Water, Land and Ecosystems - Kenya

Learning from agri-food innovation pathways in Brazil, India and Kenya

Anonymous — Wed, 15 Jun 2022 11:55:42 +0000

TypeBrief

Subjects

Agricultural production
Innovation
Intensification

Languageen

Authors

Commission on Sustainable Agriculture Intensification

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Citation

Commission on Sustainable Agriculture Intensification. 2021. Learning from agri-food innovation pathways in Brazil, India and Kenya. CoSAI Policy Brief 5. Colombo, Sri Lanka: Commission on Sustainable Agriculture Intensification

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Open Access

Research Themes

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https://hdl.handle.net/10568/119843

Solutions

Supporting innovation pathways for sustainable agriculture intensification: Lessons from cross country evidence

Anonymous — Fri, 27 May 2022 11:55:19 +0000

TypeReport

Subjects

Agricultural production
Innovation
Intensification

Languageen

Authors

Kohl, R.

This paper takes a first step in filling that gap in terms of assessing whether there is evidence to support proposals about how agricultural innovation pathways should be pursued. We have looked at the recent literature that proposes principles and approaches to achieving large-scale sustainable agriculture intensification (SAI), and disaggregated these all-inclusive approaches into individual components and hypotheses. We then tested six hypotheses through case studies of innovation pathways, trajectories, scaling and other attempts at achieving large-scale SAI. These cases come from three CoSAI-commissioned country studies in Brazil (Chiodi Bachion et al. 2022), India (Khandelwal et al. 2022) and Kenya (Mati et al. 2022), and five studies of the scaling of individual agricultural innovations commissioned by USAID’s Bureau of Resilience and Food Security (Kohl 2016a, 2016b, 2016c; Foy 2017; Foy and Wafula 2016).

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Kohl, R. 2022. Supporting innovation pathways for sustainable agriculture intensification: Lessons from cross country evidence. Colombo, Sri Lanka: Commission on Sustainable Agriculture Intensification. 76p.

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Open Access

Research Themes

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https://hdl.handle.net/10568/119680

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Investigating pathways for agricultural innovation at scale: Case studies from Kenya

Anonymous — Mon, 02 May 2022 11:57:01 +0000

TypeReport

Subjects

Food systems
Innovation
Intensification
Investment

Languageen

Authors

Mati, B.M.
Sijali, I.V.
Ngeera, K.A.

This is one of three country studies on Innovation Pathways in Agri-food Systems, managed by the Commission for Sustainable Agriculture Intensification (CoSAI). The three studies use a common analytical framework to generate lessons on factors leading to successful innovation pathways, to guide future investment

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Mati, B.M.; Sijali, I.V.; Ngeera, K.A. 2022. Investigating pathways for agricultural innovation at scale: Case studies from Kenya. Colombo, Sri Lanka: Commission on Sustainable Agriculture Intensification. 46p.

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Open Access

Research Themes

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https://hdl.handle.net/10568/119441

Solutions

Productivity

Challenges to operationalizing sustainable diets: Perspectives from Kenya and Vietnam

Anonymous — Wed, 29 Dec 2021 12:41:38 +0000

TypeJournal Article

Languageen

Authors

Hoey, Lesli
Khoury, Colin K.
Osiemo, Jamleck
Shires, Anna
Binge, Brenda
Duong, Thi Thanh
Jalango, Dorcas
Trinh, Huong Th
Huynh, Tuyen
Judelsohn, Alexandra
Haan, Stef de
Heller, Martin C.
Chege, Christine G. Kiria
Jones, Andrew D.

Despite the urgent need for comprehensive food systems strategies, the challenge lies in defining feasible, evidence-based intervention points. Too little is known about issues food systems decision-makers and other change agents are running up against, particularly in low- and middle-income countries where food systems are the most vulnerable to a growing number of intertwined crises. We look at this question through the lens of sustainable diets, a growing area of research and a concept that is the basis of over 30 sets of national guidelines that aim to simultaneously address health, economic and environmental dimensions of food systems. Based on 114 interviews carried out in Kenya and Vietnam, we examine the extent to which food systems researchers, business and project managers and policy actors are attempting to intervene in food systems in ways that mirror the concept of sustainable diets. We also consider how they are managing two key ingredients that are critical to systems-change—interdisciplinary data and cross-sector collaboration. Most stakeholders we interviewed were carrying out systems-based projects, oriented—even if not explicitly—around many of the sustainable diets domains: agriculture, livelihoods, food security/access/nutrition and/or environment. The majority faced formidable challenges with both data and collaborations, however, showing why it can be so difficult to move from normative ideals like “sustainable diets” to practical realities, regardless of the context. To support more comprehensive food systems policies and interventions, our findings suggest the need for strategies that can improve the collection and accessibility of actionable, cross-sector data, and mechanisms to overcome institutional barriers that limit collaboration.

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Hoey, L.; Khoury, C.K.; Osiemo, J.; Shires, A.; Binge, B.; Duong, T.T.; Jalango, D.; Trinh, H.; Huynh, T.; Judelsohn, A.; de Haan, S.; Heller, M.C.; Chege, C.; Jones, A.D. (2021) Challenges to operationalizing sustainable diets: Perspectives from Kenya and Vietnam. Frontiers in Sustainable Food Systems 5: 690028. ISSN: 2571-581X

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Open Access

Research Themes

Restoring Degraded Landscapes

Permalink

https://hdl.handle.net/10568/115409

Application of residue, inorganic fertilizer and lime affect phosphorus solubilizing microorganisms and microbial biomass under different tillage and cropping systems in a Ferralsol

Anonymous — Wed, 29 Dec 2021 12:41:38 +0000

TypeJournal Article

Languageen

Authors

Bolo, Peter
Kihara, Job
Mucheru-Muna, Monicah
Njeru, Ezekiel Mugendi
Kinyua, Michael
Sommer, Rolf

Reduced tillage increased microbial biomass and abundance of P solubilizers. Inorganic fertilisers reduced phosphorus solubilizing microbial abundance. Residue addition increased soil microbial biomass and abundance of P solubilizers. Intercropping increased microbial biomass and phosphorus solubilizers’ abundance. Liming reduced phosphorus solubilizing microbial species richness.

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Bolo, P.; Kihara, J.; Mucheru-Muna, M.; Njeru, E.M.; Kinyua, M.; Sommer, R. (2021) Application of residue, inorganic fertilizer and lime affect phosphorus solubilizing microorganisms and microbial biomass under different tillage and cropping systems in a Ferralsol. Geoderma 390: 114962. ISSN: 0016-7061

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Open Access

Research Themes

Restoring Degraded Landscapes

Permalink

https://hdl.handle.net/10568/113571

Simulating soil organic carbon in maize-based systems under improved agronomic management in Western Kenya

Anonymous — Wed, 29 Dec 2021 12:41:38 +0000

TypeJournal Article

Languageen

Authors

Nyawira, Sylvia S.
Hartman, Melannie D.
Nguyen, Trung H.
Margenot, Andrew J.
Kihara, Job
Paul, Birthe K.
Williams, Stephen
Bolo, Peter
Sommer, Rolf

Improved management practices should be implemented in croplands in sub-Saharan Africa to enhance soil organic carbon (SOC) storage and/or reduce losses associated with land-use change, thereby addressing the challenge of ongoing soil degradation. DayCent, a process-based biogeochemical model, provides a useful tool for evaluating which management practices are most effective for SOC sequestration. Here, we used the DayCent model to simulate SOC using experimental data from two long-term field sites in western Kenya comprising of two widely promoted sustainable agricultural management practices: integrated nutrient management (i.e. mineral fertilizer and crop residues/farmyard manure incorporation) and conservation agriculture (i.e. minimum tillage and crop residue retention). At both sites, correlations between measured and simulated SOC were low to moderate (R2 of 0.25−0.55), and in most cases, the model produced fairly accurate prediction of the SOC trends with a low relative root mean squared error (RRMSE < 7%). Consistent with field measurements, simulated SOC declined under all improved management practices. The model projected annual SOC loss rates of between 0.32 to 0.35 Mg C ha-1 yr-1 in continuously tilled maize (Zea mays) systems without fertilizer or organic matter application over the period 2003–2050. The most effective practices in reducing the losses were the combined application of 4 Mg ha-1 of farmyard manure and 2 Mg ha-1 of maize residue retention (reducing losses up to 0.22 Mg C ha-1 yr-1), minimum tillage in combination with maize residue retention (0.21 Mg C ha-1 yr-1), and rotation of maize with soybean (Glycine max) under minimum tillage (0.17 Mg C ha-1 yr-1). Model results suggest that response of the passive SOC pool to the different management practices is a key driver of the long-term SOC trends at the two study sites. This study demonstrates the strength of the DayCent model in simulating SOC in maize systems under different agronomic management practices that are typical for western Kenya.

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Nyawira, S.S.; Hartman, M.D.; Nguyen, T.H.; Margenot, A.J.; Kihara, J.; Paul, B.K.; Williams, S.; Bolo, P.; Sommer, R. (2021) Simulating soil organic carbon in maize-based systems under improved agronomic management in Western Kenya. Soil and Tillage Research 211: 105000. 11 p. ISSN: 0167-1987

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Open Access

Research Themes

Restoring Degraded Landscapes

Permalink

https://hdl.handle.net/10568/113504

Women’s work is never done: Lifting the gendered burden of firewood collection and household energy use in Kenya

Anonymous — Tue, 28 Dec 2021 12:40:10 +0000

TypeJournal Article

Subjects

Energy
Gender

Languageen

Authors

Njenga, M.
Gitau, J. K.
Mendum, R.

In rural Kenya, firewood is used for cooking and heating by 9 out of every 10 households due to its affordability, availability and convenience. This study was carried out using social and natural science methods to understand women’s energy burdens and the reasons for the persistent use of firewood. Firewood remains the main source of energy even when multiple fuels are used (“fuel stacking”). Collecting firewood from forests limits women’s earning potential and has a negative impact on their well-being although it is a source of income for some as they sell part of what they gather. In these modern times no one would expect that the prospect of freezing to death due to lack of firewood in the tropical highlands worries aging women, but it does. Women’s burden of collecting firewood could be lifted by bringing firewood closer through use of residues from trees on farms and burning it in more efficient cookstoves although there may be gender-specific barriers for some women. Income from sale of two timber trees was adequate to meet the cost of labour for pruning trees on-farm and carrying home a year’s supply of firewood for families without members who can do the work. This information is useful towards improving rural women’s wellbeing and the sustainability of cooking energy. Knowledge gaps still exist in nature, causes and impacts of energy burdens and solutions that work for the people.

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Njenga, M.; Gitau, J.K.; Mendum, R. 2021. Women’s work is never done: Lifting the gendered burden of firewood collection and household energy use in Kenya. Energy Research & Social Science. 77:102071. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.erss.2021.102071

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Limited Access

Research Themes

Permalink

https://hdl.handle.net/10568/117235

Solutions

Testing of commercial inoculants to enhance P uptake and grain yield of promiscuous soybean in Kenya

Anonymous — Wed, 08 Dec 2021 12:38:51 +0000

TypeJournal Article

Languageen

Authors

Faye, A.
Stewart, Zachary P.
Ndung’u-Magiroi, K.
Diouf, M.
Ndoye, I.
Diop, T.
Dalpé, Y.
Prasad, P.V.V.
Lesueur, D.

The aim of this study was to assess the potential of commercial mycorrhizal inoculants and a rhizobial inoculant to improve soybean yield in Kenya. A promiscuous soybean variety was grown in a greenhouse pot study with two representative soils amended with either water-soluble mineral P or rock P to assess product performance. The performance of selected mycorrhizal inoculants combined with a rhizobial inoculant (Legumefix) was then assessed with farmer groups in three agroecological zones using a small-plot, randomized complete block design to assess soybean root colonization by mycorrhiza, nodulation, and plant biomass production in comparison to rhizobial inoculant alone or with water-soluble mineral P. Greenhouse results showed highly significant root colonization by commercial mycorrhizal inoculant alone (p < 0.001) and in interaction with soil type (p < 0.0001) and P source (p < 0.0001). However, no significant effect was shown in plant P uptake, biomass production, or leaf chlorophyll index. In field conditions, the e ects of mycorrhizal and rhizobial inoculants in combination or alone were highly context-specific and may induce either a significant increase or decrease in root mycorrhizal colonization and nodule formation. Mycorrhizal and rhizobial inoculants in combination or alone had limited effect on plant P uptake, biomass production, leaf chlorophyll index, and grain yield. Though some mycorrhizal inoculants induced significant root colonization by mycorrhizal inoculants, this did not lead to higher soybean yield, even in soils with limited P content. Our results are further evidence that inoculant type, soil type, and P source are critical factors to evaluate commercial inoculants on a context-specific basis. However, our results highlight the need for the identification of additional targeting criteria, as inoculant type, soil type, and P source alone were not enough to be predictive of the response. Without the identification of predictive criteria for improved targeting, the economic use of such inoculants will remain elusive.

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Faye, A.; Stewart, Z.P.; Ndung’u-Magiroi, K.; Diouf, M.; Ndoye, I.; Diop, T.; Dalpé, Y.; Prasad, P.V.V.; Lesueur, D.; (2020) Testing of commercial inoculants to enhance P uptake and grain yield of promiscuous soybean in Kenya. Sustainability 12(9): 3803. 15 p. ISSN: 2071-1050

Accessibility

Open Access

Research Themes

Restoring Degraded Landscapes

Permalink

https://hdl.handle.net/10568/114998

Collective Land Restoration through Agricultural Intensification in Makueni County, Kenya

nilu.rajapakse@gmail.com — Fri, 05 Nov 2021 06:57:03 +0000

Restoring Degraded Landscapes (RDL) is positioned to influence global restoration agendas such as 20x20 in Latin America, AFR100 in Africa, and Land Degradation Neutrality (LDN) to ensure sustainable and equitable outcomes. These restoration efforts will, at least partially, be financed by private investors. For example, the LDN Fund is designed as an impact investment fund, currently managed by MIROVA a global asset management firm. WLE's theory of change impact pathways show that the CRP must provide scientific backstopping in the areas of: 1) baselining and exante modeling, 2) cheap and effective monitoring and evaluation (M&E) systems, and 3) governance and institutions that are socially equitable. This framework (P420) outlines how RDL can provide these services and engage with privately financed land restoration projects which is largely an unfamiliar area for CRP's.

Contact Person

Nijbroek, Ravic and Quintero, Marcela <m.quintero@cgiar.org>

Donors

CGIAR

Partners

CIAT (Alliance) Alliance of Bioversity and CIAT Regional Hub (Centro Internacional de Agricultura Tropical)

Completed

Start/End dateJanuary 01, 2017 — December 01, 2018

Research ThemeRestoring Degraded Landscapes

Cluster

1.1 Landscape Restoration

Countries

Kenya

Scaling up Index-based Flood Insurance (IBFI) for agricultural resilience and flood-proofing livelihoods in developing countries

Anonymous — Thu, 21 Oct 2021 11:36:32 +0000

TypeReport

Languageen

Authors

Amarnath, Giriraj
Malik, Ravinder Paul Singh
Taron, Avinandan

This research report presents the first comprehensive framework of business models in terms of developing, marketing and scaling Index-based flood insurance (IBFI). The report evaluated ten case studies on agricultural insurance schemes (macro, meso and micro levels), globally, to develop public-private partnership business models for creating value (product development) and capturing value (product marketing). This report highlights four broad groups of interrelated factors that influence the uptake and scaling of agricultural insurance: (i) behavioral factors that influence farmers’ enthusiasm to invest in insurance; (ii) financial factors that stipulate governments’ willingness to provide financial support; (iii) legal and regulatory factors, which set ground rules for fair business and govern their adherence by stakeholders; and (iv) facilitating factors, including product design and development, business models, research and development, data availability, and awareness creation, which help ensure an efficient supply of insurance services. In summary, the report highlights the need for designing innovative IBFI and its potential benefits for uptake, and efforts for implementing IBFI as a potential risk transfer tool for comprehensive climate risk management among small-scale and marginal farmers.

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Citation

Amarnath, Giriraj; Malik, Ravinder Paul Singh; Taron, Avinandan. 2021. Scaling up Index-based Flood Insurance (IBFI) for agricultural resilience and flood-proofing livelihoods in developing countries. Colombo, Sri Lanka: International Water Management Institute (IWMI). 68p. (IWMI Research Report 180) [doi: https://doi.org/10.5337/2021.213]

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Open Access

Research Themes

Permalink

https://hdl.handle.net/10568/114748