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Impacts of integrated soil fertility management on yield and household income: The case of Tamale (Ghana) and Kakamega (Kenya)

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  • Adolwa, Ivan Solomon
  • Schwarze, Stefan
  • Buerkert, Andreas

Abstract

Integrated soil fertility management (ISFM) has been widely promoted by research and philanthropic organizations as well as governments to increase crop yields and improve livelihoods of smallholder farmers in Africa. Therefore, it is surprising that there is still scant information on its impact on crop yields and household income. This paper uses a counterfactual model to assess ISFM impact on yields and total household incomes using farm household data from Tamale (Northern Ghana) and Kakamega (Western Kenya). The analyses reveal that ISFM adoption leads to an increase in maize yields by up to 27% in Tamale and 16% in Kakamega. Increasing the number of ISFM components, however, does not improve yields. Despite the effect on yields, adoption of ISFM does not increase total household incomes at both locations. Some implications for future research are discussed.

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  • Adolwa, Ivan Solomon & Schwarze, Stefan & Buerkert, Andreas, 2019. "Impacts of integrated soil fertility management on yield and household income: The case of Tamale (Ghana) and Kakamega (Kenya)," Ecological Economics, Elsevier, vol. 161(C), pages 186-192.
    • Handle: RePEc:eee:ecolec:v:161:y:2019:i:c:p:186-192
    DOI: 10.1016/j.ecolecon.2019.03.023
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    9. Hörner, Denise & Wollni, Meike, 2021. "Integrated soil fertility management and household welfare in Ethiopia," Food Policy, Elsevier, vol. 100(C).
    10. Makaiko G. Khonje & Christone Nyondo & Lemekezani Chilora & Julius H. Mangisoni & Jacob Ricker‐Gilbert & William J. Burke, 2022. "Exploring adoption effects of subsidies and soil fertility management in Malawi," Journal of Agricultural Economics, Wiley Blackwell, vol. 73(3), pages 874-892, September.
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    12. Simphiwe Innocentia Hlatshwayo & Rob Slotow & Mjabuliseni Simon Cloapas Ngidi, 2023. "The Role of Smallholder Farming on Rural Household Dietary Diversity," Agriculture, MDPI, vol. 13(3), pages 1-16, February.
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    14. Martey, Edward & Kuwornu, John K.M., 2021. "Perceptions of Climate Variability and Soil Fertility Management Choices Among Smallholder Farmers in Northern Ghana," Ecological Economics, Elsevier, vol. 180(C).
    15. Denise Hörner & Meike Wollni, 2022. "Does integrated soil fertility management increase returns to land and labor?: Plot‐level evidence from Ethiopia," Agricultural Economics, International Association of Agricultural Economists, vol. 53(3), pages 337-355, May.
    16. Ni Zhuo & Baozhi Li & Qibiao Zhu & Chen Ji, 2023. "Smartphone‐based agricultural extension services and farm incomes: Evidence from Zhejiang Province in China," Review of Development Economics, Wiley Blackwell, vol. 27(3), pages 1383-1402, August.
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    18. Huan, Meili & Dong, Fengxia, 2023. "Sustainable Agricultural Practices and Crop Yield in China’s Maize Production," 2023 Annual Meeting, July 23-25, Washington D.C. 335656, Agricultural and Applied Economics Association.

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