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1.
Local communities often have substantial knowledge related to trends in soil quality and the associated limiting factors. Despite this, soil quality (SQ) degradation is a critical problem in Ethiopia and there is little or insufficient scientific information documenting local community experience in assessing SQ. This paper presents experiences of local communities in diagnosis of SQ and assesses the contribution of local knowledge as a strategy for sustainable development decision making within the Mai-Negus catchment of northern Ethiopia. Participatory transect-walks, group discussions and field observation which complemented by household interview were used to acquire data. Farmers identified SQ indicators e.g., crop yield, soil depth, erosion and sedimentation as their basis of categorizing the soils into high, medium and low SQ. They were also able to identify severely degraded areas (hotspots) and underlying causes. Significant variations (P ≤ 0.05) were shown between the proportions of farmers used certain SQ indicator and those who didn't while categorizing SQ. Local farmers involved in this study demonstrated their capability to suggest appropriate land management solutions for specific problems. This study demonstrates the benefit of involving local farmers in both problem identification and solution development so that anti-degradation technologies can easily be implemented and adopted. 相似文献
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Farmers in many parts of Africa use indigenous soil and water conserving (ISWC) practices as an integral part of their farming systems. Farmers have developed such methods which have maintained productivity and contributed to long‐term sustainability, while introduced measures have often been rejected or simply failed to achieve their technical objectives. This paper examines the strengths and weaknesses of some ISWC practices in Kenya, Uganda and Tanzania. An evaluation has been carried out based on farmers' evaluation criteria as well as criteria identified by researchers. Farmers' criteria are often based on the quality of their natural resources (farmers are more likely to conserve those soils that will give the highest return on their investment), the resource level of the household (particularly income levels and labour availability), cropping intensity as well as cultural traditions related to age, education and gender. Of great importance, however, is the need to maintain or increase soil productivity. Methods that conserve moisture, reduce soil erosion, maintain soil fertility and increase productivity, which are socially acceptable and economically viable, are those which farmers favour. ISWC practices often have these qualities but farmers have not always been able to adjust the techniques to rapid changes in farming systems and increasing intensity of land use. Soil productivity and economic modelling indicate that although yields declines are lower when traditional technologies are used, long‐term productivity remains a problem. There is an urgent need to work closely with farmers to improve and develop traditional SWC techniques. Copyright © 2000 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd. 相似文献
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Most of Rwanda's wetlands are being reclaimed under government schemes with the aim of growing rice as the main crop. In the present study, information on farmers' knowledge and perceptions of agricultural wetland management was collected in Cyabayaga and Rugeramigozi wetlands. The two wetlands were selected as representatives for typical reclaimed wetland agriculture in Rwanda. They provide contrasts in both environmental and social terms. Three tools were used to investigate farmers' knowledge and perception of agricultural wetland management: (i) household survey; (ii) focus group discussions; and (iii) transect walk. The major constraints identified by farmers in the two wetlands were water shortage and lack of availability of improved seeds and high prices of fertilisers. The primary benefits from wetlands for farmers are income generation in Cyabayaga and food security in Rugeramigozi. The most commonly reported concern about the wetlands in the Cyabayaga and Rugerameragozi was that they are a source of malaria. Rice is an important crop in both wetlands, whereas farmers in Cyabahaga wish to continue cultivating rice, Rugeramigozi farmers prefer to grow rice only after it has been tested for its adaptability. Farmers have sufficient knowledge on the causes and the potential solutions to overcome most constraints. They know that soil suitability is closely related to relief. They classify soils by a number of criteria and choose crops accordingly. Any programme designed to address wetland management in the region will have to take account of farmers' knowledge and adopt a holistic view of wetland management. Copyright © 2011 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd. 相似文献
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M. SUBEDI T. J. HOCKING M. A. FULLEN A. R. McCREA E. MILNE WU Bo-Zhi D. J. MITCHELL 《土壤圈》2009,19(3):344-355
Diversity in the biophysical and socio-economic attributes of agricultural systems makes them uniquely niche based. Farmers are expert in local biophysical and socio-economic situations and can contribute in developing pragmatic indicators of agro-environmental development. During evaluation of an agricultural research project in Yunnan, China, local farmers were capable of evaluating the effects of modified technologies on existing cropping systems and discussed their attitudes to the interventions using their own indicators. Farmers’ response can be grouped into seven major aspects: i) effects on income, ii) effects on production resources, iii) effects on crop management, iv) existing local knowledge about the technology, v) availability of inputs, vi) access to information, and vii) socio-economic conditions of farming households. Farmers concluded that environmental conditions in the experimental catchment in comparison to an adjacent untreated catchment were better in terms of soil and water losses, vegetation cover and natural resources, infrastructures and catchment management, use of environmentally-friendly technologies, and crop productivity. Success in soil and water conservation programmes depends on the efforts of the farmers and other local users and their greater involvement helps to identify more pragmatic indicators. Furthermore, it increases ownership of the programme, enhances interactions with the project scientists, increases farmers’ awareness of agro-environmental problems and their possible consequences. These development will enable scientists to develop better targeted interventions and increase the likelihood of adoption of tested technologies by local communities. The use of paired adjacent catchments improved evaluation activities and is proposed as good practice for future catchment improvement programmes. 相似文献
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F. S. Mairura D. N. Mugendi J. I. Mwanje J. J. Ramisch P. K. Mbugua J. N. Chianu 《Land Degradation \u0026amp; Development》2008,19(1):77-90
The following study was conducted to determine smallholders' land use management practices and agricultural indicators of soil quality within farmers' fields in Chuka and Gachoka divisions in Kenya's Central Highlands. Data on cropping practices and soil indicators were collected from farmers through face‐to‐face interviews and field examinations. Farmers characterised their fields into high and low fertility plots, after which soils were geo‐referenced and sampled at surface depth (0–20 cm) for subsequent physical and chemical analyses. Farmers' indicators for distinguishing productive and non‐productive fields included crop yield, crop performance and weed species. Soils that were characterised as fertile, had significantly higher chemical characteristics than the fields that were of poor quality. Fertile soils had significantly higher pH, total organic carbon, exchangeable cations and available nitrogen. Factor analysis identified four main factors that explained 76 per cent of the total variance in soil quality. The factors were connected with farmers' soil assessment indicators and main soil processes that influenced soil quality in Central Kenya. Soil fertility and crop management practices that were investigated indicated that farmers understood and consequently utilised spatial heterogeneity and temporal variability in soil quality status within their farms to maintain and enhance agricultural productivity. Copyright © 2007 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd. 相似文献
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A lack of appreciation of Kenyan farmers' knowledge and their perceptions of soil erosion and soil conservation measures was the reason for low adoption of recommended technologies. This research was carried out to identify the criteria that farmers used to distinguish farm‐types and to use these types to evaluate different knowledge levels and perceptions of soil erosion and existing soil and water conservation (SWC) measures in the Central Highlands of Kenya. Community meetings and semi‐structured household surveys were carried out in a small catchment, with 120 households. Results partly support the idea of using farmer‐developed criteria to distinguish among land managers with reference to a farm‐type classification. Criteria distinguishing three classes of land managers (good, moderate and poor) were significant with regard to the following land husbandry practices: use of hybrid or recycled seed and use of organic and/or inorganic fertilizers. Farmers were aware of on‐going soil erosion and of several erosion control measures. Whereas a majority of farmers preferred grass‐strips as a SWC measures, they did not recognize agroforestry as a form of SWC measure. Farmers perceived that SWC measures could successfully increase crop yields and soil‐water retention, and increase land value. In general, farmers did not perceive that SWC measures successfully prevented erosion phenomena, given the evidence of on‐site erosion indicators. They attributed the continued erosion to high rainfall, steep slopes, lack of maintenance and poorly designed SWC measures. They did not consider poor soil‐cover, up‐down tillage and tall trees to be the causes of erosion. Farmers faced several constraints in adopting SWC measures: lack of labour, tools, capital and know‐how to construct the measures. Copyright © 2005 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd. 相似文献
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Lisa A. Lobry de Bruyn 《Soil Use and Management》2019,35(1):128-140
This paper examines the potential for extension providers to identify learning opportunities by intentionally surveying farmers attending soil testing workshops designed to improve soil health and its management. In south‐eastern Australia, regional government agencies have been running soil health workshops since 2014, yet they have rarely surveyed the participants to understand their previous experience or learning needs, and how that may inform their design. The workshop consisted of two sessions, separated by 6 weeks. Farmers at the first Session were told how to undertake soil measurements. At the second Session, they then discussed their soil test results. The workshop participants (n = 87) at four different localities in the Northern Tablelands of New South Wales were surveyed (68% response rate) at each session. Firstly, to examine their prior knowledge and experience of soil testing, and secondly on how they applied what they had learnt, examine if the soil test results matched their expectations, and their influence in land management decisions. The survey revealed to regional government agencies that the majority of survey respondents (62%) would soil test again. Despite more than half of the respondents infrequently or never having their soil tested, prior to the workshop, 50% indicated that the test results were unexpected. The motivation for those farmers who would soil test again was the specific desire to identify their soil's potential for improved production. The survey provided a way of profiling the workshop audience and obtaining important feedback on how to improve the impact of the workshops for participants. 相似文献
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A survey was carried out in 136 farm‐households from seven villages in 1995 and 1996 to analyse the traditional fallow cultivation system in Niger. Farmers were asked to give information about land use on their fields, focusing on cropping and fallow periods as well as on cultivation changes compared to the past. In addition, they were interviewed about their management strategies to maintain or improve soil fertility. Millet‐based systems clearly dominate at all sites, either in pure form or intercropped with cowpea, groundnut, sorghum or roselle. At present, almost half of all farmers cultivate their fields on average up to 5 years until it is left fallow. About one‐third use their fields permanently. Most farmers use short fallow periods of 1 to 5 years. Moreover, there was a decrease in the cropping area left fallow, and the fallow period also decreased steadily in the past years. In the mid‐1970s the average fallow period was about 8 years, decreasing to 2.5 years in 1996. The actual fallow periods are too short to allow sufficient positive effects on soil fertility and farmers are aware of this problem. Consequently, farmers employ different fertilization techniques which aim at maintaining or restoring the soil nutrient pool of the fields while providing physical protection against wind and water erosion. Most farmers use animal manure to improve soil fertility and apply mulch from different sources, millet stalks and branches, for soil regeneration. Few farmers employ other strategies such as mineral fertilizer or planting pits. The farmers try to optimize the use of internal and external resources resulting in a mixture of different fertilization and soil protection methods. Internal resources play by far the most important role. Due to the generally limited resource availability farmers concentrate their management efforts on certain areas within each field or on selected fields only. This means a decreased crop production for the individual household and a higher risk of soil degradation because of soil mining or increased erosion risk on the field area where soil fertility management cannot be practised. Copyright © 2002 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd. 相似文献
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Farmers’ perceptions of earthworms were surveyed based on the criteria they use to identify them, i.e., use of common names, knowledge of morphological characteristics, presence in various land uses, soil layers, as well as direct and indirect use. A total of 39 farmers of the La Vieja River watershed in Colombia were interviewed and the data submitted to chi-square test and multiple correspondence analysis. Significant differences (p < 0.1) were found in farmers’ replies in relation to recognition and use of earthworms depending on gender, level of schooling, and age. According to the interviewees, earthworm abundance was highest in plantain and coffee crops, in places where harvest residues accumulate, and in soil layers from 0 to 20 cm depth. The topsoil was identified as the main area of recognition, which can be attributed to soil preparation tasks. Farmers differentiated earthworms by shape and color and in 97% of the cases, by size and how they react when captured. They recognized nine species and used several common names to differentiate them. Most (95%) farmers considered earthworms as soil quality indicators and many (38–49%) of them recognized their use for recreation and medicinal purposes and as important for soil organic matter decomposition. This study showed the value of local farmer knowledge for scientists as part of research aiming to facilitate communication between farmers and scientists and generate complementary means of addressing and interpreting natural processes and dynamics at the ecosystem level. It also highlights the need to draw from farmers’ perceptions in informal education processes and to link the contributions of scientists to traditional knowledge in order to consolidate proposals related to biodiversity conservation and use in rural development programs. 相似文献
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The relationship between farmer opinion of suitable conditions for nutrient application,soil moisture deficit and weather 
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下载免费PDF全文 Slurry spreading is a beneficial nutrient recycling activity on livestock farms, but nutrients may be lost to the environment. On‐farm decision support based on the Hybrid Soil Moisture Deficit Model and weather data has the potential to forecast when conditions are best for slurry application. Such an approach will only be accepted by farmer–stakeholders if it is consistent with scientific evidence. The objective of this article was to establish whether farmers have a broadly similar opinion of soil and weather conditions suitable for slurry spreading as those derived from the water balance approach. A mobile phone short message service (SMS) survey permitted rapid and efficient collection of information from farmers in relation to trafficability, weather forecast, nutrient efficiency and storage limitations. Farmers’ response followed seasonal trends, with spring and summer the being the best seasons for nutrient utilization while their view of inappropriate conditions for spreading was consistent with restrictions imposed by current legislation in Ireland. However, the winter ban on nutrient spreading had the adverse effect of encouraging farmers to spread slurry just before and immediately after the closed period when application is prohibited. In general, farmers have similar reasons for their management decisions but they may need further assistance with the forecast of soil moisture and weather conditions at critical times. 相似文献
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Encouraging the uptake of sustainable soil management practices often requires on‐farm experiential learning and adaptation over a sustained period, rather than the traditional knowledge transfer processes of identifying a problem and implementing a solution. Farmer‐to‐farmer learning networks are emerging with farmers experimenting and sharing knowledge about these practices amongst themselves. One potential communication channel for such interaction and knowledge sharing is social media and Twitter in particular. A content analysis of a Twitter account for an EU research project, SoilCare, and in‐depth qualitative interviews with five farmers using Twitter, was used to illustrate the extent and type of farmer‐to‐farmer knowledge sharing in relation to sustainable soil management practices. Evidence of farmer learning and knowledge sharing on Twitter with respect to these practices was identified. Twitter can capture the immediacy of the field operations and visual impacts in the field. Furthermore, the brief messages channelled through Twitter appeal to time‐constrained farmers. The ability for interaction around particular hashtags in Twitter is developing virtual networks of practice in relation to sustainable soil management. Within these networks, farmer champions are emerging that are respected by other farmers. Twitter works best for those actively seeking information, rather than passive recipients of new knowledge. Therefore, its use with other forms of face‐to‐face interaction as part of a blended learning approach is recommended. Twitter also offers a potential space for other actors, such as researchers and advisers, to interact and share knowledge with farmers. 相似文献
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Farmers' perceptions of soil fertility change were compared with observations on soil quality changes and crop performance in soils from a chronosequence representing a range of soil ages since conversion from forest to cropland (0 to 57 years). A majority of the farmers, 92 per cent, had observed a decline in soil fertility on their land. Farmers use crop yield, indicator plants, soil softness and soil colour to judge soil fertility. They identified 11 plants that they used to indicate high soil fertility and four plants that they used to indicate low soil fertility. There was a strong correlation (r = 0·96) between soil organic matter content (loss on ignition) and farmers' ranking of soil fertility based on colour and softness of soil samples from the chronosequence. The biotest experiment with maize showed an exponential decline in biomass production along the chronosequence, confirming the results of farmers' soil fertility ranking. In the biotest, total soil N predicted produced biomass well (r2 = 0·95), whereas the relationship with soil available P (Olsen) was less obvious. Among the eight analysed plant nutrients in the maize leaves, N content was found to correlate best with biomass production (r2 = 0·94). We conclude (i) that there is good agreement between farmers' knowledge and scientific indicators of soil fertility and (ii) that the major reason for declining soil fertility in Beseku is the decrease in N mineralization over time. Interventions should focus on supporting farmers to implement a diversified nutrient management strategy that can maintain or increase long‐term productivity of the soil. Copyright © 2011 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd. 相似文献
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三峡库区水土保持工程农户参与行为调查 总被引：1，自引：1，他引：1
[目的]研究三峡库区水土保持工程农户参与程度、参与阶段性特征及主要影响因素,为区域水土保持生态环境建设提供决策参考。[方法]采用参与式农户评估法调查了113户农户,并通过深度访谈重点了解农户对水土保持的相关诉求,运用二元逻辑回归模型分析了农户参与水土保持工程的主要影响因素。[结果](1)库区农户对水土保持的认知度和对水土保持工程的满意度均不高。(2)库区农户多以有偿投工方式参与水土保持工程;农户参与程度低,以零参与和低度参与为主,中度参与和高度参与仅占12%。水土保持工程规划设计、施工、后期管护三阶段农户参与比例分别为19%,42%和2%。(3)参与工程能否挣钱和农户对水土保持的认知是影响农户参与水土保持工程的主要因素。农户参与工程收入越多、水土保持认知度越高,其参与水土保持工程积极性越大。[结论]三峡库区农户水土保持认知度偏低,农户参与水土保持工程偏少,参与阶段主要集中在施工期,不利于水土保持工程的开展和效益发挥。今后要加强水土保持宣传和教育,改革农户参与激励机制,增强水土保持工程实用性和适宜性,以更好发挥水土保持工程的作用。 相似文献
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B. O. Okoba A. J. Tenge G. Sterk L. Stroosnijder 《Land Degradation \u0026amp; Development》2007,18(3):303-319
Despite several approaches that aimed at mobilising East African farmers to embrace soil and water conservation (SWC) activities, farmers hardly responded since they were seldom involved in the planning of SWC activities. Two tools that employ farmers' participation were developed and applied at Gikuuri catchment in Kenya. The first tool involved farmers to map soil erosion using their own indicators and determine the soil erosion status at catchment scale. This formed the basis upon which they undertook to plan for SWC measures at catchment scale. Farmers also predicted crop yield losses based on the soil erosion status. Farmers widely approved the soil erosion status map since their own indicators and perceptions were used. The second tool provided cash flow trends for a variety of SWC activities and farmer situations. Farmers can use land with a high, moderate or low erosion status and often have rather different socio‐economic settings. The net benefits over 5 yr for bench terraces, fanya juu terraces and grass strips were illustrated to assist farmers in making informed decisions on SWC adoption. The two tools increased awareness on the need for collective actions among farmers and showed fields that cause run‐on on downslope fields. The improved awareness of erosion problems and the related financial consequences increased farmers' willingness to share the investment costs for cut‐off drains. Copyright © 2007 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd. 相似文献
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A soil and water conservation (SWC) extension programme, promoting erosion control measures and soil fertility measures, has been going on in southern Mali since 1986. Five factors that influence farmer adoption of SWC measures were analysed: land pressure, cotton‐growing area, possession of ploughing equipment, possession of a donkey cart and farmer training in SWC. Interviews were carried out with 298 farmers and two to three fields per farmer were visited, in 30 representative villages and 30 villages with high SWC adoption. Correlation, regression and factor analysis led to the following conclusions:
- (1) Farmers in the high land‐pressure area adopt more soil fertility measures.
- (2) Farmers in the cotton‐growing area adopt less SWC measures.
- (3) Farmers with more ploughing equipment adopt more SWC measures.
- (4) Farmers with a donkey cart adopt more soil fertility measures.
- (5) Trained farmers adopt more erosion control measures.
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Abstract. This article explores the question of how scientific information can improve local agronomic management using concepts of uncertainty classification and uncertainty management. Information and data on local management of soil fertility based on a local classification system of soil quality were collected from a small watershed in Cauca (Colombia). The analyses suggest that farmers hold local knowledge about soils at two levels. The first is based on empirical observations and refers to local knowledge about soils and landscape, which shows that the classes identified in the local soil quality classification are consistent with results obtained using measured soil parameters. At the second level, farmers have some awareness of ecological processes and the appropriate use of relationships between key soil characteristics and management options. It is argued that local knowledge is not sufficient to cope with uncertainty introduced by a rapidly changing agriculture, including, for example, increasing land pressure, unpredictable market forces and climate change. We have suggested how scientific knowledge can contribute to the solution, based on an analysis that relates Cohen's ( Heuristic reasoning about uncertainty: an artificial intelligence approach . Pitman London, 1985) and Rowe's ( Risk Analysis 14, 743–750, 1994) uncertainty concepts to local knowledge. 相似文献
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三峡库区农户水土保持行为类型及其机理 总被引：1，自引：1，他引：0
[目的]分析三峡库区农户水土保持行为的类型、特点、机理和主要效果,为区域水土保持和生态环境建设决策提供依据。[方法]对三峡库区(重庆段)5个区县113户农户进行了问卷调查和重点访谈,运用调查数据分析库区农户水土保持行为类型及其机理。[结果]三峡库区农户水土保持行为主要分自觉自愿型和政策引导型两大类。自觉自愿型是农户创造性地适应环境、保护耕地,降低投入、增加收入,以农户耕地管理和保护性耕作行为为主,农户的水土保持需求形成农户水土保持动机,产生了开挖边沟背沟、挑沙面土、大横坡+小顺坡耕作、等高耕作、免耕、反坡挖地、作物间作套种、种植植物篱和药物除草等行为。其中,间作套种、开挖边沟背沟、大横坡+小顺坡耕作和挑沙面土4项耕作行为在库区推广较好。政策引导型行为是农户受国家水土保持政策引导而参与水土保持生态建设,是国家战略需求和农户实际需要的有机结合,可以细分为三种类型,一是劳务报酬类,农户参与坡改梯等水土保持工程建设并获得劳务报酬。二是经济补偿类,农户响应国家水土保持生态建设号召,采取退耕还林等行为并获得一定补偿。三是资金补贴类,农户在政府资金前补助或后补助情况下修建塘库、道路等水土保持设施。[结论]三峡库区农户水土保持经验丰富,各种水土保持行为均具有较好效果,值得在小流域治理等水土保持生态建设中推广。 相似文献
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《Soil Use and Management》2018,34(1):85-100
Soil organic matter (SOM) is an important resource base for arable farming. For policies on SOM to be effective, insight is needed on why and under which conditions farmers are willing to increase SOM content. This study used the theory of planned behaviour to analyse what prevents or encourages Dutch farmers to increase the SOM content of their fields. In an online survey, 435 arable farmers were asked questions to understand their attitude (perceived benefits), subjective norm (social pressure) and perceived behavioural control (anticipated impediments and obstacles) related to management of SOM. Farmers’ answers were related to their intention to increase SOM content, use of organic materials and perceived increase in SOM content. Our results showed that Dutch farmers are well aware of the possible benefits of SOM content for crop productivity. Farmers’ attitude, subjective norm and perceived decrease in SOM content were significantly related to their intention to increase SOM content. In our farm survey, this intention was very strong: 90% of the farmers stated a high or very high intention to increase the SOM content of their fields. A higher intention to increase SOM content was correlated with the use of organic materials as expressed as total and effective C (P = 0.003 and P = 0.002, respectively), but this did not lead to a perceived increase in SOM content. From a farmer's point of view, this indicates that increasing SOM content is to a large degree beyond their direct influence. The Dutch Manure and Fertiliser Act, costs of organic inputs and the need to cultivate profitable crops (such as potatoes or sugar beet) were indicated as important impeding factors for increasing SOM content. 相似文献