The formalization fix? Land titling and land concessions in Cambodia

Issuing land titles to smallholder farmers has long been embraced as a way to promote lending and land markets, but is increasingly being reframed as a way to protect smallholders from irresponsible agricultural investment. This brief examines the case of Cambodia, where over the last decade extensive land titling efforts have occurred alongside a wave of large-scale land concessions. The problem, however, is that titling has failed to live up to the rhetoric of systematic coverage, and has often focused on areas where tenure was already relatively secure. Areas outside the titling zone, in contrast, have become formalized de facto through the process of granting land concessions to investors. This undermines pro-poor development significantly.

Marginal lands or marginal people? Analysing key processes determining the outcomes of large-scale land acquisitions in Lao PDR and Cambodia

This chapter aims to overcome the gap existing between case study research, which typically provides qualitative and process-based insights, and national or global inventories that typically offer spatially explicit and quantitative analysis of broader patterns, and thus to present adequate evidence for policymaking regarding large-scale land acquisitions. Therefore, the chapter links spatial patterns of land acquisitions to underlying implementation processes of land allocation. Methodologically linking the described patterns and processes proved difficult, but we have identified indicators that could be added to inventories and monitoring systems to make linkage possible. Combining complementary approaches in this way may help to determine where policy space exists for more sustainable governance of land acquisitions, both geographically and with regard to processes of agrarian transitions. Our spatial analysis revealed two general patterns: (i) relatively large forestry-related acquisitions that target forested landscapes and often interfere with semi-subsistence farming systems; and (ii) smaller agriculture-related acquisitions that often target existing cropland and also interfere with semi-subsistence systems. Furthermore, our meta-analysis of land acquisition implementation processes shows that authoritarian, top-down processes dominate. Initially, the demands of powerful regional and domestic investors tend to override socio-ecological variables, local actors’ interests, and land governance mechanisms. As available land grows scarce, however, and local actors gain experience dealing with land acquisitions, it appears that land investments begin to fail or give way to more inclusive, bottom-up investment models.

Conservation Tillage Study

The project goal was to compare yields of three different tillage systems on a sloping, moderately well drained soil (Nira) and on a nearly level, poorly drained soil (Kalona) in a continuous corn and a corn-soybean system. The plots began in 1990.

Long-term Tillage and Crop Rotation Effects on Soil Carbon and Soil Productivity

Tillage system and crop rotation have a significant, long-term effect on soil productivity and soil quality components such as soil carbon and other soil physical, biological, and chemical properties. In addition, both tillage and crop rotation have effects on weed and soil disease control. There is a definite need for well-defined, long-term tillage and crop rotation studies across the different soils and climate conditions in the state. The objective of this study was to evaluate the long-term effects of different tillage systems and crop rotations on soil productivity

No-tillage, Strip Tillage, Chisel Plow Tillage Trial

Farmers in central and north central Iowa are often criticized for low adoption of no-tillage. No-tillage is often faulted with cooler, wetter soils and subsequently reduced yields. An alternative to conventional tillage and no-tillage systems is strip tillage where the benefits of both may be combined.

Phosphorus and Potassium Rates and Placement Methods for Corn and Soybean Managed with No-till or Tillage

No-till management for corn and soybean results in little or no incorporation of crop residues and fertilizer with soil. Subsurface banding phosphorus (P) and potassium (K) fertilizers with planter attachments could be more effective than broadcast fertilization, because in no-till with broadcast fertilizer, both nutrients accumulate at or near the soil surface. A long-term study was initiated in 1994 at the ISU Northwest Research Farm to evaluate P and K fertilizer placement for corn and soybean managed with no-till and chiselplow tillage.

Long-term Tillage and Crop Rotation Effects on Yield

Tillage system and crop rotation have a major long-term effect on soil productivity and soil quality components such as soil carbon and other soil physical, biological, and chemical properties. In addition, both tillage and crop rotation have effects on weed and soil disease control. There is a need for well-defined, longterm tillage and crop rotation studies across the different soils and climate conditions in the state. The objective of this study was to evaluate the long-term effects of different tillage systems and crop rotations on soil productivity.