About

SMARTS2 aimed to demonstrate how conservation agriculture, technology, and foreknowledge of climate variation can be integrated with small landholder farmers' existing knowledge and behaviors to increase adaptation to climate change. The project facilitated greater adoption of conservation agricultural production systems particularly using intercropping that are resilient to climate change, adding nutrients and providing rural farmers with tools for self-reliance and a cash crop to enhance income.

By understanding how farmer decisions are currently made (through perception surveys) and by connecting to market conditions and understanding gender roles, this research can help develop community-based farming programs that are less environmentally disruptive, higher yields and more income streams than traditional agricultural development programs through providing greater real-time feedback of market conditions, and potentially sufficient behaviorial change that increases environmental stewardship, market stability, and ultimately food security.

Results

• Conservation of agricultural practices that work well for areas that are rainfed, with a slope and affected by climate variations.
• Exposing farmers to growing different crops will not depress the market prices and will sustain farm income since productivity increases marketable surplus.
• Assisting farmers on more efficient input use besides introducing new technology is important for community sustainability, resilience and increased food security.
• Intercropping is a win win for farmers as the extra income is an incentive and the intercropping helps retain soil moisture.
• Extension agents and farmers need to be trained in conservation agriculture as project results provide incentives to adopt climate smart practices.
• Community engagement is essential for adopting new technology. Baseline surveys of villages can highlight knowledge gaps and opportunities for training.
• Training on accessing market information via mobile devices enhances decision making
• Training on the use of cover crops and general agricultural practices (e.g., line planting, intercropping and the use of hybrid seed) can improve overall farm productivity among low education farmers.
• Training of non-governmental organisations (NGO) staff in household baseline surveys was essential to convey correct information to villagers for the collection of data.
• Dissemination of findings and sharing of ideas across multiple venues enhances the collaboration of the scientific community and stakeholders.