Tropentag, September 16 - 18, 2026, Göttingen "Towards multi-functional agro-ecosystems promoting climate-resilient futures"

How can we improve the adoption of sustainable agricultural practices in the developing countries: a perceived views of farmers in a community conservation area in northern mozambique

¹Universidade Lúrio, Faculty of Agricultural Sciences, Environment and Nature Conservation , Mozambique
²Universidade Lúrio, Faculty of Agricultural Sciences, Environment and Nature Conservation
³Instituto Superior de Desenvolvimento Rural e Biociências

Abstract

Successful project implementation to yields the desired results requires a context assessment, implying thus, understanding the needs of the target group; the points of divergency and complementarity; the strengths and opportunities to be leveraged and weaknesses and threats to be mitigated. For implementation of agroecological in the rural Protected Area (PA), this assessment requires, at least: i) outline the profile of the target group, including farmers; ii) knowledge on the current agriculture practices under implementation; iii) the main crops, and it destination (for consumption or sale); iv) the willingness of the local people in adopting some agroecological practices and, v) the incentives required to do so. This study provides those insights from the perspective of householder living inside Chipanje Chetu Community Conservation Area (CCCCA), a remote PA located in northern Mozambique, where shifting cultivation is the main threat to nature conservation and the livelihood of the local people. A survey was conducted with 270 heads of households living in five villages within CCCCA. Most of the heads of the householders (64%) had primary education (5a - 7a grads). Agriculture was perceived as the most important source of livelihood and income and essentially employs slash-and-burn cultivation method (94.1%). Nearly half of the households surveyed reported having heard or even receiving support on conservation agriculture practices. Although farmers have pointed out some disadvantages related to the adoption of conservation agriculture, such as costs with labour and delays in increasing yield. Most of them would be willing to adopt conservation agriculture practices, such intercropping 260 (96%); crop rotation 237 (87.8%); improved fallow 154 (57%); incorporation of organic matter into the soil 223 (83%); and use of botanical pesticides to combat pests and diseases 217 (80%). The required incentive for adoption includes money to buy necessary inputs 134 (50%), and in-kind incentives such as technical assistance 196 (73%), inputs 154 (57%); and training in agroecological practices 130 (48%). There is a high probability of successfully incorporating agroecological and conservation agriculture into CCCCA farming systems, if necessary, precautions are taken into consideration.

Keywords: Conservation Agriculture, Livelihoods means and Farming Practices

Contact Address: Aires Mbanze, Universidade Lúrio, Faculty of Agricultural Sciences, Environment and Nature Conservation , En 22 bairro nomba, 4050-179 Lichinga, Mozambique, e-mail: aires.banzegmail.com