Climate change and variability have been singled out as one of the modern challenges that affect economies of several countries leading to food scarcity and food insecurity in various parts of the world and represent ...Climate change and variability have been singled out as one of the modern challenges that affect economies of several countries leading to food scarcity and food insecurity in various parts of the world and represent a fundamental contemporary environmental shock. Kenya is no exception. This research was conducted in Kisii County, a perceived Kenyan national bread basket and investigated the trend in climate variability between the years 1983-2013. The objective of the study was to examine the precipitation and temperature trend in Kisii County. The research question was to find out whether there was any significant trend and pattern of rainfall and temperature as indicators of climate variability. The study examined climate variability for thirty one years (1983 to 2013). Data was obtained from Kenya Meteorological Department and their annual means were computed. Mann Kendall statistic test was applied to establish whether the observed trend of precipitation and temperature was significant. From the analysis, rainfall did not show any significant trend in Kisii County whilst temperature revealed a significantly upward trend over the years, at 95% confidence level. The study recommends a need to incorporate weather prediction and early warning systems by the Ministry of Agriculture in Kisii County and also promote afforestation programmes to protect water catchments. To build resilient systems to climate shocks, introduction of high temperature tolerant food crops as well as adoption of climate smart agriculture (CSA) should also be explored.展开更多
Sahel zone has been reported as one of the most vulnerable regions to climate change, so serious attention must be paid to this zone by researchers and development actors who are interested in environmental-human dyna...Sahel zone has been reported as one of the most vulnerable regions to climate change, so serious attention must be paid to this zone by researchers and development actors who are interested in environmental-human dynamics and interactions. The aim of this study was to bring more insight into the impact of actions aiming at reducing land degradation, regreening the Sahel, stopping population migration and reducing the pressure on land in the Sahelian zone. The study focused on farmland dynamic in Ouahigouya municipality based on remote sensing data from 1986 to 2016 using intensity analysis. The annual time interval change was 0.77% and 2.46% for 1986-2001 and 2001-2016, respectively. Farmlands gained from mixt vegetation, water bodies and from bar lands. Mixed vegetation and water bodies were both active during both intervals while the other land use such as woodland and bar land were dormant. Combining land use land cover analysis and intensity analysis was found to be effective for assessing the differentiated impact of the various land restoration actions.展开更多
Rice–wheat cropping system(RWCS)of the South Asia is labour-,water-,capital-and energy-intensive,and become less profitable as the availability of these resources diminished.This could be further aggravated with dete...Rice–wheat cropping system(RWCS)of the South Asia is labour-,water-,capital-and energy-intensive,and become less profitable as the availability of these resources diminished.This could be further aggravated with deterioration of soil structure,declining underground water and lesser land and water productivity which ultimately are threat in front of sustainable and profitable RWCS in the region.For improving the profits,production and sustainability of this sequence-a paradigm shift is required.Scientists recommended different resource-conserving technologies(RCTs)viz.zero tillage,laser levelling,irrigation based on soil matric potential,bed planting,direct seeding,mechanical transplanting of rice and crop diversification for this purpose.These technologies are site specific and before selecting any particular RCT for a particular region,soil texture and agro-climatic conditions must be considered.A solitary approach/RCT might not be effective to solve the upcoming issue of producing more food grains with inadequate available water and land.Therefore,an integrated approach is required.But before implementing any approach,different issues relating to RWCS must be discovered,considered and addressed in a holistic manner.In this review,an attempt was made to highlight different issues resulted from the practise of intensive rice–wheat cropping sequence of the region,which must be considered while framing and implementing any integrated approach/project such as conservation agriculture for improving the productions,profits and sustainability of RWCS in the region.展开更多
Sustainable food production in the changing climate and dwindling water resources in the Global Dry Land Alliance(GDLA)member countries is a real challenge,especially when considering marginal lands in dryland systems...Sustainable food production in the changing climate and dwindling water resources in the Global Dry Land Alliance(GDLA)member countries is a real challenge,especially when considering marginal lands in dryland systems.The definition of marginal land is very vague and defined from different perspectives(pragmatism about marginal lands).Dryland itself indicates"marginality"due to water stress.In general,the abandoned agriculture land where food production is not economical,and has low inherent productivity potential is considered marginal;however,a land may be marginal for agriculture but vital for grazing.In this paper attempts have been made to give review of literature(water stress,extent of marginal saline lands,marginality).Policy matters(development of soil,water and agriculture strategies)that GDLA and member countries should consider for future sustainable food production in their countries,including but not limited to,assessment of land resources for agriculture potential,defining,mapping and characterizing marginal lands,and use of innovative technologies(conservation agriculture,climate smart agriculture,integrated soil reclamation program and capacity building)for food production,are discussed.The international perception(FAO,UNEP,CGIAR)on marginal lands is also described.An innovative approach of using national biocapacity and ecological footprint is used to assess marginality of GDLA member countries.Ecological overshoot(using 1.5 earth planets)and biocapacity debtor and creditor countries are highlighted.Challenges and best management practices for food production in marginal lands are included.Other important issues,like leasing land abroad,GDLA strategic food reserves and best management practices,innovative ideas for food production are shared.Finally recommendations are drafted for actions by GDLA,its member countries and the partners.展开更多
文摘Climate change and variability have been singled out as one of the modern challenges that affect economies of several countries leading to food scarcity and food insecurity in various parts of the world and represent a fundamental contemporary environmental shock. Kenya is no exception. This research was conducted in Kisii County, a perceived Kenyan national bread basket and investigated the trend in climate variability between the years 1983-2013. The objective of the study was to examine the precipitation and temperature trend in Kisii County. The research question was to find out whether there was any significant trend and pattern of rainfall and temperature as indicators of climate variability. The study examined climate variability for thirty one years (1983 to 2013). Data was obtained from Kenya Meteorological Department and their annual means were computed. Mann Kendall statistic test was applied to establish whether the observed trend of precipitation and temperature was significant. From the analysis, rainfall did not show any significant trend in Kisii County whilst temperature revealed a significantly upward trend over the years, at 95% confidence level. The study recommends a need to incorporate weather prediction and early warning systems by the Ministry of Agriculture in Kisii County and also promote afforestation programmes to protect water catchments. To build resilient systems to climate shocks, introduction of high temperature tolerant food crops as well as adoption of climate smart agriculture (CSA) should also be explored.
文摘Sahel zone has been reported as one of the most vulnerable regions to climate change, so serious attention must be paid to this zone by researchers and development actors who are interested in environmental-human dynamics and interactions. The aim of this study was to bring more insight into the impact of actions aiming at reducing land degradation, regreening the Sahel, stopping population migration and reducing the pressure on land in the Sahelian zone. The study focused on farmland dynamic in Ouahigouya municipality based on remote sensing data from 1986 to 2016 using intensity analysis. The annual time interval change was 0.77% and 2.46% for 1986-2001 and 2001-2016, respectively. Farmlands gained from mixt vegetation, water bodies and from bar lands. Mixed vegetation and water bodies were both active during both intervals while the other land use such as woodland and bar land were dormant. Combining land use land cover analysis and intensity analysis was found to be effective for assessing the differentiated impact of the various land restoration actions.
基金Authors are highly thankful to Punjab Agricultural University,Ludhiana,Punjab,India for providing them an opportunity to write this review.
文摘Rice–wheat cropping system(RWCS)of the South Asia is labour-,water-,capital-and energy-intensive,and become less profitable as the availability of these resources diminished.This could be further aggravated with deterioration of soil structure,declining underground water and lesser land and water productivity which ultimately are threat in front of sustainable and profitable RWCS in the region.For improving the profits,production and sustainability of this sequence-a paradigm shift is required.Scientists recommended different resource-conserving technologies(RCTs)viz.zero tillage,laser levelling,irrigation based on soil matric potential,bed planting,direct seeding,mechanical transplanting of rice and crop diversification for this purpose.These technologies are site specific and before selecting any particular RCT for a particular region,soil texture and agro-climatic conditions must be considered.A solitary approach/RCT might not be effective to solve the upcoming issue of producing more food grains with inadequate available water and land.Therefore,an integrated approach is required.But before implementing any approach,different issues relating to RWCS must be discovered,considered and addressed in a holistic manner.In this review,an attempt was made to highlight different issues resulted from the practise of intensive rice–wheat cropping sequence of the region,which must be considered while framing and implementing any integrated approach/project such as conservation agriculture for improving the productions,profits and sustainability of RWCS in the region.
文摘Sustainable food production in the changing climate and dwindling water resources in the Global Dry Land Alliance(GDLA)member countries is a real challenge,especially when considering marginal lands in dryland systems.The definition of marginal land is very vague and defined from different perspectives(pragmatism about marginal lands).Dryland itself indicates"marginality"due to water stress.In general,the abandoned agriculture land where food production is not economical,and has low inherent productivity potential is considered marginal;however,a land may be marginal for agriculture but vital for grazing.In this paper attempts have been made to give review of literature(water stress,extent of marginal saline lands,marginality).Policy matters(development of soil,water and agriculture strategies)that GDLA and member countries should consider for future sustainable food production in their countries,including but not limited to,assessment of land resources for agriculture potential,defining,mapping and characterizing marginal lands,and use of innovative technologies(conservation agriculture,climate smart agriculture,integrated soil reclamation program and capacity building)for food production,are discussed.The international perception(FAO,UNEP,CGIAR)on marginal lands is also described.An innovative approach of using national biocapacity and ecological footprint is used to assess marginality of GDLA member countries.Ecological overshoot(using 1.5 earth planets)and biocapacity debtor and creditor countries are highlighted.Challenges and best management practices for food production in marginal lands are included.Other important issues,like leasing land abroad,GDLA strategic food reserves and best management practices,innovative ideas for food production are shared.Finally recommendations are drafted for actions by GDLA,its member countries and the partners.
