Abstract

Orange-fleshed sweet potato is an important source of macro-and micronutrients for humans, particularly in resource-poor rural communities. However, sweet potato cultivation removes large amounts of nutrients from the soil. Hence, soil fertility replenishment is vital to secure long-term food production. The lack of access to fertilizers hinders the ability of farmers to supply and replenish soil nutrients, intensifying food insecurity. This study aimed at identifying locally available organic residues and agricultural practices with potential application in soil fertility management to prevent soil degradation in southern Mozambique. We conducted a survey to gather information on the farmers’ demographics and farming systems of 107 orange-fleshed sweet potato farmers. Results show that more than 70% of farmers use agroecological practices such as intercropping and crop rotation, and more than 90% indicated having residual crop biomass after harvest. Most cultivated crops, such as lettuce, beans, etc., are harvested in July-August, before the start of orange-fleshed sweet potato cultivation. Thus, there is potential for the application of crop residues as an organic amendment for orange-fleshed sweet potato cultivation. Nevertheless, farmers need support to adopt soil fertility management based on locally accessible resources, therefore ensuring extension services focused on the long-term benefits of sustainable practices are vital. Key words: Crop residue, organic agriculture, smallholder, survey.

Highlights

  • Older respondents were more likely to be the head of the household and the Orange-Fleshed Sweet Potato (OFSP) cultivator, while younger respondents conserve their exclusive role in the household (Figure 2)

  • The survey results suggest that farmers do not use crop residue for animal feed but recognize them as potential fertilizer in their cash crop systems, that is, 82% indicated to use crop residue as fertilizer on cash crops, yet, no soil fertility management is performed in OFSP systems

  • The surveyed farms are located in a region with natural moderate soil fertility, OFSP yield is not heavily constrained by the lack of soil nutrients and OFSP is not a cash crop; the application of crop residue on OFSP is not considered by farmers

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Summary

Introduction

Orange-fleshed sweet potato can be an important staple crop improving the diet quality of many Mozambican families (Low et al, 2007, 2017). Orange-Fleshed Sweet Potato (OFSP) cultivated without nutrient replenishment would greatly exacerbate soil degradation placing the long-term success of this food-based strategy in peril. OFSP introduction should promote soil fertility management to ensure nutrient replenishment and secure adequate supply for sustainable food production.

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