ValueSeC Symposium at the 5th African Association for Agricultural Economics (AAAE) Conference
Building Capacity for Understanding and Managing Climate Change in Agribusiness Value Chains: Insights from North-South Partnerships
- https://www.agrar.hu-berlin.de/en/institut-en/departments/daoe/gp-en/projects/valuesec/events/valuesec-symposium-at-the-african-association-for-agricultural-economics-aaae-conference
- ValueSeC Symposium at the 5th African Association for Agricultural Economics (AAAE) Conference
- 2016-09-23T00:00:00+02:00
- 2016-09-26T23:59:59+02:00
- Building Capacity for Understanding and Managing Climate Change in Agribusiness Value Chains: Insights from North-South Partnerships
- When Sep 23, 2016 12:00 to Sep 26, 2016 11:59
- Where AddisAbaba, Ethiopia
- Attendees From UoN: Prof. Willis Oluoch Kosura, Dr. David Jakinda Otieno, Lawrence Moranga, Dorcas Jalangó From HarU: Dr. Dr. Mengistu Ketema Aredo, Dr. Degye Habteyesus From HUB: Prof. Dr. Wolfgang Bokelman, Muluken Elias Adamseged
-
iCal
Early Bird registration available until the 20th of June!
Preliminary Schedule:
1.1 Introduction
– Project overview, Prof. Bokelman, Humboldt University (15 minutes)
2. Lessons from North-South Study Projects
– Karatina & Humboldt Universities (30 minutes)
3. Insights from Farm-level Research (50 minutes)
3.1 Characterizing smallholder farmers of African Indigenous Vegetables in rural Kenya
- Dorcas Anyango Jalang’o, David Jakinda Otieno and Willis Oluoch-Kosura, University of Nairobi
Abstract
Production of AIVs supports a significant proportion of households as a source food and income. Characterizing smallholder farmers helps in classifying farm households into similar or different groups for which targeted development interventions can be recommended. This study highlights the production and marketing characteristics of smallholder farmers of AIVs. Results of the descriptive statistics show that over 50% of production is carried out using conventional methods of farming. The traditional marketing system is dominant with over 80% of the farmers being active participants. Following these insights, there is need for immediate policy interventions in coming up with new production technologies for AIVs. This would relieve the production constraints of rural smallholder farmers and enhance their market participation.
Key words: Smallholder farmers, African indigenous vegetables, rural areas, Kenya.
3.2 Is the weather forecast information provided adequate for farm-level adaptation to climate change in Kenya? The case of Taita Taveta County
- Lawrence Moranga, David Jakinda Otieno and Willis Oluoch-Kosura, University of Nairobi
Abstract
The need for weather-related information necessary for planning of agricultural activities cannot be overemphasized. Access to such information is increasingly becoming important in the face of climate change. In order to get a picture of whether farmers utilize this kind of information to guide them in their farming operations, a study was carried out in Taita Taveta County in Kenya. Results show that majority of the farmers normally receive the information, mostly via the radio, with about three-quarters of them relying on the information to guide their farming decisions. However, some farmers reported that information is often misleading and incomplete therefore unreliable. Thus, more effort should be directed towards promptly availing accurate information which is well-packaged for easy use in prioritization of farm planning and investment decisions.
Key words: Weather-information, farm decision-making, climate change, Kenya.
3.3 Value Chain Development for Food Security and Income Generation in the Context of Climate Change: The Case of Fresh Vegetables in Ethiopia
- Mengistu K. Aredo and Degye G. Habteyesus, Haramaya University, Ethiopia
Abstract
This study examines constraints and opportunities among smallholder vegetable producers in the Upper Rift Valley of Ethiopia. It specifically investigates the production and marketing constrains of stakeholders in the vegetable value chain, the enabling environment, and supporting markets on four dimensions: food security, climate change, gender and household income. Both inductive and deductive research approaches were applied to ensure adequate data for the study. Inductions were made based on a value chain analysis using semi-structured interviews and non-participatory observations. Hypotheses about the interlinkages between value chains and the four dimensions of the study were verified by review of theoretical and empirical literature and semi-structured expert-interviews. The results of the study show high interlinkages between the four dimensions and reveal the main challenges in the vegetable value chain. Severe water scarcity arising from climate change, inefficient water management, lack of irrigation schemes, asymmetry of market power, output price instability, and high degree of informalities are crucial production and marketing problems for smallholders forcing them to face unstable yields and income instability. Regardless of women’s high contribution to the agricultural labor force in the study area, they are not well represented in the value chain mainly because of the strong traditional gender role models prevalent in the study area. There is a huge knowledge gap and inadequate access to technology, causing high transaction costs and inefficiencies in the vegetable value chain. Deficient market integration, lack of transparency in the value chain, and information asymmetries lead to low income and high dependency of smallholders on middlemen.
Key words: Climate change, Food security, Value chain, Household income, Ethiopia.
4. Moving Forward – the Competence Network Approach
– Muluken Adamseged, Humboldt University (10 minutes)
5. Plenary Discussion
– moderated by Prof. Augustine Langyituo, AAAE President (15 minutes)