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Abandonment of Conservation Agriculture by Smallholder Farmers in Zimbabwe

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Listed:
  • Tarisayi Pedzisa
  • Lovemore Rugube
  • Alex Winter-Nelson
  • Kathy Baylis
  • Kizito Mazvimavi

Abstract

This paper examines the determinants of abandonment of conservation agriculture (CA) techniques among smallholder farmers in Zimbabwe. The analysis uses four rounds of a balanced panel from a survey aimed at monitoring CA adoption among farmers who participated in CA promotion projects. Findings indicate that a large share of farmers who had adopted CA during the period of active promotion eventually abandoned the practice in the absence of support from non-governmental organisations (NGOs). Households with more farming experience, bigger household sizes and a greater number of cultivated plots were less likely to stop using CA. In turn, wealthy households and farmers in the drier areas were more likely to stop using CA. The finding that persistent adoption is more prevalent among the poor, supports claims that CA is a pro-poor technology. Lastly, we find a strong, negative and robust relationship between continued NGO support and abandonment of CA. This finding suggests that improved support institutions are necessary to ensure that farmers continue to use CA as a productivity-boosting and sustainable farming method.

Suggested Citation

  • Tarisayi Pedzisa & Lovemore Rugube & Alex Winter-Nelson & Kathy Baylis & Kizito Mazvimavi, 2015. "Abandonment of Conservation Agriculture by Smallholder Farmers in Zimbabwe," Journal of Sustainable Development, Canadian Center of Science and Education, vol. 8(1), pages 1-69, January.
    • Handle: RePEc:ibn:jsd123:v:8:y:2015:i:1:p:69
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    References listed on IDEAS

    as
    1. Mazvimavi, Kizito & Twomlow, Steve, 2009. "Socioeconomic and institutional factors influencing adoption of conservation farming by vulnerable households in Zimbabwe," Agricultural Systems, Elsevier, vol. 101(1-2), pages 20-29, June.
    2. Marenya, Paswel P. & Barrett, Christopher B., 2007. "Household-level determinants of adoption of improved natural resources management practices among smallholder farmers in western Kenya," Food Policy, Elsevier, vol. 32(4), pages 515-536, August.
    3. Neill, Sean P & Lee, David R, 2001. "Explaining the Adoption and Disadoption of Sustainable Agriculture: The Case of Cover Crops in Northern Honduras," Economic Development and Cultural Change, University of Chicago Press, vol. 49(4), pages 793-820, July.
    4. Bekele, Wagayehu & Drake, Lars, 2003. "Soil and water conservation decision behavior of subsistence farmers in the Eastern Highlands of Ethiopia: a case study of the Hunde-Lafto area," Ecological Economics, Elsevier, vol. 46(3), pages 437-451, October.
    5. Barham, Bradford L. & Jackson-Smith, Douglas & Moon, Sunung, 2002. "The Dynamics Of Agricultural Biotechnology Adoption: Lessons From Rbst Use In Wisconsin, 1994-2001," 2002 Annual meeting, July 28-31, Long Beach, CA 19627, American Agricultural Economics Association (New Name 2008: Agricultural and Applied Economics Association).
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    JEL classification:

    • R00 - Urban, Rural, Regional, Real Estate, and Transportation Economics - - General - - - General
    • Z0 - Other Special Topics - - General

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