Skip to main content

Advertisement

SpringerLink
Log in

Adoption and farm-level impact of conservation agriculture in Central Ethiopia

  • Published:
Environment, Development and Sustainability Aims and scope Submit manuscript

Abstract

Soil erosion and degradation is an important agro-ecological challenge in the highlands of Ethiopia. Conservation agriculture (CA) has a long time been identified as one of the key interventions that could abate the current trend of physical and chemical erosion of soil. This study analyzed adoption of the different components of CA (minimal disturbance of soil, permanent organic soil cover, and crop rotation) and herbicide application in two districts of Ethiopia using a multivariate probit model. The impact of CA on land and labor productivity was also estimated using generalized methods of moments and the control function approach. The initial decision to adopt the different components of CA is influenced by location, family size, access to extension, and formal education. Among the components introduced with CA, herbicide application significantly and strongly influences land productivity. Other factors, which influenced land productivity, were location, sex of head of household, livestock wealth, and human labor endowment. None of the components of CA—including the complementary herbicide application—was found to be influencing labor productivity in the study areas. Generally, access to extension and the main crop under production drive the decision to adopt or not to adopt the different components of CA. Despite its positive impact on land productivity, herbicide application should be further investigated with attention to its effect on sustainable use of cultivable land.

This is a preview of subscription content, log in via an institution to check access.

Access this article

Log in via an institution

Price excludes VAT (USA)
Tax calculation will be finalised during checkout.

Instant access to the full article PDF.

Institutional subscriptions

Fig. 1

Similar content being viewed by others

Notes

  1. Sasakawa Global 2000 is a global initiative, and its Ethiopian program was established in 1993 as an “implant” into the national agricultural extension system with the purpose of introducing new approaches to extension in order to increasing farm-level productivity, especially of smallholder farmers. See http://sg2000ethiopia.org/# for further details.

  2. Kebele (pl. Kebeles) is the smallest administrative unit in Ethiopia.

  3. “ha” stands for hectare which is equivalent to 0.01 square kilometer (km2).

References

  • Ali, A., & Abdulai, A. (2010). The adoption of genetically modified cotton and poverty reduction in Pakistan. Journal of Agricultural Economics, 61(1), 175–192. doi:10.1111/j.1477-9552.2009.00227.x.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Araya, T., Cornelis, W. M., Nyssen, J., Bram Govaerts, Gebregziabher, T., Oicha, T., et al. (2010). Impact of conservation agriculture on runoff, soil loss and crop yield on a Vertisol in the northern Ethiopian highlands. Paper presented at the World Congress of Soil Science, Soil Solutions for a Changing World, Brisbane, Australia.

  • Araya, T., Cornelis, W. M., Nyssen, J., Govaerts, B., Getnet, F., Bauer, H., et al. (2012). Medium-term effects of conservation agriculture based cropping systems for sustainable soil and water management and crop productivity in the Ethiopian highlands. Field Crops Research, 132, 53–62. doi:10.1016/j.fcr.2011.12.009.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Araya, T., Nyssen, J., Govaerts, B., Deckers, J., & Cornelis, W. M. (2015). Impacts of conservation agriculture-based farming systems on optimizing seasonal rainfall partitioning and productivity on vertisols in the Ethiopian drylands. Soil and Tillage Research, 148, 1–13. doi:10.1016/j.still.2014.11.009.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Baudron, F., Tittonell, P., Corbeels, M., Letourmy, P., & Giller, K. E. (2012). Comparative performance of conservation agriculture and current smallholder farming practices in semi-arid Zimbabwe. Field Crops Research, 132, 117–128. doi:10.1016/j.fcr.2011.09.008.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Becerril, J., & Abdulai, A. (2010). The impact of improved maize varieties on poverty in Mexico: A propensity score matching approach. World Development, 38, 1024–1035. doi:10.1016/j.worlddev.2009.11.017.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Belderbos, R., Carree, M., Diederen, B., Lokshin, B., & Veugelers, R. (2004). Heterogeneity in R&D cooperation strategies. International Journal of Industrial Organization, 22, 1237–1263. doi:10.1016/j.ijindorg.2004.08.001.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Berry, L. (2003). Land degradation in Ethiopia: its extent and impact: Commissioned by the Global Mechanism with World Bank support.

  • Brady, N. C., & Weil, R. R. (2007). The nature and properties of soils (14th ed.). Upper Saddle River, NY: Prentice Hall.

    Google Scholar 

  • Cappellari, L., & Jenkins, S. P. (2003). Multivariate probit regression using simulated maximum likelihood. The Stata Journal, 3(3), 278–294.

    Google Scholar 

  • Chib, S., & Greenberg, E. (1998). Analysis of multivariate probit models. Biometrika, 85(2), 347–361.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Corbeels, M., Sakyi, R. K., Kühne, R. F., & Whitbread, A. (2014). Meta-analysis of crop responses to conservation agriculture in sub-Saharan Africa. CCAFS Report. Copenhagen. Denmark: CGIAR Research Program on Climate Change, Agriculture and Food Security (CCAFS).

  • Dick, W. A., & van Doren, D. M. (1985). Continuous tillage and rotation combinations effects on corn, soybean and oat yields. Agronomy Journal, 77(3), 459–465.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Dumanski, J., Peiretti, R., Benetis, J., McGarry, D., & Pieri, C. (2006). The Paradigm of Conservation Tillage. Paper presented at the World Association of Soil and Water Conservation.

  • EEA. (2006). Evaluation of the Ethiopian agricultural extension with particular emphasis on participatory demonstration and training extension system (PADETS). Addis Ababa: Ethiopian Economics Association.

    Google Scholar 

  • Ehui, S. K., Kang, B. T., & Spencer, D. S. C. (1990). Economic analysis of soil erosion effects in alley cropping, no-till and bush fallow systems in south western Nigeria. Agricultural Systems, 34(4), 349–368.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Erkossa, T., Stahr, K., & Gaiser, T. (2006). Soil tillage and crop productivity on a Vertisol in Ethiopian highlands. Soil and Tillage Research, 85(1–2), 200–211. doi:10.1016/j.still.2005.01.009.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • FAO. (2001). The economics of conservation agriculture. Rome, Italy: Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO).

    Google Scholar 

  • FAO. (2012). Conservation agriculture. Retrieved April 30, 2012, from http://www.fao.org/ag/ca/.

  • FAO. (2016). What is conservation agriculture? Retrieved 17 April, 2016, from http://www.fao.org/ag/ca/1a.html.

  • Francis, G. S., & Knight, T. L. (1993). Long term effects of conventional and zero tillage on selected soil properties and crop yield in Canterbury, New Zealand. Soil and Tillage Research, 26(3), 193–210.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Garcia-Torres, L., Benites, J., Martinez-Vilela, A., & Holgado-Cabrera, A. (2003). Conservation agriculture: Environment, farmers experiences, innovations, socio-economy, policy. Dordrecht, The Netherlands; Boston, Germany; London, UK: Kluwer Academia Publishers.

  • Gemeda, A., Aboma, G., Verkuijl, H., & Mwangi, W. (2001). Farmers’ maize seed systems in Western Oromia, Ethiopia. El Batan, Mexico: International Maize and Wheat Improvement Center (CIMMYT) and Ethiopian Agricultural Research Organization (EARO).

    Google Scholar 

  • Giller, K. E., Witter, E., Corbeels, M., & Tittonell, P. (2009). Conservation agriculture and smallholder farming in Africa: The heretics’ view. Field Crops Research, 114(1), 23–34. doi:10.1016/j.fcr.2009.06.017.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Greene, W. H. (2008). Econometric analysis (6th ed.). Upper Saddle River, NY: Prentice Hall.

    Google Scholar 

  • Griffith, D. R., Kladivko, E. J., Mannering, J. V., West, T. D., & Parsons, S. D. (1988). Long-term tillage and rotation effects on corn growth and yield on high and low organic matter, poorly drained soils. Agronomy Journal, 80(4), 599–605.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Haggblade, S., & Tembo, G. (2003). Conservation farming in Zambia. EPTD Discussion Paper, 108. Washington, DC: International Food Policy Research Institute.

  • Hawando, T. (2000). Desertification in Ethiopian highlands. In N. C. Aid (Ed.), RALA Report. Norwegian Church AID: Addis Ababa.

    Google Scholar 

  • Imbens, G., & Wooldridge, J. M. (2009). Recent developments in the econometrics of program evaluation. Journal of Economic Literature, 47(1), 5–86.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Ito, M., Matsumoto, T., & Quinones, M. (2007). Conservation tillage in Sub-Saharan Africa: The experience of Sasakawa Global 2000. Crop Protection, 26(3), 417–423.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Jolejole-Foreman, M. C., Baylis, K. R., & Lipper, L. (2012). Land degradation’s implications on agricultural value of production in Ethiopia: A look inside the bowl. Paper presented at the International Association of Agricultural Economists (IAAE) Triennial Conference, Foz do Iguacu, Brazil. http://ageconsearch.umn.edu/bitstream/126251/2/IAAE2012_JForemanBaylisLipper.pdf.

  • Karanja, D., Renkow, M., & Crawford, E. (2003). Welfare effects of maize technologies in marginal and high potential regions of Kenya. Agricultural Economics, 29(3), 331–341.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Kassa, H. (2003). Livestock and livelihood security in the Harar highlands of Ethiopia: Implications for research and development. (PhD Thesis), Swedish University of Agricultural Sciences, Uppsala, Sweden (388).

  • Kassie, M., Zikhali, P., Manjur, K., & Edwards, S. (2009). Adoption of sustainable agriculture practices: Evidence from a semi-arid region of Ethiopia. Natural Resources Forum, 33(3), 189–198.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Knowler, D., & Bradshaw, B. (2007). Farmers’ adoption of conservation agriculture: A review and synthesis of recent research. Food Policy, 32(1), 25–48.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Lanckriet, S., Araya, T., Derudder, B., Cornelis, W. M., Bauer, H., Govaerts, B., et al. (2014). Toward practical implementation of conservation agriculture: A case study in the May Zeg-Zeg Catchment (Ethiopia). Agroecology and Sustainable Food Systems, 38(8), 913–935. doi:10.1080/21683565.2014.917143.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Leake, A. R. (2003). Integrated pest management for conservation agriculture. In L. Garcia-Torres, J. Benites, A. Martinez-Vilela, & A. Holgado-Cabrera (Eds.), Conservation agriculture: environment, farmers experiences, innovations, socio-economy, policy (pp. 271–279). Dordrecht, The Netherlands; Boston, Germany; London, UK: Kluwer Academia Publishers.

    Chapter  Google Scholar 

  • Matsumoto, T., Plucknett, D., & Mohamed, K. (2004). Evaluation of the Sasakawa Global 2000 Program in Ethiopia, 1992–2002. Sasakawa Africa Association.

  • Mazvimavi, K., & Twomlow, S. (2009). Socioeconomic and institutional factors influencing adoption of conservation farming by vulnerable households in Zimbabwe. Agricultural Systems, 101(1–2), 20–29.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Mesfine, T., Abebe, G., & Al-Tawaha, A.-R. M. (2005). Effect of reduced tillage and crop residue ground cover on yield and water use efficiency of sorghum (Sorghum bicolor (L.) Moench) under semi-arid conditions of Ethiopia. World Journal of Agricultural Sciences, 1(2), 152–160.

    Google Scholar 

  • Mowo, J., & Kiwia, A. (2009). Brief report on the conservation agriculture with trees. In Side event at the 2nd World Agroforestry Congress, August 23–28, 2009, UNEP, Nairobi.

  • Nyamangara, J., Nyengerai, K., Masvaya, E. N., Tirivavi, R., Mashingaidze, N., Mupangwa, W., et al. (2014). Effect of conservation agriculture on maize yield in the semi-arid areas of Zimbabwe. Experimental Agriculture, 50(02), 159–177. doi:10.1017/S0014479713000562.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Oicha, T., Cornelis, W., Verplancke, H., Nyssen, J., Govaerts, B., Behailu, M., et al. (2010). Short-term effects of conservation agriculture on Vertisols under tef (Eragrostis tef (Zucc.) Trotter) in the northern Ethiopian highlands. Soil & Tillage Research, 106, 294–302. doi:10.1016/j.still.2009.12.004.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Pannell, D. J., Marshall, G. R., Barr, N., Curtis, A., Vanclay, F., & Wilkinson, R. (2006). Understanding and promoting adoption of conservation practices by rural landholders. Australian Journal of Experimental Agriculture, 46(11), 1407–1424.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Rockstrom, J., Kaumbutho, P., Mwalley, J., Nzabi, A., Temesgen, M., Mawenya, L., et al. (2009). Conservation farming strategies in East and Southern Africa: Yields and rain water productivity from on-farm action research. Soil and Tillage Research, 103(1), 23–32.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Rusinamhodzi, L., Corbeels, M., Wijk, M. T., Rufino, M. C., Nyamangara, J., & Giller, K. E. (2011). A meta-analysis of long-term effects of conservation agriculture on maize grain yield under rain-fed conditions. Agronomy for Sustainable Development, 31(4), 657–673. doi:10.1007/s13593-011-0040-2.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Shames, S. (2006). A financial analysis of conservation tillage as a solution to land degradation on small farms in Ethiopia (Bulletin 3, Forum for Social Science). Ethiopia: Addis Ababa.

    Google Scholar 

  • Tamene, L., & Vlek, P. L. G. (2008). Soil erosion studies in Northern Ethiopia. In A. K. Braimoh & P. L. G. Vlek (Eds.), Land use and soil resources (pp. 73–100). Dordrecht: Springer.

    Chapter  Google Scholar 

  • Train, K. (2003). Discrete choice models with simulation. Cambridge: Cambridge University Press.

    Book  Google Scholar 

  • Tulema, B., Aune, J. B., Johnsen, F. H., & Vanlauwe, B. (2008). The prospects of reduced tillage in tef (Eragrostis tef Zucca) in Gare Arera, West Shawa Zone of Oromiya, Ethiopia. Soil and Tillage Research, 99(1), 58–65. doi:10.1016/j.still.2007.12.001.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Wooldridge, J. M. (2002). Econometric analysis of cross section and panel data. Cambridge, MA: The MIT Press.

    Google Scholar 

Download references

Acknowledgments

Funding was provided by Nippon International, and International Maize and Wheat Improvement Center (CIMMYT).

Author information

Authors and Affiliations

  1. SG 2000/CIMMYT, Addis Ababa, Ethiopia

    Wondwossen Tsegaye

  2. UNDP, New York, NY, USA

    Roberto LaRovere

  3. University of Nairobi, Nairobi, Kenya

    Germano Mwabu

  4. ICARDA, Addis Ababa, Ethiopia

    Girma T. Kassie

Authors
  1. Wondwossen Tsegaye
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  2. Roberto LaRovere
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  3. Germano Mwabu
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  4. Girma T. Kassie
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

Corresponding author

Correspondence to Girma T. Kassie.

Rights and permissions

Reprints and permissions

About this article

Check for updates. Verify currency and authenticity via CrossMark

Cite this article

Tsegaye, W., LaRovere, R., Mwabu, G. et al. Adoption and farm-level impact of conservation agriculture in Central Ethiopia. Environ Dev Sustain 19, 2517–2533 (2017). https://doi.org/10.1007/s10668-016-9869-5

Download citation

  • Received:

  • Accepted:

  • Published:

  • Issue Date:

  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s10668-016-9869-5

Keywords

JEL Classification

Search

Navigation