This is an interesting and I would agree an important concern but I think there is a need for some caution, particularly as applied to smallholders. First is the overall shortcoming of agronomic research, which does a good job of determining what is physically possible but fails to say anything about the operational resources needed to extend the small plot results across a field, farm or smallholder community, It is just assumed this is not a problem. Perhaps not for large mechanized farmers but definitely for smallholders. Particularly when relying heavily on manual labor. In this case are you expecting someone with a diet between 2000 kcal (basic metabolism and no labor) and 3000 kcal (4 hr diligent effort per day) to exert in excess of 4000 kcal needed for a full day of manual labor. Apparently the an evaluation of the operational needs to extend small plot research results has fallen into an administrative void in the development effort. How should be responsible for that!!??
For some of what is mentioned: When applying no till to smallholder are shift a excessive labor requirement from land preparation and crop establishment to weeding and will this overwhelm the labor needs.
Also, be very careful of communally owned equipment. this was discredited some 40 years ago. Typically under communal ownership and management equipment will be surveyed out of service with only about 1.3rd the designed life, Just visit any ADP in Nigeria and check the odometers on that nice neatly parked line of non-serviceable tractors.
I think we have to acknowledge that the poor global has exceeded it sustainable carrying capacity and can only be supported by continued used of additional chemical fertilizers. You might take a close look at Dan Browns new book the Inferno as this is a Central theme of his action novel.
This is an interesting and I would agree an important concern but I think there is a need for some caution, particularly as applied to smallholders. First is the overall shortcoming of agronomic research, which does a good job of determining what is physically possible but fails to say anything about the operational resources needed to extend the small plot results across a field, farm or smallholder community, It is just assumed this is not a problem. Perhaps not for large mechanized farmers but definitely for smallholders. Particularly when relying heavily on manual labor. In this case are you expecting someone with a diet between 2000 kcal (basic metabolism and no labor) and 3000 kcal (4 hr diligent effort per day) to exert in excess of 4000 kcal needed for a full day of manual labor. Apparently the an evaluation of the operational needs to extend small plot research results has fallen into an administrative void in the development effort. How should be responsible for that!!??
For some of what is mentioned: When applying no till to smallholder are shift a excessive labor requirement from land preparation and crop establishment to weeding and will this overwhelm the labor needs.
Also, be very careful of communally owned equipment. this was discredited some 40 years ago. Typically under communal ownership and management equipment will be surveyed out of service with only about 1.3rd the designed life, Just visit any ADP in Nigeria and check the odometers on that nice neatly parked line of non-serviceable tractors.
I think we have to acknowledge that the poor global has exceeded it sustainable carrying capacity and can only be supported by continued used of additional chemical fertilizers. You might take a close look at Dan Browns new book the Inferno as this is a Central theme of his action novel.
For further information please visit the following webpages from my www.smallholderagriculture.com website.
https://lamar.colostate.edu/~rtinsley/CalorieEnergyBalance.htm .
https://lamar.colostate.edu/~rtinsley/Sustainability.htm .
https://lamar.colostate.edu/~rtinsley/OrganicNutrients.htm .
Thank you,
Dick Tinsley