Extending Conservation to Farmlands in Zambia: Prescribed Practices and Reality

Abstract

This article examines the extension of environmental conservation measures to agricultural landscapes in a developing country context. It is concerned with how, conservation agriculture, as an agri-environmental measure aimed at improving farmers' productivity while enhancing ecosystem services on farmland, is framed, translated into practice, adopted by smallholder farmers and how its practices fit with the livelihood realities of the farming households. Further, the paper is concerned with local level factors that limit the application of such measures in agricultural landscapes in Zambia. The data on which this paper is based was collected through a questionnaire survey, interviews, focus group discussions and farm site visits in Chongwe District of Central Zambia. The results of the study show that conservation agriculture in Zambia is framed in such a way that it is limited to a set of practices prescribed by some of the leading organisations involved in its deployment and ignores some local practices with potential to contribute to its objectives. Moreover, some of the prescribed conservation agricultural measures are not in harmony with the organisation of local livelihoods, negatively impact on household human capital (i.e. family labour demand), and ignore the bio-physical conditions of the areas where they are being promoted.

An Evaluation of an Innovative In-Service Teacher Training Model in Turkey

“…FGD is a conversation technique that a researcher moderates a discussion with a group of purposely selected individuals who share similar backgrounds to reveal their personal experiences, beliefs, and attitudes (Hayward, Simpson, & Wood, 2004;Nyumba, Wilson, Derrick & Mukherje, 2018). Furthermore, FGD allows researchers to understand collective views and experiences as well as the meanings behind those views and experiences (Asmamaw, Mohammed, & Lulseged, 2011;Mfune, 2013).…”

The use of focus group discussion methodology: Insights from two decades of application in conservation

“…The most compelling reason for using focus group discussion is the need to generate discussion or debate about a research topic that requires collective views and the meanings that lie behind those views (including their experiences and beliefs) (e.g. Asmamaw, Mohammed, & Lulseged, ; Buijs, Fischer, Rink, & Young, ; Harisha & Padmavathy, ; Mfune, ; Wibeck, ). In addition, researchers may use focus group discussion to explore a topic, obtain information or narratives for use in the later stages of the research, for example testing narratives (Zander, Stolz, & Hamm, ) and developing questionnaires (Kelboro & Stellmacher, ).…”

How Can Multifunctional Agriculture Support a Transition to a Green Economy in Africa? Lessons from the COMACO Model in Zambia

“…Although the Luangwa Valley area is an ecosystem of outstanding biodiversity, it is also home to among the poorest people in the country. According to Seshaman [27], Chama, the study district, was in 2000 among the poorest 16 (16) in Zambia with incidences of poverty averaging 74.5%. At that time, the county had 72 districts.…”

“…Thus, we envision here, that if a rural green economy is ever to be a reality, agricultural production, and biodiversity conservation need not be considered as incompatible goals. Many studies dealing with agri-environmental management now prove that agriculture spaces can be important arenas of biodiversity conservation and ecosystem services management [14,16]. These studies render support for shift in conservation, to go beyond protected areas to encompass various types of socio-ecological systems, including agricultural environments, where lands can be used for multiple purposes (see also [20,36].…”

“…The concept of multifunctional agriculture, in this regard, highlights the fact that agriculture can play a significant role in delivering a range of socio-economic and environmental dividends beyond its productive functions [15]. In other words, this is a type of agriculture that embraces various other functions besides food production [8,11,16,17]. As a concept, the term multifunctional agriculture was first used at the Earth Summit in Rio de Janeiro (1992) [18] and further developed by the IAASTD [19] who have been highly instrumental in promoting its principles and practices.…”