Options for Improving Smallholder Conservation Agriculture in Zambia
TLDR
In this article, the authors examined the agronomic practices of smallholder conservation agriculture (CA) farmers in Zambia and found that weed management, crop residue retention, timely planting and soil fertility management were the most challenging for CA farmers especially those without reliable access to oxen.Abstract:
This study examined the agronomic practices of smallholder Conservation Agriculture (CA) farmers in Zambia. Questionnaire survey, focus group discussions, key informant interviews, field assessments, desk study and soil analyses were employed to collect data on tillage systems, crop rotations, weed control, soil fertility management, crop residue retention and crop yields. The results showed that weed management, crop residue retention, timely planting and soil fertility management were the most challenging for CA farmers especially those without reliable access to oxen. Crop residue retention conflicted with the socio-cultural practices of the communities and was hardly practised while crop rotation seemed difficult in light of the dominance of maize cultivation and the lack of markets for crop legumes. Possible options for improving smallholder CA systems were greater integration of livestock, correct herbicide application, market provision for crop legumes, farmer training in agri-business and better access to agricultural credit and subsidized inputs. CA promoters must incorporate the farmers’ local cultural contexts in order to better address the challenges associated with adopting CA.read more
Citations
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From adoption claims to understanding farmers and contexts: A literature review of Conservation Agriculture (CA) adoption among smallholder farmers in southern Africa
TL;DR: A literature review of conservation agriculture adoption among smallholder farmers in southern Africa (Malawi, Zambia and Zimbabwe) analyses the historical background of the upsurge in CA promotion, the various definitions of CA that have emerged since the 1990s, the barriers to its adoption, as well as uptake figures and adoption studies.
Journal ArticleDOI
Adoption and intensity of adoption of conservation farming practices in Zambia
TL;DR: In this article, the authors analyzed the determinants of farmer adoption of conservation farming practices using panel data from two rounds of the Rural Incomes and Livelihoods Surveys that were implemented in 2004 and 2008.
Journal ArticleDOI
On-farm evaluation of yield and economic benefit of short term maize legume intercropping systems under conservation agriculture in Malawi
TL;DR: In this article, the authors investigated the short term effects of conservation agriculture (CA) systems on soil quality, crop productivity and profitability in Balaka market and Ntonda sections of Manjawira Extension Planning Area (EPA), in Ntcheu district, central Malawi.
Journal ArticleDOI
Biochar Effect on Maize Yield and Soil Characteristics in Five Conservation Farming Sites in Zambia
Gerard Cornelissen,Vegard Martinsen,Victor Shitumbanuma,Vanja Alling,Gijs D. Breedveld,David W. Rutherford,Magnus Sparrevik,Sarah E. Hale,Alfred Obia,Jan Mulder +9 more
TL;DR: In this article, the use of a low dosage biochar combined with conservation farming (CF) minimum tillage was tested as a way to increase crop yields, where 10%-12% of the land was tilled.
Journal ArticleDOI
Adoption and Impacts of Sustainable Agricultural Practices on Maize Yields and Incomes: Evidence from Rural Zambia
TL;DR: This article used a multinomial endogenous treatment effects model and data from a sample of over 800 households and 3,000 plots to assess the determinants and impacts of adoption of sustainable agricultural practices (SAPs) on maize yields and household incomes in rural Zambia.
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