https://www.yieldgap.org/documents/10180/35397/2013%20FCR%20Tittonell%20%26%20Giller--when%20yield%20gaps%20are%20poverty%20traps.pdf

When yield gaps are poverty traps: The paradigm of ecological intensification in African smallholder agriculture

Biochar application to low fertility soils: A review of current status, and future prospects

Benefits of biochar, compost and biochar–compost for soil quality, maize yield and greenhouse gas emissions in a tropical agricultural soil

The role of biochar and biochar-compost in improving soil quality and crop performance: A review

http://www.ku.ac.ke/schools/environmental/images/stories/docs/communicating_complexity.pdf

Communicating complexity: Integrated assessment of trade-offs concerning soil fertility management within African farming systems to support innovation and development

Traditional farming systems in sub-Saharan Africa depend primarily on mining soil nutrients. The African Green Revolution aims at intensifying agriculture through dissemination of Integrated Soil Fertility Management (ISFM). In this paper we develop a robust and operational definition of ISFM, based on detailed knowledge of African farming systems, their inherent variability, and optimal use of nutrients. We define ISFM as: A set of soil fertility management practices that necessarily include the use of fertilizer, organic inputs, and improved germplasm, combined with the knowledge on how to adapt these practices to local conditions, aiming at maximizing agronomic use efficiency of the applied nutrients and improving crop productivity. All inputs need to be managed following sound agronomic principles. The integration of ISFM practices into farming systems is illustrated by dual-purpose grain-legume‐maize rotations in the savannahs and fertilizer micro-dosing in the Sahel. Finally, the dissemination of ISFM practices is discussed.

Integrated soil fertility management: Operational definition and consequences for implementation and dissemination

Household food insecurity is a serious recurrent problem for Kenyan smallholding farmers for whom hunger periods and/or nutritional deficiencies are frequent. Hunger periods are periods of time in which the stocks of food staples, such as maize or cassava, are finished and household food security relies on available cash. The goal of this study was to compare the current situation regarding household food security of two sites in Vihiga and Migori districts (Western Kenya and Nyanza Provinces, respectively) which have different bio-physical, socio-economic, and ethno-cultural characteristics. The role of agrobiodiversity, and more specifically diversity of traditional leafy vegetables, in dietary diversity and household food security were also tested. Data collection was done by conducting farm surveys. Three types of vulnerability in household food security were identified based on off-farm income (%) and self-sufficiency of staple food production. Traditional vegetables are widely grown and consumed daily along with the staple maize meal, ugali, contributing to micronutrient intake. Maize self sufficiency and diversity of traditional vegetables are higher in Migori than in Vihiga. Most vulnerable households in Vihiga have a triple threat because during their long gap of maize stock, cash is needed to buy maize and prices are much higher due to the high demand. No direct link between agrobiodiversity and household food security was found in this study. Therefore the role of agrobiodiversity by itself, and more specifically the diversity of traditional vegetables, in household food security might be overrated.

/pdf/the-contribution-of-traditional-vegetables-to-household-food-c3934wbnwi.pdf

O. Ohiokpehai

Papers

Integrated soil fertility management: Operational definition and consequences for implementation and dissemination

The contribution of traditional vegetables to household food security in two communities of Vihiga and Migori Districts, Kenya