Farmer Decision Making Strategies for Improved Soil Fertility Management in Maize-Bean Production Systems

Abstract

<p>Following completion of research experiments on common bean in Uganda, five rainy seasons of community-based field trials enabled farmers to learn about and evaluate improved management practices and technologies for adoption. A multistakeholder bean Innovation Platform continues to develop in membership size, diversity, enthusiasm and capability, with 10 value chain member organizations and 1000+ farmers. In Mozambique, field experiments were completed mid-2017 by IIAM. Two SAWBO video animations were released on research-based farmer-validated bean production recommendations in Uganda and Mozambique and one on jerry can storage for Mozambique. IIAM created and is field testing its first App, focused on bean production recommendations. Project team members presented 14 papers/posters at the Grain Legume Research Conference in Burkina Faso. One M.S. student graduated and two are near completion. One M.S. student and one Ph.D. student are progressing well. Research results are published in peer-reviewed journal articles and a book chapter, with others being prepared. Some will be disseminated in regional/national practitioner and policy outlets in Africa. Training methods and media are ready for dissemination to intermediate and end users. Capacity strengthening through applied research-based training has been successfully conducted.</p>