TY - JOUR
T1 - A systems model describing the impact of organic resource use on farming households in low to middle income countries
AU - Smith, Jo
AU - Nayak, Dali Rani
AU - Datta, Ashim
AU - Nivrutti Narkhede, Wasudeo
AU - Albanito, Fabrizio
AU - Balana, Bedru B.B.
AU - Bandyopadhyay, Sanjoy
AU - Black, Helaina
AU - Boke, Shiferaw
AU - Brand, Alison
AU - Byg, Anja
AU - Dinato, Mengistu
AU - Habte, Mulugeta
AU - Hallett, Paul D
AU - Lemma Argaw, Thomas
AU - Mekuria, Wolde
AU - Moges, Awdenegest
AU - Muluneh, Alemayehu
AU - Novo, Paula
AU - Rivington, Mike
AU - Tefera, Tewodros
AU - Vanni, May
AU - Yakob, Getahun
AU - Phimster, Euan
PY - 2020/9
Y1 - 2020/9
N2 - We present a new systems model that encompasses both environmental and socioeconomic outcomes to simulate impacts of organic resource use on livelihoods of smallholder farmers in low to middle income countries. It includes impacts on soils, which in many countries are degrading with long term loss of organic matter. Many farmers have easy access to animal manures that could be used to increase soil organic matter, but this precious resource is often diverted to other purposes, such as fuels, also resulting in loss of the nutrients needed for crop production. This model simulates impacts of different management options on soil organic matter turnover, availability of water and nutrients, crop and animal production, water and energy use, labour requirements and household income and expenditure. An evaluation and example application from India are presented and used to illustrate the importance of considering the whole farm system when developing recommendations to help farmers improve their soils.
AB - We present a new systems model that encompasses both environmental and socioeconomic outcomes to simulate impacts of organic resource use on livelihoods of smallholder farmers in low to middle income countries. It includes impacts on soils, which in many countries are degrading with long term loss of organic matter. Many farmers have easy access to animal manures that could be used to increase soil organic matter, but this precious resource is often diverted to other purposes, such as fuels, also resulting in loss of the nutrients needed for crop production. This model simulates impacts of different management options on soil organic matter turnover, availability of water and nutrients, crop and animal production, water and energy use, labour requirements and household income and expenditure. An evaluation and example application from India are presented and used to illustrate the importance of considering the whole farm system when developing recommendations to help farmers improve their soils.
KW - Carbon sequestration
KW - Farm livelihoods
KW - Nitrogen use efficiency
KW - Organic resource use
KW - Soil water
KW - Whole farm system modelling
UR - http://www.scopus.com/inward/record.url?scp=85088377935&partnerID=8YFLogxK
U2 - 10.1016/j.agsy.2020.102895
DO - 10.1016/j.agsy.2020.102895
M3 - Review article
SN - 0308-521X
VL - 184
JO - Agricultural Systems
JF - Agricultural Systems
M1 - 102895
ER -