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Exploring Farmers’ Decisions on Agricultural Intensification and Cropland Expansion in Ethiopia, Ghana, and Zambia through Serious Gaming

Author

Listed:
  • Barbara Adolph

    (International Institute for Environment and Development (IIED), 235 High Holborn, London WC1V 7DN, UK)

  • Nugun P. Jellason

    (International Business School, Teesside University, Middlesbrough TS1 3BZ, UK)

  • Jane Musole Kwenye

    (Department of Plant and Environmental Sciences, School of Natural Resources, Copperbelt University, Kitwe P.O. Box 21692, Zambia)

  • Jo Davies

    (Department of International Development, School of Agriculture, Policy and Development, University of Reading, Reading RG6 6AH, UK)

  • Anne Giger Dray

    (Department of Environmental Systems Science, ETH Zürich, Universitätstrasse 16, 8092 Zürich, Switzerland)

  • Patrick O. Waeber

    (Department of Environmental Systems Science, ETH Zürich, Universitätstrasse 16, 8092 Zürich, Switzerland
    School of Agricultural, Forest and Food Sciences, Bern University of Applied Sciences, Länggasse 85, 3052 Zollikofen, Switzerland)

  • Katy Jeary

    (International Institute for Environment and Development (IIED), 235 High Holborn, London WC1V 7DN, UK)

  • Phil Franks

    (International Institute for Environment and Development (IIED), 235 High Holborn, London WC1V 7DN, UK)

Abstract

This paper explores how increasing agricultural productivity through agricultural intensification may influence farmland expansion decisions of smallholder farmers in Ethiopia, Ghana, and Zambia. Six pairs of farmers at each site (72 in total) from different wealth groups were involved in serious games sessions that simulated different institutional, economic, and governance contexts, with players choosing their resource allocation accordingly. The approach was used to explore with farmers, in a ‘safe space’, whether an increase in agricultural productivity and profitability via intensification would reduce or end farmland expansion into natural habitats. The results show that, under certain conditions (such as poor forest governance and lack of alternative income-generating and investment opportunities), agricultural intensification can lead to more agricultural expansion at the expense of natural habitats, such as forests and grasslands. This suggests that intensification strategies to promote increased productivity may need companion strategies to protect forest ecosystems from expansion at the agricultural frontier.

Suggested Citation

  • Barbara Adolph & Nugun P. Jellason & Jane Musole Kwenye & Jo Davies & Anne Giger Dray & Patrick O. Waeber & Katy Jeary & Phil Franks, 2023. "Exploring Farmers’ Decisions on Agricultural Intensification and Cropland Expansion in Ethiopia, Ghana, and Zambia through Serious Gaming," Land, MDPI, vol. 12(3), pages 1-17, February.
    • Handle: RePEc:gam:jlands:v:12:y:2023:i:3:p:556-:d:1080013
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    References listed on IDEAS

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    1. Nugun P. Jellason & Elizabeth J. Z. Robinson & Abbie S. A. Chapman & Dora Neina & Adam J. M. Devenish & June Y. T. Po & Barbara Adolph, 2021. "A Systematic Review of Drivers and Constraints on Agricultural Expansion in Sub-Saharan Africa," Land, MDPI, vol. 10(3), pages 1-17, March.
    2. Adato, Michelle & Meinzen-Dick, Ruth Suseela, 2002. "Assessing the impact of agricultural research on poverty using the sustainable livelihoods framework," FCND briefs 128, International Food Policy Research Institute (IFPRI).
    3. Fr�d�ric Baudron & Jens A. Andersson & Marc Corbeels & Ken E. Giller, 2012. "Failing to Yield? Ploughs, Conservation Agriculture and the Problem of Agricultural Intensification: An Example from the Zambezi Valley, Zimbabwe," Journal of Development Studies, Taylor & Francis Journals, vol. 48(3), pages 393-412, March.
    4. Angelsen, Arild & Shitindi, Eric F. Katemansimba & Aarrestad, Jostein, 1999. "Why do farmers expand their land into forests? Theories and evidence from Tanzania," Environment and Development Economics, Cambridge University Press, vol. 4(3), pages 313-331, July.
    5. Sylvester Amoako Agyemang & Tomáš Ratinger & Miroslava Bavorová, 2022. "The Impact of Agricultural Input Subsidy on Productivity: The Case of Ghana," The European Journal of Development Research, Palgrave Macmillan;European Association of Development Research and Training Institutes (EADI), vol. 34(3), pages 1460-1485, June.
    6. Hertel, Thomas, 2012. "Implications of Agricultural Productivity for Global Cropland Use and GHG Emissions: Borlaug vs. Jevons," GTAP Working Papers 4020, Center for Global Trade Analysis, Department of Agricultural Economics, Purdue University.
    7. Ngoma, Hambulo & Pelletier, Johanne & Mulenga, Brian P. & Subakanya, Mitelo, 2021. "Climate-smart agriculture, cropland expansion and deforestation in Zambia: Linkages, processes and drivers," Land Use Policy, Elsevier, vol. 107(C).
    8. Hertel, Thomas, 2012. "Implications of Agricultural Productivity for Global Cropland Use and GHG Emissions: Borlaug vs. Jevons," GTAP Working Papers 4020, Center for Global Trade Analysis, Department of Agricultural Economics, Purdue University.
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    Cited by:

    1. Novotny, Ivan P. & Boul Lefeuvre, Nastasia & Attiogbé, Koffi S. & Wouyo, Atakpama & Fousseni, Folega & Dray, Anne & Waeber, Patrick O., 2024. "Exploring farmer choices in Southern Togo: Utilizing a strategy game to understand decision-making in agricultural practices," Agricultural Systems, Elsevier, vol. 218(C).
    2. Zhang, Shouguo & Zhang, Jianjun & Dai, Yixin & Zhang, Ling, 2025. "Mitigating conflicts in the implementation of intensive land use policies: Insights from a tripartite evolutionary game model," Land Use Policy, Elsevier, vol. 150(C).
    3. Shah, Shipra & Race, Digby, 2024. "Greening the blue Pacific: Lessons on reducing emissions from deforestation and forest degradation (REDD+)," Forest Policy and Economics, Elsevier, vol. 166(C).

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