Comparative profitability of agroecological practices in Ethiopian wheat farming
IntroductionAgroecology is increasingly promoted as a pathway to sustainable food production, aiming to maximize natural resource use while minimizing external inputs with harmful environmental effects. Agroecological practices can enhance farm productivity while ensuring environmental sustainabilit...
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Frontiers Media S.A.
2025-01-01
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| Series: | Frontiers in Agronomy |
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| Online Access: | https://www.frontiersin.org/articles/10.3389/fagro.2024.1502786/full |
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| author | Stanley Karanja Ng’ang’a Sylvester Ochieng Ogutu Degefie Tibebe Devinia Akinyi Jonathan Mockshell |
| author_facet | Stanley Karanja Ng’ang’a Sylvester Ochieng Ogutu Degefie Tibebe Devinia Akinyi Jonathan Mockshell |
| author_sort | Stanley Karanja Ng’ang’a |
| collection | DOAJ |
| description | IntroductionAgroecology is increasingly promoted as a pathway to sustainable food production, aiming to maximize natural resource use while minimizing external inputs with harmful environmental effects. Agroecological practices can enhance farm productivity while ensuring environmental sustainability. However, these practices often require higher initial investments compared to business-as-usual (BAU) practices, and their profitability and relative risks are not well studied. This research evaluates the profitability and risk of adopting agroecological practices among wheat farmers in Ethiopia.MethodsWe conducted a deterministic cost-benefit analysis (CBA) incorporating sensitivity and scenario analysis to evaluate the profitability and relative risks associated with three agroecological practices: certified wheat seed, optimal site-specific inorganic fertilizer application rates, and drainage of waterlogged soils. The analysis considered yield uncertainty, market price fluctuations, and implementation variability to provide robust insights for decision-making.ResultsThe deterministic CBA revealed that among the three practices, the use of certified seeds was the most profitable, with a net present value (NPV) of US$ 2,531 ha–1. This was followed by optimal site-specific inorganic fertilizer application, with an NPV of US$ 2,371 ha–1. Drainage of waterlogged soils yielded the lowest profitability, with an NPV of US$ 2,099 ha–1.DiscussionThe results indicate that certified seeds and optimal fertilizer rates offer higher financial returns, making them attractive investments for wheat farmers. However, profitability alone does not guarantee adoption. Other factors, including social and behavioral aspects, influence farmer decisions. Future research should integrate these dimensions to develop comprehensive strategies for promoting agroecological practices.ConclusionAdopting agroecological practices has clear economic benefits for Ethiopian wheat farmers, with certified seeds emerging as the most profitable option. These findings provide evidence for stakeholders to design targeted interventions that maximize returns while addressing barriers to adoption. |
| format | Article |
| id | doaj-art-424f770a8dcd49a1be1b8a54493da164 |
| institution | Kabale University |
| issn | 2673-3218 |
| language | English |
| publishDate | 2025-01-01 |
| publisher | Frontiers Media S.A. |
| record_format | Article |
| series | Frontiers in Agronomy |
| spelling | doaj-art-424f770a8dcd49a1be1b8a54493da1642025-01-30T13:45:37ZengFrontiers Media S.A.Frontiers in Agronomy2673-32182025-01-01610.3389/fagro.2024.15027861502786Comparative profitability of agroecological practices in Ethiopian wheat farmingStanley Karanja Ng’ang’a0Sylvester Ochieng Ogutu1Degefie Tibebe2Devinia Akinyi3Jonathan Mockshell4International Center for Tropical Agriculture (CIAT), c/o National Agricultural Research Organization (NARO) Kawanda Agricultural Research Institute, Kampala, UgandaInternational Center for Tropical Agriculture (CIAT), c/o National Agricultural Research Organization (NARO) Kawanda Agricultural Research Institute, Kampala, UgandaPerformance, Innovation and Strategic Analysis for Impact (PISA4I), International Centre for Tropical Agriculture (CIAT), Kampala, UgandaKenya Forestry Research Institute, Nairobi, KenyaMultifunctional Landscapes & Climate Action Reserach Programs, Alliance Bioversity International & CIAT, Rome, ItalyIntroductionAgroecology is increasingly promoted as a pathway to sustainable food production, aiming to maximize natural resource use while minimizing external inputs with harmful environmental effects. Agroecological practices can enhance farm productivity while ensuring environmental sustainability. However, these practices often require higher initial investments compared to business-as-usual (BAU) practices, and their profitability and relative risks are not well studied. This research evaluates the profitability and risk of adopting agroecological practices among wheat farmers in Ethiopia.MethodsWe conducted a deterministic cost-benefit analysis (CBA) incorporating sensitivity and scenario analysis to evaluate the profitability and relative risks associated with three agroecological practices: certified wheat seed, optimal site-specific inorganic fertilizer application rates, and drainage of waterlogged soils. The analysis considered yield uncertainty, market price fluctuations, and implementation variability to provide robust insights for decision-making.ResultsThe deterministic CBA revealed that among the three practices, the use of certified seeds was the most profitable, with a net present value (NPV) of US$ 2,531 ha–1. This was followed by optimal site-specific inorganic fertilizer application, with an NPV of US$ 2,371 ha–1. Drainage of waterlogged soils yielded the lowest profitability, with an NPV of US$ 2,099 ha–1.DiscussionThe results indicate that certified seeds and optimal fertilizer rates offer higher financial returns, making them attractive investments for wheat farmers. However, profitability alone does not guarantee adoption. Other factors, including social and behavioral aspects, influence farmer decisions. Future research should integrate these dimensions to develop comprehensive strategies for promoting agroecological practices.ConclusionAdopting agroecological practices has clear economic benefits for Ethiopian wheat farmers, with certified seeds emerging as the most profitable option. These findings provide evidence for stakeholders to design targeted interventions that maximize returns while addressing barriers to adoption.https://www.frontiersin.org/articles/10.3389/fagro.2024.1502786/fullagroecologyinnovationsEthiopiacost-benefitwheatfarmers |
| spellingShingle | Stanley Karanja Ng’ang’a Sylvester Ochieng Ogutu Degefie Tibebe Devinia Akinyi Jonathan Mockshell Comparative profitability of agroecological practices in Ethiopian wheat farming Frontiers in Agronomy agroecology innovations Ethiopia cost-benefit wheat farmers |
| title | Comparative profitability of agroecological practices in Ethiopian wheat farming |
| title_full | Comparative profitability of agroecological practices in Ethiopian wheat farming |
| title_fullStr | Comparative profitability of agroecological practices in Ethiopian wheat farming |
| title_full_unstemmed | Comparative profitability of agroecological practices in Ethiopian wheat farming |
| title_short | Comparative profitability of agroecological practices in Ethiopian wheat farming |
| title_sort | comparative profitability of agroecological practices in ethiopian wheat farming |
| topic | agroecology innovations Ethiopia cost-benefit wheat farmers |
| url | https://www.frontiersin.org/articles/10.3389/fagro.2024.1502786/full |
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