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The tomato (Solanum lycopersicum L.) leafminer, Phthorimaea absoluta (Meyrick) (Lepidoptera: Gelechiidae), is an extremely invasive pest and is threatening tomato production worldwide. Several strategies have been developed and implemented for managing P. absoluta. Effective pest control strategies based on integrated pest management (IPM) schemes include different cultural practices and techniques. This study seeks to (a) examine the perspectives, attitudes, and opinions of greenhouse tomato producers in Greece regarding different methods of P. absoluta management and (b) to determine whether the perceived damage caused by P. absoluta could be predicted by the implementation of various control management strategies. A questionnaire was employed to ascertain the views and beliefs of the participants. The questionnaire comprised five-point Likert scale questions. Principal component analysis (PCA) and binary logistic regression analysis were applied to examine the relationship between the reported perceived insect damage and the utilization of control techniques. The study findings indicate that greater adoption of alternative control methods and higher levels of adherence to preventive measures against P. absoluta are associated with a perception of reduced levels of damage. Conversely, individuals with a strong reliance on pesticides use are more likely to perceive a higher level of damage. Ultimately, as tomato growers are trying to deal with P. absoluta, more education and research on other alternatives could help the reduction of chemical use, promoting more environmentally friendly practices. The findings highlight integrated pest management over pesticides for sustainable tomato production. This can guide future research and extension efforts to develop tailored P. absoluta management approaches for Greek greenhouse growers and similar environments. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Soil health is essential for sustainable agricultural operations, as it supports farm production and ecosystem services. The adoption of sustainable agriculture practices such as conservation tillage, cover cropping, and crop rotation provides significant benefits for both crop productivity and environmental sustainability. These practices can increase soil biodiversity, nutrient cycling, and organic matter, which increase the resilience of agroecosystems. This narrative review synthesizes the insights of the soil health practices adoption literature, with a focus on common farming practices that can improve soil health and enhance crop yields, reviewing the results of various approaches and pointing out the challenges and opportunities for implementing sustainable agriculture on a larger scale. This paper discusses the effects of various tillage and cropping system approaches on soil health, including no-till and conventional tillage systems, crop rotation, cover cropping, cultivator combinations, and fertilizer application. This study found that conservation tillage is more beneficial to soil health than conventional tillage—which is still debated among scientists and farmers—and that different tillage methods interact differently. In contrast, agricultural yields increase more with intercropping, crop rotation, and cover crops than monocropping. For maintaining soil fertility, this study shows that agricultural yields could be increased by implementing zero tillage. This review identifies the most suitable farming practices for improving soil health while boosting crop production with minimal negative impact on the soil. It also highlights the benefits of these practices in maintaining soil quality. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Agriculture’s important role in human survival and its significant impact on the Earth’s ecosystem imply the need for sustainable practices. This study focuses on the critical components of irrigation management and soil remediation, essential for maintaining soil health and productivity. By integrating these components, the study assessed feasible soil remediation practices and explored various irrigation strategies in different contexts. It was observed that integrating soil remediation practices with suitable irrigation techniques and scheduling can improve crop yield, conserve water, and enhance the long-term health of marginal soils, addressing the challenges of climate change, hunger, and environmental sustainability. The study also advocates for incorporating indigenous knowledge with physical, chemical, and biological soil remediation techniques, integrated with irrigation practices. This review serves as a valuable resource for researchers, policymakers, and practitioners, offering insights and paving the way for future research and development in sustainable agriculture. By making the link between irrigation management and soil remediation explicit, this study illustrates practical cases that address the complex challenges faced by marginal lands, global food security, and environmental sustainability. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Purpose: Soil management exerts profound impact on the structure and function of the microbiome. Organic practice is believed to positively affect disease suppressiveness compared to conventional systems. While Pseudomonas has been established as a major player in conferring suppressiveness, the impact of farming practices on its diversity at species level has not been conclusively understood. Also, translation of such knowledge into application requires a mechanistic understanding of the mechanism of action of potent biocontrol strains of Pseudomonas. Methods and results: We compared fields under conventional and organic farming, under long-term (~19 years) management. Profiling of Pseudomonas community structure using rpoD-based amplicon sequencing revealed a higher diversity of known antagonistic Pseudomonas spp. in soils sampled from organic fields compared to conventional field. Cultivation and genome sequencing of selected Pseudomonas isolates from the organic field identified species with multiple secondary metabolite biosynthetic gene clusters and antagonistic activity towards phytopathogens. The selected Pseudomonas isolates showed colonization of wheat root system as confirmed by scanning electron microscopy. In vitro tube assay using wheat also revealed the suppressive activity of potent Pseudomonas isolates against Fusarium oxysporum and Verticillium dahliae. Production of metabolites with antimicrobial activity was verified using untargeted metabolomics (LC/MS). Conclusions: Overall, the mechanistics involved in the contribution of Pseudomonas spp. to disease suppressiveness in the field under organic farming could be established. This study reports that microbiome from organic field exhibits enhanced diversity of antagonistic Pseudomonas spp. effective against phytopathogens, compared to the conventional practice, and has the potential to promote sustainable agriculture and disease management. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This study investigates the effectiveness of an education intervention that targets low‐income farmers regarding the consequences of agricultural burning. Agricultural burning is a major contributor to carbon emissions, second only to those from the energy sector. Using three treatment arms and a control group, I provided rural farmers in Nigeria with information on the social (health impacts, wildfire spread, biodiversity loss) and economic (income implications) consequences of agricultural burning. The third group received information that combined aspects from the first and second treatments, offering a comprehensive view of the effects of agricultural burning. The analysis suggests that exposure to this information prompts farmers to view agricultural burning as unacceptable, reducing their likelihood of engaging in this practice during the upcoming planting season. In addition, exposed farmers demonstrate a higher willingness to pay nominal fees for government services, such as weed disposal. This outcome demonstrates their support for sustainable farming practices, rather than resorting to burning. The influence of economic information is particularly noteworthy; farmers exposed to it demonstrate a higher willingness to pay such fees. Furthermore, the interventions led to a shift in farmers' perceptions regarding the primary drivers of climate change, with increased recognition of human activity as the dominant factor. The study highlights how the gender of the farmer and their religious beliefs influence attitudes towards environmental protection. Specifically, male and less religious farmers tend to be more responsive to the interventions. These findings provide valuable insights into the effectiveness of "low‐cost" educational interventions in promoting sustainable agricultural practices among low‐income communities. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Drought undermines the financial sustainability of farmers. While farmers have adopted various strategies to mitigate some drought impacts, they remain exposed to substantial drought risk. Insurance could be useful in managing climatic risks and for encouraging farmers to take sensible risks (e.g., changing their sowing date to increase yield), but it can be costly. Here, we tested whether the integration of a change in sowing date with rainfall index-based insurance could improve farmer profitability and income stability. We used the Agricultural Production Systems Simulator (APSIM)-Cotton model to simulate cotton lint yields for various sowing dates, taking into account different management strategies, across three dry-land cotton research farm sites – Dalby, Goondiwindi, and Theodore – from 1940 to 2022. We designed the index-based insurance payout when the average rainfall received during the growing season falls below a predefined level, such as the 5th, 10th, or 20th percentile of rainfall. Our study, which involved 3.9 million cotton lint simulations and 3,000 rainfall index-based insurance products, showed that combining a shift in sowing date with insurance can lead to an income improvement of up to 21.5% at some study sites. Additionally, in drought years, the income improvement for farmers who combined optimal sowing dates with rainfall index-based insurance was up to 48.0%. The framework developed in this study could aid in devising financial strategies to enhance farming resilience during climate extremes.

Abstract Background The tropical rainforest biome plays a significant role in providing habitats for terrestrial biodiversity and delivering ecosystem service values, contributing to agricultural production. However, the increasing demand for tropical commodities with high economic value threatens this humid ecosystem and its biodiversity. To our knowledge, no studies have systematically mapped the relationship between the impacts of agricultural production on biodiversity and the effects of biodiversity on agricultural production in tropical rainforest areas. Methods Since we were interested in systematically mapping the evidence measuring the impact of tropical agriculture on biodiversity (Map 1), and the vice versa relations, the influence of biodiversity on tropical agriculture production (Map 2), we developed a respective set of search strings, eligibility criteria, and subsequently performed independent searching, screening, and data coding processes. We searched articles from six peer-reviewed databases and 22 gray literature sources. Articles were screened based on the inclusion criteria at the title, abstract, and full-text levels. Individual articles that passed full-text screening were coded and synthesized to create heatmaps. Selected information of interest was also extracted and visualized in the graphics which were clustered based on the year of publication, geographical distribution, type of rainforest, exposure, outcome, farm commodity, and study comparators. Review findings Two heatmaps were generated from a contrasting number of references, with heatmap 1 extracted from 222 studies and heatmap 2 derived from 10 times fewer references (n = 20). In heatmap 1, impacts of land conversion to aboveground biodiversity and wild species and ecosystem functions in natural ecosystems were the most common relationships examined, with 115 articles and 62 articles, respectively. Conversely, heatmap 2 showed evidence that focused predominantly on the examination of the links between the impacts of genetic resource diversity on environmental factors and soil management in tropical agricultural production, with four articles each exploring these relations. Conclusions These systematic maps reveal that while studies investigating the impacts of tropical agricultural production on biodiversity were abundant, studies examining the impacts of biodiversity on tropical agricultural production were lacking despite both systematic maps experiencing an increasing trend of publication during 2000–2020. Map 1 emphasized the examination of the effects of land conversion on aboveground biodiversity, and on wild species and ecosystem functions. Map 2 highlighted the influence of crop genetic resources on environmental factors, and on soil management as the most frequently studied. The evidence cluster identified here can be the starting point for further systematic review study (to assess, for example, their cause–effect significance).

Utilizing the power of sunlight through agro-photovoltaic fusion systems (APFSs) seamlessly blends sustainable agriculture with renewable energy generation. This innovative approach not only addresses food security and energy sustainability but also plays a pivotal role in combating climate change. This study assesses the feasibility and impact of APFS implementation in District Dir Lower, Pakistan, a region significant for its agriculture and energy needs. A quasi-experimental design was employed, comparing outcomes between a treatment group (with an APFS) and a control group (without an APFS). Stratified random sampling was used to select 400 participants, including farmers, residents, local authorities, and community leaders. Data were collected using structured questionnaires and analyzed employing paired t-tests, linear regression, analysis of variance (ANOVA), and Chi-square tests. The results show that the treatment group with an APFS exhibited significant improvements in farming practices (mean change = 4.20 vs. 2.80). Linear regression indicated a strong positive effect of APFSs on renewable energy production. The ANOVA results demonstrated significant mitigation of environmental challenges, and the Chi-square test showed a strong association between APFS implementation and community sustainability, resilience, and prosperity. It is concluded that APFS implementation significantly enhances farming practices, renewable energy production, and environmental sustainability, contributing to the resilience and prosperity of agricultural communities in District Dir Lower. These findings advocate for the broader adoption of APFSs in similar contexts to integrate sustainable agriculture with renewable energy generation. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Conservation Agriculture (CA) is actively promoted as an alternative farming system that combines environmental, economic, and social sustainability. Three pillars define CA: (i) minimum mechanical soil disturbance, (ii) permanent soil organic cover, and (iii) species diversification. The local context, constraints, and needs of the farmers influence the translation of the pillars into practices. Currently, there is no method for categorizing this diversity of CA practices, which hampers impact assessment, understanding of farmer choices and pathways, stakeholder communication, and policymaking. This paper presents a systematic method to identify and categorize the diversity of CA practices at the regional level, anchored in the three pillars and based on practices implemented by CA farmers. The classification method is grounded on the intersection of an archetypal analysis and a hierarchical clustering analysis. This method was used to study CA practices in Wallonia, Belgium, based on a survey of practices in a sample of 48 farmers. Combining the two clustering methods increases the proportion of classified farmers while allowing for the distinction between three CA-types with extreme and salient practices, and two intermediate CA-types comprising farmers whose practices fall between these references. The study reveals that three explanatory factors influence the implementation of CA practices in Wallonia: (i) the proportion of tillage-intensive crops and (ii) temporary grasslands in the crop sequence, and (iii) the organic certification. These factors lead to trade-offs that hinder the three pillars of CA from being fully implemented simultaneously. This new classification method can be replicated in other regions where CA is practiced, by adapting input variables according to context and local knowledge. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: The tropical rainforest biome plays a significant role in providing habitats for terrestrial biodiversity and delivering ecosystem service values, contributing to agricultural production. However, the increasing demand for tropical commodities with high economic value threatens this humid ecosystem and its biodiversity. To our knowledge, no studies have systematically mapped the relationship between the impacts of agricultural production on biodiversity and the effects of biodiversity on agricultural production in tropical rainforest areas. Methods: Since we were interested in systematically mapping the evidence measuring the impact of tropical agriculture on biodiversity (Map 1), and the vice versa relations, the influence of biodiversity on tropical agriculture production (Map 2), we developed a respective set of search strings, eligibility criteria, and subsequently performed independent searching, screening, and data coding processes. We searched articles from six peer-reviewed databases and 22 gray literature sources. Articles were screened based on the inclusion criteria at the title, abstract, and full-text levels. Individual articles that passed full-text screening were coded and synthesized to create heatmaps. Selected information of interest was also extracted and visualized in the graphics which were clustered based on the year of publication, geographical distribution, type of rainforest, exposure, outcome, farm commodity, and study comparators. Review findings: Two heatmaps were generated from a contrasting number of references, with heatmap 1 extracted from 222 studies and heatmap 2 derived from 10 times fewer references (n = 20). In heatmap 1, impacts of land conversion to aboveground biodiversity and wild species and ecosystem functions in natural ecosystems were the most common relationships examined, with 115 articles and 62 articles, respectively. Conversely, heatmap 2 showed evidence that focused predominantly on the examination of the links between the impacts of genetic resource diversity on environmental factors and soil management in tropical agricultural production, with four articles each exploring these relations. Conclusions: These systematic maps reveal that while studies investigating the impacts of tropical agricultural production on biodiversity were abundant, studies examining the impacts of biodiversity on tropical agricultural production were lacking despite both systematic maps experiencing an increasing trend of publication during 2000–2020. Map 1 emphasized the examination of the effects of land conversion on aboveground biodiversity, and on wild species and ecosystem functions. Map 2 highlighted the influence of crop genetic resources on environmental factors, and on soil management as the most frequently studied. The evidence cluster identified here can be the starting point for further systematic review study (to assess, for example, their cause–effect significance). [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The aim of this study was to explore the characteristics of the combined application of organic fertilizer and inorganic fertilizer using different tillage methods to delay the senescence of maize leaves. The yield and activities of GDH, CAT, APX, GR, and GSH enzymes in maize leaves were measured at different growth stages by using two tillage methods, three organic and inorganic combined applications (P1, P2, and P3), and four control treatments. (1) During the growth period, the R + S and R treatments were P1 treatments, with the highest enzyme activities noted for GDH, CAT, APX, GR, and GSH, which were 36.79–103.22% higher than those of CK. (2) The average yield of all R + S treatments was higher than that of R treatments, and the average yield of P1 treatment was the highest under R + S, which was 13,663.79 kg hm−2, which was 6.39%, 7.90%, and 14.67% higher than that of P2, P3, and CK, respectively, which was lower than that of R. The yield of P1 treatment was 2.53% higher. (3) There was a significant positive correlation between APX activity, CAT activity, GR activity, GDH activity, GSH activity, grain number per ear, ear length, and 100-grain weight of maize leaves at the grain filling stage, and a significant negative correlation between bald tip length and yield. The treatment details had the strongest enzyme activity and the highest yield when using the rotary tillage + subsoiling (R + S) P1 method, which was the most suitable tillage method and the best fertilizer ratio combination, which could be demonstrated and popularized in a large area in the dry farming area of spring maize in Shanxi Province. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This paper examines the subsistence economy in the South Caucasus during the Early Chalcolithic (c.4700–4300 BC) through bioarchaeological analyses of the Bavra Ablari rock shelter site. This region, rich in biodiversity and characterized by a variety of climates and landscapes, has a history of agropastoral occupation dating back to the beginning of the 6th millennium BC. Up to now, archaeological studies have mainly focused on the valleys and lowlands, leaving the mountainous areas less explored. Recent excavations at Bavra Ablari, located at an altitude of 1,650 m, have enabled new bioarchaeological analyses to be carried out, providing data on the faunal and botanical assemblages of this period. These analyses reveal a mixed agro-pastoral exploitation, with a predominance of caprine (sheep and goats) rearing and cultivation of cereals, such as barley and einkorn. Faunal remains and evidence of hunting and fishing reveal extensive use of several biotopes. The study highlights the importance of pastoralism, attested to as far back as the Neolithic period, with herds moving seasonally to higher pastures in summer. Early Chalcolithic occupations, such as those at Bavra Ablari, show the persistence of pastoral activities in these mountainous regions despite severe winter conditions and suggest seasonal occupation of the site.

Purpose. The aim of this study was to assess production and management practices and technologies used by farmers for tomato and potato production, as well as their productivity. Methodology / approach. This research was conducted in Ziway-Dugda and Tiyo districts of Arsi Zone in Oromia National Regional State of Ethiopia during 2022 cropping season. Data were collected from 400 households in 10 kebeles (local administrative unit) of both districts using Kobo toolbox from respondents through face-to-face interview and descriptive analysis using SPSS version 22. Results. The results of the study showed that farmers in the study areas used different pre-harvest practices. These include cultivation tools and methods, planting locations, tomato staking, potato hilling and irrigation practices to successfully grow vegetables and increase land productivity by rotating different crops on their land. Various diseases, weeds and insects have been observed on their farms, which were managed by cultural, agronomic, mechanical and chemical management practices on tomato and potato farms during the last cropping years in the study districts. Thus, majority farmers in the study areas have used insecticides and fungicides on tomato and potato farms; but most of the weeds were removed by hand weeding. Most tomato and potato farmers have determined the type of chemical and its use from their own previous experience, in consultation with salespeople and extension agents in their regions. However, the study results showed that there are unused production and management practices for tomato and potato cultivation by some farmers. There are many production and management practices and technologies used by farmers to improve vegetable productivity in the study areas, although some farmers did not adopt improved production and management technologies, resulting in reduced production, which requires future interventions to increase their capacity through training and technology adoption. Originality / scientific novelty. This study stands out in the field of production and management practices and technologies used by smallholder tomato and potato producers due to its innovative approach and unique contribution to existing knowledge and skills. While previous studies have examined the relationship between production and management practices and technologies in an agricultural context, particularly focusing on state farms, our study focuses on small-scale tomato and potato producers. Through our thorough case study research and interview structure, we not only deepened our understanding of production and management practices in the agricultural sector, but also provided practical recommendations for improving the efficiency and sustainability of small-scale tomato and potato producers on different farms/fields. Practical value / implications. The findings of this study can be used to develop recommendations for policy makers and researchers on how to improve labour productivity in the future Thus, the policy focuses on developing strategies for producers to adopt modern production and management practices and technologies, raising farmers’ awareness of available technologies, improving management practices and increasing crop productivity in the study area.

The tomato (Solanum lycopersicum L.) leafminer, Phthorimaea absoluta (Meyrick) (Lepidoptera: Gelechiidae), is an extremely invasive pest and is threatening tomato production worldwide. Several strategies have been developed and implemented for managing P. absoluta. Effective pest control strategies based on integrated pest management (IPM) schemes include different cultural practices and techniques. This study seeks to (a) examine the perspectives, attitudes, and opinions of greenhouse tomato producers in Greece regarding different methods of P. absoluta management and (b) to determine whether the perceived damage caused by P. absoluta could be predicted by the implementation of various control management strategies. A questionnaire was employed to ascertain the views and beliefs of the participants. The questionnaire comprised five-point Likert scale questions. Principal component analysis (PCA) and binary logistic regression analysis were applied to examine the relationship between the reported perceived insect damage and the utilization of control techniques. The study findings indicate that greater adoption of alternative control methods and higher levels of adherence to preventive measures against P. absoluta are associated with a perception of reduced levels of damage. Conversely, individuals with a strong reliance on pesticides use are more likely to perceive a higher level of damage. Ultimately, as tomato growers are trying to deal with P. absoluta, more education and research on other alternatives could help the reduction of chemical use, promoting more environmentally friendly practices. The findings highlight integrated pest management over pesticides for sustainable tomato production. This can guide future research and extension efforts to develop tailored P. absoluta management approaches for Greek greenhouse growers and similar environments.

Soil health is essential for sustainable agricultural operations, as it supports farm production and ecosystem services. The adoption of sustainable agriculture practices such as conservation tillage, cover cropping, and crop rotation provides significant benefits for both crop productivity and environmental sustainability. These practices can increase soil biodiversity, nutrient cycling, and organic matter, which increase the resilience of agroecosystems. This narrative review synthesizes the insights of the soil health practices adoption literature, with a focus on common farming practices that can improve soil health and enhance crop yields, reviewing the results of various approaches and pointing out the challenges and opportunities for implementing sustainable agriculture on a larger scale. This paper discusses the effects of various tillage and cropping system approaches on soil health, including no-till and conventional tillage systems, crop rotation, cover cropping, cultivator combinations, and fertilizer application. This study found that conservation tillage is more beneficial to soil health than conventional tillage—which is still debated among scientists and farmers—and that different tillage methods interact differently. In contrast, agricultural yields increase more with intercropping, crop rotation, and cover crops than monocropping. For maintaining soil fertility, this study shows that agricultural yields could be increased by implementing zero tillage. This review identifies the most suitable farming practices for improving soil health while boosting crop production with minimal negative impact on the soil. It also highlights the benefits of these practices in maintaining soil quality.

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Several challenges in planning, construction, and farming practices hinder the optimization of agrivoltaic systems (AS) and the achievement of optimal crop production. This paper identifies and addresses these issues while presenting initial solutions. One specific type of AS involves vertically mounted panels on arable or grassland sites. The installation of panel rows divides large fields into narrow units, restricting the use of farming implements with different working widths. Implement widths must align with the spacing between panel rows, which often results in residual strips or overlapping issues when field operations are carried out. Furthermore, boundary effects in AS are more pronounced, impacting yield along field borders. The presence of panel rows also complicates driving operations, requiring reduced speeds and posing collision risks between implements and panels. Soil compaction during AS construction, microclimate variations, and panel contamination by dust, or spray drift deposits further affect plant growth and solar system performance. Initial solutions are proposed to address these challenges. These include careful planning of row spacing based on the working widths of critical implements such as combines, adoption of field sprayers with foldable booms, consideration of pneumatic fertilizer spreaders, and integration of precision farming techniques to manage variability within AS. Additionally, the use of construction machinery with low soil pressure, employment of steering technologies based on global navigation satellite systems, and research on panel cleaning devices are suggested. Overall, this paper highlights the need for further research and development to overcome farming challenges in agrivoltaic systems with vertically mounted panels.

Climate change can have significant impacts on crop yields and food security. This study assessed the linkages between climate change and crop yields to obtain a better understanding on the drivers of food security. The study was conducted in Pasagaun village of Lamjung District in Nepal, where household surveys and focus group discussions (FGDs) were used to collect data including crop cultivation, irrigation facilities, and adaptation strategies. Moreover, climate data (temperature and precipitation) from 1992 to 2020 were collected from the Khudi Bazar meteorological station and crop yield data were obtained from the Agri-Business Promotion and Statistics Division. Trend analysis of temperature and precipitation was conducted using Mann-Kendall trend test and Sen's Slope method, and the results showed an increase in the average temperature of approximately 0.02 ​°C/a and a decrease in the annual precipitation of 9.84 mm/a. The cultivation of traditional varieties of rice and foxtail millet (Kaguno) has vanished. Although, there was no significant impact of the maximum temperature on the yield of rice and maize, the regression analysis revealed that there are negative relationships between rice yield and annual minimum temperature (r ​= ​−0.44), between millet yield and annual precipitation (r ​= ​−0.30), and between maize yield and annual minimum temperature (r ​= ​−0.31) as well as positive relationship between rice yield and annual precipitation (r ​= ​0.16). Moreover, average rice yield and millet yield have decreased by 27.0% and 57.0% in 2000–2020, respectively. Despite other reasons for the decrease in crop yield such as the lack of irrigation facilities, out-migration of farmer, and increased pest infestation, respondents have adopted adaptation strategies (for example, shifts in cultivation time and changes in crop types) to minimize the impacts of climate change. More investigation and community-based farming education are needed to understand and alleviate the harmful impacts of climate change on crop yield, as effective adaptation coping strategies are still insufficient. This study provides insights into the adaptation strategies that are necessary to keep food security in the face of climate change.

The dynamic and complex interactions between plant and microbiomes in the rhizosphere play a major role in the plant's health and productivities. Using interdisciplinary approaches, Behr et al. studied how farming practices can influence the rhizosphere process, offering an exciting direction for microbial manipulation to enhance agricultural productivity. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Climate change can have significant impacts on crop yields and food security. This study assessed the linkages between climate change and crop yields to obtain a better understanding on the drivers of food security. The study was conducted in Pasagaun village of Lamjung District in Nepal, where household surveys and focus group discussions (FGDs) were used to collect data including crop cultivation, irrigation facilities, and adaptation strategies. Moreover, climate data (temperature and precipitation) from 1992 to 2020 were collected from the Khudi Bazar meteorological station and crop yield data were obtained from the Agri-Business Promotion and Statistics Division. Trend analysis of temperature and precipitation was conducted using Mann-Kendall trend test and Sen's Slope method, and the results showed an increase in the average temperature of approximately 0.02 °C/a and a decrease in the annual precipitation of 9.84 mm/a. The cultivation of traditional varieties of rice and foxtail millet (Kaguno) has vanished. Although, there was no significant impact of the maximum temperature on the yield of rice and maize, the regression analysis revealed that there are negative relationships between rice yield and annual minimum temperature (r = -0.44), between millet yield and annual precipitation (r = -0.30), and between maize yield and annual minimum temperature (r = -0.31) as well as positive relationship between rice yield and annual precipitation (r = 0.16). Moreover, average rice yield and millet yield have decreased by 27.0% and 57.0% in 2000–2020, respectively. Despite other reasons for the decrease in crop yield such as the lack of irrigation facilities, out-migration of farmer, and increased pest infestation, respondents have adopted adaptation strategies (for example, shifts in cultivation time and changes in crop types) to minimize the impacts of climate change. More investigation and community-based farming education are needed to understand and alleviate the harmful impacts of climate change on crop yield, as effective adaptation coping strategies are still insufficient. This study provides insights into the adaptation strategies that are necessary to keep food security in the face of climate change. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Due to the effects of climate change, farmers in Kajiado County have embraced different climate change adaptation strategies including the use of indigenous knowledge (IK) and scientific approaches. The objective of this study was to assess the determinants of farmers' IK practices influencing the uptake of Climate Change Adaptation Strategies (CCAS) in Kajiado County, Kenya. Using the Model of Private Proactive Adaptation to Climate Change (MPPACC), IK-related contextual factors that constituted the socio-demographic, economic, and geo-ecological variables were tested against the CCAS variable on Pearson Coefficient Correlation in determining associations. Multi-stage sampling was done and data were collected using questionnaires, key informant interviews, focus group discussions (FGDs), and observation checklists while data analysis involved the use of both descriptive and inferential statistics. The findings show CCAS were likely to be adapted to by those with higher levels of education and those with higher levels of monthly income while those unwilling were more likely males, older, with larger household sizes. and those who owned land. The findings also showed that effective approaches including IK climate change adaptation practices and the CCAS can be applied in a complimentary manner to achieve the desired results in regions that possess diverse climatic and geophysical conditions. HIGHLIGHTS IK adherence depends on the farmer's individual socio-demographic factors.; IK is entrenched among farmers as it is learned through a social-oriented mechanism.; Type of farming determines IK applications hence influencing CCAS uptake differently.; Geo-ecological factors influence the types of locally developed agricultural technologies.; Integration of local farming techniques with CCAS can enhance the latter's uptake.;

The low adoption of improved sorghum farming practices, including the use of improved seed varieties, fertilizers, pest control, and post-harvest management, has led to reduced agricultural productivity and increased food insecurity among farmers in developing nations, including Tanzania. This scenario can be attributed to a breakdown in communication, resulting in essential information not clearly understood and used by its intended recipients. This study focused on investigating how the socio-demographic characteristics of sorghum farmers influence the adoption of improved farming practices in the Dodoma Region of Tanzania. The main objective was to examine whether demographic factors affect the acceptance and use of agricultural information necessary for the adoption of improved sorghum farming techniques. Based on Sengupta's (1967) classification of adoption levels, the research reveals distinct categories: non-adopters (14.79%), low adopters (39.35%), medium adopters (16.04%), and high adopters (29.82%) of improved sorghum farming practices. The results from linear mixed model analysis revealed that only farming experience and information-seeking behaviour significantly and positively influenced the adoption of improved practices (p-value < 0.05). These results underscore the key roles of experience and proactive information-seeking habits in driving the uptake of improved sorghum farming practices. Therefore, this study offers valuable insights into the challenges and aids that farmers face when considering and implementing changes in their sorghum cultivation techniques. By illuminating the factors that influence agricultural behaviour and decision - making, this research enhances our comprehension of sustainable farming practices in the Dodoma Region. Furthermore, the practical implications of these findings provide a strategic guide for policymakers, development organizations, and agricultural extension services to create tailored and context-specific strategies that effectively encourage the adoption of improved sorghum farming practices. This, in turn, contributes to enhancing agricultural sustainability and productivity within the region. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Farmer groups have been critical in pursuing agricultural development, particularly in developing countries. Indonesia’s government has promoted the development of farmer groups in recent years, mainly in the rice sector, as a strategic agricultural commodity. This paper explored the relations between farmer group membership, farming practices, and productivity in the Indonesian rice sector. Propensity Score Matching (PSM) and regression analysis were employed to examine the 2014 National Agricultural Survey data. The empirical findings confirmed the positive relations between farmer group membership and productivity in the Indonesian rice sector. Furthermore, farmers’ characteristics covering age, gender, education level, and farming practices, such as land status and access to irrigation, all played a role in determining the extent to which farmers participated in farmer groups.

ABSTRACTA sufficient supply of ecosystem services (ESs) in agriculture provides the basis for human sustainable development. Intensified large-scale farming has changed wetland ecosystems extensively by reducing both the resilience and capacity to support production of many ESs. Small-scale farming may also affect the generation of ESs where the impact often reflects the differences in farming practices. This paper explores the supply and demand of the ESs between management practices, irrigated and rainfed, of smallholder farmers in Kilombero wetland, Tanzania. We conducted interviews involving 30 households and two focus groups with five discussants for each practice, rainfed and irrigation. Generally, we found that the need for ES, especially food, water and flood control, in both farming practices, were exceeding the capacity to supply. In general, irrigation farming compared to rainfed farming was associated with higher levels of food production, increasing flood regulation and erosion control. However, the ES delivery and need were not uniform depending on the river discharge. The differences in supply and demand of ESs between farming practices suggest that society would benefit from investing in irrigation and regulatory infrastructures to minimize flooding risk and to build up the ecosystem’s natural capacity to produce services. Such practical policy-relevant measures could balance the gap between supply and demand of ESs in smallholder farming systems in Tanzanian wetland.

Multifunctional and diversified agriculture can address diverging pressures and demands by simultaneously enhancing productivity, biodiversity, and the provision of ecosystem services. The use of digital technologies can support this by designing and managing resource-efficient and context-specific agricultural systems. We present the Digital Agricultural Knowledge and Information System (DAKIS) to demonstrate an approach that employs digital technologies to enable decision-making towards diversified and sustainable agriculture. To develop the DAKIS, we specified, together with stakeholders, requirements for a knowledge-based decision-support tool and reviewed the literature to identify limitations in the current generation of tools. The results of the review point towards recurring challenges regarding the consideration of ecosystem services and biodiversity, the capacity to foster communication and cooperation between farmers and other actors, and the ability to link multiple spatiotemporal scales and sustainability levels. To overcome these challenges, the DAKIS provides a digital platform to support farmers' decision-making on land use and management via an integrative spatiotemporally explicit approach that analyses a wide range of data from various sources. The approach integrates remote and in situ sensors, artificial intelligence, modelling, stakeholder-stated demand for biodiversity and ecosystem services, and participatory sustainability impact assessment to address the diverse drivers affecting agricultural land use and management design, including natural and agronomic factors, economic and policy considerations, and socio-cultural preferences and settings. Ultimately, the DAKIS embeds the consideration of ecosystem services, biodiversity, and sustainability into farmers' decision-making and enables learning and progress towards site-adapted small-scale multifunctional and diversified agriculture while simultaneously supporting farmers' objectives and societal demands.

The environmental impacts of agricultural activities result from a chain of processes, agricultural practices affect the quantity and quality of natural resources, including biodiversity. Geographic information systems contribute to the systematic recording and monitoring of these agricultural practices in terms of production and to associate these practices with impacts on biodiversity. This paper presents the design of a web GIS system that records farming practices on a web map application (FarmGeoBalance), which is used by the farmers to import, store, revise and visualize farming practices in field level and farm level. The web map application communicates with a GeoDatabase informed with the geographical location of the participating fields where spatial and non-spatial data from the application are stored and standardized. The case study is an extensive arable farming system on Lemnos island, Greece, which covers a surface of 482 km². The system consists of 12 producers with 678 fields, representing 1.7% of the total farmed land of the island. In this paper, we present the web map application architecture and the collected data for the cultivation periods of 2020–2021 and 2021–2022, which include farming practices like fertilization, plant protection, irrigation, soil management, etc., outputs, landscape features of the farms related to biodiversity. For all these, their spatial and non-spatial dimension is presented and they are related to elements of the natural geography of fields and soils. With the use of this system recording and monitoring farming practices can assess the impact on biodiversity at multiple scales. It also highlights the need to include the end users at different phases of the development of the services and the interface. Farmers and their participation are the key component of the effectiveness of this effort: they monitor their everyday and seasonal practices at the level that they are realized in their farms.

The Philippines is an archipelagic country composed of different indigenous cultural communities (ICCs) spread across various islands. Indigenous peoples (IP) often face marginalization and lack access to the same resources available in lowland areas, creating inequality and barriers to their well-being and development. This study documents the indigenous knowledge systems and practices of the Matigsalog and Ata tribes in Davao City, focusing on their unique agricultural techniques, rituals, and conservation practices. Furthermore, we assessed their current livelihood options and explored opportunities for government support to improve their well-being. A focus group discussion was used to assess the knowledge and perception of participants from the Matigsalog tribe (N = 42) and Ata tribe (N = 15) of Davao City. Validation of the study took place separately through a brief presentation of the results before 15 members of the tribes and a hiking visit to their farmlands. The study determined the existing livelihoods in the two areas, which were mainly agricultural, farming of crops (rice, corn, cassava, sweet potato) and fruit trees (coconut, banana, durian, jackfruit, pomelo) and the community's resources as well as knowledge, systems, and practices with regard to agricultural crops including climate change. Their sustainable farming practices include intercropping, seed-saving, and exchange practices, preserving these crop varieties and ensuring their availability for future planting seasons, with no usage of chemical fertilizers and pesticides. In conclusion, the tribe's aspirations and the resulting recommendations are consolidated to facilitate and enhance governmental assistance in a more focused and efficient manner. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The Farming Assistance Web Service aims to revolutionize the agricultural sector by providing a comprehensive online platform to help farmers optimize their crop cultivation and overall farming practices. This web service leverages technology to offer a range of tools, information, and services accessible through web browsers or mobile devices. This innovative platform makes it possible for suppliers, retailers, and farmers to communicate effectively. Farmers can also contact the right merchants, and the farmers are notified through SMS when dealers submit an advertisement or an offer. This system uses Firebase to allow for push notifications to be sent to users across platforms (iOS, Android, and web) to engage and re-engage with the app's audience and also to utilize their farmer login to register their complaints with the proper dealers or authorities, and the authorities will regularly access that page using their login ids and passwords. Additionally, it offers seamless integration of data, including access to agricultural information, crop suggestions, pest control guidance, and weather forecasts. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The Green Revolution still heavily influences the agricultural practices of small-scale farming enterprises employing unsustainable methods of cultivation. As a result, many initiatives have been developed to promote more environmentally friendly agricultural practices. This paper aims to seek the determinants of farmers regarding practicing more sustainable farming in Tasikmalaya Regency, Indonesia, especially in terms of the use of chemicals. Data were gained by interviewing 360 farmers at the study site. A logit regression model was then used to analyze the data. The results of the analysis indicate that the most significant determinants of sustainability in farming practices are each farmer's standard of education and how active the farmer is in farmers' groups. This shows the importance of positioning the farmer group as an essential factor for achieving sustainable farming in Indonesia. Consequently, transitioning to more sustainable agricultural practices requires that policymakers address the topic of economic incentives, improving market access, leveraging farmers' groups, providing education and support, and designing policies that empower farmers as agents of change in their own communities. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The aim of this study is to determine the role of Farm Advisory Services in order to offset the problems of the yield productivity gaps in the study area. The farmers' perceptions of the Model Farm Services Center (MFSC) were statistically examined via a comparison of the differences within two subgroups. A sample size of 120 was selected in order to enable equal representation from both the member farmers and the independent farmers of the MFSC. An independent sample t-test along with a dummy variable was used to identify differences in their farming practices and obtained yield respectively. It was found that 80% of the respondents entirely relied on farming, whereas 20% only partially relied on farming. Similarly, 70% of the farmers were living in a joint familial system, while 30% of them were individual households. Furthers some of the farmers 28% used canals while only 13% relied on tube-wells from the member respondents, whereas 30% of the independent farmers relied on canals and 10% used tube wells. The independent farmers were more productive with wheat, rice, and sugarcane crops, but a lower yield with the maize crop was identified compared to the member farmers. The study concludes that there are inefficiencies and gaps in the service delivery value chain of the MFSCs and recommends actions, such as by providing basic farm inputs, modern equipment, interest free credit as well as technical guidance. The study contributes by using the farmers' perceptions as a stepping stone for the policy input in regards to the agriculture laden productivity. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Agriculture is one of the most important economic activities for any nation to have self-reliance and food security. Indian agriculture has unique challenges given its geographic, social and demographic variations and farming practices that tie deeply with local culture and rituals. Environmental sustainability is now a central discourse in all aspects of socio-economic development as we witness the growing adverse impact of climate. Governments and policymakers all across the world find it hard to accommodate the Millennium Sustainable Development Goals while trying to feed their growing population. A possible solution lies in large-scale adaptations of innovative farming practices that compromise neither on yield nor on the sustainability of the land. The challenge lies in trying to change traditional agricultural practices that have been used for thousands of years, which fall in the domain of behaviour change through development communication. This paper focuses on using the participatory form of development communication to help in establishing an ecosystem of integrated farming. Agricultural extension and its messaging need to be modified to imbibe the values of sustainable farming along with the dissemination of innovative technology and inputs for farming. The paper uses conceptual analysis from different sources of secondary literature to propose a set of key messages and themes around which extension workers can create a dialogue with farming stakeholders. Adapting these communication approaches may help in creating an essential connection between rural and urban aspects of Indian agriculture. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Stable growth in grain production is a critical challenge to ensure food security in North China Plain (NCP), an area dominated by smallholder farming. Food production and security of NCP largely depend on how smallholders farm their land. This study took Ningjin County of the NCP as an example to describe the characteristics of crop planting structure and the changes in crop production based on household surveys, statistics, various documents, and literature by descriptive statistics, calculation of crop self-sufficiency, and curve fitting, and aimed to reveal crop security and the influencing factors of crop production at the household level. The results were as follows: (1) Wheat and maize sown area accounted for 61.69% and 47.96% of the total sown area of crops during 2000–2020, increasing at a rate of 3.42% and 5.93%, respectively. Their planted areas increased from 27.52% and 15.54% in 2000 to 47.82% and 44.75% in 2020, respectively. (2) The self-sufficiency rate of maize showed a significant upward trend and reached its peak in 2019. the self-sufficiency rate of wheat also showed an increasing trend, from 192.87% to 617.37%, which indicates that wheat and maize can meet food self-sufficiency and the per capita grain yield is in a safe state. (3) The trends on wheat yield and fertilizer initially grew, then decreased, closely resembling an inverted "U", while the maize yield showed a pattern of increasing first and then basically remaining stable, similar to an "S" shape. A turning point for fertilizer use (550 kg/ha) was identified, indicating the limits of fertilizer use to increase yield. The national agricultural production and environmental protection policies, continuous improvement of crop varieties, as well as the farmers' traditional practices have significant impacts on crop production. This study will enhance management practices for improved yield, which can support the integrated management of agricultural production in intensive agricultural areas. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Future predictions of the world population and the demand for agricultural products per capita suggest that we have to increase food production at least two-fold by 2050 despite negative forces such as climate change with more frequent extreme weather conditions, degradation of land, increasing land scarcity, shortness of water, desertification, fooding and the loss of biodiversity for ecosystem services. One pathway how to achieve this challenge is sustainable intensification, which formulates a coarse goal rather than a detailed guideline. A heterogeneous compound of strategies is necessary and a central aspect involves examining the potential of AI technology to boost production efficiency while mitigating negative environmental consequences. Methodology: To comprehensively examine this topic, two systematic literature searches were conducted. The first aimed to gather information on sustainable agriculture and the environmental costs of conventional practices. The second focused on identifying explicit AI applications and their impact. Results: Numerous examples demonstrated how sustainable AI development drives agriculture towards a more sustainable future. The main contribution of this study is the Data-Model-Purpose matrix (DMP matrix) and the derived Bayesian matrix for a comprehensive analysis of several AI applications in agriculture and their relations to data sources and algorithms. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Abstract Bovine respiratory disease (BRD) dramatically affects young calves, especially in fattening facilities, and is difficult to understand, anticipate and control due to the multiplicity of factors involved in the onset and impact of this disease. In this study we aimed to compare the impact of farming practices on BRD severity and on antimicrobial usage. We designed a stochastic individual-based mechanistic BRD model which incorporates not only the infectious process, but also clinical signs, detection methods and treatment protocols. We investigated twelve contrasted scenarios which reflect farming practices in various fattening systems, based on pen sizes, risk level, and individual treatment vs. collective treatment (metaphylaxis) before or during fattening. We calibrated model parameters from existing observation data or literature and compared scenario outputs regarding disease dynamics, severity and mortality. The comparison of the trade-off between cumulative BRD duration and number of antimicrobial doses highlighted the added value of risk reduction at pen formation even in small pens, and acknowledges the interest of collective treatments for high-risk pens, with a better efficacy of treatments triggered during fattening based on the number of detected cases.

Abstract Selection of shade tree species for agroforestry systems must take the complexity of these systems into account. Tree species selection should maximize the provision of ecosystem services while minimizing disservices. Selected species must be adapted to local agroecological conditions and cater to farmers' needs, while considering their preferences and constraints. The ShadeTreeAdvice methodology was developed to support said selection process using farmers' local ecological knowledge. It provides the steps to rapidly identify tree species and evaluate their impacts on a range of locally important ecosystem services. Results are uploaded to a decision support tool to tailor tree species recommendations to individual farmers' needs (www.shadetreeadvice.org). During the 5 year timeframe between 2016 and 2020, eight studies following this methodology were conducted in various coffee and cocoa growing regions across Africa, Asia and Central America. This article looks back at these studies to synthesize their findings and evaluate the methodology. We identified similarities in the use of tree species across different study areas, notably regarding leguminous and fruit tree species. We showed that the method was efficient to evaluate tree species' impacts on soil and climate regulation, crop production, and economic benefits. It was less efficient for evaluating impacts related to incidence of pests and diseases, often associated with knowledge gaps. The method also successfully allowed investigating the links between LEK and socio‐economic groups or environmental factors. Furthermore, we suggest a series of improvements in the methodology for future studies. These improvements include (i) broadening the scope of studies beyond tree species provision of ecosystem services to include tree species impact on farming practices; (ii) allowing the comparison of tree performances in agroforestry systems versus in full sun; (iii) providing a clear pathway for validation of the results; (iv) using tree species' functional traits to generalize the results. Read the free Plain Language Summary for this article on the Journal blog.

Many bumblebee species are declining due to a loss of semi-natural habitats in agricultural landscapes resulting in diminished forage and nest sites. Anecdotal experience indicates that bumblebees nest in straw bales, but scientific evidence is lacking. We spent 250 h screening for bumblebee nests in 1255 straw bales and ten straw stacks belonging to 58 farms in two intensively farmed Swedish regions and recorded nests, nest traffic, and straw characteristics. We supplemented the straw screening with screening of control areas, without straw, that were selected in similar environments as the areas with straw. We observed 45 bumblebee nests (including potential nests where a single bumblebee flew in or out of the straw) of eight species/species groups, including one red-listed, in or directly adjacent to the straw at 26 of the farms. Nests were mainly found in partly decayed straw and bales placed together. We found no nests in control areas. Based on our results, we suggest that straw can be used as an easy, cheap and efficient intervention to increase the availability of bumblebee nest sites in agricultural landscapes. Considering the costs and benefits of the alternatives, we conclude that straw addition has advantages over commercial bumblebee colonies for crop pollination purposes and over artificial nest boxes for conservation purposes.

Urbanization can cause changes in farming practices, which in turn bring cropland-use loss. However, this issue is an under-researched topic. This study examines changing farming practices from cropland-use to woodland (Eucalyptus and clay brick production) using panel and cross-sectional data. Landsat imageries were used as longitudinal panel data to assess cropland-use changes from 2001 to 2021. A cross-sectional survey was designed to collect data from randomly selected 300 farmers in the peri-urban areas of Jimma City. A questionnaire was conducted with farmers to identify factors and reasons leading to changes in farming practices, while interviews and group discussions were organized with key informants to gather their experiences of changing farming practices. A two-way cross-matrix was used to estimate the cropland-use change from 2001 to 2021. A spatial regression model was used to determine significant factors of changing farming practices, while the qualitative data was described along with the model results. The results show that woodland increased by 44% from 2013 to 2021 due to changing farming practices from cropland-use to woodland. Cropland and pastureland were converted to built-up areas at 4.4% and 2.8% per year, respectively, while woodland has been converted at 1.5%, implying that it is more resistant to built-up area expansion. The spatial regression model reveals that access to markets, income, institutional barriers, farm size, and family size were the most significant determinants of changing farming practices. Farmers used Eucalyptus as a coping strategy to minimize pressure on natural forests, secure land for lifestyle purposes, and alleviate poverty in the face of rapid urbanization and cropland-use loss. The results of this study indicate that the government should enhance farmers' perceptions; educate them to adopt more environmentally friendly Eucalyptus tree species instead of discouraging Eucalyptus expansion on cropland and establish structures that facilitate farmers’ access to inputs to improve cropland productivity.

While agroforestry is promoted in many regions worldwide, limited attention is paid to farmer-led transitions toward agroforestry. Agroforestry systems (AFS) are ubiquitous and structure the landscapes along the east coast of Madagascar. These systems are managed by smallholders and produce a variety of products, some for export (mainly clove products, vanilla, and lychees), others for self-consumption or for sale locally (including fruit, tubers, timber and fuelwood). We compared information in historical documents with data collected in household surveys in 2016 in one village to identify the socio-technical and economic determinants that guided farmers' strategies over a century and led to the current production systems and landscapes. The agricultural policy implemented by the French colonial power, required farmers to produce industrial crops for export. Reluctantly at first, farmers gradually abandoned shifting rice cultivation (tavy) to grow cash crops, mainly coffee, paving the way for an economy based on trade and monetization. Later, farmers replaced coffee by clove trees, gradually transforming shifting cultivation into AFS with cloves. Simultaneously, they extended paddy rice cultivation and diversified their AFS in response to economic and climatic disturbances and to more gradual changes, thereby demonstrating their continual responsiveness. Similar dynamics can be observed in many contexts where the colonial powers forced farmers to produce cash crops to supply industries in the metropolitan area, obliging them to diversify their production and cropping systems. Our results provide valuable insights into the multiple drivers of these transitions toward agroforestry and into the complexity of the processes involved. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In the humid tropics, the socioecological advantages of family-based, multistory agroforestry systems are well recognized. Yet public policies tend to focus on conservation and land-sparing strategies alongside the promotion of modern intensive agriculture, neglecting these biodiverse agroecosystems, which are in decline. This is a particularly central issue in cocoa cultivation. In Africa's two largest cocoa-producing countries (Côte d'Ivoire and Ghana), cocoa plantations with few associated trees contribute to deforestation and biodiversity loss. In contrast, in regions like Cameroon, biodiversity-rich cocoa agroforests prevail. Considering global changes and rising cocoa demand, it is crucial to preserve and develop these agroforestry systems that reconcile cocoa production with ecosystem services. This study, conducted in Cameroon between 2013 and 2017, aimed to pinpoint the socioeconomic factors influencing the characteristics, maintenance, and degradation of cocoa agroforests, with the ultimate goal of identifying intervention strategies to promote their preservation and development. The study collected data from (i) on-field measurements in 95 cocoa agroforestry plots, (ii) interviews with the 95 farmers managing the plots, and (iii) historical interviews with 50 key informants. We focused on five sites across a gradient of population density, encompassing various socioecological environments and types of cocoa agroforests. Through thematic and statistical analyses, we evaluated differences between the five sites. Our results indicated contrasting management practices, dendrometric structure, species composition, and cocoa yields between sites. These contrasts largely reflected socioeconomic factors and site-specific dynamics. Cocoa agroforests were less rich in biodiversity in sites where farmers with capital using hired labor had acquired land than in sites where family farmers predominated. A trade-off was found between the richness of companion trees and cocoa yields. Plots managed by smallholder family farmers near urban areas tended to better reconcile cocoa production and biodiversity conservation. These farmers had gradually transformed their traditional agroforests to adapt to increasing demographic pressure by integrating diverse fruit tree species, using pesticides sparingly, and introducing selected cocoa varieties mixed with older varieties. The small-scale family-managed cocoa agroforests, which incorporate fruit species as described in this study, could serve as a model for a more sustainable cocoa production strategy. However, developing such a strategy would require greater investment and support from policymakers. This includes supporting the marketing of products from companion trees, stabilizing cocoa prices at a high level, and implementing land policies that protect small and medium-sized family farmers. [Display omitted] • Complex agroforests are predominant in the oldest cocoa-growing sites in Cameroon. • Managed by family farmers, complex agroforests are replicated on newly cleared land. • Investors and patronal farmers develop simplified agroforests with high input levels. • An intensified model of family agroforests has emerged due to demographic pressure. • Family agroforests successfully reconcile cocoa production with biodiversity conservation. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]