Browsing by Author "Crow, S."
Now showing 1 - 5 of 5
Results Per Page
Sort Options
- Differences in farmer and expert beliefs and the perceived impacts of conservation agricultureHalbrendt, Jacqueline; Gray, Steven A.; Crow, S.; Radovich, Theodore J. K.; Kimura, A. H.; Tamang, Bishal B. (2014)This article compares the perceptions of conservation agriculture on the part of farmers with that of the agricultural experts tasked with spreading a technology. Differences among these two groups in reasoning and predictions was examined in Nepal. It was found that outcomes from adoption of conservation agriculture better reflected farmers' predictions than the supposed experts, providing evidence to support two-way learning models and discouraging universal application of an agricultural technology.
- Effect of conservation agriculture (on crop yields and system productivity) in maize-based farming system in the mid-hills of NepalPaudel, Bikash (2014)This presentation introduces the concept of using CAPS as a way to improve food security in the Mid-hills region of Nepal.
- Improving food security in Nepal: An economic analysis of conservation agriculture adoption in three subsistence farming villagesChan-Halbrendt, Catherine; Reed, Brinton F.; Halbrendt, Jacqueline; Radovich, Theodore J. K.; Crow, S.; Limbu, P. (Honolulu Hawaii: College of Tropical Agriculture and Human Resources, Department of Natural Resources and Environmental Management, 2012)International efforts to increase food security struggle with increasing populations and decreasing quantities of productive farmland, especially in developing countries. Conservation agriculture (CA) practices can improve regional food security, preserve land fertility, and improve community resilience against climate change. This makes the incorporation of such practices an imperative in these regions. In Nepal, traditional farming practices on marginal land have led to widespread soil degradation and declines in agricultural productivity. This study estimates the household-level economic returns, with and without labor opportunity costs, gained by the adoption of selected CA practices in three remote Nepali villages. Socio-economic data was collected in April 2011 (27 surveys covering over 25% of the households) and paired with trial plot data from each village to determine the changes in profitability and labor requirements for three CA treatments using a budget enterprise model. Results indicate that the use of cowpea as a rotational crop produces the highest economic returns (62% higher than current farmer practice and around 36% higher than other treatments) while the current farmer practice of full tillage and millet monocropping is the least profitable . These results highlight the economic benefits of CA practices over traditional farming techniques and make the case for the provision of high-value, N-fixing crop seeds for use as rotational crop or intercrop. Such policies could improve the food security and economic well-being of Nepal’s farming communities.
- Using fuzzy cognitive mapping to understand farmers' perception of sustainable agricultural practices for enhanced food security in NepalHalbrendt, Jacqueline; Gray, S.; Crow, S.; Shariq, L.; Tamang, Bishal B. (Honolulu HI: College of Tropical Agriculture and Human Resources, Department of Natural Resources and Environmental Management, 2012)With the world population having reached unprecedented levels, the need for improved food security and sustainable agricultural practices has become all the more pressing. This is especially relevant for subsistence farmers, such as those in the Mid-hill region of Nepal, who typically rely on crop yields for sustenance and have limited access to opportunities for income generation. Although promoting agricultural development in areas like the Mid-hill region has been a priority for NGOs and researchers, gaps in understanding the knowledge and values of rural communities remains a challenge to a the adoption of such technologies. Fuzzy Cognitive Mapping (FCM) is an approach that identifies the key factors and relative importance of such factors in the decision-making processes within a community. 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.
- Water stable aggregate field toolkitCrow, S.; Panzella, M. (Honolulu HI: University of Hawaii, College of Tropical Agriculture and Human Resources, Department of Natural Resources and Environmental Management, 2012)This video shows how, using a field kit developed by the University of Hawaii Department of Natural Resources and Environmental Management, water stable aggregates can be tested in the field and transported to the lab. This method and tool kit is being used by in-country SMARTS parters in India and Nepal.