Sustainable Agriculture and Natural Resource Management (SANREM) Knowledgebase

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https://hdl.handle.net/10919/64847

The Sustainable Agriculture and Natural Resource Management (SANREM) Knowledgebase is a collection of information resources (books, reports, journal articles, videos, movies, presentations) produced or identified, classified, and summarized by SANREM researchers. This collection provides direct access or links to resources relevant to sustainable agriculture and natural resource management. - http://www.oired.vt.edu/sanremcrsp/professionals/knowledgebase/

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Feed the Future SANREM Innovation Lab
Office of International Research, Education, and Development (OIRED)
526 Prices Fork Road
Blacksburg, VA 24061-0378
E-mail: sanrem@vt.edu
Telephone: +1 (540) 231-1230
Fax: +1 (540) 231-140

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Now showing 1 - 20 of 45

Access to information and farmer's market choice: The case of potato in highland Bolivia
Amaya, Nadezda; Alwang, Jeffrey R. (2011)
Potato incomes are critical determinants of Andean farmers' household well-being. Efforts to improve incomes of producers should recognize the role of access to market information. In highland Bolivia, market information has entered the digital age. Cell phones are ubiquitous, and networks lubricated by cellular technologies are affecting traditional means of gathering information. Andean markets are characterized by the heavy involvement of women. Lower information costs could change market choices and roles of men and women. This study explores the effects of information access on market choice near Cochabamba. It diagnoses the roles of men and women and investigates decision-making and changes in it. The research confirms the importance of gender and cell phones to market access. Market decisions are made jointly by men and women, but women take a leading role in marketing. Women dominate marketing by negotiating favorable prices with buyers who are also women. Marketing networks have not changed substantially since the introduction of new information technologies. While cellular technology has broadened access to information and quickened its flow, it has not fundamentally changed network structures. The study provides recommendations about improving competitiveness of small-scale potato producers: (1) increasing access to information by expanding the information content of existing networks; (2) expanding cell phones access; (3) consideration of the important roles intermediaries play; and (4) more technical support for market and information access.
Access to Information, gender relations and access to potato markets in the Jatun Mayu watershed located in Tiraque, Bolivia
Larochelle, Catherine; Alwang, Jeffrey R. (2012)
Poster presentation: Access to Information, gender relations and access to potato markets in the Jatun Mayu watershed located in Tiraque, Bolivia
Adaptive watershed management in the South American Highlands: Learning and teaching on the fly
Alwang, Jeffrey R. (2008)
The purpose of this poster is to describe an adaptive watershed management process in Chimbo, Ecuador. We show the conceptual framework and our empirical strategy. We present results showing that ethnic and agro-ecologic diversity in the watershed mean that technical interventions must be tailored to local conditions and the process of moving knowledge to action is highly context specific. Low incomes and high vulnerability of human populations mean that livelihood alternatives must be identified and incorporated into the adaptive plan.
Adaptive watershed management in Tiraque, Bolivia
Botello, Rubén C.; Figueroa, I.; Amaya, Nadezda; Vargas, O.; Saavedra, Ana Karina; Alwang, Jeffrey R. (2008)
Poster outlining the project's objectives at the Bolivia site. The overall objectives are: to enhance and support the local capacity to raise policies and interventions to increase incomes, improve social conditions and protect environment in Guaranda, Ecuador and Tiraque, Bolivia. The project's primary objectives are: 1) to understand the economic, social, political and environmental conditions and their determinants in Chimbo, Ecuador and Tiraque, Bolivia, 2) to generate and validate sustainable technological alternatives to improve production systems and increase incomes while being environmentally friendly, 3) to create a system to assess alternative actions policies and intervention impacts in the income creating and the social and environmental conditions, 4) to build a local capacity to assess alternative policies, make and fulfill decisions and strengthen the social capital.
Análisis de la viabilidad socio-económica y ambiental del sistema de producción papa-leche en la microcuenca del río Illangama-Ecuador
Barrera, Victor H.; Alwang, Jeffrey R.; Cruz Collaguazo, E. P. (Asociación Latinoamericana de Producción Animal, 2010)
De acuerdo al Índice de Necesidades Básicas Insatisfechas (NBI), en la microcuenca del río Illangama, alrededor del 76% de la población es pobre y sus ingresos están entre US$120 y 160 por mes, aún después de adoptar sistemas complejos con un alto potencial de producción. El más importante de ellos es el sistema papa-leche que aporta la mayor proporción de ingresos familiares y garantiza su seguridad alimentaria. Desde este punto de vista, se realizó un análisis de la viabilidad socio-económica y ambiental del sistema con el propósito de establecer su eficiencia y flexibilidad bajo nuevas condiciones. Este análisis se basa en la información compilada de diferentes fuentes, niveles y escalas, mediante estudios de campo, investigación experimental y observación de parcelas de productores. Los resultados evidencian que el sistema tiene el más alto potencial de productividad en el área y es viable adoptar porque incrementa la producción y los ingresos. Representa la mejor opción debido a que los productores disponen de los medios de producción y mano de obra familiar, lo cual permitirá que el sistema sea sostenible. Desde el punto de vista ambiental, si el sistema es manejado adecuadamente con la implementación de alternativas tecnológicas, amigables con el ambiente, detendría el avance de la frontera agrícola hacia áreas de páramo. El sistema es una opción que los gobiernos locales deberían impulsar para preservar el ecosistema páramo. (Resumen de autores)
Are potato markets gendered? An analysis of gender networks in the potato marketing chain in the Jatun Mayu watershed of Tiraque, Bolivia
Amaya, Nadezda; Alwang, Jeffrey R.; Christie, Maria Elisa (2010)
Incomes from potato production are critical for the well-being and survival of many Andean farmers. These incomes depend on market access and ability to receive fair prices. Potato markets have existed in the area since pre-Colombian times and, while the appearance of the markets themselves is changing only slowly, access to market information has entered the digital age. Cell phones are now becoming ubiquitous even in apparently isolated rural areas, and information networks that are lubricated by cellular technologies are supplanting traditional means of gathering market information. Andean markets are characterized by heavy involvement of women. Our study begins by examining the widely held assumption that Andean societies are male-dominated and women attend to reproductive responsibilities only. If, in contrast, women are actively involved in potato marketing, efforts to improve incomes of poor highland potato producers should recognize their roles along the entire potato market chain. As access to information becomes more widely spread and the cost of obtaining information from multiple sources becomes lower, the roles of men and women could be affected; we also explore these changes. Market information networks exist side by side with social networks and it is critical to understand how the two interact and reinforce one another.
Assessment of nitrogen dynamics and cropping system sustainability in the Andean region of South America with a new tool available for computers and smartphones
Delgado, Jorge A.; Alwang, Jeffrey R.; Escudero, Luis O.; Saavedra, Ana Karina; Monar, Carlos; Barrera, Victor H.; Botello, Rubén C. (2013)
Implementation of best soil and water conservation practices will be key to addressing challenges we will confront in the 21st century. With challenges such as climate change and continued population growth, there is a need for tools that can help us quickly assess how to maintain sustainability of cropping systems, which will be essential for maximizing agricultural production, especially in fragile soils of the Andean region of South America. Nitrogen (N) inputs are key for agricultural production, but because N is so mobile, high efficiency in the management and use of N input is necessary to reduce risk of N losses to the environment while maximizing production. One of the key crops in this region is the potato (Solanum tuberosum L.) crop. This crop leaves a small amount of crop residue after harvest, which increases the potential for a high rate of erosion, especially in the steep soils where the crop is cultivated in this region. A new Nitrogen Index with a Sustainability Index has been calibrated and validated for this region. The tool is available in the English and Spanish languages and can be run in metric or English units. It can be run on desktop and laptop computers (using the software written in the programming language Java™), or on a smartphone that has the Android™ system (via the “app”). The tool is very user friendly and can be used by conservationists, field agronomists, technical personnel, and others. It was found that the tool can accurately assess nitrogen dynamics and evaluate the crop uptake for crops grown in this region, such as corn (Zea mays L.) and potato (P
Assessment of nitrogen dynamics and cropping system sustainability in the Andean segion of South America with a new tool available for computers and smartphones
Delgado, Jorge A.; Alwang, Jeffrey R.; Escudero, Luis O.; Saavedra, Ana Karina; Monar, Carlos; Barrera, Victor H.; Botello, Rubén C. (2013)
Implementation of best soil and water conservation practices will be key to addressing challenges we will confront in the 21st century. With challenges such as climate change and continued population growth, there is a need for tools that can help us quickly assess how to maintain sustainability of cropping systems, which will be essential for maximizing agricultural production, especially in fragile soils of the Andean region of South America.
Conservation agriculture as a potential pathway to better resource management, higher productivity and improved socio-economic conditions in the Andean region (Bolivia, Ecuador)
Alwang, Jeffrey R. (Blacksburg, VA: SANREM CRSP, OIRED, Virginia Tech, 2010)
This presentation provides a brief overview of the research proposal for conservation agriculture (CA) in the Andean Region (LTRA-7). The researchers will be evaluating farming practices in Bolivar, Ecuador and Tiraque, Bolivia. Research will examine soil quality, nutrient availability, and cost-effective solutions. The objective is to measure the effect of CA practices on productivity, environmental conditions, and nutrient retention while considering profitability and gender issues. In order to address these problems, this group will identify ways to make the adoption of soil management alternatives easier and less costly for farmers in the Andean Region.
Conservation agriculture as a potential pathway to better resource management, higher productivity, and improved socio-economic conditions in the Andean region
Alwang, Jeffrey R. (2014)
This PowerPoint summarizes the research and training activities of SANREM’s regional project in the Andes. It describes a mobile nitrogen index developed by the project. The presentation describes research results which indicate that conservation agriculture in Ecuador and Bolivia can save labor, improve yields, and increase soil retention, but there are still significant impediments to adoption. The slides provide data on crop yields from various experiments in the Illangama and Alumbre watersheds and on studies of phosphorous absorption in Andisols.
Conservation Agriculture as a Potential Pathway to Better Resource Management, Higher Productivity, and Improved Socio-Economic Conditions in the Andean Region
Alwang, Jeffrey R.; Botello, Rubén C.; Barrera, Victor H. (2011)
Poster describes SANREM conservation agriculture project in Ecuador and Bolivia.
Conservation Agriculture as a Potential Pathway to Better Resource Management, Higher Productivity, and Improved Socio-Economic Conditions in the Andean Region
Alwang, Jeffrey R.; Gallagher, R.; Botello, Rubén C.; Barrera, Victor H. (2011)
Poster presents an overview of SANREM research in Andes.
Contribuciones de ciencias económicas a la investigación agropecuaria
Alwang, Jeffrey R. (2007)
A presentation to general agricultural scientists about the use and abuse of economic analysis.
Dairy market chains in indigenous communities of the Chimbo River Watershed
Weeks, H. A.; Alwang, Jeffrey R. (2008)
The standard farm system in rural Upper Guanujo in the region of the Bolívar Province of Ecuador includes dairy cattle as one of the primary sources of income for residents in this area. Though per capita consumption of dairy products among Ecuadorians is the highest of the countries in the Andean Region of South America, widespread production for the domestic retail market is lacking in many areas of the country.
Determinants of variety choice among potato growers in the Bolivian highlands
Castelhano, M.; Alwang, Jeffrey R.; Botello, Rubén C.; Kuminoff, N. (2008)
The objectives of the study discussed in this presentation are:
Determining Costs of Conventional and Conservation Agricultural Practices
Alwang, Jeffrey R.; Boatwright, Jessica; DuBreuil, Katherine; Gaffney, Robert; Moore, Lauren; Latané, Annah; Simmons, Trevor (Blacksburg, VA: SANREM CRSP, 2011)
Farmers in the Chimbo watershed face problems with soil erosion as a result of the steep slopes and mountainous terrain. In order to help address these environmental concerns and increase farmer profitability and yields, an analysis was conducted to determine the costs of production under conventional and reduced tillage methods on fava beans, beans, maize, and potato. A specific questionnaire was created for both the Illangama and Alumbre watersheds and utilized in these areas. The information provided from research performed in the Chimbo watershed indicates that only conventional tillage bean and reduced tillage bean budgets experience positive net revenue. All other budgets were indicative of net losses for farmers. The data sets all contained considerable variation alluding to the fact that research yielding more accurate measurements is necessary in the future. Additionally, the variability in price at both the farm level and commercial markets make it difficult to accurately judge the cost of production at this time for the investigated crops. By identifying the actual costs of production, research agencies will be able to better understand the constraints faced by agricultural producers within the watershed. Addressing these limitations and practices will help researchers identify factors that affect crop yields, in an effort to improve farmer profits and soil health.
Economic impact assessment on SANREM
Norton, George W.; Alwang, Jeffrey R. (2014)
This PowerPoint summarizes findings from SANREM’s economic impact assessment cross-cutting research activity (CRRA-6). It describes results from budgeting studies, linear programming models, and aggregate impact analysis for several study sites. Additionally, it provides information about the CCRA’s publications and training activities.
Effects of access to information on farmer's market channel choice: The Case of Potato in Tiraque Sub-watershed (Cochabamba - Bolivia)
Amaya Urquieta, Nadezda Rosa (Virginia Tech, 2009-12-08)
In Bolivia, potato production and marketing is important for farmers' livelihoods and anecdotal information shows that cell phones and women are extremely important in the potato marketing chain. Efforts to improve incomes of poor highland potato producers should recognize roles of different actors within the chain and access to market information. This study explores the effects of access to information and gender relations within the potato chain; on farmers' market channel choice in the Tiraque Watershed (Bolivia). The analysis of qualitative information was useful to deepen the understanding of the subject and complement quantitative analysis outcomes. The main source of data comes from a survey of 400 households from the watershed. Additionally, Rapid Market Appraisal and Case Studies were used to collect qualitative data. These data was used to estimate two econometric models (Logit and MNL) to evaluate the importance of farmers and marketing characteristics on market choices. This analysis demonstrates that the determinants that affect market channel choice include marketing (time to reach the markets and the nearest paved road), production (number of plots owned by farmers) and household related variables (access to loan, cell phone ownership, location and age of the head of the household). On the other hand, some results were different than expected, that is the case of motorized transport ownership, and literacy. Another unexpected result is that even though the qualitative analysis shows that gender plays an important role in marketing activities; the econometric analysis shows that gender has no effect on farmer's market choices.
Evaluation of tillage systems, cover crops and rotations in the maize-bean production system in Alumbre-Ecuador
Escudero, Luis O.; Barrera, Victor H.; Valverde, F.; Célleri, M.; Chamorro, F.; Arévalo, J.; Alwang, Jeffrey R.; Delgado, Jorge A.; Gallagher, R. (2014)
The purpose of this poster is to describe research results for the SANREM project in Alumbre, Ecuador. Various conservation agriculture practices have been evaluated following more than four years of CA trials in the area. Parameters such as yield, soil physical and chemical properties, and overall economic benefits are presented.
Experiencias de manejo integrado de recursos naturales en la subcuenca del río Chimbo, Ecuador
Barrera, Victor H.; Alwang, Jeffrey R.; Cruz, E. (Quito, Ecuador: INIAP - SANREM CRSP - SENACYT; Editorial ABYA-YALA, 2010)

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