Water–food–energy–climate nexus and technology productivity: a Nigerian case study of organic leafy vegetable production

Jelili Adegboyega Adebiyi (), Laura Schmitt Olabisi, Lin Liu and Dee Jordan
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Jelili Adegboyega Adebiyi: Michigan State University
Laura Schmitt Olabisi: Michigan State University
Lin Liu: Michigan State University
Dee Jordan: Michigan State University

Environment, Development and Sustainability: A Multidisciplinary Approach to the Theory and Practice of Sustainable Development, 2021, vol. 23, issue 4, No 66, 6128-6147

Abstract: Abstract Low agricultural productivity is a major challenge constraining food production in developing countries. Attempts at addressing the problem have resulted in the development and deployment of agricultural technologies, such as organic farming, to help boost productivity, enhance farmers’ income, and their overall livelihood conditions. The deployment of such productivity-enhancing technologies has mostly overlooked their inexplicable interconnectedness and interdependencies with nexus factors such as climate, water, and energy within the embeddings of a food production system. Through a Nigerian case study approach, this study attempts to bridge this gap by qualitatively investigating how organic leafy vegetable production (OLVP) and its anticipated outcomes can be affected by the interface of water, energy, and climate with food production. This was intended to generate exploratory insights that will help underscore why cross-sectoral linkages should be accounted for when deploying agricultural technology interventions. To achieve this objective, we conducted in-depth interviews and focus group discussions, and field visits to the farms of organic farmers in Ajibode, Ibadan, Nigeria. Results indicate that the productivity of OLVP was severely constrained by highly contextual nexus factors such as energy deficit, the water source for irrigation, changes in rainfall patterns, and temperature effect of harmattan. We concluded that location-specific nexus elements that intersect with food production should be accounted for when introducing productivity-enhancing technologies. Otherwise, the opportunity for improved agricultural productivity may remain elusive. Finally, our study shows that the nexus approach can help reveal intricately linked cross-sectoral factors that can constrain the performance of agricultural technologies.

Keywords: Water–energy–climate–food nexus; Organic farming; Leafy vegetable production; Qualitative; Silo approach; Dry season (search for similar items in EconPapers)
Date: 2021
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DOI: 10.1007/s10668-020-00865-0

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