WORK PACKAGE 4

Boosting value chain

Objective

The WP4 aims to evaluate new and improved technologies implemented in the WP2 and WP3 in order to:

Assess the socio-economic effect of technologies and practices for farmers relative to a counterfactual;
Identify new value chains for the new and improved technologies and practices;
Assess stakeholder response on the feasibility of new technologies, practices, and value chains;
Produce decision support and guidance.

Partners

Partners involved: CRAN, UNISS, ACRA, UNB, INERA, UNIMAK, CSIR-SARI, KDC, KALRO, UoN, NM-AIST, TARI, HU, JU, ICRAF

WP Leader: University of Cranfield

WP Co-Leaders: UoN, KDC

4.1

Identification and assessment of the environmental impacts of the new and improved technologies and nonmarket externalities

This Task will work with WP2, 3, and 5 to identify the biophysical impacts of the new and improved technologies and existing ones to provide the basis for making valid comparisons between them. The task will also assess the wider impacts of the technologies and the costs and benefits that these bring to other stakeholders in the form of externalities, using an environmental valuation approach.

4.3

Bio-economic modelling of new technologies and practices

The biophysical and economic data will be combined in the FarmSAFE model to calculate the impacts at a plot scale, and at a farm scale. New technologies create new patterns of resource use, for example by altering labour requirements or the cost of management inputs. The net present value will be used to identify the robustness of these new technologies and practices.

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4.2

Quantification of the set of capital, land, and labour requirements associated with each technology and practice

The generation of benefits from land use technologies and practices is associated with management inputs. The management required for each of the case study innovations and their counterfactuals selected in Task 4.1 will be identified in order to quantify the set of capital, land, and labour required by each technology and practice.

4.4

Linked industry and value chain analysis

This task will identify and map the linked industries fair-trade organizations, and supply chains and identify potential value chains for the implementation of new technologies and practices, both up- and downstream of the farm. Promising value chains tthat can operate effectively within the fabric of local and national social and economic circumstances will be identified.

TASKS

Activities and results

Find out more below about the activites carried out and the results achieved within WP4

Organic and integrated fertilization

Evaluations in Ghana, Kenya and Burkina Faso demonstrate that organic and integrated fertilization practices are financially profitable in both the short and long term, outperforming inorganic fertilization. Organic fertilizer options showed the highest yields, benefit–cost ratios (BCR), and returns on investment (RoI), driven by improved soil health and fertility over time. In Burkina Faso, the combined application of 150 kg NPK + 50 kg urea + 6 t/ha compost proved to be the most financially viable option for maize, while for sorghum, production without potassium fertilizer was identified as optimal. The main constraint to scaling organic fertilization remains the limited availability of organic inputs in commercial quantities, highlighting the need to strengthen local production and supply chains.

Water management techniques, such as stone bunding

Stone bunding under sloping conditions in Ghana increased profitability and yield stability of maize production while enhancing soil fertility, biodiversity, and climate resilience. The financial evaluation confirmed that bunding represents a cost-effective investment for smallholders, generating both short- and long-term economic returns. Adoption remains limited mainly due to insufficient farmer awareness of its financial and environmental benefits, underlining the importance of knowledge dissemination and extension support.

Underutilized and Neglected crops such as fonio, teff, and finger millet

These crops show strong financial potential but face significant value chain bottlenecks. In Ghana, all nodes of the fonio value chain were profitable, yet limited mechanisation, lack of market information, and labour-intensive processing reduced overall efficiency and product quality. In Ethiopia, teff production at a fertilizer rate of 60 kg K/ha proved both financially viable and environmentally sustainable, contributing positively to household livelihoods. In Kenya, finger millet demonstrated high profitability, with the organic and integrated fertilizer treatments reaching RoI values above 260% and BCRs exceeding 3.6, outperforming inorganic options. Strengthening mechanisation, processing, and access to credit would unlock the full value chain potential of these underutilized crops and support market expansion.

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Reduced tillage and direct seeding systems

Financial assessments show that direct seeding and reduced tillage systems can achieve comparable or higher profitability than conventional tillage, while improving soil organic matter, nitrogen content, and aggregate stability. Among the evaluated treatments, direct seeding combined with organic fertilizer was the most sustainable and financially sound approach. In contexts where farmers lack access to organic manure, reduced or normal tillage with the recommended mineral fertilizer rate (150 kg NPK + 50 kg urea) remains profitable. These systems contribute to cost savings through lower labour and fuel requirements, while maintaining production levels.

Biopesticides (e.g., neem, cassia nigricans)

The use of Neem and Cassia Nigricans biopesticides in cowpea production was proven to be financially viable, with both treatments achieving a marginal rate of return (MRR) well above the 100% threshold. Cassia nigricans treatment delivered the highest gross and net revenues, confirming superior profitability. Wider adoption depends on farmer education and awareness, ensuring proper integration of biopesticides into existing pest management practices.

Intercropping systems, particularly cereals- legumes

Financial analysis confirmed that all intercropping systems tested were economically viable, though profitability varied by crop composition. Sole cowpea production generated the highest financial returns, while sorghum–cowpea intercropping outperformed sole sorghum cultivation, improving total system productivity and profitability. The results indicate that intercropping enhances income diversification and resource efficiency, supporting more stable financial outcomes under varying production conditions.