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dc.contributor.authorDescheemaeker, Katrien
dc.contributor.authorRonner, E.
dc.contributor.authorOllenburger, M.H.
dc.contributor.authorFranke, A.C.
dc.contributor.authorKlapwijk, C.J.
dc.contributor.authorFalconnier, G.N.
dc.contributor.authorWichern, Jannike
dc.date.accessioned2019-12-04T11:04:26Z
dc.date.available2019-12-04T11:04:26Z
dc.date.issued2016-08
dc.identifier.citationDescheemaeker, K., Ronner, E., Ollenburger, M., Franke, L., Klapwijk, L., Falconnier, G., ... & Giller, K. (2016). Which options fit best? Operationalizing the socio-ecological niche concept. Experimental Agriculture.
dc.identifier.issn0014-4797
dc.identifier.urihttps://hdl.handle.net/20.500.12478/1427
dc.descriptionArticle Purchased; Published: 1st August 2016
dc.description.abstractThe large diversity of farms and farming systems in sub-Saharan Africa calls for agricultural improvement options that are adapted to the context in which smallholder farmers operate. The socio-ecological niche concept incorporates the agro-ecological, socio-cultural, economic and institutional dimensions and the multiple levels of this context in order to identify which options fit best. In this paper, we illustrate how farming systems analysis, following the DEED cycle of Describe, Explain, Explore and Design, and embedding co-learning amongst researchers, farmers and other stakeholders, helps to operationalize the socio-ecological niche concept. Examples illustrate how farm typologies, detailed farm characterization and on-farm experimental work, in combination with modelling and participatory approaches inform the matching of options to the context at regional, village, farm and field level. Recommendation domains at these gradually finer levels form the basis for gradually more detailed baskets of options from which farmers and other stakeholders may choose, test and adjust to their specific needs. Tailored options identified through the DEED cycle proof to be more relevant, feasible and performant as compared to blanket recommendations in terms of both researcher and farmer-identified criteria. As part of DEED, on-farm experiments are particularly useful in revealing constraints and risks faced by farmers. We show that targeting options to the niches in which they perform best, helps to reduce this risk. Whereas the conclusions of our work about the potential for improving smallholders’ livelihoods are often sobering, farming systems analysis allows substantiating the limitations of technological options, thus highlighting the need for enabling policies and institutions that may improve the larger-scale context and increase the uptake potential of options.
dc.description.sponsorshipMcKnight Foundation
dc.description.sponsorshipBill & Melinda Gates Foundation
dc.description.sponsorshipUnited States Agency for International Development
dc.format.extent1-22
dc.language.isoen
dc.subjectFarming Systems
dc.subjectFood Security
dc.subjectGrain Legumes
dc.subjectMaize
dc.subjectSmallholders
dc.titleWhich options fit best? Operationalizing the socio-ecological niche concept
dc.typeJournal Article
dc.description.versionPeer Review
cg.contributor.crpClimate Change, Agriculture and Food Security
cg.contributor.affiliationWageningen University and Research Centre
cg.contributor.affiliationUniversity of the Free State
cg.contributor.affiliationInternational Institute of Tropical Agriculture
cg.coverage.regionAfrica
cg.coverage.regionWest Africa
cg.coverage.countryMali
cg.isijournalISI Journal
cg.authorship.typesCGIAR and developing country institute
cg.iitasubjectFarming Systems
cg.iitasubjectGrain Legumes
cg.iitasubjectSmallholder Farmers
cg.journalExperimental Agriculture
cg.howpublishedFormally Published
cg.accessibilitystatusOpen Access
local.dspaceid79577
cg.targetaudienceScientists
cg.identifier.doihttps://dx.doi.org/10.1017/s001447971600048x


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