unconstrained soil loss. The results of scenario 1 suggest that unless soil loss is considered, conservation tillage does not appear in the profit maximizing allocation of land. Practice with strip tillage appeared in the profit-optimized model of all scenarios where soil loss was constrained in base year. Scenario 1 and 2 had about 71 and 66 % of cultivated land covered with ST [M-Mi+C] practice. But, CT [M-Bg] covered about 65% of the land under soil loss unconstrained model. Result also suggested that the representative farm have to sacrifice about $88.6 ha-1yr-1 for about 7 years (-7.6% revenue) if they aim to reduce the soil loss to 1 t ha-1 yr-1, $50.1 ha-1yr-1 for about 6 years (-4.2% revenue) if they target to reduce soil loss to 2 t ha-1yr-1, and about 27.13 (-2.3% revenue) t ha-1yr-1 to target soil loss of 3 t ha-1yr-1. An analysis of the total change in economic surplus associated with adopting the revenue maximizing crop mix was completed. The analysis suggests that conservation agriculture will eventually pay off because total change in economic surplus for 12 years is estimated to be $3,735 million (net present value) if only 1% of the total area adopts the revenue maximization crop mix with a 2 t ha-1yr-1 soil loss constraint.
  • Economic analysis of farm labor and profitability of three tribal villages in Nepal
    Reed, Brinton F.; Chan-Halbrendt, Catherine; Halbrendt, Jacqueline; Lai, Cynthia; Radovich, Theodore J. K.; Limbu, P. (2012)
    The introduction of conservation agriculture practices, such as strip tilling and intercropping with nitrogen-fixing legumes can increase long-term farm profitability and ensure long-term soil productivity. Survey and trial plot data from three tribal villages is used to provide an analysis of profitability and labor requirements associated with strip tillage, intercropping, and crop selection. Results have implications for food security, government policy, and regional agribusiness opportunities.
  • Economic analysis of farm labor and profitability of three tribal villages in the central middle hills region of Nepal
    Reed, Brinton F.; Chan-Halbrendt, Catherine; Lai, Cynthia; Radovich, Theodore J. K.; Limbu, Prakash (Honolulu HI: College of Tropical Agriculture and Human Resources, Department of Natural Resources and Environmental Management, 2013)
    Tribal villages in Nepal’s “Middle Hills” region practice traditional farming techniques that contribute to ongoing decreases in agricultural productivity. The introduction of conservation agriculture practices, such as strip tillage and intercropping with nitrogen-fixing legumes can increase long-term farm profitability and help ensure long-term soil productivity. In this study, survey and trial plot data from three tribal villages is used to provide an analysis of profitability and changes in labor requirements associated with the introduction of strip tillage, intercropping and residue management. The current farmer practice of millet monocropping (T1) was least profitable of all systems and cowpea monocropping (T2) was the most profitable. Cowpea monocropping also required the least labor and thus, is the most suitable candidate for adoption at the time of this study. However, millet and cowpea intercropping with a minimum (strip) tillage regime (T4) may provide higher profits than all other treatments once the long-term benefits of strip-tillage take effect. In addition, labor requirements for T4 are most in line with current labor division by gender and as a result, this treatment might prove the most suitable for adoption over the long term. It is recommended that high quality legume seed be provided to improve smallholder livelihoods and increase regional food production.
  • Thumbnail Image
    Effect of conservation agriculture on maize-based farming system in the mid-hills of Nepal
    Paudel, Bikash; Radovich, Theodore J. K.; Chan-Halbrendt, Catherine; Crow, Susan; Tamang, Bishal B.; Halbrendt, Jacqueline; Thapa, Keshab (2014)
    Conservation agriculture (CA) systems composed of intercropping and strip tillage practices were evaluated on marginalized maize-based farming system in hill region of Nepal. On-farm experimental trials were conducted on the field of 25 smallholder farmers in three villages of central mid-hill region. Results indicated that although CA systems did not increase crop yields; higher return and revenue were generated due to increased number of crop harvests and higher price of the cash crops used in intercropping. Therefore, it was concluded that smallholder farmers should adopt CA system for increasing return and improving sustainability of the farming system.
  • Effect of maize based Conservation Agriculture Production Systems (CAPS) under tribal farming situations of Odisha in India
    Idol, Travis; Pradhan, Aliza; Roul, Pravat K.; Mishra, K. N.; Halbrendt, Jacqueline; Evensen, Carl; Ray, Chittaranjan; Chan-Halbrendt, Catherine (Madison, WI: American Society of Agronomy, Crop Science Society of America, Soil Science Society of America, 2012)
    A summary of 2011-2012 trial plot results in terms of yield and profitability. Tillage and intercropping had no significant effect on maize yield (4890 kg ha 1) in the first year. The highest maize yield was recorded in maize+cowpea under minimum tillage (5610 kg ha 1). Economic return in case of intercropping was 38% higher than that of sole cropping, across both the tillage types. Though there was no significant effect of CAPS on soil properties in the first experimental year, trends were positive for soil pH, bulk density, and soil carbon.
  • Effect of tillage and intercropping on crop productivity, profitability and soil fertility under tribal farming situations of India
    Pradhan, Aliza; Idol, Travis; Roul, Pravat K.; Mishra, K. N.; Chan-Halbrendt, Catherine; Halbrendt, Jacqueline; Ray, Chittaranjan (Bhubaneswar, India: Orissa University of Agriculture and Technology (OUAT), 2013)
    Low crop yields due to continuous monocropping and deteriorating soil health in smallholder farm fields of tribal villages in India have led to a quest for conservation agriculture production systems (CAPS). This objective of the study was to assess the combined effect of reduced tillage, intercropping and residue management on 1) crop yield, 2) farmer’s profitability, and 3) soil physico-chemical properties. Selected treatments included an introduction of intercropping of maize with cowpea (Vigna unguiculata). Mustard (Brassica juncea L.) was grown as a post-rainy season cover crop in all the trial plots but there was no residue retention in control plots. The experiment was laid out in randomized block design with four treatments viz., T1: Conventional tillage with sole maize (CT-M) as control, T2: Conventional tillage with maize + cowpea (CT-M+C), T3: Minimum tillage with sole maize (MT-M), T4: Minimum tillage with maize + cowpea (MT-M+C). In the 2011/2012 cropping season, there was a significant interaction effect of tillage and intercropping on maize yield (P = Abstract published in the proceedings of the International Conference on Frontiers in Conservation Agriculture in South Asia and Beyond (F-CASA), Kathmandu, Nepal, 26, March 2013.
  • Farmers’ preference of conservation agricultural practices in Kendujhar, Odisha using the analytic hierarchy process
    Lai, Cynthia; Chan-Halbrendt, Catherine; Halbrendt, H.; Naik, D.; Ray, Chittaranjan (Bangkok, Thailand: Funny Publishing, 2013)
    The tribal villages within the district of Kendujhar, in the state of Odisha, India, suffer from marginal land conditions that are having an increasing impact on agricultural productivity. The majority of the population in this area consists of small-holder, subsistence farmers, who produce crops (mainly mustard and maize) on an average of two hectare sized plot. Research results presented here has been focused on the impact of practising Conservation Agricultural Production Systems (CAPS). Specifically: minimum tillage and intercrop to increase the food security and livelihood in this area. Results from structured socio-economic surveys provided the comparative economic analyses of different CAPS necessary prior to implementation to determine the impact of three integrative CAPS and one control (no CAPS) treatment program. Prioritization of these four CAPS systems was completed using the Analytical Hierarchy Process (AHP) to quantify farmers’ preference from a pre-determined set of criteria (objectives) to quantify tradeoffs that farmers considered to be important. These objectives were: Profit, Labor Saving, Yield and Soil Environmental Benefits. This study delineates potential implications and provides insight for natural resource managers regarding the short and long-term tradeoffs these smallholder farmers are willing to make with the selected CAPS. It is also intended as a positive catalyst for environmental awareness, agricultural technology transfer, and extension research in developing countries.
  • Farmers’ preference: AHP workshop and analysis
    Lai, Cynthia; Chan-Halbrendt, Catherine (Honolulu, HI: University of Hawaii, Manoa, CTHAR, 2011)
    A presentation presenting detailed steps in conducting AHP to determine tribal Indian farmers' preference for cropping strategies that improve profit, labor savings, yield, or soil quality. These strategies are in pursuit of the overall goal of improving income. This presentation served as both an explanation of AHP and a tool for administering AHP surveys in a classroom setting.
  • Highlighting mental perception gaps between professional and farm of three conservation agricultural treatments:A focus on tribal villages of Kendjuhar, India and the Himalayan foothills of Nepal
    Lai, Cynthia; Chan-Halbrendt, Catherine; Halbrendt, Jacqueline; Ray, Chittaranjan; Naik, D. (Honolulu, HI: University of Hawaii, Department of Natural Resources and Environmental Management, 2013)
    The dissemination of information from professional to farmer regarding new and innovative agricultural practices has never been so important. With increasing global pressures of population, limited natural resources and climate change, marginal land conditions are having an increasing impact on agricultural productivity. As professionals are working on developing innovative solutions via Conservation Agricultural Production Systems (CAPS), capacity building and information dissemination have become a more significant topic in research and practice today. In the Northern tribal villages of India and the mid-hills of Nepal, smallholder, subsistence farmers, are struggling to produce crops on their minimal 2-hectare on average plots. Due to their isolation, reliance on traditional knowledge and practices, and increasing environmental and external pressures, farmers are limited in new knowledge and approaches to enhance agricultural productivity. This paper reviews 2 specific case studies (Lai et al., 2011, unpublished results; Reed et al., 2012, unpublished results) on the utilization of the Analytical Hierarchy Process to quantify and prioritize farmers’ and then professionals’ mental perceptions. Specifically, of their preference of introduced CAPS programs as they relate to specific criteria (Profit, Labor Saving, Yield and Soil Environmental Benefits) and the goal of improved income. Discussion and enhancement via literature reveals the tradeoffs of what farmers consider to be important for technology adoption next to the professionals’ who developed them. This paper highlights the mental perception gaps between professionals and farmers and the limitations to farmer adoption to better understand why farmers do not adopt in order to provide recommendations to extension professionals, NGOs, scientists and government looking to explore within this field.