Scaling-up Solutions for Farmers: Technology, Partnerships and Convergence

Description

This book provides a unique account of cross-sectoral innovations through efficient partnerships based on the hands-on experience of internationally renowned contributors specialised in the field of Science of Delivery. The challenges and lessons learned from large development initiatives based in Asia, and from the work undertaken by international research institutions, such as the FAO, are brought together in this book to benefit development agencies, policy makers, corporates, post graduate students, farmers’ organizations, and those involved in supplying agricultural inputs and/or buying agricultural produce, particularly in developing countries within Asia and Africa. Through a number of case studies the book describes how the consortium approach of capacity building for equitable and efficient benefits, collective action, and convergence, will benefit millions of small farm-holders in different regions of Asia Foreword Foreword Foreword Preface Contents Chapter 1: Death Valley of Impacts in Agriculture: Why and How to Cross It with Scaling-Up Strategy? 1.1 Challenges of Agriculture Development in Developing Countries 1.1.1 Need for Increased Food Production to Meet the Food Demand for Growing Population 1.1.2 Growing Per Capita Incomes in Emerging Economies and Changing Food Habits 1.1.3 Land and Water Scarcity for Food Production 1.1.4 Climate Change and Vulnerability of Small Farm-Holders in India 1.1.5 Low Productivity and Existing Large Yield Gaps 1.2 Why Death Valley of Impacts? 1.2.1 How to Cross Death Valley of Impacts to Transform Livelihoods of Farmers? 1.2.2 To End Hunger, Science Must Change Its Focus 1.2.3 Small Is Less Desirable 1.2.4 Lack of Extension Support to Small Farm-Holders 1.2.5 Rapport Building with Community Through Knowledge-Based Entry Point Activity (EPA) 1.2.6 Holistic Integrated Approach Is Must to Transform Livelihoods of Small Farm-Holders 1.2.7 Allied Sectors Also Must Be Developed 1.2.8 Building Public-Private-People Centric Partnerships (PPPP) 1.2.9 Science of Delivery Must Be Strengthened 1.2.10 Big Data and Need to Harmonize Quality Data 1.2.11 Data Driven IT-Based Market-Driven Farming (Fork to Farm Approach) 1.2.12 Enabling Policies and Institutions Are Must 1.3 Scaling-Up Strategy for Impacts 1.3.1 Capacity Building Is Critical 1.3.2 Identifying Key Partners/Players and Bringing Them Together in Consortium 1.3.3 Strategy and Plan Preparation 1.3.4 Creating Visibility and Sharing Success Stories Is Critical 1.4 Lessons and Way Forward References Chapter 2: Scaling-up Agro-Technologies Using Agro-Eco Sub-Regions in the Target States 2.1 Importance of Understanding Agro-Ecologies for Agricultural Planning 2.2 Criteria for Delineating Agro-Ecological Zones (AEZs) and Agro-Ecological Regions (AERs) in India 2.2.1 Agro-Ecological Zones (AEZs) in India 2.2.2 Agro-Ecological Regions (AERs) in India 2.3 Ecoregions and Soils (Karnataka, Andhra Pradesh and Telangana, Odisha, Madhya Pradesh and Chhattisgarh, {Madhya Pradesh}, Bihar and Jharkhand {Bihar}, Maharashtra) 2.3.1 Soils of Karnataka 2.3.2 Soils of Andhra Pradesh and Telangana 2.3.3 Soils of Odisha 2.3.4 Soils of Bihar and Jharkhand 2.3.5 Soils of Madhya Pradesh and Chhattisgarh 2.3.6 Soils of Maharashtra 2.4 Moisture Regimes and the Target Regions 2.4.1 Soil Moisture Regime 2.4.2 Soil Moisture Regimes in the Target Regions 2.4.3 Length of Growing Period (LGP) in Target Areas and Identification of Major Food Systems 2.4.3.1 Concept of Length of Growing Period (LGP) 2.4.3.2 Consumptive Water Use Requirements in the Target Areas 2.5 Use of New Science Tools for AESR-Based Agriculture 2.5.1 Usefulness of GeoSIS to Develop Integrated Food Systems Strategy 2.5.1.1 Cotton-Based Cropping for Livelihoods Systems in Target States 2.5.1.2 Soybean- Based Cropping for Livelihoods Systems in Target States 2.6 Impacts of Climate Change 2.6.1 Impacts of Climate Change in Soils of the Target Regions 2.6.2 Climate Change and Land Degradation Neutrality in the Target Region 2.7 Lessons Learnt and Way Forward References Chapter 3: Empowerment of Stakeholders for Scaling-Up: Digital Technologies for Agricultural Extension 3.1 Stakeholders, e-Extension (eE) and Empowerment 3.1.1 Stakeholders 3.1.2 e-Extension (eE) and State Agricultural Universities in India 3.1.3 Empowerment 3.2 Awareness Creation-Formal and Informal Methods for Skill Building, Knowledge, and Practices Through e-Extension (eE) 3.3 Other e-Extension Approaches 3.3.1 Digital Technology 3.3.2 Adopting ICT Tools for e-Extension: Road to Precision Farming 3.3.3 e-Extension: Opportunity for State Agricultural Universities 3.3.4 Krishi Vani 3.4 Empowerment of Stakeholders 3.4.1 Model Case Studies 3.4.1.1 Bhoochetana in Karnataka 3.4.1.2 Impact of Bhoochetana in Karnataka 3.5 Key Challenges (Limitations of Technology, Suitability, Adoption and Approvals from Agencies and Government) 3.6 Lessons Learnt and a Way Forward References Chapter 4: Scaling-Up Land and Crop Management Solutions for Farmers Through Participatory Integrated Demonstrations “Seeing is Believing” Approach 4.1 Introduction 4.1.1 Why Small Farm-Holders Are Distressed and Want to Quit Agriculture 4.2 Urgent Need to Build the Confidence of our Annadatas by Adopting the Principle of “Seeing is Believing” 4.2.1 Basic Principles of “Seeing is Believing” Participatory Holistic on-Farm Demonstrations 4.3 Scaling-Up of Soil Test-Based Fertility Management Trials Adopting “Seeing is Believing” Principle 4.3.1 Soil Infertility and Water Scarcity- a Major Constraint for Bridging Yield Gaps in Agriculture 4.3.2 Developing Soil-Test Based Fertiliser Recommendations 4.3.3 On-Farm Participatory Demonstrations, Data Recording and Dissemination of Results 4.3.4 Increased Crop Yields and Farmers’ Incomes with Improved Fertility Management 4.4 Scaling-up of Land and Water Management Interventions 4.5 Scaling-up of Improved Cultivars Thorough Participatory Evaluation/Selection 4.6 Participatory Evaluation of Crop Diversification, Income-Generating Livelihood Activities 4.7 Lessons Learnt and A Way Forward References Chapter 5: A Journey from Neglected and Underutilized Species to Future Smart Food for Achieving Zero Hunger. How can Scaling-Up be Achieved? 5.1 Context: Zero Hunger/Sustainable Development Goal (SDG) 2 5.1.1 Zero Hunger: A Challenge in the Twenty-First Century 5.1.2 Key Issues: Low Dietary Diversity and Low Production Diversity Due to Over-Reliance of a Few Staple Crops in Food System 5.1.3 SDGs and FAO’s Commitment for Zero Hunger 5.2 How to Diversify Agriculture and Food System to Provide Sufficient, Adequate and Nutritious Food for All 5.2.1 About Neglected and Underutilized Species 5.2.2 Potentials of NUS for Achieving Zero Hunger: Entry Point for Agriculture Diversification 5.2.3 FAO’s Engagements to Conservation and Sustainable Use of NUS 5.3 Future Smart Foods (FSFs) 5.3.1 FSFs Initiative: FAO’s Process to Assist Asian and Pacific Countries to Identify and Adopt FSFs 5.3.1.1 Regional Priority-Setting Exercise on NUS in Asia 5.3.2 Prioritizing NUS as FSFs: Characterization, Identification Through Multidisciplinary Screening and Participatory Prioritization by Countries 5.3.3 A Case Study: How FSFs Provide Opportunities for Sustainable Mountain Agriculture Development 5.4 How can Scaling-Up be Achieved? Promoting FSFs Identification, Production, Marketing and Consumption 5.4.1 Harnessing the Potential of Future Smart Foods for Sustainable Agriculture Development: Adopting a Food System Approach 5.4.2 Building an Enabling Environment Conducive for Promoting FSFs Identification, Production, Processing, Marketing and Consumption 5.4.2.1 Identifying Traditional Foods Used by Indigenous People and Prioritizing FSFs 5.4.2.2 Mapping Farming Systems Suitable for Integrating FSFs 5.4.2.3 Increasing Production of FSFs by Integrating FSFs into Production System 5.4.2.4 Strengthening Processing FSFs 5.4.2.5 Promoting Marketing and Distribution of FSFs 5.4.2.6 Promoting FSFs for Consumers 5.5 Summary and Way Forward References Chapter 6: Pulses Revolution in India Through Rice-Fallows Management 6.1 Introduction 6.2 Indian Pulses Scenario 6.3 Pulses Demand Projections 6.4 Challenges in Further Increase in Pulses Production 6.4.1 Import and Export of Pulses 6.4.2 Large Yield Gaps and Low Adoption of Improved Technologies 6.4.3 Major Problems for Achieving Higher Pulses’ Productivity 6.5 Strategies for Enhancing Pulses Production 6.5.1 Mission Mode Approach for Pulses Revolution 6.5.2 Detailed Plan Preparation 6.5.3 Potential Pulses Area Expansion Using Rice Fallows 6.5.4 Assessing Suitability of Available Rice-Fallow Areas 6.6 Identification of Crops to be Grown in Rice-Fallow Areas in Different States 6.6.1 Interventions to Harness the Potential of Rice-Fallow 6.6.2 Enabling Policies and Institutional Mechanisms for Mission Projects 6.6.2.1 Mechanization of Field Operations 6.6.2.2 Scaling-Up Crop Management Practices 6.6.2.3 Crop-Specific Information on Area Expansion 6.6.2.4 Periodic GIS Mapping 6.6.2.5 Creation of Community Water Reservoirs 6.6.2.6 Quality Seeds 6.6.2.7 Ensuring Timely Availability of Other Critical Inputs 6.6.2.8 Marketing Infrastructure 6.6.2.9 Protection from Stray Cattle 6.6.3 Short-Term Strategies 6.6.4 Medium-Term Strategies 6.6.5 Long-Term Strategies 6.7 Journey of Pulses Mission Project 6.7.1 Establishing Seed-Hubs Across the Country 6.7.2 Other Developmental Strategies 6.8 Way Forward 6.8.1 Required Policy Support 6.9 Summary References Chapter 7: Sustainable Intensification and Diversification of Cropping and Food Systems Through Lentil and Grass Peas in South Asia 7.1 Neglected and Under-Utilized Legumes (Lentil and Grass Peas) 7.2 Role of Lentils and Grass Peas in Sustainable Food Systems 7.2.1 Identification and Genetic Improvement 7.2.2 Gaps and Development of Technologies for Sustainable Production 7.2.3 Building Partnerships for Popularizing 7.2.3.1 Researchers and Policy Makers 7.2.3.2 Consumers, and Development Agencies 7.2.4 Development and Demonstration Strategy 7.3 Implementation of Scaling-up with Examples 7.4 Challenges and Opportunities in Asia 7.5 Lessons Learnt and Way Forward 7.5.1 Lessons Learnt 7.5.2 Way Forward References Chapter 8: Environment-Friendly Direct Seeding Rice Technology to Foster Sustainable Rice Production 8.1 Importance of Rice in Global Food Systems 8.2 How Rice Has Been Moved to New Areas Due to Policies During the Green Revolution 8.3 Impacts of Climate Change and Cry for Shifting from Water Guzzling Rice 8.3.1 Less Water More Rice Policies and Greed Made It Water Guzzler 8.3.2 Direct Seeded Rice with Less Water 8.3.3 Technologies for DSR and Sustainable Intensification 8.3.3.1 Laser Levelling 8.3.3.2 Integrated Nutrient Management 8.3.3.3 Integrated Weed Management 8.3.3.4 Integrated Pest Management 8.3.3.5 Alternate Wetting and Drying 8.3.4 Scaling-Up of DSR Initiative in India 8.3.4.1 Extension Strategies for DSR 8.3.4.2 Technology Adoption 8.3.4.3 Linkages and Participation for Popularisation 8.3.4.4 Awareness Creation 8.3.4.5 Government Policy 8.4 Rice-Based Food Systems Using Innovations 8.4.1 Strengthening Seed Systems and Adoption of High-Yielding Stress-Tolerant Rice Varieties 8.4.2 Inclusive Development Through Knowledge, Innovative Extension Methods, Networks, and Capacity Building 8.4.2.1 Delivery Through Demonstrations 8.4.2.2 Head to Head (H2H) Trials 8.4.2.3 Cluster Demonstrations 8.4.2.4 Crop Cafeteria 8.4.2.5 Organizing Seed Fairs 8.4.2.6 Evidence Hubs’ 8.4.2.7 Development & Validation of Extension Models for Faster Dissemination 8.4.3 Empowering Women and Youth 8.4.4 Raising Productivity and Profitability of Rice-Based Food Systems Through the Rice Crop Manager (RCM) 8.4.5 Improved Post-harvest Technologies and Mechanization 8.4.6 Targeting Rice Fallows for Increased Productivity by Promoting Pulses and Other Crops 8.4.7 Developing Web-Based GIS Based Rice Monitoring System 8.5 Lessons Learnt and a Way Forward References Chapter 9: Sustainable Intensification of Potato Cultivation in Asia 9.1 Sustainable Intensification of Potato Cultivation in Asia 9.2 Key Constraints Faced by the Potato Production System 9.3 Sustainable Intensification of Potato Farming Systems 9.3.1 Sustainable Productivity Improvement 9.3.2 Overcoming the Disadvantages of Small Farm Size of for Sustainable Intensification 9.3.3 Zero Tillage Potato Cultivation 9.4 Potato Supply Chain Improvement 9.5 Way Forward References Chapter 10: Scaling-up Technology Adoption for Enhancing Water Use Efficiency in India 10.1 Status of Water Resources in India 10.1.1 Challenges in Managing Water in Agriculture 10.1.2 Low Water Use Efficiency in Irrigated as Well as Rain-Fed Agriculture in India 10.1.3 Why “More Crop Per Drop of Water” Initiative is Important? 10.1.4 Water Management Research in India 10.1.5 Impact and Adoption Level of Technologies in India 10.1.6 Returns to Water Management Research 10.2 Farmers Participatory Action Research Programme (FPARP) 10.2.1 Viable Technologies for Enhancing Productivity and Income 10.2.1.1 System of Rice Intensification (SRI) 10.2.1.2 Micro-Irrigation with Fertigation 10.2.1.3 Soil Health 10.2.1.4 Promotion of Integrated Farming System 10.2.1.5 Crop Diversification and Multiple Uses of Water 10.2.1.6 Weather-Based Crop Insurance Programs 10.2.1.7 Credit, Insurance and Market Reforms 10.2.2 Impacts of Action Research Program 10.2.2.1 Yield Increase and Productivity Per Unit of Water 10.2.2.2 Water Savings Due to the Adoption of New Technologies 10.3 Feedback from Action Research 10.3.1 Adoption of New Technology and Lessons Learnt 10.3.2 Constraints in Adopting the Technology 10.4 Up-Scaling the FPARP- Lessons Learned 10.5 Way Forward 10.5.1 Raising Farm-Level Water Productivity 10.5.2 Raising Farm-Level Income 10.5.3 Reallocating Water from Agriculture to Other Sectors 10.5.4 Refocusing Water Management Research and Technology Up-Scaling 10.5.4.1 Water Management Research 10.5.4.2 Micro Irrigation 10.5.4.3 Capacity Building and Up-Scaling References Chapter 11: Scaling-Up of Conservation Agriculture for Climate Change Resilient Agriculture in South Asia 11.1 Introduction 11.2 Climate Change and Food Security in South Asia 11.2.1 Land Degradation and Its Role in Food Security 11.2.2 Tillage and Land Degradation Nexus 11.3 Intensification of the Rice-Wheat System in IGPs and Its Impact on Land Degradation and Environment 11.3.1 Residue Burning – A Burning Issue in South Asia 11.4 Conservation Agriculture: Concept and Definition 11.4.1 Minimum Soil Disturbance 11.4.2 Permanent Soil Cover 11.4.3 Diversified Crop Rotations 11.4.4 History and Spread of CA Farming in South Asia 11.4.5 Zero-Tillage Wheat After Rice in IGPs 11.4.6 Crop Residue Management Under CA in South Asia 11.4.7 CA as Climate Resilient Production System- Experiences from SA 11.4.7.1 Role of CA in Soil Conservation and Quality Improvement 11.4.7.2 CA and Climate Change Mitigation Through Carbon Sequestration and Reduced GHGs Emission 11.4.7.3 CA and Sustained Productivity and Financial Return 11.5 CA and Ecosystem Services 11.6 Crop Diversification in IGPs 11.7 Major Challenges to Promote CA in India 11.8 Way Forward to Promote CA in South Asia 11.9 Conclusion References Chapter 12: Monitoring, Evaluation and Learning Mechanism: Issues, Challenges and Policies for Scaling-Up for Impacts in Asia 12.1 Why Monitoring and Evaluation Is Must for Achieving Impacts? 12.2 Key Challenges in Impact Assessment (IA) in Developing Countries 12.2.1 Choice of Methodologies 12.2.2 Approaches of Impact Assessment 12.2.3 Scale/Time Lags 12.2.4 Design of the Study 12.2.5 Samples for the Study 12.2.6 Selection of Indicators 12.2.7 Choosing the Discount Rate 12.3 Approaches and Methods of Assessing Impacts of Scaling-Up Projects 12.3.1 Approaches 12.3.2 Methods 12.3.3 Economic Surplus Method 12.3.4 Econometric Methods 12.4 Framework for Impact Assessment of Development Projects 12.4.1 Case of Watershed Development Program in India 12.5 Successful MEL from the Scaling-Up Projects: Experiences from Case Studies 12.5.1 Watershed Development Activities in the Selected Watersheds 12.5.2 Operational Procedure and Implementation 12.5.2.1 Release of Funds 12.5.2.2 Execution of Works 12.5.2.3 Project Implementation 12.5.2.4 Participatory Rural Appraisal (PRA) 12.5.2.5 Watershed Treatment Activities 12.5.3 Impact Assessment of Watershed Treatment Activities 12.5.3.1 Impact on Water Resources Development and Agricultural Production 12.5.3.2 Impact on Cropping Pattern, Cropping Intensity and Crop Productivity 12.5.3.3 Impact on Socio-Economic Conditions of the Households 12.5.3.4 Overall Impact 12.5.4 Application of Economic Surplus Method 12.5.5 Meta-Analysis of Watershed Programs 12.6 What Is Needed? 12.6.1 Theory of Change 12.7 Lessons Learnt and a Way Forward References Chapter 13: Success Stories from Scaling-up Initiatives with State Governments and Corporate in India, China and Thailand 13.1 Introduction 13.2 Case Studies Process Adopted and Documented 13.3 Selected Success Stories from Different Scaling-up Initiatives 13.3.1 List of Success Stories Documented 13.3.2 Consortium Approach Scaled-up for Integrated and Holistic Solutions for Farmers 13.3.2.1 Why Consortium Approach? 13.3.2.2 How Consortium Approach Was Developed? 13.3.2.3 What Need to Be Done for Effective Consortium Approach 13.3.2.4 Impacts Achieved 13.3.3 Scaling-up Impacts of Watersheds Using Livelihood Approach in Asia 13.3.3.1 Watershed Development for Improving Livelihoods in Asia 13.3.3.2 How Watershed Programs in India Were Transformed from Compartmental to Holistic Livelihood Approach 13.3.3.3 How Holistic Participatory Watershed Management Approach Was Developed? 13.3.3.4 Impacts of Livelihood Watershed Management Approach in Asia 13.3.4 Improved Livelihoods Through Integrated Approach in Southern China 13.3.4.1 Why Integrated Watershed Management (IWM) Approach in Southern China? 13.3.4.2 How IWM Was Implemented? 13.3.4.3 Impact of Integrated Watershed Management Approach in China 13.3.5 Increased Productivity Through Integrated Watershed Management in Vietnam 13.3.5.1 Why Integrated Watershed Management in Vietnam? 13.3.5.2 How IWM Approach Was Implemented in Northern Vietnam? 13.3.5.3 Impact of IWM in Tan Ha and Huong Dao Watershed in Vietnam 13.3.6 Reducing Land Degradation and Improved Livelihoods Through Sustainable Natural Resources Management (NRM) in Thailand 13.3.6.1 Why IWM in North-East Thailand? 13.3.6.2 How IWM Was Initiated in Thailand? 13.3.6.3 Impact of IWM in Thailand 13.3.7 Improved Livelihoods Through Integrated Watershed Management and Convergence in India 13.3.7.1 Why CSR Funds for Scaling-up IWM? 13.3.7.2 Approach Adopted in the CSR-IWM Projects 13.3.7.3 Details of Watershed Sites and Interventions Made Under IWM 13.3.7.4 Representative Impacts Achieved in Different CSR Watershed Initiatives Gangama’s Success Story from Ballari-JSW Watershed 13.4 Lessons Learnt and a Way Forward References Chapter 14: Farmers and Their Benefit: A Way Forward 14.1 Strengthening Science of Delivery Is Must for Impacts 14.2 Lessons Learnt from Innovative Large Scaling-up Initiatives 14.2.1 Crossing Death Valley of Impacts Through Effective Science of Delivery 14.2.2 Scaling-Up Using Agro-ecological Regional Approach 14.2.3 Harnessing New Technologies for Empowering Stakeholders for Scaling-Up 14.2.4 “Seeing Is Believing” Approach as a Powerful Tool for Scaling-Up 14.2.5 Harness the Potential of Neglected Crops for Achieving Zero Hunger and Nutrition 14.2.6 Self-Sufficiency for Pulses in India Through Scaling-Up Rice-Fallows Cultivation 14.2.7 Diversification with Winter Legumes for Cultivating Rice Fallows in Indo-Gangetic Plains 14.2.8 Environment-friendly Rice Cultivation Is a Must for Sustainable Development 14.2.9 Sustainable Intensification of Potato in Asia 14.2.10 Scaling-Up Enhancing Water Use Efficiency Initiative in India 14.2.11 Conservation Agriculture Is Must for Sustainable Development 14.2.12 Robust and Dynamic Monitoring, Evaluation and Learning System Is Must for Scaling-Up 14.2.13 Success Stories Can Enhance and Disseminate the Impacts by Using as Effective Tool for Empowerment 14.3 A Way Forward References