Variable and low rainfall patterns combined with increasing population pressure have led to natural resources degradation in the Mopti region of Mali. This has forced both agricultural and pastoral communities to transform their production systems and social relations. To assess the adaptive capacities of these agro-pastoral communities to climate change, a participatory survey was conducted in the region between February and May 2009. The survey covered in total 175 households, covering 60 households per agro-ecological zone (i.e.

The purpose of this transdisciplinary project was to cogenerate methods, information and solutions between local communities, local and international scientists and policy makers involved in climate change and adaptation programmes, for coping mechanisms and adapting strategies to climate change and variability in Africa. Herewith the overall goal is to increase the adaptive capacity of agropastoralists, who are among the most vulnerable groups in Africa to climate change and variability.

Demand for livestock products has been increasing through much of the semi-arid

tropics and will likely continue to increase along with the use of purchased feedstuffs. As

smallholder livestock systems evolve and become more market oriented, the type of diets

fed to livestock may change and the importance of feed marketing may increase. Mixed

crop–livestock systems are key to meeting this increasing livestock product demand and

cowpea (Vigna unguiculata [L.] Walp.) fodder (haulms) is an important component of these

Corporate social responsibility (CSR) and supply agreements in the agricultural sector have a
significant role to play to promote agricultural climate change mitigation and decrease
pressure on the earth’s land and climate. Private sector engagement can also promote food
security and positively affect the livelihoods of smallholder agricultural producers in
developing countries. Based on a comprehensive literature survey and 15 interviews with key
organizations, companies and financiers or lenders, this report investigates: current private

Malawi has experienced a forward shift in its demand for Irish potato (Solanum tuberosum) consumption. Given limited resources at farmers' disposal, meeting the growing demand will require farmers to follow the efficient path of the farm production resources. This paper, therefore, is an attempt to measure the cost efficiency of smallholder Irish potato farmers in Dedza district of Malawi using a translog cost function, inefficiency effect model and input elasticities derived from a system of cost share equations estimated by Iterated Seeming Unrelated Regression method.

Shallow groundwater irrigation (SGI) using hand-dug shallow wells and dugouts is expanding, in the WVB, and is becoming attractive to farmers throughout. SGI is farmer-driven and has

developed without any government or donor involvement. The production of vegetables and cash

crops during the dry season utilizing SGI has provided farmers with a supplemental source of

income and an alternative to seasonal urban migration. Although SGI has been increasing

substantially, the extent of this practice is not documented.This project has help assess, the

This thesis was carried out within the project ImGoats, a project led by ILRI and implemented by CARE in Mozambique, aiming at increasing the incomes and food security of poor smallholders through innovations in the meat goat value chain. From a bottom-up approach, the project developed different interventions and this thesis was focusing on one of them, the implementation of communal grazing land for goats, land that was not currently in use.