Determinants of smallholder farmers’ livelihood trajectories. Evidence from rural Malawi

Matita, Mirriam; Chirwa, Ephraim; Kaiyatsa, Stevier; Mazalale, Jacob; Chimombo, Masautso; Mgalamadzi, Loveness; Chinsinga, Blessings

doi:10.1080/03031853.2022.2107030

Cited by 7 publications

(5 citation statements)

References 39 publications

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“…In using these resources, a household may adopt different strategies to meet its aspirations. In this, livelihood trajectories are seen as the consequences of the changing ways in which individuals construct a livelihood over time (Matita et al, 2021). Smallholder farming households engage in agricultural intensification to develop a path that changes their livelihood outcomes.…”

Section: Sustainable Livelihood Frameworkmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…Invariably, the realisation of outcomes depends on the interplay of the livelihood resources and institutional and organisational factors that determine the access, use and control of the livelihood resources. This gives rise to livelihood strategies (i.e., agricultural intensification and livelihood diversification) and thus further catalyses sustainable livelihood outcomes (i.e., poverty reduction) (Matita et al, 2021; Scoones, 1998). Figure 1 depicts a smallholder livelihood framework.…”

Section: Sustainable Livelihood Frameworkmentioning

confidence: 99%

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Smallholder cashew production and household livelihoods in the transition zone of Ghana

Yeboah

Guba

Derbile

2023

Geography and Environment

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For several years, agriculture has been the main sector, employing the majority of the populace in most developing countries, especially in sub-Saharan Africa (SSA) (Alliance for a Green Revolution in Africa [AGRA], 2018). With the sector's role in poverty alleviation, it has contributed significantly to the socioeconomic and livelihood development of both male and female crop farmers in most rural communities in Ghana (Wrigley-Asante et al., 2017), albeit based on smallholding farms (Dzanku et al., 2021). Smallholder farmers in SSA largely depend on rainfall for food crop production for the sustenance of livelihood (Wrigley-Asante et al., 2017). Notwithstanding, global changes in climatic

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Section: Sustainable Livelihood Frameworkmentioning

confidence: 99%

Section: Sustainable Livelihood Frameworkmentioning

confidence: 99%

Smallholder cashew production and household livelihoods in the transition zone of Ghana

Yeboah

Guba

Derbile

2023

Geography and Environment

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“…Diversification or 'stepping out' of agriculture altogether is one pathway that farmers may choose as their opportunities for alternative livelihoods increase, or indeed the only choice for those most marginalised and landless may be to 'drop out' of farming and become fully dependent on non-farm income (Matita et al 2021).…”

Section: How Underlying Materials Circumstances Affect Unequal Food A...mentioning

confidence: 99%

Food Security and Nutrition Inequities in the Context of Agricultural Commercialisation in Sub-Saharan Africa: A Narrative Literature Review

Gordon¹

2022

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Many sub-Saharan African countries are choosing to prioritise market-oriented agricultural production as a central component of their agricultural and economic development strategies. An increasing focus on inequity in international development research has in part been driven by the observation of persistent and worsening marginalisation of particular groups. In some cases this has been linked to agricultural commercialisation processes (i.e. farmers becoming increasingly market-oriented) and unequal food security and nutrition outcomes in sub-Saharan Africa. This narrative literature review addresses the question: what are the different forms and processes of inequity seen to influence unequal food security and nutrition outcomes in the context of agricultural commercialisation in sub-Saharan Africa? The review findings point to a rich and diverse set of literature exploring various dimensions of inequity in relation to agricultural commercialisation, food security and nutrition in sub-Saharan Africa. To facilitate exploration of these dimensions, and drawing on other recent equity literature framings, inequities are conceptualised and examined at three intersecting levels: (1) unequal food security and nutrition outcomes based on social position, (2) underlying material circumstances, and (3) basic structural causes. The review provides a first step to advancing theoretical understandings around these three intersecting areas and suggests further research is needed to explore and define inequities and further develop the conceptual framework. This is considered a critical priority to mitigate against and reverse existing food security and nutrition inequities that might in part be attributed to agricultural commercialisation processes.

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“…A sample of 470 households interviewed in September/October 2018 was used in the analysis. The households were drawn and tracked based on an original random sample interviewed in 2007 as part of the evaluation of the Agricultural Input Supply Programme in Malawi (SOAS et al, 2008;Matita et al, 2021). The dataset used in this study constitutes 42% of the original households and 58% branching out households composed of household members that were found to lead independent lives at the time of the survey.…”

Section: Drivers Of Agricultural Technology Adoption and Links To Mar...mentioning

confidence: 99%

Use of climate-smart agriculture practices and smallholder farmer market participation in Central Malawi

Matita¹,

Ephraim²,

David³

et al. 2022

J. Agric. Ext. Rural Dev

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In the past few decades, climate-smart agriculture (CSA) has been promoted to improve food security and raise incomes as a strategy for sustainable agricultural development. The adoption rates among smallholder farmers, particularly in Africa, remain low and have varied in different contexts. This study investigated the market participation spillover effects from the adoption of CSA practices in central Malawi using the control function approach to address any endogeneity in the relationship. The hypothesis that the extent of the use of CSA practices in the past 10 years can lead to production surpluses that enable smallholder farmers to participate in markets and thereby increase in agricultural incomes was tested. Using survey data from 470 households in two districts of rural Malawi, a clear positive association between the number of CSA practices used and the extent of market participation was found. The findings suggest, among others, the need to intensify efforts to promote CSA adoption specifically over a longer period for benefits of the technologies to materialise. The adoption of CSA practices over time enhances crop market participation, an important aspect required for production sustainability as well as for transforming agriculture towards greater market orientation among smallholder farmers.

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Determinants of smallholder farmers’ livelihood trajectories. Evidence from rural Malawi

Cited by 7 publications

References 39 publications

Smallholder cashew production and household livelihoods in the transition zone of Ghana

Smallholder cashew production and household livelihoods in the transition zone of Ghana

Food Security and Nutrition Inequities in the Context of Agricultural Commercialisation in Sub-Saharan Africa: A Narrative Literature Review

Use of climate-smart agriculture practices and smallholder farmer market participation in Central Malawi

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