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Browsing by Author "Kassam, Amir H."

Now showing 1 - 8 of 8
  • Agroforestry and conservation agriculture: Complementary practices for sustainable development
    Sims, B.; Friedrich, Theodor; Kassam, Amir H.; Kienzle, Josef (2009)
    This paper explores how conservation agriculture and agroforestry can be complementary approaches for increasing agricultural sustainability. Developing a discussion of how both systems are designed to mimic the natural environment through the maintenance of a 'natural' ground cover and the complimentary production of crops which utilize different soil nutrients. Benefits of conservation agriculture and agroforestry systems are accrued in several primary areas: efficiency of natural resource use, sustaining the production environment, increased income generation opportunities, and environmental improvement. With this in mind, the paper goes on to set forth the conditions in which complementary development of conservation agriculture and agroforestry may be realized.
  • Conservation agriculture and sustainable crop intensification in Karatu District,Tanzania
    Owenya, M.; Mariki, W.; Stewart, A.; Friedrich, Theodor; Kienzle, Josef; Kassam, Amir H.; Shetto, R.; Mkomwa, S. (Rome, Italy: Plant Production and Protection Division: Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations, 2012)
    The report/case study discusses the importance of agriculture in the Karatu district, the loss of agricultural productivity from soil and land degradation, how climate change jeopardizes small farmers in the district, and how conservation agriculture (CA) could significantly address problems of agricultural productivity. The study/intervention was focused on five villages in the Karatu district and was intended to strengthen the livelihood and food security of small farmers through protection of ecosystem services that would allow for sustainable crop production intensification. These CA practices and services were implemented through outreach, education and training with small Tanzanian farmers. Involved stakeholders were farmers, government actors, intentional institutions, and non-governmental organizations. As conservation agriculture practices were adopted, scientists examined fluctuations in how farmers generating income and the various concerns that ensued. Critical factors that enable successful intervention were outlined as the following: strong interaction between all stakeholders, problem analysis by local farmers, involvement of facilitators skilled in CA practices, and initial provision of resources needed to implement CA. Factors that discouraged implementation of CA practices were lack of needed resources; lack of CA experts, training, and policy; and lack of involvement of stakeholders. Authors of the report suggested that the district should have an explicit, national policy approach to conservation agriculture; collaboration should be strengthened to align goals and implementation efforts; various approaches to CA should be utilized to maximize participation in CA; resources needed to implement CA s should be reasonably priced and accessible to local farmers. The report concludes that CA efforts should be expanded through stronger linkages with extension officers and national governmental agencies. Also, food processing strategies could be utilized to add value to the increased production gains from CA.
  • Conservation agriculture in developing countries: The role of mechanization
    Friedrich, Theodor; Kienzle, Josef; Kassam, Amir H. (2009)
    This paper reviews the current conditions of conservation agriculture globally and its implication for mechanization of farming around the world. Included is a discussion of opportunities for technology development and important considerations for mechanization by smallholders in developing countries.
  • A framework for enhancing and guarding the relevance and quality of science: The case of the CGIAR
    Kassam, Amir H.; Gregersen, H. M.; Fereres, E.; Javier, E. Q.; Harwood, R. R.; de Janvry, A.; Cernea, M. M. (2004)
    As part of the reform process of the Consultative Group on International Agricultural Research (CGIAR), its Technical Advisory Committee is being transformed into a Science Council. An interim Science Council has been operating since January 2002. The primary role of the Council will be to enhance and guard the relevance and quality of science in the CGIAR System. Relevance is viewed as researching the "right things" to address the System's goals, and deals with the relevance of identified research priorities and strategies and the nature of the planning and consultation process. Ex-ante analyses of need and potential impact to formulate the priorities and strategies are important elements in defining relevance. Quality is viewed as researching the "right things well" and deals with the efficient use of state-of-the-art knowledge, research methods and protocols. The paper outlines the interim Council's suggestions for an operational framework of the Science Council. It serves as a starting point for the development of specific criteria, procedures and guidelines for carrying out the envisioned responsibilities. The Science Council must act in a strategic advisory role, basing its advice on: (i) planning and strategy development in the context of CGIAR goals; (ii) internal self-assessments by CGIAR Centres and Programmes and independent external monitoring and evaluation; and (iii) impact assessments. The paper discusses these three complementary functions. Each depends on the other in a dynamic feedback process that is essential if the CGIAR is to remain at the frontiers of science and development, maintain its science relevance and quality, and contribute in the most effective and efficient manner to the mission and goal of the Group.
  • International public goods through integrated natural resources management research
    Harwood, R. R.; Place, Frank; Kassam, Amir H.; Gregersen, H. M. (This publication is a draft. Corresponding author: kassamamir@aol.com, 2005)
    This analysis focuses on the generation of international public goods (IPG) through agricultural research in the International Centers of the Consultative Group on International Agricultural Research (CGIAR) and in their partnerships. It focuses on the international nature and applicability of research toward effective management of agricultural systems and of the natural, economic and human capital bases upon which they depend and influence. It has long been shown that much natural resources management research, as well as that on agricultural systems that have high interaction with local environments, is often very location-specific. This, if true, runs counter to the need for CGIAR research to have international applicability to achieve cost-effectiveness and broad impact. This analysis looks at ways that modern approaches to integrated natural resources management research (INRM) can have broad international applicability and serve as a highly useful foundation for development of locally-adapted technologies.
  • Production systems for sustainable intensification: Integrating productivity with ecosystem services
    Kassam, Amir H.; Friedrich, Theodor; Shaxson, F.; Reeves, T.; Pretty, Jules; Moraes Sá, J. C. (Herausgeber: Institut für Technikfolgenabschätzung und Systemanalyse (ITAS), 2011)
    Most agriculture is conducted through an ‘interventionist approach’ in which the application of synthetic mineral fertilizers for plant health and technological developments (such as weed and pest control with agrochemicals, soil tilling, etc.). However, “Conservation Agriculture,” an ecosystem approach to farming characterized by fertile soils, is becoming more common. This Conservation Agriculture approach is sustainable through both its ecological impacts and its capacity to produce food and raw materials economically. The article calls for formation of knowledge-diffusion, technologies, policies, research, funding and institutional arrangements that promote the spread and development of Conservation Agriculture.
  • Research Towards Integrated Natural Resources Management - Examples of Research Problems, Approaches and Partnerships in Action in the CGIAR
    Harwood, R. R.; Kassam, Amir H. (Rome: FAO, 2003)
    The CGIAR goal "To reduce poverty, hunger and malnutrition by sustainably increasing the productivity of resources in agriculture, forestry and fisheries" conveys the mandate to provide scientific understanding, technologies and services which can be used as international public goods to preserve and favourably impact both the environment and its natural resource base, while improving human well-being. It requires an emphasis on improving resource use for biological production across a continuum of ecosystems and land types where many poor people live and work, including those of high productive potential as well as those of poor, degraded or fragile landscapes. While sustainable productivity depends heavily on genetic improvements for enhanced yield potentials and for relieving biotic and abiotic stresses, the cases and concepts shown here deal primarily with the interactions of productivity and natural resources.
  • The spread of conservation agriculture: Justification, sustainability and uptake
    Kassam, Amir H.; Friedrich, Theodor; Shaxson, F.; Pretty, Jules (2009)
    This paper argues that conservation agriculture has both environmental and agricultural benefits, but is knowledge intensive because it requires fundamental change in our thinking and approach to agriculture. The purpose of the paper is to justify why a transition to conservation agriculture is necessary, setting up discussion in a subsequent paper of the conditions for the spread of conservation agriculture.