Drylands

‘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 ...

By Jonathan Odhong OnApril 13, 2018

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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.

By Jonathan Odhong OnJanuary 31, 2017

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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 ...

By Jonathan Odhong OnOctober 24, 2016

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RISING voices: Seid Ahmed Kemal, Legume Pathology Researcher at ICARDA

Seid Ahmed Kemal is a Legume pathology researcher at the International Center for Agricultural Research in the Dry Areas (ICARDA). This is one of a series of portraits of key people in Africa RISING.

By Simret Yasabu OnMarch 24, 2016

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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 ...

By Jonathan Odhong OnMarch 4, 2015

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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.

By Jonathan Odhong OnMarch 3, 2015

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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 ...

By Jonathan Odhong OnJanuary 16, 2015

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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 ...

By Jonathan Odhong OnJanuary 12, 2015

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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.

By Jonathan Odhong OnJanuary 9, 2015

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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 ...

By Jonathan Odhong OnJanuary 8, 2015

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