Participatory Evaluation of Productivity, Fertility Management, and Dissemination of Irrigated Exotic Vegetables in the Sahel, West Africa
Affiliation(s)
1 Tropical Agriculture Research Front (TARF), Japan International Research Center for Agricultural Sciences (JIRCAS), Ishigaki, Japan. 2 National Institute of Agronomic Research of Niger (INRAN), Niamey, Niger. 3 Rural Development Division, JIRCAS, Tsukuba, Japan. 4 Crop, Livestock and Environment Division, JIRCAS, Tsukuba, Japan.
1 Tropical Agriculture Research Front (TARF), Japan International Research Center for Agricultural Sciences (JIRCAS), Ishigaki, Japan. 2 National Institute of Agronomic Research of Niger (INRAN), Niamey, Niger. 3 Rural Development Division, JIRCAS, Tsukuba, Japan. 4 Crop, Livestock and Environment Division, JIRCAS, Tsukuba, Japan.
ABSTRACT
We conducted on-farm participatory experiments and activities for 3 years at three sites in the Fakara district of western Niger to demonstrate, verify, and evaluate crop productivity due to fertilizer application, economic benefits, and the dissemination of crop technology. We tested combinations of manure and mineral fertilizer on 13 exotic vegetables: bell pepper, cabbage, carrot, chili, eggplant, lettuce, melon, onion, potato, pumpkin, sweet potato, tomato, and zucchini. Farmers’ selectivity was evaluated as the number of plots that farmers selected to carry out their own trials. The application of 110 kg·N/ha manure plus 13.7 kg·N/ha mineral fertilizer increased overall vegetable yields by 161% (P < 0.01). The improvement of soil fertility increased the yield of subsequent rainfed millet by 124% (P < 0.05). Less-experienced female farmers could afford to grow cabbage, onion, lettuce, potato, and pumpkin, which yielded 4.8 - 11.4 t/ha fresh weight. Daily management by women in the vegetable gardens gave regular opportunities to chat and thus disseminate the technology.
We conducted on-farm participatory experiments and activities for 3 years at three sites in the Fakara district of western Niger to demonstrate, verify, and evaluate crop productivity due to fertilizer application, economic benefits, and the dissemination of crop technology. We tested combinations of manure and mineral fertilizer on 13 exotic vegetables: bell pepper, cabbage, carrot, chili, eggplant, lettuce, melon, onion, potato, pumpkin, sweet potato, tomato, and zucchini. Farmers’ selectivity was evaluated as the number of plots that farmers selected to carry out their own trials. The application of 110 kg·N/ha manure plus 13.7 kg·N/ha mineral fertilizer increased overall vegetable yields by 161% (P < 0.01). The improvement of soil fertility increased the yield of subsequent rainfed millet by 124% (P < 0.05). Less-experienced female farmers could afford to grow cabbage, onion, lettuce, potato, and pumpkin, which yielded 4.8 - 11.4 t/ha fresh weight. Daily management by women in the vegetable gardens gave regular opportunities to chat and thus disseminate the technology.
Cite this paper
Omae, H. , Kiari Saidou, A. , Osuga, K. , Dan, H. and Tobita, S. (2015) Participatory Evaluation of Productivity, Fertility Management, and Dissemination of Irrigated Exotic Vegetables in the Sahel, West Africa. Agricultural Sciences, 6, 1272-1282. doi: 10.4236/as.2015.610122.
Omae, H. , Kiari Saidou, A. , Osuga, K. , Dan, H. and Tobita, S. (2015) Participatory Evaluation of Productivity, Fertility Management, and Dissemination of Irrigated Exotic Vegetables in the Sahel, West Africa. Agricultural Sciences, 6, 1272-1282. doi: 10.4236/as.2015.610122.
References
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http://dx.doi.org/10.1007/s10705-004-0765-2 [2] Sander, J.H. and Shapiro, B. (2003) Crop Technology Introduction in Semi-Arid Sub-Saharan Africa: Performance and Future Strategy. Journal of Production, 9, 559-592.
http://dx.doi.org/10.1300/J144v09n01_09 [3] Weinberger, K. and Lumpkin, T.A. (2007) Diversification into Horticulture and Poverty Reduction: A Research Agenda. World Development, 35, 1464-1480.
http://dx.doi.org/10.1016/j.worlddev.2007.05.002 [4] Ruel, M. T., Minot, N. and Smith, L. (2005) Patterns and Determinants of Fruit and Vegetable Consumption in Sub-Saharan Africa: Amulticountry Comparison. International Food Policy Research Institute, World Health Organization (WHO). [5] Drechsel, P. and Keraita, B. (2014) Irrigated Urban Vegetable Production in Ghana, Characteristics, Benefits and Risk Mitigation. 2nd Edition, International Water Management Institute (IWMI), Colombo, Sri Lanka. [6] Grieco, M. and Apt, N.A. (2008) Gender and Agriculture in the Africa: The “Expert” Neglect of Local Practice, The Change Page: Gender and Agriculture.
http://www.transportandsociety.com/changepage/genderandagriculture [7] Drechsel, P., Hope, L. and Cofie, O. (2013) Gender Mainstreaming: Who Wins? Gender and Irrigated Urban Vegetable Production in West Africa. The Journal of Gender & Water, 2, 14-17. [8] Khaleel, M.S., Merghani, E.A. and Abbas, S.E. (2014) Contribution of the Women’s Forestry Project to Rural Development in Shendi Area (Sudan). IOSR Journal of Humanities and Social Science, 19, 91-98.
http://dx.doi.org/10.9790/0837-19259198 [9] Kinkingninboun-Medagbe, F.M., Diagne, A., Simtowe, F., Agboh-Noameshie, A.R. and. Adegbola, P.Y. (2010) Gender Discrimination and Its Impact on Income, Productivity, and Technical Efficiency: Evidence from Benin. Agriculture and Human Values, 27, 57-69.
http://dx.doi.org/10.1007/s10460-008-9170-9 [10] Quisumbing, A.R. and Pandolffeli, L. (2010) Promising Approaches to Address the Needs of Poor Female Farmers: Resources, Constraints, and Interventions. World Development, 38, 581-592.
http://dx.doi.org/10.1016/j.worlddev.2009.10.006 [11] International Fund for Agricultural Development (IFAD) (2001) Assessment of Rural Poverty: Western and Central Africa. IFAD, Rome. [12] Ward, C., Ballif-Spanvill, B., Fuhriman, A., Solomon, Y. and Widdison-Jones, K. (2004) Weeding out Failed Practices: A Case Study of Community Gardens in Rural Mali. Human Ecology, 32, 509-522.
http://dx.doi.org/10.1023/B:HUEC.0000043518.72108.bf [13] International Fund for Agricultural Development (IFAD) (2000) Gender Perspective: Focus on the Rural Poor. IFAD, Rome. [14] Snapp, S. (2002) Quantifying Farmer Evaluation of Technologies: The Mother and Baby Trial Design. In: Bellon, M.R. and Reeves J., Eds., Quantitative Analysis of Data from Participatory Methods in Plant Breeding, CIMMYT, Mexico, DF. [15] Reddy, K.S., Mohanty, M., Rao, D.L.N., Rao, A.S., Blamey, F.P.C., Dalal, R.C., Dixit, S.K., Pandey, M. and Menzies, N.W. (2010) Development of Farmers’ Participatory Integrated Nutrient Management Technology Using the Mother-Baby Trial Approach, World Congress of Soil Science, Soil Solutions for a Changing World, Brisbane, 1-6 August 2010, 87-90. (Published on DVD) [16] Hiernaux, P. and Ayantunde, A. (2004) The Fakara: A Semi-Arid Agro Ecosystem under Stress. Report of Research Activities, First Phase (July 2002-June 2004) of the DMP-GEF Program. International Livestock Research Institute, Nairobi. [17] Oudwater, N. and Martin, A. (2003) Methods and Issues in Exploring Local Knowledge of Soils. Geoderma, 111, 387-401.
http://dx.doi.org/10.1016/S0016-7061(02)00273-2 [18] Hayashi, K. (2005) Actual Situation of Local Soil Fertility Management on Agricultural Land in the Sahel, West Africa. JIRCAS Research Highlights, 9, 1-2. [19] ICRISAT (2001) Grey to Green Revolution. ICRISAT Annual Report. Ratancheru, Andhra Pradesh, India, 1-48. [20] Tabo, R., Bationo, A., Maimouna, D.K., Hassane O. and Koala, S. (2006) Fertilizer Micro-Dosing for the Prosperity of Small-Scale Farmers in the Sahel. Final Report, Global Theme on Agro ecosystems Report No. 23, ICRISAT, Niamey, Niger. [21] Omae, H., Saidou, A.K. and Tobita, S. (2014) On-Farm Evaluation of Effect of Organic and Mineral Fertilizers on Biomass and Yield of Millet/Cowpea Intercrop in the Sahel, West Africa. Journal of Life Science, 8, 582-592. [22] FAOSTAT [Homepage on the Internet]. FAO.
http://faostat3.fao.org/faostat-gateway/go/to/home/E [23] Diogo, R.V.C., Buerkert, A. and Schlecht, E. (2010) Horizontal Nutrient Fluxes and Food Safety in Urban and Peri-Urban Vegetable and Millet Cultivation of Niamey, Niger. Niger Nutrient Cycling in Agro ecosystems, 87, 81-102.
http://dx.doi.org/10.1007/s10705-009-9315-2 [24] Khai, N.M., Ha, P.O. and Oborn, I. (2007) Nutrient Flows in Small-Scale Peri-Urban Vegetable Farming Systems in Southeast Asia: A Case Study in Hanoi. Agriculture, Ecosystems & Environment, 122, 192-202.
http://dx.doi.org/10.1016/j.agee.2007.01.003 [25] Sangare, S.K., Compaore, E., Buerkert, A., Vanclooster, M., Sedogo, M.P. and Bielders, C.L. (2012) Field-Scale Analysis of Water and Nutrient Use Efficiency for Vegetable Production in a West African Urban Agriculture System. Nutrient Cycling in Agro Ecosystems, 92, 207-224.
http://dx.doi.org/10.1007/s10705-012-9484-2 [26] Stoorvogel, J.J., Smaling, E.M.A. and Janseen, B.H. (1993) Calculating Soil Nutrient Balances in Africa at Different Scales. I-Supranational Scale. Fertilizer Research, 35, 227-235.
http://dx.doi.org/10.1007/BF00750641 [27] Lesschen, J.P., Stoorvogel, J.J., Smaling, E.M., Heuvelink, G.B.M. and Veldkamp, A. (2007) A Spatially Explicit Methodology to Quantify Soil Nutrient Balances and Their Uncertainties at the National Level. Nutrient Cycling in Agro ecosystems, 78, 111-131.
http://dx.doi.org/10.1007/s10705-006-9078-y [28] Zhu, J.H., Li, X.L., Christie, P. and Li, J.L. (2005) Environmental Implications of Low Nitrogen Use Efficiency in Excessively Fertilized Hot Pepper (Capsicum frutescens L.) Cropping Systems. Ecosystems & Environment Ecosystems and Environment, 111, 70-80.
http://dx.doi.org/10.1016/j.agee.2005.04.025 [29] Thompson, R.B., Martinez-Gailan, C., Gallardo, M., Gimenez, C. and Fernandez, M.D. (2007) Identification of Irrigation and N Management Practices That Contribute to Nitrate Leaching Loss from an Intensive Vegetable Production System by Use of Comprehensive Survey. Agricultural Water Management, 89, 261-274.
http://dx.doi.org/10.1016/j.agwat.2007.01.013 [30] Drechsel, P., Giordano, M. and Gyele, L. (2004) Valuing Nutrients in Soil and Water: Concepts and Techniques with Examples from IWMI Studies in the Developing World. Research Report 82. Colombo, International Water Management Institute, 41. [31] Graefe, S., Schlecht, E. and Buerkert, A. (2008) Opportunities and Challenges of Urban and Peri-Urban Agriculture in Niamey. Outlook Agriculture, 37, 47-56.
http://dx.doi.org/10.5367/000000008783883564
[1] Schlecht, E. and Hiernaux, F.F. (2004) Beyond Adding up Inputs and Outputs: Process Assessment and up Scaling in Modeling Nutrient Flows. Nutrient Cycle and Agroecosystem, 70, 303-319.
http://dx.doi.org/10.1007/s10705-004-0765-2 [2] Sander, J.H. and Shapiro, B. (2003) Crop Technology Introduction in Semi-Arid Sub-Saharan Africa: Performance and Future Strategy. Journal of Production, 9, 559-592.
http://dx.doi.org/10.1300/J144v09n01_09 [3] Weinberger, K. and Lumpkin, T.A. (2007) Diversification into Horticulture and Poverty Reduction: A Research Agenda. World Development, 35, 1464-1480.
http://dx.doi.org/10.1016/j.worlddev.2007.05.002 [4] Ruel, M. T., Minot, N. and Smith, L. (2005) Patterns and Determinants of Fruit and Vegetable Consumption in Sub-Saharan Africa: Amulticountry Comparison. International Food Policy Research Institute, World Health Organization (WHO). [5] Drechsel, P. and Keraita, B. (2014) Irrigated Urban Vegetable Production in Ghana, Characteristics, Benefits and Risk Mitigation. 2nd Edition, International Water Management Institute (IWMI), Colombo, Sri Lanka. [6] Grieco, M. and Apt, N.A. (2008) Gender and Agriculture in the Africa: The “Expert” Neglect of Local Practice, The Change Page: Gender and Agriculture.
http://www.transportandsociety.com/changepage/genderandagriculture [7] Drechsel, P., Hope, L. and Cofie, O. (2013) Gender Mainstreaming: Who Wins? Gender and Irrigated Urban Vegetable Production in West Africa. The Journal of Gender & Water, 2, 14-17. [8] Khaleel, M.S., Merghani, E.A. and Abbas, S.E. (2014) Contribution of the Women’s Forestry Project to Rural Development in Shendi Area (Sudan). IOSR Journal of Humanities and Social Science, 19, 91-98.
http://dx.doi.org/10.9790/0837-19259198 [9] Kinkingninboun-Medagbe, F.M., Diagne, A., Simtowe, F., Agboh-Noameshie, A.R. and. Adegbola, P.Y. (2010) Gender Discrimination and Its Impact on Income, Productivity, and Technical Efficiency: Evidence from Benin. Agriculture and Human Values, 27, 57-69.
http://dx.doi.org/10.1007/s10460-008-9170-9 [10] Quisumbing, A.R. and Pandolffeli, L. (2010) Promising Approaches to Address the Needs of Poor Female Farmers: Resources, Constraints, and Interventions. World Development, 38, 581-592.
http://dx.doi.org/10.1016/j.worlddev.2009.10.006 [11] International Fund for Agricultural Development (IFAD) (2001) Assessment of Rural Poverty: Western and Central Africa. IFAD, Rome. [12] Ward, C., Ballif-Spanvill, B., Fuhriman, A., Solomon, Y. and Widdison-Jones, K. (2004) Weeding out Failed Practices: A Case Study of Community Gardens in Rural Mali. Human Ecology, 32, 509-522.
http://dx.doi.org/10.1023/B:HUEC.0000043518.72108.bf [13] International Fund for Agricultural Development (IFAD) (2000) Gender Perspective: Focus on the Rural Poor. IFAD, Rome. [14] Snapp, S. (2002) Quantifying Farmer Evaluation of Technologies: The Mother and Baby Trial Design. In: Bellon, M.R. and Reeves J., Eds., Quantitative Analysis of Data from Participatory Methods in Plant Breeding, CIMMYT, Mexico, DF. [15] Reddy, K.S., Mohanty, M., Rao, D.L.N., Rao, A.S., Blamey, F.P.C., Dalal, R.C., Dixit, S.K., Pandey, M. and Menzies, N.W. (2010) Development of Farmers’ Participatory Integrated Nutrient Management Technology Using the Mother-Baby Trial Approach, World Congress of Soil Science, Soil Solutions for a Changing World, Brisbane, 1-6 August 2010, 87-90. (Published on DVD) [16] Hiernaux, P. and Ayantunde, A. (2004) The Fakara: A Semi-Arid Agro Ecosystem under Stress. Report of Research Activities, First Phase (July 2002-June 2004) of the DMP-GEF Program. International Livestock Research Institute, Nairobi. [17] Oudwater, N. and Martin, A. (2003) Methods and Issues in Exploring Local Knowledge of Soils. Geoderma, 111, 387-401.
http://dx.doi.org/10.1016/S0016-7061(02)00273-2 [18] Hayashi, K. (2005) Actual Situation of Local Soil Fertility Management on Agricultural Land in the Sahel, West Africa. JIRCAS Research Highlights, 9, 1-2. [19] ICRISAT (2001) Grey to Green Revolution. ICRISAT Annual Report. Ratancheru, Andhra Pradesh, India, 1-48. [20] Tabo, R., Bationo, A., Maimouna, D.K., Hassane O. and Koala, S. (2006) Fertilizer Micro-Dosing for the Prosperity of Small-Scale Farmers in the Sahel. Final Report, Global Theme on Agro ecosystems Report No. 23, ICRISAT, Niamey, Niger. [21] Omae, H., Saidou, A.K. and Tobita, S. (2014) On-Farm Evaluation of Effect of Organic and Mineral Fertilizers on Biomass and Yield of Millet/Cowpea Intercrop in the Sahel, West Africa. Journal of Life Science, 8, 582-592. [22] FAOSTAT [Homepage on the Internet]. FAO.
http://faostat3.fao.org/faostat-gateway/go/to/home/E [23] Diogo, R.V.C., Buerkert, A. and Schlecht, E. (2010) Horizontal Nutrient Fluxes and Food Safety in Urban and Peri-Urban Vegetable and Millet Cultivation of Niamey, Niger. Niger Nutrient Cycling in Agro ecosystems, 87, 81-102.
http://dx.doi.org/10.1007/s10705-009-9315-2 [24] Khai, N.M., Ha, P.O. and Oborn, I. (2007) Nutrient Flows in Small-Scale Peri-Urban Vegetable Farming Systems in Southeast Asia: A Case Study in Hanoi. Agriculture, Ecosystems & Environment, 122, 192-202.
http://dx.doi.org/10.1016/j.agee.2007.01.003 [25] Sangare, S.K., Compaore, E., Buerkert, A., Vanclooster, M., Sedogo, M.P. and Bielders, C.L. (2012) Field-Scale Analysis of Water and Nutrient Use Efficiency for Vegetable Production in a West African Urban Agriculture System. Nutrient Cycling in Agro Ecosystems, 92, 207-224.
http://dx.doi.org/10.1007/s10705-012-9484-2 [26] Stoorvogel, J.J., Smaling, E.M.A. and Janseen, B.H. (1993) Calculating Soil Nutrient Balances in Africa at Different Scales. I-Supranational Scale. Fertilizer Research, 35, 227-235.
http://dx.doi.org/10.1007/BF00750641 [27] Lesschen, J.P., Stoorvogel, J.J., Smaling, E.M., Heuvelink, G.B.M. and Veldkamp, A. (2007) A Spatially Explicit Methodology to Quantify Soil Nutrient Balances and Their Uncertainties at the National Level. Nutrient Cycling in Agro ecosystems, 78, 111-131.
http://dx.doi.org/10.1007/s10705-006-9078-y [28] Zhu, J.H., Li, X.L., Christie, P. and Li, J.L. (2005) Environmental Implications of Low Nitrogen Use Efficiency in Excessively Fertilized Hot Pepper (Capsicum frutescens L.) Cropping Systems. Ecosystems & Environment Ecosystems and Environment, 111, 70-80.
http://dx.doi.org/10.1016/j.agee.2005.04.025 [29] Thompson, R.B., Martinez-Gailan, C., Gallardo, M., Gimenez, C. and Fernandez, M.D. (2007) Identification of Irrigation and N Management Practices That Contribute to Nitrate Leaching Loss from an Intensive Vegetable Production System by Use of Comprehensive Survey. Agricultural Water Management, 89, 261-274.
http://dx.doi.org/10.1016/j.agwat.2007.01.013 [30] Drechsel, P., Giordano, M. and Gyele, L. (2004) Valuing Nutrients in Soil and Water: Concepts and Techniques with Examples from IWMI Studies in the Developing World. Research Report 82. Colombo, International Water Management Institute, 41. [31] Graefe, S., Schlecht, E. and Buerkert, A. (2008) Opportunities and Challenges of Urban and Peri-Urban Agriculture in Niamey. Outlook Agriculture, 37, 47-56.
http://dx.doi.org/10.5367/000000008783883564