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- Daum, Thomas, 1990, et al.
(författare)
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Made in Africa – How to make local agricultural machinery manufacturing thrive
- 2024
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Ingår i: Journal of International Development. - 0954-1748 .- 1099-1328. ; 36:2, s. 1079-1109
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Tidskriftsartikel (refereegranskat)abstract
- Manufacturing has the potential to drive economic growth, job creation and poverty reduction, but African manufacturers face challenges in competing with global markets. Agricultural machinery manufacturing may be one niche where African manufacturers can succeed. This paper examines the challenges and opportunities facing local agricultural manufacturers in Africa based on a survey of 386 manufacturers in four countries and qualitative methods. Results show that small, dedicated entrepreneurs have created vibrant local machinery markets. These manufacturers have several comparative advantages, in particular, the ability to develop machinery adapted to local agroecological conditions but face challenges related to financing, human resources, utilities, raw materials, production equipment and the regulatory environment. The paper offers recommendations on how to support local manufacturers to make “Made in Africa” the first choice for African farmers and agro-food processors.
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| 2. |
- Hidalgo, F, et al.
(författare)
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How do coffee farmers engage with digital technologies? A capabilities perspective
- 2024
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Ingår i: Agriculture and Human Values. - 0889-048X.
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Tidskriftsartikel (refereegranskat)abstract
- A reality-design gap in the conceptualization and practice of digital agriculture has been systematically reported in the literature. This condition is favored by the lack of understanding and inclusion of local worldviews around digital technologies. Informed by Amartya Sen’s capabilities approach, this study looks to bring stories of local appropriation to the spotlight. Based on a qualitative approach that included data collected through interviews with 73 households, the authors explored the way in which two selected communities of Colombian coffee growers are engaged in the use of digital technologies in material and symbolic ways. Three emergent themes—a relational way of farming, (dis)connected machines, and nurtured families and communities – articulate multiple interactions between farmers, farms, institutional programs, and technologies, that originate local forms of digitalization (and non-digitalization). This study points out the relevant role of situated ideas of development in positioning technologies in or out of the farm, and broader digitalization agendas in or out of farmers’ life projects. At the same time, it presents a critique of notions of universality that drive unquestioned quests for technification. In contrast, building on a relational perspective, this study calls for embracing a perspective of multiplicity within notions of development and innovation.
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| 3. |
- Kawerau, Laura, et al.
(författare)
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Entering the Digital Research Age: Investigating the Effectiveness of Visual Digital Tools in Agricultural Research
- 2024
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Ingår i: Field Methods. - 1525-822X .- 1552-3969. ; 36:2, s. 95-112
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Tidskriftsartikel (refereegranskat)abstract
- Agricultural studies mainly rely on quantitative research approaches. Despite growing interest in and uptake of qualitative, participatory, and visual methods due to their perceived advantages in gathering in-depth information and empowering participants, visual–digital research methods have yet to be largely applied. In our study on adaptation strategies to climate change among smallholder farmers in Uganda we compared different data collection methods, including: semi-structured interviews with manual note-taking, participatory impact diagrams, and adapted photovoice and cellphilm methodologies.
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| 4. |
- Omulo, Godfrey, et al.
(författare)
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Unpacking the behavioral intentions of ‘emergent farmers’ towards mechanized conservation agriculture in Zambia
- 2024
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Ingår i: Land Use Policy. - 0264-8377. ; 136
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Tidskriftsartikel (refereegranskat)abstract
- Conservation Agriculture (CA) continues to gain relevance among small and medium-scale farmers in African countries, including Zambia, in response to food insecurity and the adverse effects of climate change. The rise in the number of market-oriented farmers, known as ‘emergent farmers,’ who acquire and utilize tractors and associated implements for agricultural production, has brought new dynamism to Zambian agriculture. While prior studies emphasize the significance of considering socio-economic and psychological factors in understanding farmers’ adoption decisions, the underlying socio-economic and psychological determinants influencing emergent farmers’ interest in CA have not been explored. This study examined the behavioral intentions of Zambian emergent farmers concerning Mechanized Conservation Agriculture (MCA) using the Decomposed Theory of Planned Behavior constructs: attitudes, perceived behavior control, subjective norms, and farmers’ background factors. We surveyed 119 emergent farmers from selected districts and analyzed their responses through descriptive statistics and Spearman's rank correlation coefficient. We employed Partial Least Squares Structural Equation Modeling (PLS-SEM) to assess the relationships among behavioral constructs (attitude, perceived behavioral control, and social norms) and the intention to adopt MCA. The results indicated that the positive attitude of Zambian emergent farmers had a significant impact (path coefficient = 0.24) on their intention (mean = 4.51) to adopt MCA on at least part of their farms. Perceived behavioral control, which measures perceived ability, resources, and skills for practicing MCA, also had a significant impact on intention (path coefficient = 0.37). Factors such as media influence, social influence, technical training, and extension services had positive but insignificant effects on farmers’ intention to adopt MCA. Background factors, including overall farm size, farmer's age, area under CA, and years of CA use, showed a positive and significant correlation with farmers’ intention to adopt MCA. These findings underscore the crucial socio-psychological facets of emergent farmers, which can be valuable for policymakers and practitioners aiming to harness their potential in promoting and enhancing sustainable agricultural approaches like MCA in Zambia.
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| 5. |
- Villalba, R., et al.
(författare)
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Financing Climate-Smart Agriculture: a case study from the Indo-Gangetic Plains
- 2024
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Ingår i: Mitigation and Adaptation Strategies for Global Change. - 1381-2386 .- 1573-1596. ; 29
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Tidskriftsartikel (refereegranskat)abstract
- The Indo-Gangetic Plains represents one of South Asia’s most productive agricultural regions, yet it is highly vulnerable to climate change and requires the widespread adoption of Climate-Smart Agriculture. Although farmers understand the benefits of such technologies, financial constraints often undermine adoption. Using a case study from Haryana, we assess the opportunities and challenges aligned with the different pathways available for farmers to adopt and finance two capital-intensive technologies: laser land levelers and happy seeders. Our analysis uses unique data from Karnal, where stakeholders have partnered in Climate-Smart-Villages, and combines a household survey from 120 farmers, interviews, and focus group discussions with banks and cooperatives. Our results indicate adoption rates of 77% for laser land levelers and 52% for happy seeders, with only 7% and 21% of farmers owning the technologies, respectively. Hiring is highly preferred over purchase, mainly due to the flourishing of Custom-Hiring Centers, which are vital in driving large-scale implementation. We find that farmers prefer funding from family, savings, and moneylenders (indirect pathways) rather than from commercial banks (direct pathways) to get immediate access to credit and avoid bureaucratic procedures. Our study offers broader insights into the state of agricultural finance in India and adaptation to climate change and reveals that institutional innovations can enhance the financing of CSA technologies for smallholder farmers. Our findings have important implications for decision-makers seeking to streamline credit access for CSA machinery rental. Future research should focus on the efficacy of different finance channels and their causal impact on pathways for technology adoption.
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