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Sustainable intensification of farming systems through legume technologies: Lessons learnt for expansion of N2Africa to

Sustainable intensification of farming systems through legume technologies: Lessons learnt for expansion of N2Africa to new countries. Esther Ronner 1 , L inus C. Franke 1 , Greta J. van den Brand 1 , Judith J. de Wolf 2 , Ken E. Giller 1 1 Wageningen University; 2 CIAT Zimbabwe.

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Sustainable intensification of farming systems through legume technologies: Lessons learnt for expansion of N2Africa to

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  1. Sustainable intensification of farming systems through legume technologies: Lessons learnt for expansion of N2Africa to new countries Esther Ronner1, Linus C. Franke1, Greta J. van den Brand1, Judith J. de Wolf2, Ken E. Giller1 1 Wageningen University; 2 CIAT Zimbabwe

  2. Outline • Introduction • Lessons learnt and new approaches: • From proof of concept to understanding variability • Tailoring of technologies to farm types • Dissemination approaches • Conclusions

  3. Introduction – The N2Africa project • ‘Putting nitrogen fixation to work for smallholder farmers growing legume crops in Africa’ • Focus on cowpea, soybean, common bean and groundnut • Funds: Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation and Howard G. Buffet Foundation • Led by Wageningen University; main partners IITA and CIAT-TSBF • Originally eight countries in 2009 • Extension to Ethiopia, Tanzania, Uganda, Liberia, Sierra Leone and DR Congo

  4. Introduction – New countries, new approach? • Dissemination and delivery are the core • Monitoring & evaluation provides the learning • Research analyses and feeds back ‘Development to research’ Research M&E D&D

  5. From proof of concept... (1) • Hypothesis in N2Africa: BNF and legume yields determined by interaction of: (GL x GR) x E x M • Detailed agronomy trials in limited number of sites to test this concept

  6. From proof of concept... (2) Soybean input trial (TGx1740-2F); Nyanza, Western Kenya; long rains 2011 (F. Baijukya + team)

  7. From proof of concept... (3) Soybean input trial; Murehwa, Zimbabwe, season 2010/2011 (T. Mombeyarara + team)

  8. ... to understanding variability (1) • In first year already proof of valuable concept • But with testing technologies at scale in farmers fields: huge variability. • New questions: how to explain this variability? • More emphasis on analysis of simple, non-replicated demonstration trials under farmers’ management

  9. ... to understanding variability (2) Control + P-fertilizer + inoculation + P-fert + inoc.

  10. ... to understanding variability (3) Ghana, 2011

  11. … to understanding variability (4)

  12. Targeting of technologies to farm types (1) • Factors influencing adoption: • Not only high crop yields • Need to fit within farming system (labour availability, trade-off other crops) • Need for ‘tailoring of technologies’ • Per agro-ecological zone • Per region • Per farm type

  13. Targeting of technologies to farm types (2) LUE = labour use efficiency

  14. Targeting of technologies to farm types (2) LUE = labour use efficiency

  15. Targeting of technologies to farm types (2) LUE = labour use efficiency

  16. Dissemination approaches • Great diversity in opportunities legumes demands diversity in dissemination approaches • From uniform lead farmer – satellite farmer approach to dissemination approaches as part of research question • Work along partners in input/ output markets; enable access to inoculants

  17. Conclusions • More emphasis on understanding variability yields in farmers’ fields – start with demonstration trials at scale; detailed agronomy trials for specific issues • Start with characterization of farming systems and farm types – ex ante impact assessment of how legumes fit best within a particular farming system • Adjust dissemination approaches, seed systems and extension messages accordingly

  18. For updates see www.N2Africa.org Lots of video resource materials N2Africa Podcaster - Monthly Newsletter

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