Analysis of adoption of conservation agriculture practices in southern Africa: mixed-methods approach

• DOI: 10.3389/fsufs.2023.1151876
• Publication Date: 2023-04-27T05:34:16Z
• Authors: Adane H. Tufa; Joseph S. Kanyamuka; Arega Alene; Hambulo Ngoma; Paswel P. Marenya; Christian Thierfe...; Happy Banda; David Chikoye
• Keywords: Multivariate probit model; Conservation Agriculture

In southern Africa, conservation agriculture (CA) has been promoted to address low agricultural productivity, food insecurity, and land degradation. However, despite significant experimental evidence on the agronomic economic benefits of CA large scale investments by donor community national governments, adoption rates among smallholders remain below expectation. The main objective this research project was thus investigate why previous efforts technologies practices in Africa have not led widespread adoption. paper applies a multivariate probit model other methods survey data from 4,373 households 278 focus groups identify drivers barriers Malawi, Zambia, Zimbabwe. results show that declining soil fertility is major constraint maize production Zambia drought/heat more pronounced We also find gaps between (a) awareness adoption, (b) training (c) demonstration all three countries. are much bigger smaller hosting suggesting translated greater Training demonstrations better conduits enhance than mere creation. Therefore, demonstrating applications critical for promoting Besides, requires enhancing farmers’ access inputs, addressing drudgery associated with implementation, technical know-how, enacting enforcing bylaws regarding livestock grazing wildfires. concludes discussing implications policy promotion.