Crop Diversification in Coping with Extreme Weather Events in China

Apart from the long-term effects of climate change, the frequency and severity of extreme weather events have been increasing. Given the risks posed by climate change, particularly the changes in extreme weather events, the question of how to adapt to these changes and mitigate their negative impacts has received great attention from policy makers. The overall goals of this study are to examine whether farmers adapt to extreme weather events through crop diversification and which factors influence farmers＇ decisions on crop diversification against extreme weather events in China. To limit the scope of this study, we focus on drought and flood events only. Based on a unique large-scale household survey in nine provinces, this study finds that farmers respond to extreme weather events by increasing crop diversification. Their decision to diversify crops is significantly influenced by their experiences of extreme weather events in the previous year. Such results are understandable because farmers＇ behaviors are normally based on their expectations. Moreover, household characteristics also affect farmers＇ decisions on crop diversification strategy, and their effects differ by farmers＇ age and gender. This paper concludes with several policy implications.

Crop diversification analysis on red pepper dominated smallholder farming system: evidence from northwest Ethiopia

Background:Ethiopia is the homeland of various crops due to its diverse and suitable agro-ecological zones.As a result,smallholder farmers grow multiple crops on a small piece of land both for consumption and commercial purposes in different portions of Ethiopia,including the northwestern part of the country.However,crop diversification status and extent of farmers were not well understood.Therefore,this study examined determinants of crop diversification in a pepper-dominated smallholder farming system in northwest Ethiopia.Methods:Primary data was collected through a semi-structured interview schedule administered on 385 crop producers selected using a systematic random sampling technique.Moreover,the survey was supplemented by using secondary data,focus group discussions,and key informant interviews.Methods such as the descriptive,inferential statistics,and econometrics model were used for analyzing the data.Results:The average crop diversification index was 0.77,and most smallholder farmers(92.46%)used crop diversification as a strategy for risk reduction,nutritional improvement,consumption,and commercial needs.Moreover,the Tobit model result revealed that the status and intensity of crop diversification were significantly influenced by farmland,sex,age,land fragmentation,distance to development center,market distance,and non-/off-farm income participation.Conclusion:Generally,most farm households used crop diversification as a norm and best strategy for minimizing risk,income source,nutritional and livelihood improvement.Therefore,crop producers,agricultural experts,the Ethiopian government,and partner organizations should give special attention to extension service,market,and infrastructure development to enhance the role of agricultural diversification for households.

Efficiency and productivity analysis of vegetable farming within root and tuber-based systems in the humid tropics of Cameroon

The study analyzes the technical efficiency of vegetable farmers in root and tuber-based farming systems within selected sites of the humid tropics of Cameroon. Multistage sampling was used to collect primary data from a cross-section of vegetable farmers drawn from eight selected sites in Santa sub division, Northwest region of Cameroon. Stochastic frontier analysis was used to estimate the technical efficiency of vegetable farmer and to examine its determinants. The results showed that farmyard manure was the most productive factor input, followed by farm equipment and labor. The mean technical efficiency level was 67%, revealing production shortfalls and indicating possibilities of significantly increasing production with the current input Jevels. Female, as well as more educated farmers were found to be significantly more efficient than their counterparts. The results also showed that farmers become less technical efficient as farm sizes become larger. Our study findings suggest that smallholder farmers＇ access to manure, farm implements, and increased women participation in vegetable farming, will produce huge payoffs in vegetable production efficiency in Cameroon.

DESIGNING DIVERSIFIED CROPPING SYSTEMS IN CHINA:THEORY,APPROACHES AND IMPLEMENTATION

Intensive agriculture in China over recent decades has successfully realized food security but at the expense of negative environmental impacts.Achieving green transformation of agriculture in China requires fundamental restructuring of cropping systems.This paper presents a theoretical framework of theory,approaches and implementation of crop diversification schemes in China.Initially,crop diversification schemes require identifying multiple objectives by simultaneously considering natural resources,limiting factors/constraints,and social and economic demands of different stakeholders.Then,it is necessary to optimize existing and/or design novel cropping systems based upon farming practices and ecological principles,and to strengthen targeted ecosystem services to achieve the identified objectives.Next,the resulting diversified cropping systems need to be evaluated and examined by employing experimental and modeling approaches.Finally,a strategic plan,as presented in this paper,is needed for implementing an optimized crop diversification in China based upon regional characteristics with the concurrent objectives of safe,nutritious food production and environmental protection.The North China Plain is used as an example to illustrate the strategic plan to optimize and design diversified cropping systems.The implementation of crop diversification in China will set an example for other countries undergoing agricultural transition,and contribute to global sustainable development.

CHALLENGES PROVIDING MULTIPLE ECOSYSTEM BENEFITS FOR SUSTAINABLE MANAGED SYSTEMS

Since humans started practicing agriculture at the expense of natural forests,8000 years ago,they have affected atmospheric CO_(2) concentrations.Their impact on atmospheric CH_(4) started about 5000 years ago,as result of the cultivation of paddy rice.A challenge of modern agricultural practices is to reverse the impact cropping has had on greenhouse gas emissions and the global climate.There is an increasing demand for agriculture to provide food security as well as a range of other ecosystem services.Depending on ecosystem management,different practices may involve trade-offs and synergies,and these must be considered to work toward desirable management systems.Solution toward food security should not only focus on agricultural management practices,but also on strategies to reduce food waste,more socially-just distribution of resources,changes in lifestyle including decarbonization of the economy,as well as reducing human population growth.