This page has only limited features, please log in for full access.
Purpose The purpose of this paper is to explore the trajectories of the urbanization process in Saudi Arabia in its regional context from the unification of the country by King Abdul Aziz Al Saud in 1932 to the present time, and the urbanization impact on the status and management of cultural heritage in the Kingdom. Design/methodology/approach Our study design integrated a well-articulated theoretical frame of sustainability to gain a heuristical understanding of urbanization in Saudi Arabia, and its link to cultural heritage. The methodological approach was mixed in nature involving (1) literature search and review, (2) analysis of public documents and databases, (3) analysis of photographs and (4) expert interviews. Findings One of the most obvious findings reached in this study is that there is considerable trade-off between heritage site conservation, population and economic demand for increased urbanization. Hence, with increasing urbanization pressures, the value of the heritage site may be rethought based on Saudi Arabia's economic and cultural conservation perspectives. Research limitations/implications Since our data are mostly of textual narrative in origin, precise predictions were difficult or impossible for many reasons such as non-linearity, and non-equilibrium dynamics, context and scale dependence as well as the historical exigency of urbanization. However, the same theoretical framework can be applied to appropriate longitudinal/ time series data for predictive analyses, which can be taken up as a future research agenda. Originality/value This paper analyzes the urbanization process and sustainability challenges of cultural heritage sites employing a mixed methodological approach, embedded in a holistic theoretical framework of sustainability.
Ali Alqahtany; Sreejith Aravindakshan. Urbanization in Saudi Arabia and sustainability challenges of cities and heritage sites: heuristical insights. Journal of Cultural Heritage Management and Sustainable Development 2021, ahead-of-p, 1 .
AMA StyleAli Alqahtany, Sreejith Aravindakshan. Urbanization in Saudi Arabia and sustainability challenges of cities and heritage sites: heuristical insights. Journal of Cultural Heritage Management and Sustainable Development. 2021; ahead-of-p (ahead-of-p):1.
Chicago/Turabian StyleAli Alqahtany; Sreejith Aravindakshan. 2021. "Urbanization in Saudi Arabia and sustainability challenges of cities and heritage sites: heuristical insights." Journal of Cultural Heritage Management and Sustainable Development ahead-of-p, no. ahead-of-p: 1.
By developing meta-frontier efficiency and structural equation models, the paper examines whether farm economic viability is positively associated with technical efficiency in a highly food insecure context, such as that of rural Sierra Leone. The findings show that technical efficiency can be a sufficient but not necessary condition in determining economic viability of smallholder farming. It is possible to breach reproductive thresholds at the cost of reduced technical efficiency, when the crop diversification strategy of smallholders includes market-oriented high-value crops. This calls for a dual policy approach that addresses farmers’ internal needs for self-consumption (increasing efficiency of food crop production) while encouraging market-oriented cash crop production (diversification assisted through the reduction of associated transaction costs and the establishment of accessible commercialization channels of export related crops and/or high-value crops). The work also calls out for a move-up or move-out strategy for small holders to create viable farming systems in developing world.
Silvia Saravia-Matus; T. Amjath-Babu; Sreejith Aravindakshan; Stefan Sieber; Jimmy Saravia; Sergio Gomez Y Paloma. Can Enhancing Efficiency Promote the Economic Viability of Smallholder Farmers? A Case of Sierra Leone. Sustainability 2021, 13, 4235 .
AMA StyleSilvia Saravia-Matus, T. Amjath-Babu, Sreejith Aravindakshan, Stefan Sieber, Jimmy Saravia, Sergio Gomez Y Paloma. Can Enhancing Efficiency Promote the Economic Viability of Smallholder Farmers? A Case of Sierra Leone. Sustainability. 2021; 13 (8):4235.
Chicago/Turabian StyleSilvia Saravia-Matus; T. Amjath-Babu; Sreejith Aravindakshan; Stefan Sieber; Jimmy Saravia; Sergio Gomez Y Paloma. 2021. "Can Enhancing Efficiency Promote the Economic Viability of Smallholder Farmers? A Case of Sierra Leone." Sustainability 13, no. 8: 4235.
Appreciating and dealing with the plurality of farmers’ perceptions and their contextual knowledge and perspectives of the functioning and performance of their agroecosystems—in other words, their ‘mental models’—is central for appropriate and sustainable agricultural development. In this respect, the sustainable development goals (SDGs) aim to eradicate poverty and food insecurity by 2030 by envisioning social inclusivity that incorporates the preferences and knowledge of key stakeholders, including farmers. Agricultural development interventions and policies directed at sustainable intensification (SI), however, do not sufficiently account for farmers’ perceptions, beliefs, priorities, or interests. Considering two contrasting agroecological systems in coastal Bangladesh, we used a fuzzy cognitive mapping (FCM)-based simulation and sensitivity analysis of mental models of respondents of different farm types from 240 farm households. The employed FCM mental models were able to (1) capture farmers’ perception of farming system concepts and relationships for each farm type and (2) assess the impact of external interventions (drivers) on cropping intensification and food security. We decomposed the FCM models’ variance into the first-order sensitivity index (SVI) and total sensitivity index (TSI) using a winding stairs algorithm. Both within and outside polder areas, the highest TSIs (35–68%) were observed for effects of agricultural extension on changes in other concepts in the map, particularly food security and income (SI indicators), indicating the importance of extension programs for SI. Outside polders, drainage and micro-credit were also influential; within polders, the availability of micro-credit appears to affect farmer perceptions of SI indicators more than drainage. This study demonstrated the importance of reflection on the differing perspectives of farmers both within and outside polders to identify entry points for development interventions. In addition, the study underscores the need for micro-farming systems-level research to assess the context-based feasibility of introduced interventions as perceived by farmers of different farm types.
Sreejith Aravindakshan; Timothy J. Krupnik; Sumona Shahrin; Pablo Tittonell; Kadambot H. M. Siddique; Lenora Ditzler; Jeroen C. J. Groot. Socio-cognitive constraints and opportunities for sustainable intensification in South Asia: insights from fuzzy cognitive mapping in coastal Bangladesh. Environment, Development and Sustainability 2021, 1 -29.
AMA StyleSreejith Aravindakshan, Timothy J. Krupnik, Sumona Shahrin, Pablo Tittonell, Kadambot H. M. Siddique, Lenora Ditzler, Jeroen C. J. Groot. Socio-cognitive constraints and opportunities for sustainable intensification in South Asia: insights from fuzzy cognitive mapping in coastal Bangladesh. Environment, Development and Sustainability. 2021; ():1-29.
Chicago/Turabian StyleSreejith Aravindakshan; Timothy J. Krupnik; Sumona Shahrin; Pablo Tittonell; Kadambot H. M. Siddique; Lenora Ditzler; Jeroen C. J. Groot. 2021. "Socio-cognitive constraints and opportunities for sustainable intensification in South Asia: insights from fuzzy cognitive mapping in coastal Bangladesh." Environment, Development and Sustainability , no. : 1-29.
Tar formation is one of the major problems during biomass gasification due to blocking and fouling processes in engines and turbines. Downstream gas cleanup process and conditioning are required to eliminate tar issues. For this reason, methods to reduce tar formation inside the gasifier are gaining more attention. In this work, a novel design for an inclined nozzle and a combustor was proposed and tested in a low-tar biomass (LTB) gasifier to evaluate the effect on tar reduction. The design process was based on a swirling flow created by an inclined nozzle that allows good mixing between pyrolysis gases and gasifying air. The swirl combustor created large internal annular and reverse flow zones with the help of swirl flow. Thus, the combustor had a positive effect on the combustion of the mixture of air and pyrolysis gases and induced thermal cracking in the partial oxidation zone. Recycling ratio (recycle gas/air, v/v) and combustion degree of volatiles were used to evaluate the performance of the inclined nozzle and combustor. The result showed that the tar yields in pyrolysis and partial oxidation zones were on average 1693 mg/Nm3 and 255 mg/Nm3, respectively which accounted for a reduction of 86.6% and 12.7% tar compounds in these zones, respectively. Besides, the producer gas leaving the gasifier had a tar content below 1%, and measured tar content was 7.4-27.14 mg/Nm3 for the tested biomass with moisture contents of 9–34%. Tar removal efficiency was found on average 84.9% after passing the pyrolysis gas through the partial oxidation zone, whereas tar in the producer gas was removed with an efficiency of 99.1% at the gas outlet zone. At an equivalence ratio of 0.35, the new design had the optimal performance with a recycling ratio of 0.35 and combustion degree of volatiles of 98.6%. The achieved producer gas could be directly fed to an internal combustion engine or a gas turbine at small to medium level power generation in remote rural off-grid areas.
Mashiur Rahman; Sreejith Aravindakshan; Abdul Matin. Design and performance evaluation of an inclined nozzle and combustor of a downdraft moving bed gasifier for tar reduction. Renewable Energy 2021, 172, 239 -250.
AMA StyleMashiur Rahman, Sreejith Aravindakshan, Abdul Matin. Design and performance evaluation of an inclined nozzle and combustor of a downdraft moving bed gasifier for tar reduction. Renewable Energy. 2021; 172 ():239-250.
Chicago/Turabian StyleMashiur Rahman; Sreejith Aravindakshan; Abdul Matin. 2021. "Design and performance evaluation of an inclined nozzle and combustor of a downdraft moving bed gasifier for tar reduction." Renewable Energy 172, no. : 239-250.
Sustainable intensification (SI) is envisioned as an effective strategy for developing countries to increase farm productivity while reducing negative environmental and social externalities. The development of regionally appropriate SI options however requires accounting for the knowledge and preferences of key stakeholders. In Bangladesh, the Government has requested international donors to support the development of dry season rice expansion in the coastal region. Policies however tend to be made without adequate study of farmers' preferences and ambitions; this can render crop intensification efforts ineffective. Understanding farmers' preferences for alternative crops and crop management practices are therefore crucial for success where agricultural development investments aim at incorporating the principles of SI. Using coastal Bangladesh as a case study– we aim to (1) quantify farmers' preferences for alternative irrigated crop and crop management options in comparison to the status quo (land fallowing), (2) analyze whether farmers' preferences are conditioned by concerns regarding the cost and availability of irrigation and fertilizer inputs in comparison to expected net revenues, (3) understand how the heterogeneity in preferences can be attributed to farmer and/or farm characteristics, institutional, and biophysical factors, (4) determine how much farmers' are willing to invest in different crops and crop management options – including those reliant and not reliant on irrigation. Taking 300 farmers in two diverse coastal environments, a choice experiment (CE) was employed to explore the heterogeneity in farmers' preferences for different dry “rabi” season intensification options (‘boro’ rice, maize, wheat and mungbean) against the status quo (dry season land fallowing after harvest of the monsoon season rice crop). Analyses included random parameter logit modeling followed by willingness-to-invest and profit simulations. Analyses revealed strong farmer preferences against rice and in favor of irrigated maize, and also in favor of rainfed or partially irrigated mungbean as an alternative to land fallowing. Irrespective of their location and environmental conditions, respondents had largely a negative preference for irrigation and fertilizer use due to high investment costs and associated production risks in the dry season. Nonetheless, a significant positive effect on their willingness-to-intensify cropping was observed where farmers felt it feasible to provide in-field drainage to limit waterlogging risks. The study signifies the importance of accounting for farmers' preferences while developing context-specific SI policies. Improving agronomic investments, tenure security, market, credit and extension support are likely prerequisites, alongside targeted diffusion of stress-tolerant mungbean and maize varieties for SI in coastal Bangladesh.
Sreejith Aravindakshan; Timothy J. Krupnik; T.S. Amjath-Babu; Stijn Speelman; Juan Tur-Cardona; Pablo Tittonell; Jeroen C.J. Groot. Quantifying farmers' preferences for cropping systems intensification: A choice experiment approach applied in coastal Bangladesh's risk prone farming systems. Agricultural Systems 2021, 189, 103069 .
AMA StyleSreejith Aravindakshan, Timothy J. Krupnik, T.S. Amjath-Babu, Stijn Speelman, Juan Tur-Cardona, Pablo Tittonell, Jeroen C.J. Groot. Quantifying farmers' preferences for cropping systems intensification: A choice experiment approach applied in coastal Bangladesh's risk prone farming systems. Agricultural Systems. 2021; 189 ():103069.
Chicago/Turabian StyleSreejith Aravindakshan; Timothy J. Krupnik; T.S. Amjath-Babu; Stijn Speelman; Juan Tur-Cardona; Pablo Tittonell; Jeroen C.J. Groot. 2021. "Quantifying farmers' preferences for cropping systems intensification: A choice experiment approach applied in coastal Bangladesh's risk prone farming systems." Agricultural Systems 189, no. : 103069.
Coastal systems are facing natural and human-driven change coupled with a rising population. With increasing shifts in socioecological conditions during the past several decades, it is important to understand how socioecological drivers at different hierarchical levels: -micro, -meso, and -macro affect coastal farming systems, which play a crucial role in the livelihoods of coastal dwellers. Mixed rice-livestock-aquaculture farming in Southern Bangladesh exemplifies the rapid change occurring in many of the world's coastal farming systems in response to these drivers. We used panel data observations from the above study area and modeled trajectories of farm typologies, and the impact of multi-level socioecological drivers by a novel approach. Our approach integrates: (1) a well-articulated conceptual frame of change observed using (2) a temporal view of the potential drivers, change process and farm type outcomes, with the twenty years panel data of 502 households that is analyzed by means of (3) multivariate statistics in conjunction with panel data models that operationalize the conceptual frame. Our approach allows (a) estimating dynamic effects over time that typically cannot be estimated in a cross-sectional data set, (b) distinguishing between time-invariant fixed and time dependent random effects of multi-level socioecological drivers, and (c) controlling for omitted variables to a certain extent. Considering farming systems both within and outside of polder embankment systems intended to protect against oceanic water intrusion, we found a gradual shift from heterogeneous, rice-livestock farm types to more homogenous farms with less livestock and more off-farm activities. Micro-level factors including farm plot fragmentation, farmers' experience in cropping, machinery, salinity and soil fertility were influencing changes in farming systems. Meso-level factors including markets, road infrastructure, labor availability, access to extension and land tenure also affect the trajectory of farming systems change. Among macro-level drivers, increasing population density positively and significantly influenced cropping intensity among farms outside polder systems. Within polders, a positive but non-significant trend was observed for the influence of population density on cropping intensity. Our data also indicate negative and significant influence of cyclonic storms on cropping intensity over time in both areas. Our results underscore the importance of accounting for multiple levels of socioecological drivers of change when developing appropriate policy options for sustainable development in South Asia's coastal farming systems.
Sreejith Aravindakshan; Timothy J. Krupnik; Jeroen C.J. Groot; Erika N. Speelman; T.S. Amjath- Babu; Pablo Tittonell. Multi-level socioecological drivers of agrarian change: Longitudinal evidence from mixed rice-livestock-aquaculture farming systems of Bangladesh. Agricultural Systems 2019, 177, 102695 .
AMA StyleSreejith Aravindakshan, Timothy J. Krupnik, Jeroen C.J. Groot, Erika N. Speelman, T.S. Amjath- Babu, Pablo Tittonell. Multi-level socioecological drivers of agrarian change: Longitudinal evidence from mixed rice-livestock-aquaculture farming systems of Bangladesh. Agricultural Systems. 2019; 177 ():102695.
Chicago/Turabian StyleSreejith Aravindakshan; Timothy J. Krupnik; Jeroen C.J. Groot; Erika N. Speelman; T.S. Amjath- Babu; Pablo Tittonell. 2019. "Multi-level socioecological drivers of agrarian change: Longitudinal evidence from mixed rice-livestock-aquaculture farming systems of Bangladesh." Agricultural Systems 177, no. : 102695.
Further efforts are needed to combat poverty and agricultural productivity problems in the delta region of Bangladesh. Sustainable intensification of crop production through irrigation and production of cash crops such as maize and wheat might be a promising option to increase income and diversify food production. Only limited research has however been conducted on the potential of using surface water from canals as an irrigation source for maize and wheat production in the delta region. To better understand the contribution of shallow groundwater to crop production and number of irrigations needed for maize and wheat in this unique coastal environment, we conducted multi-locational trials on farmers' fields over three rabi seasons. In addition to soil moisture and salinity, we recorded the depth and salinity of the shallow water table throughout these experiments. Maize in particular requires considerable capital investment for seeds, fertilizer, irrigation and labor. Although farmers express wide interest in maize – which can be sold as a profitable cash crop into Bangladesh's expanding poultry feed industry – many of them are reluctant to invest in fertilizer because of the high entry costs. We therefore also investigated the profitability of growing maize under low and high (recommended) fertilizer regimens. Volumetric soil moisture at sowing and during the grain filling phase or at maturity indicated that there is ample supply of water in the profile. Most measurements were above the drained upper limit (DUL). We attributed this to the generally shallow water table depths, which never exceeded 2.75 m at any location, but generally stayed between 1–2 m depth throughout the season. The region’s soil texture classes (clay loams, silt loams and silty clay loams) are all conducive for capillary rise of water into the rooting zone. Consequently, irrigation had a significant effect on maize yield in the driest winter only, whereas for wheat, it had no effect. The key for a successful maize and wheat production in the delta region of Bangladesh is to ensure a good crop establishment, which can be achieved with a starter and an additional irrigation at crown root initiation for wheat and at V6-8 for maize. Maize however is not always profitable. Compared to low fertilizer rates, higher rates reduced losses in low yielding site-years and increased profits in high-yielding site years. This indicates that it is advisable for farmers not to reduce fertilizer rates. Low-risk financial credit with rationally structured interest rates that allow farmers to invest in maize could potentially offset these constraints.
Urs Schulthess; Zia Uddin Ahmed; Sreejith Aravindakshan; Golam Morshed Rokon; A.S.M. Alanuzzaman Kurishi; Timothy J. Krupnik. Farming on the fringe: Shallow groundwater dynamics and irrigation scheduling for maize and wheat in Bangladesh’s coastal delta. Field Crops Research 2019, 239, 135 -148.
AMA StyleUrs Schulthess, Zia Uddin Ahmed, Sreejith Aravindakshan, Golam Morshed Rokon, A.S.M. Alanuzzaman Kurishi, Timothy J. Krupnik. Farming on the fringe: Shallow groundwater dynamics and irrigation scheduling for maize and wheat in Bangladesh’s coastal delta. Field Crops Research. 2019; 239 ():135-148.
Chicago/Turabian StyleUrs Schulthess; Zia Uddin Ahmed; Sreejith Aravindakshan; Golam Morshed Rokon; A.S.M. Alanuzzaman Kurishi; Timothy J. Krupnik. 2019. "Farming on the fringe: Shallow groundwater dynamics and irrigation scheduling for maize and wheat in Bangladesh’s coastal delta." Field Crops Research 239, no. : 135-148.
South Asia is the world’s most poverty-dense region, where climate change and climate variability are expected to result in increased heat stress and erratic precipitation patterns that affect agricultural productivity. Considerable evidence has been generated on the effects of these stresses on crop yield, though previous research has not yet examined their influence on the economic efficiency of cereal producers. Surveying 240 farmers across eight of Pakistan’s twelve agro-ecological zones, we examined the impact of temperature and precipitation anomalies – as indicators of climatic variability – and the number of days when temperature exceeds crop specific heat stress thresholds on the economic efficiency of rice and wheat production. To this end, we employed first-stage stochastic production frontier (SPF) models and second-stage ordinary least square (OLS) and quantile regression models. Both OLS and quantile regressions indicated that terminal heat >34 °C has a significant negative impact on wheat production economic efficiency. Small positive deviation (0.54 °C ± 0.16 SD) of the wheat season’s mean temperature from the medium-term historical mean also significantly and negatively affected economic efficiency across all regression models. Heat stress >35.5 °C during rice flowering in the monsoon also had a significant and negative impact. A slight positive deviation in temperature averaging 0.38 °C (±0.11 SD) above the medium-term mean also had significant negative effects across all regressions. Cumulative precipitation conversely had significant yet contrary effects, by offsetting farmers’ investment in supplementary irrigation and increasing economic efficiency. Our results highlight the fact that indicators of climatic variability and heat stress negatively affect the economic efficiency of both rice and wheat producing farmers. Farmers’ education and access to financial and extension services were however both positively associated with economic efficiency. Our findings point to the importance of developing interlinked agronomic, economic and socio-ecological policy strategies to adapt and increase the resilience of Pakistan’s cereal systems to climatic variability.
Muhammad Arshad; T.S. Amjath-Babu; Sreejith Aravindakshan; Timothy J. Krupnik; Verena Toussaint; Harald Kächele; Klaus Müller. Climatic variability and thermal stress in Pakistan’s rice and wheat systems: A stochastic frontier and quantile regression analysis of economic efficiency. Ecological Indicators 2018, 89, 496 -506.
AMA StyleMuhammad Arshad, T.S. Amjath-Babu, Sreejith Aravindakshan, Timothy J. Krupnik, Verena Toussaint, Harald Kächele, Klaus Müller. Climatic variability and thermal stress in Pakistan’s rice and wheat systems: A stochastic frontier and quantile regression analysis of economic efficiency. Ecological Indicators. 2018; 89 ():496-506.
Chicago/Turabian StyleMuhammad Arshad; T.S. Amjath-Babu; Sreejith Aravindakshan; Timothy J. Krupnik; Verena Toussaint; Harald Kächele; Klaus Müller. 2018. "Climatic variability and thermal stress in Pakistan’s rice and wheat systems: A stochastic frontier and quantile regression analysis of economic efficiency." Ecological Indicators 89, no. : 496-506.
Conservation tillage (CT) options are among the most rapidly spreading land preparation and crop establishment techniques globally. In South Asia, CT has spread dramatically over the last decade, a result of strong policy support and increasing availability of appropriate machinery. Although many studies have analyzed the yield and profitability of CT systems, the technical efficiency impacts accrued by farmers utilizing CT have received considerably less attention. Employing a DEA framework, we isolated bias-corrected meta-frontier technical efficiencies and meta-technology ratios of three CT options adopted by wheat farmers in Bangladesh, including bed planting (BP), power tiller operated seeding (PTOS), and strip tillage (ST), compared to a control group of farmers practicing traditional tillage (TT). Endogenous switching regression was subsequently employed to overcome potential self-selection bias in the choice of CT, in order to robustly estimate efficiency factors. Among the tillage options studied, PTOS was the most technically efficient, with an average meta-technology ratio of 0.90, followed by BP (0.88), ST (0.83), and TT (0.67). The average predicted meta-frontier technical efficiency for the CT non-adopters under a counterfactual scenario (0.80) was significantly greater (P = 0.00) than current TE scores (0.65), indicating the potential for sizeable profitability increases with CT adoption. Conversely, the counterfactual TE of non-adopters was 23% greater than their DEA efficiency, also indicating efficiency gains from CT adoption. Our results provide backing for agricultural development programs in South Asia that aim to increase smallholder farmers’ income through the application of CT as a pathway towards poverty reduction.
Sreejith Aravindakshan; Frederick Rossi; T. S. Amjath-Babu; Prakashan Chellattan Veettil; Timothy J. Krupnik. Application of a bias-corrected meta-frontier approach and an endogenous switching regression to analyze the technical efficiency of conservation tillage for wheat in South Asia. Journal of Productivity Analysis 2018, 49, 153 -171.
AMA StyleSreejith Aravindakshan, Frederick Rossi, T. S. Amjath-Babu, Prakashan Chellattan Veettil, Timothy J. Krupnik. Application of a bias-corrected meta-frontier approach and an endogenous switching regression to analyze the technical efficiency of conservation tillage for wheat in South Asia. Journal of Productivity Analysis. 2018; 49 (2-3):153-171.
Chicago/Turabian StyleSreejith Aravindakshan; Frederick Rossi; T. S. Amjath-Babu; Prakashan Chellattan Veettil; Timothy J. Krupnik. 2018. "Application of a bias-corrected meta-frontier approach and an endogenous switching regression to analyze the technical efficiency of conservation tillage for wheat in South Asia." Journal of Productivity Analysis 49, no. 2-3: 153-171.
Vijesh Krishna; Alwin Keil; Sreejith Aravindakshan; Mukesh Meena. Conservation tillage for sustainable wheat intensification: the example of South Asia. Achieving sustainable cultivation of cocoa 2017, 41 -62.
AMA StyleVijesh Krishna, Alwin Keil, Sreejith Aravindakshan, Mukesh Meena. Conservation tillage for sustainable wheat intensification: the example of South Asia. Achieving sustainable cultivation of cocoa. 2017; ():41-62.
Chicago/Turabian StyleVijesh Krishna; Alwin Keil; Sreejith Aravindakshan; Mukesh Meena. 2017. "Conservation tillage for sustainable wheat intensification: the example of South Asia." Achieving sustainable cultivation of cocoa , no. : 41-62.
Many studies have examined the impact of climatic variability on agricultural productivity, although an understanding of these effects on farmland values and their relationship to farmers’ decisions to adapt and modify their land-use practices remains nascent in developing nations. We estimated the impacts of the deviation in our study year's (2012) temperature and precipitation patterns from medium-term (1980–2011) climatic patterns on farmland values in Pakistan. This was accomplished by employing a modified form of a Ricardian regression model. We also examined farmers’ perceptions of climate change during this period, as well as their perceptions of climate change impacts on farm productivity, in addition to past and anticipated farm adaptation strategies. Our results indicate that positive temperature deviation from the medium-term mean – indicative of climatic change – affects farmland values in Pakistan. Deviation in annual cumulative precipitation conversely appears to have no significant impact. Estimates of the marginal impact of temperature deviation suggested a slight but negative linear relationship with farmland values. The location of farms in areas where farmers can avail financial or extension services conversely had a positive impact on farmland values, as did the availability of irrigation facilities. Our analysis of farmers’ perceptions of climate change and their consequent adaptation behavior indicated a relatively high degree of awareness of climatic variability that influenced a number of proactive and future anticipated farm adaptation strategies. Examples included increased use of irrigation and farm enterprise diversification, as well as land-use change, including shifting from agriculture into alternative land uses. National policy in Pakistan underscores the importance of maintaining a productive rural agricultural sector. Our findings consequently highlight the importance of appropriate adaptation strategies to maintain both farm productivity and farmland values in much of Pakistan. The implications of increased extension and financial services to enhance farmers’ potential for climate change adaptation are discussed.
Muhammad Arshad; Harald Kächele; Timothy J. Krupnik; T. S. Amjath-Babu; Sreejith Aravindakshan; Azhar Abbas; Yasir Mehmood; Klaus Müller. Climate variability, farmland value, and farmers’ perceptions of climate change: implications for adaptation in rural Pakistan. International Journal of Sustainable Development & World Ecology 2016, 24, 532 -544.
AMA StyleMuhammad Arshad, Harald Kächele, Timothy J. Krupnik, T. S. Amjath-Babu, Sreejith Aravindakshan, Azhar Abbas, Yasir Mehmood, Klaus Müller. Climate variability, farmland value, and farmers’ perceptions of climate change: implications for adaptation in rural Pakistan. International Journal of Sustainable Development & World Ecology. 2016; 24 (6):532-544.
Chicago/Turabian StyleMuhammad Arshad; Harald Kächele; Timothy J. Krupnik; T. S. Amjath-Babu; Sreejith Aravindakshan; Azhar Abbas; Yasir Mehmood; Klaus Müller. 2016. "Climate variability, farmland value, and farmers’ perceptions of climate change: implications for adaptation in rural Pakistan." International Journal of Sustainable Development & World Ecology 24, no. 6: 532-544.
Rice and wheat are the principal calorie sources for over a billion people in South Asia, although each crop is particularly sensitive to the climatic and agronomic management conditions under which they are grown. Season-long heat stress can reduce photosynthesis and accelerate senescence; if extreme heat stress is experienced during flowering, both rice and wheat may also experience decreased pollen viability and stigma deposition, leading to increased grain sterility. Where farmers are unable to implement within-season management adaptations, significant deviations from expected climatic conditions would affect crop growth, yield, and therefore have important implications for food security. The influence of climatic conditions on crop growth have been widely studied in growth chamber, greenhouse, and research station trials, although empirical evidence of the link between climatic variability and yield risk in farmers’ fields is comparatively scarce. Using data from 240 farm households, this paper responds to this gap and isolates the effects of agronomic management from climatic variability on rice and wheat yield risks in eight of Pakistan’s twelve agroecological zones. Using Just and Pope production functions, we tested for the effects of crop management practices and climatic conditions on yield and yield variability for each crop. Our results highlight important risks to farmers’ ability to obtain reliable yield levels for both crops. Despite variability in input use and crop management, we found evidence for the negative effect of both season-long and terminal heat stress, measured as the cumulative number of days during which crop growth occurred above critical thresholds, though wheat was considerably more sensitive than rice. Comparing variation in observed climatic parameters in the year of study to medium-term patterns, rice, and wheat yields were both negatively affected, indicative of production risk and of farmers’ limited capacity for within-season adaptation. Our findings suggest the importance of reviewing existing climate change adaptation policies that aim to increase cereal farmers’ resilience in Pakistan, and more broadly in South Asia. Potential agronomic and extension strategies are proposed for further investigation.
Muhammad Arshad; T. S. Amjath-Babu; Timothy J. Krupnik; Sreejith Aravindakshan; Azhar Abbas; Harald Kächele; Klaus Mueller. Climate variability and yield risk in South Asia’s rice–wheat systems: emerging evidence from Pakistan. Paddy and Water Environment 2016, 15, 249 -261.
AMA StyleMuhammad Arshad, T. S. Amjath-Babu, Timothy J. Krupnik, Sreejith Aravindakshan, Azhar Abbas, Harald Kächele, Klaus Mueller. Climate variability and yield risk in South Asia’s rice–wheat systems: emerging evidence from Pakistan. Paddy and Water Environment. 2016; 15 (2):249-261.
Chicago/Turabian StyleMuhammad Arshad; T. S. Amjath-Babu; Timothy J. Krupnik; Sreejith Aravindakshan; Azhar Abbas; Harald Kächele; Klaus Mueller. 2016. "Climate variability and yield risk in South Asia’s rice–wheat systems: emerging evidence from Pakistan." Paddy and Water Environment 15, no. 2: 249-261.
Several studies estimate the immediate impact of climate change on agricultural societies in terms of changes in crop yields or farm income, though few studies concentrate on the immediate secondary consequences of climate change. This synthetic analysis uses a set of indicators to assess the repercussions of predicted income reductions resulting from climate change on food consumption, nutrition, health expenditure, education, and recreation in Zimbabwe, Cameroon, South Africa and Ethiopia. We also assess the potential decline in human development potential among smallholder dryland farmers in these sub-Saharan African countries. In contrast to previous efforts, the current study directly integrates the uncertainties in estimations of income changes and secondary consequences through a weighting scheme. The results reveal moderate to high levels of secondary impacts which could lead to increased vulnerability to diseases, susceptibility to nutritional disorders, deprivation of educational opportunities, and ultimately to a reduction in human and societal development potential among the considered nations. The article concludes by proposing a portfolio of policy options for ameliorating the secondary impacts of climate change in these sub-Saharan African countries.
T.S. Amjath-Babu; Timothy J. Krupnik; Sreejith Aravindakshan; Muhammad Arshad; Harald Kaechele. Climate change and indicators of probable shifts in the consumption portfolios of dryland farmers in Sub-Saharan Africa: Implications for policy. Ecological Indicators 2016, 67, 830 -838.
AMA StyleT.S. Amjath-Babu, Timothy J. Krupnik, Sreejith Aravindakshan, Muhammad Arshad, Harald Kaechele. Climate change and indicators of probable shifts in the consumption portfolios of dryland farmers in Sub-Saharan Africa: Implications for policy. Ecological Indicators. 2016; 67 ():830-838.
Chicago/Turabian StyleT.S. Amjath-Babu; Timothy J. Krupnik; Sreejith Aravindakshan; Muhammad Arshad; Harald Kaechele. 2016. "Climate change and indicators of probable shifts in the consumption portfolios of dryland farmers in Sub-Saharan Africa: Implications for policy." Ecological Indicators 67, no. : 830-838.
Growing populations, changing market conditions, and the food security risks posed by rainfed cropping and climate change collectively indicate that Sub-Saharan African nations could benefit from transforming agricultural production to more intensive yet resilient and sustainable systems. Although highly underutilized, emerging evidence indicates that groundwater may be more widely available than previously thought, highlighting its potential role in facilitating such a transformation. Nevertheless, the possibility for such a transition is conditioned by number of complex factors. We therefore construct a transition index that integrates data considering groundwater and energy availability and cost, market access, infrastructural needs, farm conditions and natural resource stocks, labor availability, climate, population density, as well as economic and political framework variables, using a principal component analysis based methodology. Using the consequent multi-dimensional transition index and constituent intermediate indices, we provide an assessment of groundwater irrigation potential discussed in consideration of Burkina Faso, Ghana, Malawi, Ethiopia, Nigeria, Zambia, Namibia, Cameroon, and Zimbabwe. Our results, though preliminary, provide a methodology for conducting such an integrated assessment, while deriving a holistic set of policy options considering the transition towards appropriate use of groundwater for agricultural development.
T.S. Amjath-Babu; Timothy J. Krupnik; Harald Kaechele; Sreejith Aravindakshan; Diana Sietz. Transitioning to groundwater irrigated intensified agriculture in Sub-Saharan Africa: An indicator based assessment. Agricultural Water Management 2016, 168, 125 -135.
AMA StyleT.S. Amjath-Babu, Timothy J. Krupnik, Harald Kaechele, Sreejith Aravindakshan, Diana Sietz. Transitioning to groundwater irrigated intensified agriculture in Sub-Saharan Africa: An indicator based assessment. Agricultural Water Management. 2016; 168 ():125-135.
Chicago/Turabian StyleT.S. Amjath-Babu; Timothy J. Krupnik; Harald Kaechele; Sreejith Aravindakshan; Diana Sietz. 2016. "Transitioning to groundwater irrigated intensified agriculture in Sub-Saharan Africa: An indicator based assessment." Agricultural Water Management 168, no. : 125-135.
In recent years, the proliferation of private well irrigation systems in South Asia, especially in the hard rock areas of India, has stimulated the growth of informal groundwater markets. These markets allow water-buying farmers, who are unable to invest in wells, to benefit from irrigation while enhancing the economic benefits of water-selling farmers. In this way, they have a positive impact on farm income. On the other hand, they are believed to have contributed to the problem of overexploitation of groundwater aquifers. This study examines the role of groundwater markets in determining the efficiency of irrigated farms. Technical, allocative and economic efficiency of groundwater-irrigated farms is determined, using a bootstrapped data envelopment analysis, and the determinants of the efficiency are explored using a bootstrapped truncated regression. For this purpose, data were collected from three different groups of groundwater-irrigated farmers: (i) a control group of 30 farmers who are neither selling nor buying groundwater; (ii) a group of 30 water-selling farmers; and (iii) a group of 30 water-buying farmers. The results demonstrate that there is substantial technical, allocative and economic inefficiency in the irrigated production due to overuse of inputs and that this inefficiency is higher among the control group farmers followed by water sellers and water buyers. Also in the second-stage regression, participation in the water markets is revealed as an important factor positively affecting efficiency scores. This shows that it is relevant for the government to make appropriate institutional policy interventions to capitalize on the benefits associated with the water markets, while at the same time, ensuring that the negative external effects are avoided.
Manjunatha A.V.; Speelman S; Sreejith Aravindakshan; Amjath Babu T.S.; Puran Mal. Impact of informal groundwater markets on efficiency of irrigated farms in India: a bootstrap data envelopment analysis approach. Irrigation Science 2015, 34, 41 -52.
AMA StyleManjunatha A.V., Speelman S, Sreejith Aravindakshan, Amjath Babu T.S., Puran Mal. Impact of informal groundwater markets on efficiency of irrigated farms in India: a bootstrap data envelopment analysis approach. Irrigation Science. 2015; 34 (1):41-52.
Chicago/Turabian StyleManjunatha A.V.; Speelman S; Sreejith Aravindakshan; Amjath Babu T.S.; Puran Mal. 2015. "Impact of informal groundwater markets on efficiency of irrigated farms in India: a bootstrap data envelopment analysis approach." Irrigation Science 34, no. 1: 41-52.
Sreejith Aravindakshan; Frederick J. Rossi; Timothy J. Krupnik. What does benchmarking of wheat farmers practicing conservation tillage in the eastern Indo-Gangetic Plains tell us about energy use efficiency? An application of slack-based data envelopment analysis. Energy 2015, 90, 483 -493.
AMA StyleSreejith Aravindakshan, Frederick J. Rossi, Timothy J. Krupnik. What does benchmarking of wheat farmers practicing conservation tillage in the eastern Indo-Gangetic Plains tell us about energy use efficiency? An application of slack-based data envelopment analysis. Energy. 2015; 90 ():483-493.
Chicago/Turabian StyleSreejith Aravindakshan; Frederick J. Rossi; Timothy J. Krupnik. 2015. "What does benchmarking of wheat farmers practicing conservation tillage in the eastern Indo-Gangetic Plains tell us about energy use efficiency? An application of slack-based data envelopment analysis." Energy 90, no. : 483-493.