IDEAS home Printed from https://ideas.repec.org/a/gam/jsusta/v13y2021i21p12196-d672538.html
   My bibliography  Save this article

Factors Influencing the Awareness and Adoption of Borehole-Garden Permaculture in Malawi: Lessons for the Promotion of Sustainable Practices

Author

Listed:
  • Rebekah G. K. Hinton

    (Department of Civil and Environmental Engineering, University of Strathclyde, Glasgow G1 1XJ, UK
    The James Hutton Institute, Craigiebuckler, Aberdeen AB15 8QH, UK)

  • Christopher J. A. Macleod

    (The James Hutton Institute, Craigiebuckler, Aberdeen AB15 8QH, UK)

  • Mads Troldborg

    (The James Hutton Institute, Craigiebuckler, Aberdeen AB15 8QH, UK)

  • Gift Wanangwa

    (Department of Water Resources, Ministry of Forestry and Natural Resources, Government of Malawi, Private Bag 390, Lilongwe, Malawi
    Department of Earth Sciences, Environmental and Water Sciences, University of the Western Cape, Private Bag X17, Bellville 7535, South Africa)

  • Modesta Kanjaye

    (Department of Water Resources, Ministry of Forestry and Natural Resources, Government of Malawi, Private Bag 390, Lilongwe, Malawi)

  • Emma Mbalame

    (Department of Water Supply, Government of Malawi, Private Bag 390, Lilongwe, Malawi)

  • Prince Mleta

    (Department of Water Resources, Ministry of Forestry and Natural Resources, Government of Malawi, Private Bag 390, Lilongwe, Malawi)

  • Kettie Harawa

    (Water for People, Blantyre P.O. Box 1207, Malawi)

  • Steve Kumwenda

    (Water for People, Blantyre P.O. Box 1207, Malawi
    BASEflow, Galaxy House, Blantyre P.O. Box 30467, Malawi)

  • Robert M. Kalin

    (Department of Civil and Environmental Engineering, University of Strathclyde, Glasgow G1 1XJ, UK)

Abstract

Using wastewater accumulating around rural waterpoints to irrigate community gardens, borehole-garden permaculture (BGP) presents a method of sustainable water management. BGP also presents public health benefits through the removal of stagnant water around boreholes, key Malaria breeding grounds, and through providing year-round food to supplement diets. By analysing a dataset of over 100,000 cases, this research examines the awareness and adoption of BGP across Malawi. Generalised linear models identified significant variables influencing BGP awareness and uptake revealing that socioeconomic, biophysical and waterpoint-specific variables influenced both the awareness and adoption of BGP. BGP had low uptake in Malawi with only 2.4% of communities surveyed practising BGP while 43.0% of communities were aware of BGP. Communities in areas with unreliable rainfall and high malaria susceptibility had low BGP awareness despite BGP being particularly beneficial to these communities. This work suggests that future work in the promotion of BGP should focus their efforts within these areas. Furthermore, this work highlights the value of community networks in knowledge sharing and suggests that such social capital could be further used by NGOs and the Government of Malawi in the promotion of BGP and other sustainable practices.

Suggested Citation

  • Rebekah G. K. Hinton & Christopher J. A. Macleod & Mads Troldborg & Gift Wanangwa & Modesta Kanjaye & Emma Mbalame & Prince Mleta & Kettie Harawa & Steve Kumwenda & Robert M. Kalin, 2021. "Factors Influencing the Awareness and Adoption of Borehole-Garden Permaculture in Malawi: Lessons for the Promotion of Sustainable Practices," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 13(21), pages 1-25, November.
    • Handle: RePEc:gam:jsusta:v:13:y:2021:i:21:p:12196-:d:672538
    as

    Download full text from publisher

    File URL: https://www.mdpi.com/2071-1050/13/21/12196/pdf
    Download Restriction: no
    File URL: https://www.mdpi.com/2071-1050/13/21/12196/
    Download Restriction: no
    ---><---

    References listed on IDEAS

    as
    1. David R. Lee, 2005. "Agricultural Sustainability and Technology Adoption: Issues and Policies for Developing Countries," American Journal of Agricultural Economics, Agricultural and Applied Economics Association, vol. 87(5), pages 1325-1334.
    2. Shaun Beattie & Susannah M. Sallu, 2021. "How Does Nutrition Feature in Climate-Smart Agricultural Policy in Southern Africa? A Systematic Policy Review," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 13(5), pages 1-16, March.
    3. International Monetary Fund, 2017. "Republic of Moldova: Economic Development Document," IMF Staff Country Reports 2017/103, International Monetary Fund.
    4. International Monetary Fund, 2017. "Malawi: Economic Development Document," IMF Staff Country Reports 2017/184, International Monetary Fund.
    5. Adams, Timothy & Gerber, Jean-David & Amacker, Michèle, 2019. "Constraints and opportunities in gender relations: Sugarcane outgrower schemes in Malawi," World Development, Elsevier, vol. 122(C), pages 282-294.
    6. Sriroop Chaudhuri & Mimi Roy & Louis M. McDonald & Yves Emendack, 2021. "Reflections on farmers’ social networks: a means for sustainable agricultural development?," Environment, Development and Sustainability: A Multidisciplinary Approach to the Theory and Practice of Sustainable Development, Springer, vol. 23(3), pages 2973-3008, March.
    7. Ayu Pratiwi & Aya Suzuki, 2017. "Effects of farmers’ social networks on knowledge acquisition: lessons from agricultural training in rural Indonesia," Journal of Economic Structures, Springer;Pan-Pacific Association of Input-Output Studies (PAPAIOS), vol. 6(1), pages 1-23, December.
    8. Ida Nadia S. Djenontin & Leo C. Zulu & Arika Ligmann-Zielinska, 2020. "Improving Representation of Decision Rules in LUCC-ABM: An Example with an Elicitation of Farmers’ Decision Making for Landscape Restoration in Central Malawi," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 12(13), pages 1-35, July.
    9. International Monetary Fund, 2017. "Guinea: Economic Development Documents," IMF Staff Country Reports 2017/388, International Monetary Fund.
    10. Munasib, Abdul B.A. & Jordan, Jeffrey L., 2011. "The Effect of Social Capital on the Choice to Use Sustainable Agricultural Practices," Journal of Agricultural and Applied Economics, Cambridge University Press, vol. 43(2), pages 213-227, May.
    11. Doris Läpple & Garth Holloway & Donald J Lacombe & Cathal O’Donoghue, 2017. "Sustainable technology adoption: a spatial analysis of the Irish Dairy Sector," European Review of Agricultural Economics, Oxford University Press and the European Agricultural and Applied Economics Publications Foundation, vol. 44(5), pages 810-835.
    12. Jara-Rojas, Roberto & Bravo-Ureta, Boris E. & Díaz, José, 2012. "Adoption of water conservation practices: A socioeconomic analysis of small-scale farmers in Central Chile," Agricultural Systems, Elsevier, vol. 110(C), pages 54-62.
    13. Mussa, Richard & Pauw, Karl, 2011. "Poverty in Malawi: Current status and knowledge gaps:," MaSSP policy notes 9, International Food Policy Research Institute (IFPRI).
    14. Binh Thai Pham & Chongchong Qi & Lanh Si Ho & Trung Nguyen-Thoi & Nadhir Al-Ansari & Manh Duc Nguyen & Huu Duy Nguyen & Hai-Bang Ly & Hiep Van Le & Indra Prakash, 2020. "A Novel Hybrid Soft Computing Model Using Random Forest and Particle Swarm Optimization for Estimation of Undrained Shear Strength of Soil," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 12(6), pages 1-16, March.
    15. International Monetary Fund, 2017. "Republic of Madagascar: Economic Development Document," IMF Staff Country Reports 2017/225, International Monetary Fund.
    16. Kassie, Menale & Jaleta, Moti & Shiferaw, Bekele & Mmbando, Frank & Muricho, Geoffrey, 2012. "Plot and Household-Level Determinants of Sustainable Agricultural Practices in Rural Tanzania," RFF Working Paper Series dp-12-02-efd, Resources for the Future.
    17. Pavelic, Paul & Giordano, Mark & Keraita, Bernard & Ramesh, Vidya & Rao, T., 2012. "Groundwater availability and use in Sub-Saharan Africa: a review of 15 countries," IWMI Books, Reports H046186, International Water Management Institute.
    18. Jonathan P. Truslove & Andrea B. Coulson & Muthi Nhlema & Emma Mbalame & Robert M. Kalin, 2020. "Reflecting SDG 6.1 in Rural Water Supply Tariffs: Considering ‘Affordability’ Versus ‘Operations and Maintenance Costs’ in Malawi," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 12(2), pages 1-21, January.
    Full references (including those not matched with items on IDEAS)

    Most related items

    These are the items that most often cite the same works as this one and are cited by the same works as this one.
    1. Lu, Chen-Fu & Cheng, Chia-Yi, 2023. "Exploring the distribution of organic farming: Findings from certified rice in Taiwan," Ecological Economics, Elsevier, vol. 212(C).
    2. Benitez-Altuna, Francisco & Trienekens, Jacques & Materia, Valentina C. & Bijman, Jos, 2021. "Factors affecting the adoption of ecological intensification practices: A case study in vegetable production in Chile," Agricultural Systems, Elsevier, vol. 194(C).
    3. Dependra Bhatta & Krishna P. Paudel & Kai Liu, 2023. "Factors influencing water conservation practices adoptions by Nepali farmers," Environment, Development and Sustainability: A Multidisciplinary Approach to the Theory and Practice of Sustainable Development, Springer, vol. 25(10), pages 10879-10901, October.
    4. Mannaf, Maksuda & Wheeler, Sarah Ann & Zuo, Alec, 2023. "Global and Local Spatial Spill-Overs: What Matters Most for the Diffusion of Organic Agriculture in Australia?," Ecological Economics, Elsevier, vol. 209(C).
    5. Pham, Huong-Giang & Chuah, Swee-Hoon & Feeny, Simon, 2021. "Factors affecting the adoption of sustainable agricultural practices: Findings from panel data for Vietnam," Ecological Economics, Elsevier, vol. 184(C).
    6. Preusse, Verena & Wollni, Meike, 2021. "Adoption of sustainable agricultural practices in the context of urbanisation and environmental stress – Evidence from farmers in the rural-urban interface of Bangalore, India," 2021 Annual Meeting, August 1-3, Austin, Texas 312690, Agricultural and Applied Economics Association.
    7. B Kelsey Jack, "undated". "Market Inefficiencies and the Adoption of Agricultural Technologies in Developing Countries," CID Working Papers 50, Center for International Development at Harvard University.
    8. F. Füsun Tatlıdil & İsmet Boz & Hasan Tatlidil, 2009. "Farmers’ perception of sustainable agriculture and its determinants: a case study in Kahramanmaras province of Turkey," Environment, Development and Sustainability: A Multidisciplinary Approach to the Theory and Practice of Sustainable Development, Springer, vol. 11(6), pages 1091-1106, December.
    9. Temple, Jonathan & Ying, Huikang, 2014. "Life During Structural Transformation," CEPR Discussion Papers 10297, C.E.P.R. Discussion Papers.
    10. Virna Estefania Moran-Rodas & Verena Preusse & Christine Wachendorf, 2022. "Agricultural Management Practices and Decision-Making in View of Soil Organic Matter in the Urbanizing Region of Bangalore," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 14(10), pages 1-27, May.
    11. Avila-Santamaria, Jorge J. & Useche, Maria P., 2016. "Urea Subsidies and the Decision to Allocate Land to a New Fertilizing Technology: Ex-ante Analysis in Ecuador," 2016 Annual Meeting, February 6-9, 2016, San Antonio, Texas 229851, Southern Agricultural Economics Association.
    12. Sriroop Chaudhuri & Mimi Roy & Louis M. McDonald & Yves Emendack, 2021. "Reflections on farmers’ social networks: a means for sustainable agricultural development?," Environment, Development and Sustainability: A Multidisciplinary Approach to the Theory and Practice of Sustainable Development, Springer, vol. 23(3), pages 2973-3008, March.
    13. Emily Schmidt & Rachel Gilbert & Brian Holtemeyer & Kristi Mahrt, 2021. "Poverty analysis in the lowlands of Papua New Guinea underscores climate vulnerability and need for income flexibility," Australian Journal of Agricultural and Resource Economics, Australian Agricultural and Resource Economics Society, vol. 65(1), pages 171-191, January.
    14. Kanchanaroek, Yingluck & Aslam, Uzma, 2017. "Assessing Farmers’ Preferences To Participate In Agri-environment Policies In Thailand," 2017 International Congress, August 28-September 1, 2017, Parma, Italy 260888, European Association of Agricultural Economists.
    15. Wollni, Meike & Andersson, Camilla, 2014. "Spatial patterns of organic agriculture adoption: Evidence from Honduras," Ecological Economics, Elsevier, vol. 97(C), pages 120-128.
    16. CLIPICI Emilia & FRANT Florin, 2013. "Cost Benefit Analysis - Tool For Allocation of Financial Resources For Major Projects," Anale. Seria Stiinte Economice. Timisoara, Faculty of Economics, Tibiscus University in Timisoara, vol. 0, pages 142-146, May.
    17. Diane Kapgen & Laurence Roudart, 2023. "A Multidisciplinary Approach to Assess Smallholder Farmers' Adoption of New Technologies in Development Interventions," The European Journal of Development Research, Palgrave Macmillan;European Association of Development Research and Training Institutes (EADI), vol. 35(4), pages 974-995, August.
    18. F. Bailey Norwood & Derrell Peel, 2021. "Supply Chain Mapping to Prepare for Future Pandemics," Applied Economic Perspectives and Policy, John Wiley & Sons, vol. 43(1), pages 412-429, March.
    19. Shaosheng Jin & Bashiru Mansaray & Xin Jin & Haoyang Li, 2020. "Farmers’ preferences for attributes of rice varieties in Sierra Leone," Food Security: The Science, Sociology and Economics of Food Production and Access to Food, Springer;The International Society for Plant Pathology, vol. 12(5), pages 1185-1197, October.
    20. Teklewold, Hailemariam & Kassie, Menale & Shiferaw, Bekele & Köhlin, Gunnar, 2013. "Cropping system diversification, conservation tillage and modern seed adoption in Ethiopia: Impacts on household income, agrochemical use and demand for labor," Ecological Economics, Elsevier, vol. 93(C), pages 85-93.

    Corrections

    All material on this site has been provided by the respective publishers and authors. You can help correct errors and omissions. When requesting a correction, please mention this item's handle: RePEc:gam:jsusta:v:13:y:2021:i:21:p:12196-:d:672538. See general information about how to correct material in RePEc.

    If you have authored this item and are not yet registered with RePEc, we encourage you to do it here. This allows to link your profile to this item. It also allows you to accept potential citations to this item that we are uncertain about.

    If CitEc recognized a bibliographic reference but did not link an item in RePEc to it, you can help with this form .

    If you know of missing items citing this one, you can help us creating those links by adding the relevant references in the same way as above, for each refering item. If you are a registered author of this item, you may also want to check the "citations" tab in your RePEc Author Service profile, as there may be some citations waiting for confirmation.

    For technical questions regarding this item, or to correct its authors, title, abstract, bibliographic or download information, contact: MDPI Indexing Manager (email available below). General contact details of provider: https://www.mdpi.com .

    Please note that corrections may take a couple of weeks to filter through the various RePEc services.

    IDEAS is a RePEc service. RePEc uses bibliographic data supplied by the respective publishers.