Reflections by Francis Muthoni about the highlights moments he experienced recently while participating in the European Geosciences Union General Assembly 2018 in Vienna, Austria. Continue reading
Author Archives: jonathan odhong
Crops / Drylands / ICRISAT / IITA / Intensification / MAIZECRP / Mali / West Africa
‘Contour bunding’ preserves soils and boosts farmers’ incomes by 20% in Mali
A team of International Crops Research Institute for the Semi-Arid Tropics (ICRISAT) scientists in Mali have found that ‘contour bunding’, a technique that helps retain soil moisture and nutrients while preventing erosion brings as much as a 20% increase in net income. Continue reading
Africa RISING, SIIL and SIMLESA hold joint learning event on sustainable intensification and farming systems research in agriculture
Africa RISING, Feed the Future Sustainable Intensification Innovation Lab and SIMLESA exchange ideas, lessons learnt and set collaboration targets for work in sustainable intensification and farming systems research in agriculture Continue reading
Extension / Fall Army Worm / Intensification / Maize / MAIZECRP / nafaka / Pests / Southern Africa / Tanzania
Africa RISING–NAFAKA Project trains government extension staff and farmers in Tanzania on fall army worm management
More than 250 government extension staff and more than 40 lead farmers from Tanzania’s southern highlands have been trained by the Africa RISING – NAFAKA Project on fall armyworm management. Continue reading
CIAT / Extension / Fertilizer / Forages / Gender / IITA / Intensification / Irrigation / Livestock / MAIZECRP / SARI / Scaling / Southern Africa / Tanzania
Technologies that transform: A look at select Africa RISING interventions in Babati District, Tanzania
Africa RISING is implementing action research with farmers in Babati District, Tanzania to validate several technologies that are set to significantly improve farmer livelihoods. Here is a look at summaries of some of these technologies and how they work. Continue reading
IITA / Intensification / MAIZECRP / nafaka / Scaling / Southern Africa / Tanzania
Africa RISING–NAFAKA partnership benefits over 50k households in Tanzania, exceeding targets
The Africa RISING-NAFAKA partnership project has benefited over 50,000 rural smallholder households in Tanzania with integrated packages of improved agricultural technologies. A further 58,000 hectares of farm land has been put under the improved technologies or management practices promoted by project. In both cases the intervention has exceeded the targets that were set when it was unveiled in 2014! Continue reading
IFPRI / IITA / ILRI / Intensification / Knowledge and Information / LIVESTOCK-FISH / MAIZECRP / Report / Roundup
Which ones did you read and download?Africa RISING’s most popular online products and resources in 2017
As the curtain falls on 2017; here at Africa RISING we can only look back and say, “what a a great year”! Sure it was one heck of a roller coaster, but we enjoyed the ride. You our dear online followers, the global knowledge community that we are a part of and endeavor to always serve made the year fabulous through constant engagement with the numerous material we published on our platforms. Some of these materials really seemed to have resonated quite positively with you. That is if the numbers of hits to the website, downloads and page views are to be believed. Continue reading
Feed the Future Innovation Lab for Collaborative Research on SI publishes new sustainable intensification assessment framework
The sustainable intensification assessment framework is an initiative of the Africa-RISING project which develops and recommends metrics and indicators for measuring sustainable intensification under five critical determinants of project sustainability —productivity, economic, environment, human condition and social domains. Continue reading
The renaissance of farming systems research in Africa
Agricultural research in Africa suffers from trends and fashions that often distract from the central goal of enhancing the livelihoods of smallholder farmers. Farming systems research (FSR) played a central role in the late 1980s in revealing the constraints faced by farmers in implementing technologies such as alley cropping. Continue reading
AVRDC / East Africa / IITA / Intensification / MAIZECRP / Nutrition / Scaling / Tanzania / Vegetables
Tanzania farmers embrace vegetable farming to access more high-value markets and improve nutrition
Since 2013, Africa RISING has been working with over 6,000 smallholder farmers in seven districts across Tanzania to promote and mainstream vegetable production as a complementary agricultural production activity in the largely maize-dominated farming systems. The results of this work are now manifest as more farmers are turning to vegetable production for better nutrition and as a viable agri-business alternative with great potential for income generation. Continue reading
Animal Feeding / Crop-Livestock / Gender / IITA / Intensification / Livestock / MAIZECRP / Malawi / Report / Southern Africa / Women
Unravelling links between gender and adoption of agricultural innovations: Insights from communities in Malawi
How do gender dynamics influence adoption of agricultural innovations? A new Africa RISING report shares findings from an exploration of this and other questions with smallholder farmers in central Malawi. Continue reading
Africa / Brief / Gender / IITA / Intensification / MAIZECRP / Research / Scaling / Value Chains / Women
Africa RISING guidelines for capturing gender-sensitive stories in agricultural research and development
Africa RISING has developed guidelines for capturing gender-sensitive stories. The guidelines focus on gender-aware selection of sources, stories and visual material, the elimination of stereotypes and the use of fair language. Continue reading
Africa / CIAT / IFPRI / IITA / Intensification / MAIZECRP / nafaka / Report / Research / Scaling / Southern Africa / Tanzania
How novel use of GIS tools is helping Africa RISING – NAFAKA project in Tanzania to scale-out technologies in locations where they have the best chance to flourish
A research paper published recently in the July 2017 edition of the Land Use Policy Journal has generated a considerable amount of interest after it showed the potential of geospatial tools in supporting evidence-based scaling of sustainable agricultural intensification technologies in Tanzania through the work of IITA-led Africa RISING̶ NAFAKA project. Continue reading
CIP / Crops / IITA / Intensification / MAIZECRP / Nutrition / Potato / Southern Africa / Value Chains / Women / Zambia / ZARI
Farmer finds a sweet spot producing orange-fleshed sweet potato vines and roots during the dry season in Zambia
Farmer finds a sweet spot producing orange-fleshed sweetpotato vines and roots during the dry season in Zambia. Continue reading
Capacity strengthening / CIAT / Extension / Gender / IITA / Intensification / Knowledge and Information / MAIZECRP / SARI / Scaling / Southern Africa / Tanzania
Empowering agricultural extension agents to deliver improved farming technologies
The Africa RISING project team is taking improved technologies to scale targeting thousands of farmers beyond the communities where the validation was done. This wider focus is changing how the project team is going about the business of agricultural extension. Continue reading
Crops / Event / IITA / Intensification / Maize / MAIZECRP / nafaka / Scaling / Southern Africa / Tanzania / Value Chains
Africa RISING–NAFAKA project legacy under the lens in end-of-phase one review
On 3-4 July 2017, partners involved in the Africa RISING – NAFAKA project implementation came together to review achievements made during a largely successful run of the project’s initial three-year phase. Continue reading
Africa / Crop-Livestock / Crops / East Africa / Gender / Intensification / Livestock / MAIZECRP / Report / Research / Southern Africa / West Africa / Women
Africa RISING 2017 gender action plan published
The 2017 gender action plan for the two International Institute of Tropical Agriculture (IITA)-led Africa RISING projects in West Africa and East/Southern Africa is now available. Continue reading
ARI Dakawa / Event / Extension / IITA / Intensification / MAIZECRP / nafaka / Research / Rice / Southern Africa / Tanzania
Africa RISING-NAFAKA scaling model praised for enhancing research‒extension linkages by Tanzania’s Minister of Agriculture
The Africa RISING-NAFAKA project’s model for scaling and disseminating improved technologies has been lauded as ‘exemplary’ and the kind of approach needed to ensure sustainability of improved agricultural interventions for farmers by Tanzania’s Minister of Agriculture Livestock and Fisheries, Hon Dr Charles Tizeba. Continue reading
Event / IITA / Intensification / Legumes / MAIZECRP / Malawi / MSU / Nutrition / Southern Africa / Value Chains
Partners map out transition plans for Africa RISING-led Malawi INVC Bridging Activity Project
On 29 – 30 June 2017, Integrating Nutrition in Value Chains (INVC) Bridging Activity Project partners met in Lilongwe to review implementation progress and discuss transition from the Bridging Activity to the Agricultural Diversification for Incomes and Nutrition (ADIN) Project. Continue reading
Ghana / IITA / MAIZECRP / Postharvest / Research / West Africa
Reducing high cyclical losses after harvest in northern Ghana
Africa RISING designed experiments and trainings to address some of these knowledge and technical gaps to manage harvest surpluses. We provided information and demonstrations on integrated pest management and good storage operations to reduce on-farm storage losses. Continue reading
Ghana / IFPRI / IITA / Intensification / MAIZECRP / Nutrition / West Africa
How Africa RISING interventions affecting production diversity and dietary quality
This evidence brief presents findings from a study that investigated whether on-farm diversity and the production of nutrient-rich crops and livestock by-products contribute to improvements in dietary diversity and micronutrient intake in households. It also evaluated the early effects of the Africa RISING project on crop production and dietary diversity of beneficiaries. Continue reading
Brief / Ghana / Intensification / MAIZECRP / Research / West Africa / WUR
Comparing statistical and participatory clustering of smallholder farming systems
A comparison of statistical and participatory typologies from a case study in northern Ghana. Are they complementary? Should you go for one or the other – depending on your purpose? Or are they best applied together? Continue reading
Diversifying agricultural production and improving diets in Malawi
This evidence brief presents findings from a study that investigated the quasi-exogenous increase in on-farm diversity among Africa RISING beneficiary households in Malawi to examine the link between production and dietary diversity. Continue reading
Aflatoxins / Ghana / Groundnuts / IITA / Intensification / Maize / MAIZECRP / poster / Research / West Africa
Aflasafe products tested in Ghana for aflatoxin control in maize and groundnut
With support from the Africa RISING project, a management strategy using biocontrol products containing native atoxigenic A. flavus fungi to reduce crop aflatoxin content has been developed for use in Ghana by IITA and partners. When products are applied at the right crop development stage, the atoxigenic fungi competitively displace aflatoxin-producers residing in treated fields and, in so doing, crop aflatoxin content is reduced. Continue reading
Brief / IFPRI / LIVESTOCKCRP / M&E / MAIZECRP / Research / Southern Africa / West Africa
Lessons from web-based monitoring and data management in Africa RISING
Over the last four years, Africa RISING has generated a huge amount of data through agronomic trials, household surveys, and focus group discussions. With so much information, it is crucial that data is properly stored and made accessible to researchers and non-researchers alike. In phase I of the program, a web-based Project Mapping and Monitoring Tool (PMMT) was deployed and used by the project team to complement offline monitoring activities. What were the lessons learnt by the team when using this tool? Continue reading
Brief / Groundnuts / Maize / MAIZECRP / Malawi / MSU / Pigeonpea / Research / Southern Africa
Boosting land productivity using ‘doubled-up’ legume intercropping in Malawi
This evidence brief explains how Africa RISING is using an intercropping system known as ‘doubled-up’ legume technology using two complimentary grain legumes. Groundnut–pigeon pea intercropping is the most successful doubled-up system thanks to the two crops’ contrasting structures and maturity dates. Continue reading
CIMMYT / Conservation agriculture / Groundnuts / IITA / Intensification / MAIZECRP / Malawi / Pigeonpea / poster / Southern Africa / Zambia
Doubled-up legume technologies in conservation agriculture show potential for scale up in Zambia
The doubled-up legume system in conservation agriculture is premised on the belief that while farmers will be in a position to get the usual benefits of the doubled-up legumes (‘double’ the grain output per farm, hence more food and also ‘double’ soil fertility through the leafy biomass components of groundnuts and pigeonpea); they will also potentially benefit more from increased moisture retention towards the end of the season as well as reduced labor in land preparation, if the backbreaking conventional tillage practice of ridging can be avoided. Continue reading
Africa / CIAT / East Africa / Fertilizer / IITA / Intensification / Maize / MAIZECRP / poster / SARI / Southern Africa / Tanzania
Pushing back against fertilizer use myth in northern Tanzania
In Babati District, northern Tanzania, a popular but misleading myth persists. That use of inorganic fertilizer ‘kills’ the soil. For several years, majority of farmers in the district have desisted from use of fertilizer to replenish depleted soil nutrients. Africa RISING researchers have for the past five years, invested significant resources and effort to dispel this myth. Continue reading
Africa / East Africa / ICRAF / IITA / Intensification / Legumes / Maize / MAIZECRP / Malawi / MSU / poster / Southern Africa / Tanzania
No one size fits all! Lessons from legume–cereal rotations in smallholder farms
Through its research-in-development work on legume–cereal rotations in Tanzania and Malawi, Africa RISING has established that these rotations work better for larger farms, while intercropping targeted at smaller farms ensures crop diversity, while giving an opportunity for legumes to be grown, thereby bringing associated nitrogen-fixation ecological benefits. Continue reading
Africa / Animal Feeding / East Africa / Fodder / Forages / Gender / IITA / ILRI / Intensification / Livestock / LIVESTOCKCRP / MAIZECRP / poster / Southern Africa / Tanzania
Gender implications of introducing forage chopper machines in northern Tanzania
In 2015, livestock scientists implementing Africa RISING research-in-development activities (R-in-D) introduced forage chopper machines in seven villages in Babati District, northern Tanzania. One year later (in 2016), social scientists evaluated the gender implications of the new processing practices among farmers’ groups. Continue reading
East Africa / IITA / Intensification / MAIZECRP / Malawi / Southern Africa / Tanzania / Trip Report / Zambia
The listening post: How Africa RISING technologies are improving farmers’ lives in Zambia and Malawi
Farmers voices from Malawi and Zambia about how different Africa RISING technologies have touched their lives. These feedback from the grassroots were captured during the recent monitoring visit by the leadership team of the IITA-led Africa RISING project in east and southern Africa. Continue reading
East Africa / IITA / Intensification / MAIZECRP / Malawi / Southern Africa / Tanzania / Trip Report / Zambia
Africa RISING management team visits project sites in east and southern Africa
The leadership team of the IITA-led Africa RISING project in east and southern Africa recently concluded monitoring visits to project sites in Malawi, Zambia, and Tanzania to assess the status and progress of implementation of various project activities by partners. These visits took place between 15–22 February 2017 in Malawi and Zambia, and 21–31 March 2017 in Tanzania. Continue reading
Africa / Climate change / Ghana / ICRISAT / Intensification / MAIZECRP / Mali / NRM / poster / Research / Water / West Africa
Shallow wells cushion smallholders in Mali and Ghana from the effects of climate variability
Africa RISING scientists from ICRISAT implemented a small scale pilot study in the semi-arid regions of southern Mali and northern Ghana to evaluate the impacts of climate variability at different scales (farm to watershed), using newly setup hydro-meteorological stations and hydrological modelling tools. Continue reading
Ghana / Intensification / MAIZECRP / Mali / Presentation
In pictures: Africa RISING West Africa review and planning meeting 2017
Africa RISING West Africa project partners recently took part in the 2017 review and planning meeting, which reviewed phase I outputs, achievements and lessons learnt, discuss phase II proposal and implementation guidelines, and reviewed a pre-developed project log frame
Draft 2017 work plans. Continue reading
CIMMYT / Conservation agriculture / Cowpea / DRYLANDSCRP / Intensification / Research / Southern Africa / Zambia
Diversification with cowpea provides new opportunities for smallholders in Zambia
Drought-tolerant cowpea has become an attractive crop among rural Zambian farmers, thanks to USAID’s Feed the Future initiative in Eastern Province. Cowpea is now more frequently used as both a food and cash crop in the Eastern Province, due to its high nutritional value for household consumption and an increase in local market demand. Africa RISING supports this development by promoting crop diversification as part of its broader agricultural technological interventions and as an integral part of conservation agriculture. Continue reading
CIMMYT / Conservation agriculture / DRYLANDSCRP / Extension / Intensification / Maize / Research / Southern Africa / Zambia
Good agriculture practices―low hanging fruits for Zambian farmers
Good agriculture practices (GAPs) are the low-hanging fruits for extension of new technologies. They are easily adoptable, give farmers an immediate benefit, and help in the gradual shift from traditional plough or hoe-based systems with maize monocropping to more sustainable and adapted ways of agriculture.It is against this background that the Africa RISING project theme on Sustainable Intensification of low input farming Systems has intensified the out scaling of simple component technologies in a mother-and-baby trial approach in three districts of Eastern Province, namely Sinda, Chipata, and Lundazi. Continue reading
CIMMYT / Conservation agriculture / DRYLANDSCRP / Intensification / Research / Southern Africa / Zambia
Conservation agriculture – a system to adapt to climate variability and declining soil fertility in Zambia
Remarkable results are emerging from Africa RISING project activities in Eastern Province of Zambia. More than 20,000 farmers have been exposed to CA by SIMLEZA-Africa RISING, the predecessor project of Africa RISING, which continues to sensitize and train more farmers. Farmers benefitted from increased use of CA technologies by gradually increasing crop yields leading to a solid yield benefit of 117% (1942 kg/ha) in a manually direct seeded maize crop following cowpea as compared with the conventional practice in the 2014/2015 cropping season. Continue reading
CIMMYT / Conservation agriculture / Crop-Livestock / DRYLANDSCRP / Intensification / Manure / Research / Southern Africa / Zambia
Improved manure management – getting more from a limited resource
In the cropping season of 2015/2016, Africa RISING expanded its work in Zambia under the Sustainable Intensification theme to trials on improved manure handling. Continue reading
Africa / Event / IFPRI / IITA / ILRI / Intensification / LIVESTOCKCRP / MAIZECRP / PCT / Research / Scaling
Connecting research-in-development dots and investing in dynamic scaling pathways – Africa RISING phase2 kicks off with science for impact event
What’s new in Africa RISING? What are the intrinsic changes to the DNA of the program? How will the project achieve these high impact developmental objectives? Does the project completely shift its focus from research to development? Continue reading
CIMMYT / Conservation agriculture / Drylands / DRYLANDSCRP / Impact Assessment / Intensification / Maize / Research / Southern Africa / Zambia
Sustainable intensification practices―a ray of hope for Zambian farmers facing drought
Findings from three districts in Zambia revealed that smallholder farmers use agricultural technology innovations and diversification strategies to manage droughts and enhance their resilience to climate shocks. Continue reading
Agroforestry / CIMMYT / Conservation agriculture / DRYLANDSCRP / Intensification / Maize / Southern Africa / Zambia
Addressing smallholder farmers’ needs with green manure cover crops and agroforestry in Zambia
Farmers in southern Africa plant maize extensively on large areas, harvest less than 2 t/ha on average, extracting already depleted nutrients from the soil while trying to become food secure and escape from poverty―an impossible task! In Eastern Province of Zambia, farmers are being offered a range of solutions by Africa RISING that provide a way out of this poverty trap. These technologies, options, and approaches include drought- and stress-tolerant maize germplasm, conservation agriculture (CA), improved rotation and intercropping with grain legumes, agroforestry, and green manure cover crops. Continue reading
Gender / Ghana / HUMIDTROPICS / Intensification / Report / West Africa / Women
Africa RISING gender study informs research in northern Ghana
This study report provides interesting insights into the gender implications of Africa RISING’s agricultural intensification practices in target communities in northern Ghana. Continue reading
East Africa / HUMIDTROPICS / IITA / Impact Assessment / Intensification / poster / Postharvest / Southern Africa / Tanzania
Economic evaluation of an improved grain storage technology in Tanzania
Insights from an economic evaluation of Africa RISING post-harvest technology (Purdue Improved Crop Storage bags) in Tanzania reveal how much farmers are benefitting by adopting the improved storage bags over the conventional storage options. Continue reading
Ethiopia / Ghana / HUMIDTROPICS / IFPRI / Impact Assessment / Intensification / M&E / Mali / poster / Research / Tanzania
Monitoring and evaluation in systems research: Experience from Africa RISING
This poster provides a self-reflective look at the key lessons and what it takes to operationalize a robust M&E framework for a complex systems research program like Africa RISING. Continue reading
East Africa / HUMIDTROPICS / IITA / Intensification / Maize / nafaka / poster / Rice / Scaling / Southern Africa / Tanzania
Taking agricultural technologies to scale: The Africa RISING-NAFAKA partnership in Tanzania
In 2014, Africa RISING partnered with the USAID-funded NAFAKA project in Tanzania to scale-out best-bet technologies among smallholder farmers. Currently in its third year, the project, which also incorporates several community-based actors, has achieved great success. This poster provides an inside look at what it takes to make these kind of partnerships tick and the key lessons learnt from this nascent project. Continue reading
Ghana / HUMIDTROPICS / Innovation Systems / Intensification / poster / West Africa / WUR
Complex systems, simple solutions? Operationalizing diversity to understand technology adoption
Insights from the results of an evaluation of different Africa RISING technology packages per farm type and per region in Northern Ghana. Continue reading
East Africa / Geodata / HUMIDTROPICS / IITA / Intensification / nafaka / poster / Scaling / Southern Africa / Tanzania
GIS generated recommendation domains to scale improved crop varieties in Tanzania
A geospatial framework for delineating recommendation domains for crop varieties which are part of the Africa RISING technology packages. Continue reading
Africa / East Africa / Fertilizer / HUMIDTROPICS / IITA / Intensification / Maize / nafaka / Scaling / Southern Africa / Tanzania
Improved agricultural technologies for improved livelihoods in Tanzania
How switching to improved agricultural technologies like hybrid maize varieties and application of bladed fertilizers catalyzed a young female farmer’s dramatic rise from an off-season casual laborer to a champion farmer in rural Tanzania. Continue reading
Africa / Geodata / HUMIDTROPICS / IITA / Intensification / poster / Scaling / Tanzania
Africa RISING ESA posters on scaling techniques win top honours
Two posters on scaling techniques applied by the Africa RISING project in Tanzania were recently ranked 2nd and 3rd at a poster competition featuring over 50 entries in Ibadan, Nigeria. Continue reading
Climate change / East Africa / HUMIDTROPICS / ICRISAT / IITA / Intensification / Scaling / Southern Africa / Tanzania
Kongwa District Council and Africa RISING rally to fight hunger in rural Tanzania
The Africa RISING project in Tanzania recently got merited recognition by the Kongwa District Council as a project that provides farmers with practical improved agricultural technologies that can be applied to fight hunger in the District. Continue reading
Bridging the know-do gap: Annotated bibliography of gender in agriculture for Africa RISING project partners
This annotated bibliography of gender learning resources will ensure that project partners can at a glance find information and links to selected open access documents addressing particular topics of interest to them on gender in agriculture. Continue reading
Cowpea / Ghana / HUMIDTROPICS / IITA / Pests / poster / Research / West Africa
Insecticide spray regime effect on cowpea yield and financial returns in northern Ghana
While insecticide spraying offers the most effective management strategy for insect pests in farmers’ fields, most farmers in Ghana spray only once in most cases. The effect of a three spray regime was compared to conventional farmer practice (one spray) on yield and net financial returns of cowpea on-farm. Continue reading
Africa / Crop-Livestock / Drylands / HUMIDTROPICS / ILRI / Intensification / Livestock / Mali / NRM / Participation / Research / SLS / Video / West Africa
Conventions locales de gestion des ressources naturelles: schema pastoral au sud du Mali
En Afrique de l’Ouest, comme dans la plupart des pays d’Afrique Sub-Sahélienne, les ressources naturelles constituent la base de la vie quotidienne des hommes, particulièrement pour les pauvres qui dans la majorité des cas vivent dans le milieu rural où leur moyens de subsistances dépendent presque exclusivement des activités agricoles et de l’élevage. Continue reading
Capacity strengthening / Event / HUMIDTROPICS / IITA / Intensification / Malawi / Participation / Research / Southern Africa
Getting ready for phase 2: Africa RISING partners pore over farming systems research design
Twenty scientists implementing different Africa RISING interventions in East and Southern Africa took part in a training on farming systems research design from 3-4 October, 2016 in Lilongwe,Malawi. “After this training I think the scientists are now better equipped to make more integrated and participatory systems research designs,” explains Prof. Mateete Bekunda, Chief Scientist, Africa RISING East and Southern Africa Project. Continue reading
Africa / East Africa / Ethiopia / Ghana / HUMIDTROPICS / IFPRI / IITA / ILRI / Innovation Systems / Intensification / Malawi / Mali / Research / Scaling / SLS / Southern Africa / Tanzania / West Africa / Zambia
Boost for Africa’s smallholder farmers’ access to sustainable agricultural technologies as USAID announces $ 50 million Africa RISING Phase 2
The U.S. Agency for International Development’s (USAID) Bureau for Food Security in Washington DC has announced funding for a second 5-year phase of the Africa Research in Sustainable Intensification for the Next Generation (Africa RISING) program beginning October 2016. Continue reading
AVRDC / East Africa / HUMIDTROPICS / Nutrition / Tanzania / Vegetables
Case study highlights Africa RISING’s role in improving vegetable production in Tanzania
A recently published case study highlights the success of Africa RISING interventions in improving vegetable varieties and production among smallholder farmers in Kilombero District, Tanzania. Continue reading
AVRDC / HUMIDTROPICS / Intensification / Interview / Poultry / Tanzania / Vegetables
Monica Paschal: portrait of a successful vegetable and poultry farmer
Monica Paschal is a 48-year-old farmer and a mother of five. She has been involved in small-scale farming for 27 years and refers to herself as ‘mkulima wa kujikimu’ (Swahili for smallholder/subsistence farmer).
‘The past three years have been the most satisfying to me as a farmer because I have been able to gradually transform my farming from subsistence to a profitable mini-enterprise which has enabled me to Continue reading
Capacity strengthening / Ghana / HUMIDTROPICS / IITA / Interview / Mali / Tanzania
Next generation of Africa’s agricultural researchers RISING
From East to West Africa,post-graduate students supported by Africa RISING are completing their research studies….and sharing their findings.In this brief,we feature four students who’ve recently defended their research theses – Clarisse Umutoni, Shitindi Mawazo, Daniel Apalibe and Alagma Henry. They are among a cohort of 47 MSc and 15 PhD students supported by the Africa RISING program in West Africa and East/Southern Africa from 2012 – 2016. Continue reading
Photo report: Africa RISING-NAFAKA scaling project farmers field day meetings in Dodoma, Tanzania
On 5th and 6th May 2016, the project’s researchers, fields agents and farmers organized and held had a Farmers’ Field Day event. This gave an opportunity for farmers who are not taking part in the project to learn and share experience with their colleagues who are beneficiaries about Good Agronomic Practices. The farmers also got the chance to visit demo plots for self-observations. Continue reading
DRYLANDSCRP / Intensification / Legumes / Malawi / MSU / NRM / Research / Soils / Southern Africa
Doubled-up legume rotations improve soil fertility and maintain productivity under variable conditions in maize-based cropping systems in Malawi
Smallholder farmers in Malawi must cope with small farm size, low soil fertility and production risks associated with rainfed agriculture. Integration of legumes into maize-based cropping systems is advocated as a means to increase production of diverse nutrient-dense grains and improve soil fertility. Continue reading
CIMMYT / Cowpea / DRYLANDSCRP / Intensification / Legumes / Maize / Southern Africa / Soybean / Zimbabwe
Are conservation agriculture systems good options for smallholders in Zimbabwe?
A multi-locational study in Zimbabwe aimed to determine the effect of four tillage systems on maize, cowpea and soybean yields, and evaluate the economic performance of the conservation agriculture (CA) systems relative to conventional plowing. Continue reading
AVRDC / DRYLANDSCRP / Mali / Nutrition / Report / West Africa
Guide de nutrition pour travailleurs communautaires / Nutrition guide for community workers in Mali
This document is a working guide for the agricultural and health extension workers in Mali. It is meant to help them to improve their knowledge, skills, and nutrition practices to ensure greater returns on investments in agricultural research for nutrition and health impacts. Continue reading
Fertilizer / Ghana / HUMIDTROPICS / IITA / Maize / poster / Scaling / West Africa
Can maize farmers in northern Ghana increase economic benefits by applying more nitrogen?
A higher rate of nitrogen application provides higher economic benefit to farmers compared to the government recommended rate. There are visible differences between six maize varieties commonly grown in northern Ghana (used in this experiment) in terms of performance under higher fertilizer rate. Continue reading
AVRDC / East Africa / HUMIDTROPICS / IITA / Scaling / Southern Africa / Tanzania / Vegetables
No small change: Vegetable farmer cashes in on new vegetable varieties in Tanzania
“I produce vegetables because this is ready cash for me and my family,” says a beaming Hassan Saidi; one of the beneficiary farmers in the activities led by AVRDC under the Africa RISING-NAFAKA and TUBORESHE CHAKULA project for fast tracking delivery and scaling of agricultural technologies in Tanzania. Continue reading
HUMIDTROPICS / Infographic / Intensification / Legumes / Malawi / MSU / Scaling / Southern Africa
INFOGRAPHIC: How does a farm family in Malawi produce more from their farm?
This newly published infographic which is largely based on Africa RISING program activities in central Malawi helps to visualize what sustainable intensification means in the context of the farming system in the region and how it differs from the typical farmer practice. It also illustrates how the doubled-up legume technology works to ensure a farmer gets “double” legume grain yields and “double” soil fertility benefits from biological nitrogen fixation. Continue reading
DRYLANDSCRP / Infographic / Intensification / Legumes / Malawi / MSU / Southern Africa
INFOGRAPHIC: Different strokes for different folks (on farm typologies in Africa RISING)
Smallholder farming households in much of sub-Saharan Africa (SSA) are distinctly diverse within and across communities. This infographic seeks to visually explain the different ‘best bet: best fit’ pathways of intensification for contrasting farm categories (typologies). Continue reading
Geodata / Ghana / HUMIDTROPICS / IFPRI / IITA / Interview / Social Learning / West Africa
What you need to know about Africa RISING farm typology work
In this interview, Mirja Michalscheck of Wageningen University and Sara Signorelli of the International Food Policy Research Institute (IFPRI) explain the vision behind the typology work in Africa RISING; the insights emerging from the studies and how the typology results can be used by the project team. Continue reading
Event / Ghana / HUMIDTROPICS / IITA / Mali / West Africa
Africa RISING West Africa partners sift out ‘scalable’ technologies at review and planning meeting
Discussions at this year’s Africa RISING West Africa review and planning meeting served up serious dialogue among partners on which improved agricultural technologies that have been tested and refined over the past four years can be scaled to benefit more farmers beyond the current project sites. Animated discourse at the meeting, in Accra, Ghana from … Continue reading
Africa / Capacity strengthening / Gender / HUMIDTROPICS / IITA / Report / Women
Just how much gender capacity exists in Africa RISING?
Africa RISING conducted a gender capacity assessment in 2015, that aims to direct attention to the importance of gender capacities for the project’s success. Continue reading
AVRDC / East Africa / HUMIDTROPICS / IITA / Intensification / Tanzania / Vegetables
Tanzanian farmers cash in on new tomato variety
Higher incomes for farmers, a new tomato variety for consumers Continue reading
AVRDC / East Africa / HUMIDTROPICS / IITA / Intensification / Nutrition / Southern Africa / Tanzania / Vegetables
A healthy veggie revolution growing in Tanzania
Through the Africa RISING project, farmers in nine villages located in Manyara and Dodoma regions of Tanzania have been introduced to Amaranth and African nightshade farming. Continue reading
CIMMYT / Cowpea / DRYLANDSCRP / Gender / IITA / Intensification / Maize / Participation / Scaling / Southern Africa / Zambia
Getting technologies out to farmers using innovative approaches: the Africa RISING – SIMLEZA project
Since September 2013, the SIMLEZA-Africa RISING project tested a range of improved agricultural technologies in Chipata and Katete districts of Zambia with the aim of sustainably intensifying the productivity of small holder farmers in those parts of the country. How did the project scale-out those technologies to the farmers? What worked and what didn’t? Continue reading
East Africa / HUMIDTROPICS / IITA / Intensification / Maize / Postharvest / Southern Africa / Tanzania
Tanzania farmers save on labour and cut food losses
New postharvest technologies put a smile on the faces of Tanzania’s smallholder farmers Continue reading
CIMMYT / Crop Residues / Crop-Livestock / DRYLANDSCRP / IITA / Intensification / Livestock / Maize / Southern Africa / Zambia
Expanding beyond demonstration plots brings new cattle to the kraal in Zambia
In the second year of practicing conservation agriculture (CA) introduced to him through the SIMLEZA-Africa RISING project; Stephen Nyirenda, a 38 year old farmer from Lundazi District in Zambia has been able to increase the productivity of his farm in ways he never thought possible. In just two seasons he’s been able to buy two cows from the extra proceeds he’s been getting from his farm. Not a mean feat, but which he attributes squarely to this new found way of sustainable land management Continue reading
CIMMYT / DRYLANDSCRP / IITA / Intensification / Maize / Southern Africa / Zambia
Quality cowpea seed production offers Zambian women farmers opportunities for quality lives
Thanks to an emerging breed of bold farmers who have taken to producing legume seeds for cultivation by their colleagues, the challenge of legume seed availability is being met in Eastern Zambia. For the past two years, Tichoke Phiri, a woman farmer from Kawalala camp in Katete district has been growing improved cowpea varieties through the Africa RISING project and selling it at a minimal cost to her fellow farmers in Kawala camp. The returns from her work have been very rewarding Continue reading
CIMMYT / Climate change / Cowpea / DRYLANDSCRP / IITA / Intensification / Maize / Participation / Southern Africa / Zambia
Conservation agriculture for Zambia – A resilient technology in times of climate change
Against the odds stacked against them due to climate change; farmers in Chipata and Katete districts in Zambia where the SIMLEZA-Africa RISING project was being implemented are ramping up their farm productivity using conservation agriculture techniques. Richard Soko, a farmer from Chipata District is one such farmer Continue reading
East Africa / HUMIDTROPICS / IITA / Intensification / Maize / Participation / Southern Africa / Tanzania
Tanzania farmer harvested 60 bags of maize despite severe drought
The Africa RISING-NAFAKA-TUBORESHE CHAKULA scaling project is working to introduce farmers in Kongwa and Kiteto districts in Tanzania to simple seasonal in-situ water-harvesting innovations Continue reading
CIMMYT / DRYLANDSCRP / IITA / Intensification / Maize / Scaling / Seeds / Southern Africa / Zambia
Scaling up drought tolerant maize in Zambia
The SIMLEZA – Africa RISING project in Zambia provides support to seed companies in seed business development, including building capacity for training and technical assistance, entrepreneurial skills, varietal release and registration, seed multiplication and commercialization to enhance their ability to produce and market improved seed. Continue reading
DRYLANDSCRP / IITA / Intensification / Legumes / Malawi / MSU / Southern Africa
USAID Agrilinks webinar participants impressed by Africa RISING doubled-up legume work in Malawi
USAID Agrilinks webinar participants impressed by Africa RISING doubled-up legume work in Malawi Continue reading
Event / HUMIDTROPICS / IITA / Intensification / Research
Africa RISING gears up for phase two
Africa RISING project partners from the CGIAR centers, national research systems, and other international research centres recently held a meeting on 6-8 October in Bamako, Mali, to write up the a second phase proposal for the program. Continue reading
Gender / HUMIDTROPICS / IITA / Interview
RISING voices: Gundula Fischer, Africa RISING Gender Specialist (IITA)
Gundula Fischer, is the Africa RISING Gender Specialist at the International Institute of Tropical Agriculture (IITA). She introduces herself and her work within the Africa RISING program. This is one of a series of portraits of key people in Africa RISING. Continue reading
Ghana / HUMIDTROPICS / IITA / Interview / Nutrition / West Africa
RISING voices: Mahama Saaka, Social Scientist (UDS, Ghana)
Mahama Saaka, is a scientist from the University for Development Studies (UDS) in Ghana. The university (UDS) is one of the Africa RISING implementing partner institutions. In this interview which is part of a series of portraits of key people in Africa RISING, Mahama introduces himself and his work within the Africa RISING program. Continue reading
Africa RISING research trials yield impressive options for boosting smallholder farm profitability in Tanzania
Results from a cost-benefit-analysis of Africa RISING technologies in Tanzania show that almost all of the technologies being tested by the project are better than the base technologies currently used by farmers. Continue reading
CIMMYT / DRYLANDSCRP / IITA / Intensification / Interview / Southern Africa / Zambia
Interview with Brian Martalus, Feed the Future Coordinator, USAID Zambia
I love the fact that Africa RISING is shifting gears from research into technology transfer to farmers: an interview with Brian Martalus, Feed the Future Coordinator, USAID Zambia Continue reading
Why farmers adopt sustainable intensification practices in Ghana
So what factors influence whether farmers will adopt new sustainable intensification practices? And what is their impact ? A recent study by Africa RISING in northern Ghana found that farmers are primarily influenced by seven factors in adopting agricultural technologies. Continue reading
Groundnuts / HUMIDTROPICS / IITA / Intensification / Legumes / Malawi / MSU / Nutrition / Research / Southern Africa
Groundnut in Malawi: The cash ‘cow’ and butter that nourishes families
A newly published research brief by Africa RISING offers tips on how farmers can get more yields when they grow groundnuts. Continue reading
Brief / DRYLANDSCRP / IITA / Intensification / Legumes / Malawi / Pigeonpea / Research / Southern Africa
Doubled-up legume technology in Malawi boosts land productivity
A newly published brief by Africa RISING explains how the doubled-up legume technology works and how to get optimum yields using the technology. Continue reading
Africa RISING technologies offer Ghana farmers opportunity to earn three times more
Results from an indicative cost-benefit-analysis in northern Ghana show that farmers are getting three times more (300%), over and above their total expenditures when using the Africa RISING technologies. Continue reading
Africa / Crop-Livestock / Crops / Ghana / HUMIDTROPICS / IITA / Intensification / Maize / Research / West Africa
Intensifying maize production in integrated crop-livestock farming systems in northern Ghana
An Africa RISING research brief explains the effect of sheep and goat stocking density (SSD) on grain yield and soil properties in small-scale mixed farming systems. Continue reading
Africa / Ghana / HUMIDTROPICS / IITA / Intensification / Livestock / Pigs / Research / West Africa
Rural pig rearing survey unlocks intensification pathways in northern Ghana
Researchers from the University for Development Studies and the Kwame Nkrumah University of Science and Technology conducted a baseline survey to identify key factors that affect pig rearing and prospects for intensification and integration with crop production. Continue reading
DRYLANDSCRP / Geodata / ICRISAT / IITA / Mali / NRM / West Africa
New Africa RISING geospatial maps show cropping patterns and land use changes in Mali
Africa RISING and the International Crops Research Institute for the Semi-Arid-Tropics (ICRISAT) geospatial unit in India have developed land use maps of Africa RISING project intervention sites in southern Mali. Continue reading
CIMMYT / Crop-Livestock / East Africa / HUMIDTROPICS / Kenya / Maize / Tanzania
No retreat, no surrender: Scientists pledge to step up search for solution to MLN in East Africa
Researchers say they are close to a breakthrough in developing maize lethal necrosis (MLN) tolerant maize varieties, that will help farmers in East Africa successfully fight the disease. Continue reading
Africa / Cowpea / Crops / Ghana / HUMIDTROPICS / IITA / Intensification / Maize / Research / West Africa
Productivity of hybrid maize-cowpea cropping systems in northern Ghana
Productivity of hybrid and open-pollinated maize grown in association with erect and spreading cowpea types was evaluated on-farm in Africa RISING intervention communities in northern Ghana. Continue reading
CIAT / East Africa / Fertilizer / HUMIDTROPICS / Intensification / NRM / Soils / Tanzania
Photo story: Busting soil myths in Tanzania
Farmers know that soil is a precious commodity. But in Babati District, northern Tanzania, a long held belief that mineral fertilizers spoils soils is preventing them from making informed decisions on how best to keep their soils healthy and increase their yields.Researchers from the International Center for Tropical Agriculture (CIAT) and the Selian Agriculture.Research Institute (SARI) are investigating best-bet fertilizer options and agronomic practices for maize in the region as part of the USAID-funded Africa RISING program. Their work is challenging local beliefs and changing attitudes. Continue reading
Africa RISING showcases interventions at Nane Nane agricultural fair in Arusha
The Africa RISING Tanzania last month exhibited various agricultural interventions being implemented by project partners at the nane nane agricultural fair in Arusha, Tanzania. The event gave some of the project partners an opportunity to showcase their interventions and get valuable feedback from farmers and participants taking part in the week-long fair. Over 200 participants, mostly farmers, visited the Africa RISING exhibition stand. Continue reading
Africa / Crops / Fertilizer / Ghana / HUMIDTROPICS / IITA / Intensification / Maize / NRM / Research / Soils / West Africa
Sustainable use of nitrogen fertilizer for intensive maize production in northern Ghana
Maize is an important cereal crop in Ghana, especially in the northern part where it is replacing sorghum and millet. High yielding, drought and Striga tolerant varieties have recently been released. Continue reading
Africa / Crop-Livestock / Ghana / HUMIDTROPICS / IITA / Intensification / Irrigation / IWMI / NRM / Research / Water / West Africa
Improving water productivity in crop-livestock farming systems in northern Ghana
Smallholder farmers in northern Ghana face a number of water-related challenges. Continue reading
Africa / Ghana / HUMIDTROPICS / IITA / Intensification / Livestock / Poultry / Research / West Africa
Rural poultry survey unlocks options for intensification in northern Ghana
Intensive or semi-intensive rearing of improved and unimproved stocks of chickens, guinea fowls, ducks, turkeys and pigeons in relatively small numbers for food (meat, eggs) and cash has potential to reduce poverty, malnutrition and food insecurity among rural and peri-urban farm families. Continue reading
Agroforestry / Crop-Livestock / East Africa / Fodder / HUMIDTROPICS / ICRAF / IITA / Intensification / NRM / Research / Soils / Tanzania / Trees / Women
Barking up the right tree: Multipurpose trees help Tanzania smallholders build a resilient farming system
Tanzania’s smallholder farmers in erosion battered districts of Kongwa and Kiteto are reclaiming their land and in the process building a resilient farming system through agro-forestry interventions introduced courtesy of the Africa RISING project. Continue reading
AfricaRice / AVRDC / CIMMYT / Crops / East Africa / HUMIDTROPICS / ICRAF / IITA / Scaling / Southern Africa / Tanzania
From research plots to farmer fields: Africa RISING – NAFAKA partners discuss scaling plans in Tanzania
Partners implementing activities under the Africa RISING – NAFAKA scaling project held their first annual review and planning meeting recently (8-10 July, 2015) in Dar es Salaam, Tanzania where they discussed effective ways of scaling up improved crop varieties to Tanzania’s smallholder farmers. Continue reading
AVRDC / CIMMYT / Crop-Livestock / East Africa / Event / HUMIDTROPICS / IFPRI / IITA / Intensification / Malawi / Research / Southern Africa / Tanzania / Zambia
Africa RISING project partners review achievements and plans for East and Southern Africa
More than 50 scientists from various CGIAR Centres and National Research Systems converged in Mangochi, Malawi on 13–15 July for a review and planning meeting of the Africa RISING East and Southern Africa Project. Continue reading
Crops / Event / HUMIDTROPICS / ICRISAT / Knowledge and Information / Mali / West Africa
Africa RISING fairs boost farmer awareness and access to inputs in Mali
Efforts to help farmers with adopt improved crop varieties and agricultural technologies have been launched in Mali. A series of agriculture input fairs were recently held in Bougouni District as part of a wider initiative to bring together input suppliers, distributors and farmers and provide a platform for them to strengthening partnerships. Continue reading
Africa / Animal Feeding / Crop Residues / Crop-Livestock / Feeds / Fodder / Forages / Ghana / HUMIDTROPICS / IITA / ILRI / Intensification / West Africa
Crop residues bring in cash and feeds for farmers in northern Ghana – study
Assorted feeds from crop residues such as cowpea hay, groundnut haulms, to agro-industrial by-products (bran of maize, rice and sorghum) and fresh grass are fast becoming big business in northern Ghana. Continue reading
Africa / AfricaRice / East Africa / HUMIDTROPICS / Intensification / Research / Rice / Tanzania / Value Chains
More yields but less sales: Researchers seek solution to aroma preference conundrum in Tanzania’s rice sector
Preference for aromatic rice by consumers is an open secret in the rice sector in Tanzania. But this preference for a distinct scent in rice could be a root cause of stagnating rice production in the country. Researchers from AfricaRice (through the Africa RISING project) in partnership with a local NGO, NAFAKA, have been implementing activities to find a middle ground for stakeholders involved in the rice value chain in Tanzania. Continue reading
Africa / Forages / HUMIDTROPICS / IITA / ILRI / Mali / NRM / West Africa
A new dawn in Zanzoni, Mali as natural resource management conventions are formalized
Through the Africa RISING project, ILRI and AMEDD (a local Malian NGO) have worked with the local community in Zanzoni since September 2013 to ensure that they have a more equitable and sustainable management of natural resources in the mixed crop-livestock systems that dominate the region. Continue reading
AVRDC / CIAT / East Africa / Extension / Gender / HUMIDTROPICS / IITA / Intensification / Interview / Southern Africa / Tanzania
Elda Mmary: Helping Tanzania smallholders make smart farming choices against the odds
Elda Mmary, a female extension officer talks about her work with smallholder farmers on the Africa RISING project in Babati District, Tanzania. Continue reading
East Africa / Ethiopia / HUMIDTROPICS / Intensification / NRM / Southern Africa / Water
Three lessons from an Africa RISING cross-learning visit to Ethiopia
Scientists involved in the Africa RISING project share three key lessons learnt from a recent cross-learning visit to the Ethiopian highlands on landscape and watershed management. Continue reading
CIAT / East Africa / HUMIDTROPICS / IITA / Intensification / Irrigation / NRM / Research / Tanzania / Water
Strategic management of natural resources: A watery perspective
In northern Tanzania, failed rains and drying streams mean the main source of livelihood – agriculture – is under serious threat. In a bid to buffer smallholder farmers from erratic rainfall CIAT, through the Africa RISING project, is carrying out research into sustainable water management in the country. Continue reading
Animal Feeding / CIAT / Crop-Livestock / Dairying / East Africa / Feeds / Fodder / Forages / HUMIDTROPICS / ILRI / Intensification / Participation / Southern Africa / Tanzania
Facilitating participatory research: Scientists train farmers and extension officers in Babati-Tanzania on forage data collection
Farmers and extension agents from Babati District in Tanzania took part in a training, held on 20 April 2015, by Africa RISING scientists from the International Livestock Research Institute (ILRI) and the International Center for Tropical Agriculture (CIAT) as part of activities to integrate improved forages into smallholder crop-livestock systems through capacity building for farmers and extension officers. Continue reading
CIMMYT / East Africa / HUMIDTROPICS / IITA / Maize / Tanzania / Video
In pursuit of a solution for maize lethal necrosis disease in East Africa
In this five-minute video, Bright Jumbo, the Africa RISING research lead on the management of maize lethal necrosis disease, explains the progress made by the team as at March 2015. Continue reading
HUMIDTROPICS / ICRISAT / IITA / Mali / Nutrition / Participation / Research / West Africa / Women
Women ‘nutrition leaders’ changing the fate of children in Mali
Africa RISING is contributing to changing the fates of children in Koutiala city in the Sikasso region of Mali by supporting an initiative to educate young mothers and pregnant women about ways of preparing nutritious meals for their infants using whole grain cereals. The initiative dubbed, the nutrition field schools program is improving child health and freeing up women’s time.So far 290 people have participated in nutrition field schools (94% women) and about 600 households have benefited from collective demonstrations. The consumption of whole grain sorghum increased in six villages. Continue reading
HUMIDTROPICS / ICRISAT / IITA / Intensification / Legumes / Maize / Mali / Seeds / West Africa
‘A good farmer produces their own seeds’: Raising food yields in Mali
Souleman Ballo and his fellow farmers in the seed cooperative know only too well how important good seeds are for a farmer’s wealth. To address the challenge of accessing quality seed, their cooperative has been working with researchers at the International Crops Research Institute for the Semi-Arid-Tropics (ICRISAT) and the Institut d’Economie Rurale (IER) to develop improved varieties of sorghum and millet leading to remarkable yield gains. Continue reading
Ghana / HUMIDTROPICS / ICRISAT / IFPRI / IITA / ILRI / Intensification / Mali / Research / West Africa
Time to prioritize: West Africa partners make plans for 2015 field season activities
The review and planning meeting of the Africa RISING West Africa project ended on 25 March 2015 with partners committing to take integration of research activities a notch higher in 2015. Continue reading
East Africa / Humid Tropics / HUMIDTROPICS / IFPRI / IITA / Impact Assessment / Innovation Systems / Intensification / Malawi / MSU / Report / Research / Southern Africa / Tanzania
Africa RISING ESA external review team praises research work, calls for improved efforts to ensure technologies are adopted by small holder farmers
The IITA commissioned external review of Africa RISING East and Southern Africa project concluded on 16 March after nearly five weeks of literature review, project stakeholder interviews and field visits to project sites in Tanzania and Malawi. Continue reading
Africa / DRYLANDSCRP / HUMIDTROPICS / IFPRI / Impact Assessment / Intensification / Maize / Malawi / Research / Southern Africa / Tanzania
Characterizing the adopters of sustainable intensification innovations in Malawi and Tanzania
At this week’s international conference on Integrated Systems Research for Sustainable Intensification in Smallholder Agriculture, Jeroen Groot presented a poster on behalf of IFPRI colleagues on Africa RISING work to characterize the adopters of sustainable intensification innovations in Malawi and Tanzania. Continue reading
CIMMYT / Crop-Livestock / Crops / HUMIDTROPICS / IITA / Intensification / Maize / Southern Africa / Tanzania
Integration of Maize Lethal Necrosis disease management in crop-livestock intensification in East Africa
At this week’s international conference on Integrated Systems Research for Sustainable Intensification in Smallholder Agriculture, Bright Jumbo presented a poster reporting on research in Tanzania to integrate Maize Lethal Necrosis disease management in crop-livestock intensification. Continue reading
Animal Feeding / Dairying / Drylands / DRYLANDSCRP / Fodder / Forages / ICRAF / Intensification / Malawi / Research / Southern Africa
Exploring niches for livestock intensification in farming systems in Malawi
At this week’s international conference on Integrated Systems Research for Sustainable Intensification in Smallholder Agriculture, Aston Mulwafu presented a poster explaining on different feed options for smallholder dairy farmers to intensify their production systems in Malawi. Dairying in smallholder farming systems can be intensified to improve livelihoods. The biggest constraint faced by resource-constrained … Continue reading
Africa / Animal Feeding / Crop-Livestock / Forages / HUMIDTROPICS / IITA / ILRI / Livestock / Research / SLS / Southern Africa / Tanzania
Participatory evaluation of productivity and farmer preferences of selected Napier grass accessions in northern Tanzania
At this week’s international conference on Integrated Systems Research for Sustainable Intensification in Smallholder Agriculture, Gregory Sikumba presented a poster on farmer preferences of selected Napier grass accessions in northern Tanzania. Continue reading
Crops / Drylands / DRYLANDSCRP / IITA / Intensification / Legumes / Malawi / MSU / Pigeonpea / Research / Southern Africa
Increasing pigeonpea productivity in a novel doubled-up legume cropping system in Malawi
At this week’s international conference on Integrated Systems Research for Sustainable Intensification in Smallholder Agriculture, Chiwimbo Gwenambira (Michigan State University) presented a poster explaining a a novel doubled-up legume cropping system in Malawi. Continue reading
Crop-Livestock / Event / Humid Tropics / HUMIDTROPICS / ICARDA / ICRAF / ICRISAT / IITA / ILRI / Impact Assessment / Innovation Systems / Intensification / Knowledge and Information
International Conference calls for integrated systems research for sustainable intensification in smallholder agriculture
Agricultural scientists and researchers from over 30 nations gather today at the International Institute of Tropical Agriculture (IITA) in Ibadan, Nigeria, for the International Conference on Integrated Systems for Sustainable Intensification in Smallholder Agriculture, which lasts through March 6. Continue reading
CIMMYT / HUMIDTROPICS / IFPRI / IITA / ILRI / India / Innovation Systems / Intensification / Research / South Asia / Trip Report / Value Chains
A photo trip report from the Africa RISING – CSISA cross learning exchange
Technical leads of the Africa RISING project in West Africa, East and Southern Africa and Ethiopia took part in a cross learning exchange on sustainable intensification from 28 January to 4 February 2015. Continue reading
Event / Extension / Humid Tropics / HUMIDTROPICS / IITA / Innovation Systems / Intensification / Knowledge and Information / Southern Africa / Tanzania
Tanzania’s Babati District R4D platform sets priorities for 2015
The leadership committee of Tanzania’s Babati District research for development (R4D) platform, JUMBA (Jukwaa la Utafiti kwa Maendeleo wilaya ya Babati) recently held a two-day retreat to refine its constitution, vision and mission and to develop and prioritize JUMBA activities for 2015. Continue reading
Aflatoxins / Crops / East Africa / Food safety / Gender / HUMIDTROPICS / IITA / Intensification / Interview / Nutrition / Postharvest / Research / Tanzania / Value Chains
Securing the Future: The Story of Chacha Nyangi and how Africa RISING is mentoring the next generation of scientists
Growing up in the remote village of Itiryo near the Kenya-Tanzania border, Chacha Nyangi could not have imagined his present life as a young Tanzanian scientist who is confronting the challenges facing smallholder farmers in the country and beyond. Continue reading
Crop-Livestock / HUMIDTROPICS / IITA / Intensification / Participation / Research / Southern Africa / Tanzania / Trip Report / Video
Research for farmers, by farmers: Highlights of Africa RISING farmer-scientists feedback meetings in Tanzania’s Babati District
At the tail end of 2014, Africa RISING scientists and government extension agents held a series of feedback meetings with farmers in Tanzania’s Babati District. This photo trip report provides a visual overview of the issues encountered and activities undertaken by the project team during the feedback meetings in those areas. Continue reading
Crops / Drylands / Food safety / Ghana / Humid Tropics / HUMIDTROPICS / ICRISAT / IITA / ILRI / Innovation Systems / Intensification / Mali / NRM / Research / Soils / Value Chains / Water / West Africa / Women
Call for MSc Candidates – Africa RISING Mali
The Africa RISING program in Mali is looking to recruit two MSc Candidates from West Africa to join the team and contribute to ongoing activities. The program is currently working on establishing two research hubs (in Bougouni and Koutiala) in an effort to integrate multiple activities to achieve the overall objectives of the research program. Natural … Continue reading
Crops / Drylands / Fertilizer / Humid Tropics / HUMIDTROPICS / IITA / Intensification / NRM / Soils / Southern Africa / Value Chains / Water / Zambia
Conservation agriculture is giving us more food and money: A Zambian farmer’s story
Under the SIMLEZA-Africa RISING project, the implementation of conservation agriculture technologies is a key intervention. For just the past 2 years, the project has already seen positive outcomes on the practices and lives of its farmer-beneficiaries in its target communities in the Eastern Province of Zambia. Here we highlight one of our farmer ‘success stories’ who have been practicing CA technologies introduced in the country by the project. Continue reading
Africa / Drylands / DRYLANDSCRP / Fertilizer / Humid Tropics / HUMIDTROPICS / ICRISAT / IITA / Intensification / Mali / NRM / Soils / West Africa
Mechanizing fertilizer microdosing technology: Producers and extension agents trained in Mali (success story)
Fertilizer microdosing addresses the problems of low soil fertility, access to fertilizers and difficult climatic conditions. The technology has contributed to increased production, productivity and farm incomes. Continue reading
Humid Tropics / HUMIDTROPICS / IITA / Innovation Systems / Intensification / Knowledge and Information / Southern Africa / Tanzania
R4D platform promotes technology adoption in Babati District, Tanzania
Research-for-Development platform by Africa RISING in Babati District, Tanzania is stimulating learning and innovation about productivity, nutrition as well as opening up business possibilities for farmers within the locality. Continue reading
Animal Feeding / Crop-Livestock / Drylands / East Africa / Event / Feeds / Fodder / Forages / Gender / HUMIDTROPICS / IITA / ILRI / Intensification / Research / Tanzania
Think food, but think fodder too!
Livestock are an important component of the farming system in Tanzania’s Babati District. However, recent increases in demand for food within the farming community in the region have led to permanent cultivation of more land to expand crop production. This has led to significant reduction of pastures for livestock, consequently leaving them vulnerable to starvation … Continue reading
AVRDC / East Africa / HUMIDTROPICS / Intensification / Nutrition / Southern Africa / Tanzania / Vegetables
Turning over a new leaf: How Amaranth farming has transformed the life of a woman farmer in Tanzania
Mrs. Ephraim Lukumay, a farmer in Bermi village, Babati District of Tanzania tells of how Amaranth farming has changed her life for the better – thanks to Africa RISING initiative to promote the vegetable in collaboration with AVRDC. Continue reading
Drylands / DRYLANDSCRP / ICRISAT / Intensification / Mali / NRM / Soils / Weeds / West Africa
Let’s talk about money! Economic benefits of integrated Striga and soil fertility management in West Africa
A new approach by Africa RISING is getting farmers to think beyond improved yields when assessing improved agronomic technologies and crop varieties. Continue reading
Africa / Ethiopia / Gender / Humid Tropics / HUMIDTROPICS / Impact Assessment / Intensification / Nutrition / Women
Does gender matter for Africa RISING?
In this interview, Cleo Roberts (senior research assistant and monitoring and evaluation officer at the International Food Policy Research Institute – IFPRI) explains why gender is an important component for Africa RISING projects. Continue reading
Africa RISING cooking up a legume delight in Malawi
A legume delight! How Africa RISING is combating malnutrition and food insecurity in Malawi by holding practical nutrition workshops for farming communities. Continue reading
AfricaRice / AVRDC / HUMIDTROPICS / IITA / Intensification / Rice / Southern Africa / Tanzania / Weeds
Creating awareness in Tanzania on labour-saving technologies for weed control in rice
Africa RISING is creating awareness on available and appropriate labour-saving and efficient weed management practices to boost rice production in Tanzania. Continue reading
CIMMYT / Drylands / DRYLANDSCRP / ICRISAT / IITA / Intensification / Mali / NRM / Soils / Video / Weeds / West Africa
Using films to support large-scale training on Striga and soil fertility management in Mali
Fighting striga weed by holding evening video shows for farming communities in west Africa Continue reading
Baseline survey results, project mapping and monitoring tool main focus at annual Africa RISING M&E meeting
Survey results, project mapping and monitoring tools main focus during the second Africa RISING program-wide monitoring and evaluation meeting on 13-14 November 2014 in Arusha, Tanzania. Continue reading
Africa RISING learning event puts typologies, innovation systems and program framework under the lens
The second Africa RISING program learning event brought together over 65 staff and partners in Arusha, Tanzania, from 11-12 November 2014. They shared lessons and ideas to improve farm typology work, innovation systems and platforms, and dust off the program framework to gear it towards serious scaling up for the remaining two years. Continue reading
DRYLANDSCRP / Ghana / HUMIDTROPICS / IITA / Impact Assessment / Intensification / Mali / Research / West Africa
Africa RISING West Africa project undergoes external review
The West Africa component of the Africa RISING program recently underwent an IITA-commissioned external review of its activities in Mali and Ghana. Continue reading
Africa RISING helps female scientists improve knowledge on experimental design and data analysis in Ghana
Africa RISING partnered with Ghana’s Council for Scientific and Industrial Research to organize a two-week course on experimental design and data analysis for female scientists from 12 research institutions and universities in Ghana.
Continue reading
