Abstract:
The widespread fragmented adoption of improved soil fertility
management options among smallholder farmers can partly be
attributed to poor diffusion of acquired knowledge. Using
participatory action research approaches, a study was conducted
in eastern Zimbabwe to evaluate potential benefits accrued by
different farmer resource groups participating in integrated soil
fertility management (ISFM) co-learning processes. Preliminary
results indicate that farmers participating in collective action
realized improved grain yields and had ease of access to grain
and fertilizer markets than their non-participating counterparts.
These findings suggest that farmers may stand to benefit from
cumulative economic gains by participating in joint action.
L’adoption généralisée fragmentée des options améliorées de
la gestion de la fertilité des sols parmi les petits agriculteurs
peuvent en partie être attribuée à une mauvaise diffusion des
connaissances acquises. L’utilisation des approches de
recherche-action, une étude a été menée dans l’est du
Zimbabwe pour évaluer les avantages potentiels courus par les
différents groupes de ressources des agriculteurs participant à
la gestion intégrée de la fertilité des sols (GIFS) co-processus
d’apprentissage. Les résultats préliminaires indiquent que les
agriculteurs participant à l’action collective ont réalisé les
rendements en grains améliorés et avaient la facilité d’accès
aux marchés des céréales et d’engrais que leurs homologues
non participants. Ces résultats suggèrent que les agriculteurs peuvent tout à gagner en cumulant des gains économiques en
participant à une action commune.
Language:
English
Date of publication:
2010
Country:
Region Focus:
Southern Africa
University/affiliation:
Collection:
RUFORUM Conferences and Workshops
Agris Subject Categories:
Agrovoc terms:
Additional keywords:
Licence conditions:
Open Access
Access restriction:
Form:
Printed resource
Publisher:
ISSN:
E_ISSN:
Edition:
Extent:
1397-1400
Notes:
"The 2010 RUFORUM Biennial Conference was the second in the series. The main objective of the Biennial conferences is to provide a platform for agricultural research for development stakeholders in Africa and beyond to actively exchange findings and experiences, while at the same time learning lessons towards improving performance of the agricultural sector and ultimately people’s livelihoods. The biennial conference is RUFORUM’s most comprehensive meeting for the diversity of stakeholers in agriculture. It is especially dedicated to graduate students and their supervisors, grantees in RUFORUM member universities and alumni. It is a platform for peer review, quality control, mentorship, networking and shared learning. This record contains an extended abstract accepted under the theme soil science and water management".
