Sustainable Land Management Adoption Research Articles

Sustainable land management and implications on incomes, food self-sufficiency and women

The adoption of Sustainable Land Management (SLM) practices among smallholder farmers remains low, particularly among women farmers. Understanding the relationship between assets, gender, and SLM adoption and how their interaction impinges on household food self-sufficiency and livelihoods is essential for developing gender-responsive SLM programmes that effectively promote sustainable livelihoods and address household food insecurity. This study examines the effects of asset type on SLM practices adoption, women farmers, and their implications on household incomes and food self-sufficiency. Data was collected through a cross-sectional survey of 761 households selected from 11 chiefdoms across six districts in Eastern Zambia. Analysis involved Structural Equation System framework and Propensity Score Matching techniques to examine relationships between SLM adoption, food self-sufficiency, and household incomes, considering various socio-economic factors. Results showed marital status and household size as significant demographics, with education positively correlating with household income and SLM participation (p < 0.05). Gender disparities persisted, with male-headed households having higher incomes. Labour allocation analysis revealed women’s involvement in labour-intensive tasks, while smaller farms showed higher income probabilities, supporting sustainable agricultural intensification. Social capital significantly influenced SLM participation, and access to financial capital. Livestock assets, land size, and crop diversity predicted food security, while male decision-making influenced food security and income. Incomes were higher for women participating in SLM projects. This study underscores the importance of SLM practices in influencing household incomes and food security, especially for women. Addressing gender disparities and promoting women’s empowerment in agriculture are crucial for achieving equitable and sustainable rural development. Policymakers can foster sustainable livelihoods in rural communities by prioritizing SLM and empowering women.

Sustainable land management in Mali

This study uses logistic and Poisson regression models to examine the factors influencing the adoption of sustainable land management (SLM) practices in Mali using two rounds of the nationally representative survey Enquête Agricole de Conjoncture Intégrée aux Conditions de Vie des Ménages. The SLMs considered include the application of organic fertilizers, the application of inorganic fertilizers, the use of improved seeds, and the practice of intercropping. On average the application of organic fertilizers (39.2%), and inorganic fertilizers (28.7%) are the most frequent SLM practices among Malian farmers, and between 2014 and 2017, we observe a decline in the practice of intercropping. The regression results show that farmers’ adoption of different SLMs is significantly associated with biophysical factors (average temperature, climate type, plot size, plot shape, and location), demographic factors (age, gender, education, household size), and socioeconomic factors (number of cultivated plots, livelihood diversification, type of crop grown, market access, credit access, economic shocks, and social capital). Our findings suggest that policymakers and agricultural development agencies in Mali need to adopt a multidimensional policy framework to unlock the untapped potential of SLM practices in promoting sustainable agriculture and food security.

Review And Synthesis of Sustainable Land Management on Small Family Farms in Developing Countries

Despite efforts to restore land and fight food insecurity, sustainable land management (SLM) technologies are not yet widely adopted in developing countries. This article reviews and synthesizes studies that have been conducted in developing countries over the last few decades. A total of 145 documents were used in this synthesis. A key finding of this paper is the identification of a theoretical gap that provides information for future studies on SLM practices.Another one is that, studies focusing on adoption in this synthesis have not considered awareness of technology as a key part of the adoption process. Most econometric studies focus on econometric regression and consider SLM adoption as a dichotomous choice. The use of mathematical models such as existing dynamic Discrete Stochastic Programming (DSP) models could provide more robust results to overcome this limitation observed in statistical regression results. Additionally, it would be interesting to analyze smallholder farmers’ preferences for SLM practices because very little is currently known about their preferences.

SUSTAINABLE LAND MANAGEMENT IN CORN FARMLAND, SOUTHEAST KAZAKHSTAN: REPORT FROM KAZAKHSTAN AND CHINA BORDER

The agriculture in semi-arid lands of Kazakhstan on the example of the Kazakh-Chinese border has been transforming since the 2010s. This study examines corn farming practices and related state policies in Kazakhstan and makes policy recommendations for future sustainable land management (SLM) implementation. Through interviews with key informants and a review of policy documents, this paper identifies the following: 1) the study site has three farming issues depending on the geography; 2) farmers have positive agricultural practices for SLM adoption, such as crop rotation and manure usage; and 3) the agricultural enterprises established by the Agricultural Investment Policy have influenced the expansion of corn cultivation since the 2010s. These findings suggest it is possible to sustainably improve agricultural production in the study area, which is affected by infrastructure development between China and Kazakhstan, through the introduction of appropriate technology for each elevation and the development of sustainable agricultural land through cooperation with local companies.

Factors Affecting Farmers’ Adoption of Sustainable Land Management Practices in Vietnam

This study aimed to identify the factors affecting farmers’ adoption of sustainable land management (SLM) practices to combat land degradation in Vietnam. Based on the survey data from 826 farmers in three representative regions, the study showed that the SLM model and SLM adoption rate were quite varied due to differences of natural and socio-economic conditions. The results of logistic regression showed that household income and access to loans had positive impacts on SLM adoption with statistical significance in all the regions surveyed. More extension visits in the upland and coastal regions, and more agricultural laborers in farm households in the coastal and Mekong delta regions were found to increase the probability of SLM adoption. Meanwhile, the number of plots and number of members in households were found to have negative impacts on adoption. Providing training courses for farmers, building SLM demonstrations, and providing financial support for farmers through credit programs should be enhanced for better SLM adoption in farm households.

Production efficiency and effect of sustainable land management practices on the yield of oranges in northwest Vietnam

ABSTRACT Land management is vital for agricultural production and ecosystem service maintenance to mitigate the effects of climate change. This is particularly important in regions with higher proportions of sloping land, where degradation is more prevalent. The mountainous northwest of Vietnam provides a salient example of an area with sloping and highly degraded soils. This article employed data envelopment analysis to investigate the effect of sustainable land management practices on efficiency and yield in the cultivation of oranges. Determinants of production efficiency and the interaction between efficiency and yield were also analyzed. Results indicate that 130 out of the studied 174 groves are not operating at optimal efficiency levels and that most producers would benefit by increasing their scale of production. Furthermore, the adoption of sustainable land management was found to improve production efficiency and yield both positively and significantly. Finally, the production efficiency of orange groves is positively affected by the ethnicity of the head of the farming household, access to extension services, and the degree of sustainable land management adoption. Farming households headed by members with higher levels of education and more farming experience were also found to significantly contribute to scale efficiency.

FARMERS’ PERCEPTION ON SOIL EROSION, ITS CAUSES AND ADOPTION OF ITS MITIGATION MEASURES IN TWO GEWOGS OF EASTERN BHUTAN

This study was conducted in two gewogs (blocks) of Jarey and Thangrong under Lhuentse and Mongar districts in Eastern Bhutan to assess the farmer’s perception on the soil erosion, its causes, and adoption of Sustainable Land Management (SLM) practices. A total of 47 and 90 respondents from Jarey and Thangrong respectively who participated in the implementation of SLM measures were interviewed. Field observations were made where necessary. Data was analyzed using descriptive and chi-square test at significance level of p<0.05 and presented in tabular or graphical representations. The study revealed that farmers have a good knowledge on identifying the indicators, causes, severity of soil erosion including positive impact from implementation of SLM measures. A significantly high proportion of farmers in Jarey (97.87%) and Thangrong (92.22%) perceived washing down of soil during rainy season as main indicator of soil erosion. Similarly, significant proportion of the respondents (95.74% and 93.33%) from two gewogs indicated heavy rain as main cause of soil erosion besides cultivation on the steep slope (91.49% and 90%). Further, 76% and 56% of the respondents in Jarey and Thangrong respectively perceived high soil erosion, whereas only 15.89% and 15.56% have witnessed low rate of soil erosion. Significantly higher proportion of respondents in Jarey (85.11%) and Thangrong (90%) observed reduced soil erosion after implementing the SLM measures. About 29.79% of farmers in Jarey faced labor shortage while 38.89% of farmers in Thangrong perceived no immediate benefit from SLM measures. High proportion of farmers in Jarey (96.25%) indicated the need of financial support from government and 95.64% of respondents in Thangrong expressed the financial and short-term interventions (seed and seedlings) assistance for scaling out SLM in future. This study recommends community consultation through participatory approach to raise awareness and design appropriate SLM interventions based on local context and also taking into account incentive package to address short term livelihood needs of the farmers, which otherwise is difficult to achieve due to long gestation period of SLM interventions.

Watershed-based soil erosion and sediment yield modeling in the Rib watershed of the Upper Blue Nile Basin, Ethiopia

Soil erosion is a major environmental problem that degrades topsoil and agricultural land productivity in mountainous areas such as Ethiopia. Soil erosion estimation is critical for the planning of erosion control plans in an agriculture-dependent economy. The current study used the Revised Universal Soil Loss Equation (RUSLE) model to evaluate the spatial distribution of annual soil loss and sediment yield in the Rib watershed. The main factors affecting soil erosion and sediment yield include vegetation cover, topography, soil, and climate. Soil erosion and sediment yield maps should be produced with these elements in account to describe locations with high soil erosion and sediment yield risks and to ensure improved erosion mitigation strategies in watersheds. The five input parameters were rainfall erosivity (R), soil erodibility (K), slope length-steepness (LS), cover-management factor (C), and support practice (P). The RUSLE model, when combined with remote sensing technology, has the ability to provide accurate and low-cost erosion and sediment yield risk maps in the Rib watershed. The estimated average annual soil loss was 25.53 t ha−1 yr−1. The soil loss rate was higher in the steeper and topographically dissected part of the watershed. Sediment delivery ratio ranges between 0 and 0.82. The outcome undoubtedly aids in the identification of priority locations for the adoption of sustainable land management and soil erosion mitigation conservation strategies.

Building Climate Change Adaptation and Resilience through Soil Organic Carbon Restoration in Sub-Saharan Rural Communities: Challenges and Opportunities

Soil organic carbon (SOC) is widely recognised as pivotal in soil function, exerting important controls on soil structure, moisture retention, nutrient cycling and biodiversity, which in turn underpins a range of provisioning, supporting and regulatory ecosystem services. SOC stocks in sub-Saharan Africa (SSA) are threatened by changes in land practice and climatic factors, which destabilises the soil system and resilience to continued climate change. Here, we provide a review of the role of SOC in overall soil health and the challenges and opportunities associated with maintaining and building SOC stocks in SSA. As an exemplar national case, we focus on Tanzania where we provide context under research for the “Jali Ardhi” (Care for the Land) Project. The review details (i) the role of SOC in soil systems; (ii) sustainable land management (SLM) techniques for maintaining and building SOC; (iii) barriers (environmental, economic and social) to SLM implementation; and (iv) opportunities for overcoming barriers to SLM adoption. We provide evidence for the importance of site-specific characterisation of the biophysicochemical and socio-economic context for effective climate adaptation. In particular, we highlight the importance of SOC pools for soil function and the need for practitioners to consider the type of biomass returns to the soil to achieve healthy, balanced systems. In line with the need for local-scale site characterisation we discuss the use of established survey protocols alongside opportunities to complement these with recent technologies, such as rapid in situ scanning tools and aerial surveys. We discuss how these tools can be used to improve soil health assessments and develop critical understanding of landscape connectivity and the management of shared resources under co-design strategies.

Adoption of multiple sustainable land management practices among irrigator rural farm households of Ethiopia

AbstractUsing a household and plot‐level survey conducted in Ethiopia, this study analyses the difference in farmers' adoption of sustainable land management (SLM) practices between their rainfed and irrigated plots. The paper also investigates the varying influence of different types of irrigation water management systems and associated irrigation technologies on the adoption of SLM practices in irrigated plots. After controlling for heterogeneity among different irrigation water management systems and technologies, we found that access to irrigation play major role in enhancing farmers' motivation to adopt more SLM practices. Furthermore, the combined effect of irrigation water management system and irrigation technology on type and number of SLM practices adopted is quite varied and very significant. The evidence highlights that farmers adopt more SLM practices in their plots with pump irrigation compared with those plots where gravity irrigation is applied because pump irrigation systems enhance complementarities with SLM practices. Finally, the findings underscore that the type of irrigation water management and the irrigation technology applied play an important role in restoring degraded lands and maintaining soil fertility, even when farmers' adoption of irrigation was not explicitly triggered by concerns for soil health.

Ex-ante adaptation strategies for climate challenges in sub-Saharan Africa: Macro and micro perspectives

Farmers in sub-Saharan Africa are facing serious consequences from climate change, which pose obstacles to meeting UN Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) such as zero hunger, ending poverty, ensuring healthy lives, and promoting wellbeing. In light of these growing challenges, we used data collected in 2018 from farm households in Ethiopia, Kenya, Tanzania, Malawi, and Mozambique to investigate the climate threats encountered by farmers and the ex-ante climate risk adaptation strategies they adopted. Drought, floods, hailstorms, and crop pests and diseases were the most common climate threats in these countries. Unlike previous studies, we also assessed the adaptive capacity at the macro level by using secondary data. We reviewed the factors that affect the adaptive capacity of each nation to address climate risks. At the micro-level, we assessed the factors influencing the choice of ex-ante adaptation measures by using primary data collected from 4351 farm households. Micro-level data also include the variables that indicate the adaptive capacity of farm households, such as asset ownership, demographic characteristics, and participation in local institutions. Results showed five major ex-ante climate risk adaptation strategies – change in farming practice, sustainable land management, seek alternative livelihood, saving, and other unspecified strategies – are prevalent in the region. We used a multivariate probit model to investigate the factors explaining the choice of ex-ante climate risk adaptation strategy. Results showed that female-headed households and households with married heads were more likely than male-headed households to change farming practices to adapt to climate risk. Surprisingly, land ownership was found to be insignificant in all cases. Relatively rich families tended to apply either change in farming practice or saving as a measure to adapt to climate risks. Training on climate-smart agriculture was found to enhance the adoption of sustainable land management as adaptation strategies by farm households. Our findings exhibit substantial differences within and among countries regarding the adoption of ex-ante climate adaptation strategies by farm households. In comparison to farmers in Mozambique's northern region, farmers in all other locations were more likely to apply agricultural measures such as change in farming practice and sustainable land management, while they were more likely to apply non-agricultural measures to adapt to risk. Macro-level indicators show that national adaptive capacity is substantially low in all countries, but considerably varies across them.

Droughts and floods in Malawi: impacts on crop production and the performance of sustainable land management practices under weather extremes

AbstractClimate change is predicted to increase the frequency of extreme weather events, increasing the vulnerability of smallholder farmers dependent on rain-fed agriculture. We evaluate the extent to which farmers in Malawi suffer crop production losses due to extreme weather, and whether sustainable land management (SLM) practices help shield crop production losses from extreme events. We use a three period panel dataset where widespread floods and droughts occurred in separate periods, offering a unique opportunity to evaluate impacts using data collected immediately following these events. Results show that crop production outcomes were severely hit by both floods and droughts, with average losses ranging between 32–48 per cent. Legume intercropping provided protection against both floods and droughts, while green belts provided protection against floods. However, we find limited evidence that SLM adoption decisions are driven by exposure to weather shocks; rather, farmers with more productive assets are more likely to adopt.

Dynamics of Approaches to Disseminate Measures for Sustainable Land Management and Adaptation to Climate Change within Agricultural Holdings in the Zou Department

The restoration and preservation of terrestrial ecosystems are important challenges for human beings and are subject of many initiatives and intervention approaches. The present paper focuses on the dissemination approaches of sustainable land management and climate change adaptation (SLM/ CCA) measures implemented under the Soil Protection and Rehabilitation for Food Security Project. The influence of changes in these dissemination approaches on the adoption of SLM/ CCA by farmers in the department of Zou were analyzed. A survey was conducted on 150 farmers who are adopters and non-adopters of the targeted measures. These farmers were randomly selected in nine villages in the department of Zou. Interviews were carried out with the team of the project. As methodological approach, 150 farmers were randomly sampled in nine villages of the department of Zou. In addition, interviews were carried out with the project team. Data analysis was performed using descriptive statistics, as well as Chi-square and Pearson's correlation tests. The results showed that the dynamics noted in the dissemination approaches influence the adoption of sustainable land management and climate change adaptation measures, depending on the main activity and the farm total area of the farmers. In addition, adopters of SLM/CCA measures are more affected by the "SOL-Mobil" (98.0%) and "ProSOL Technician" (85.1%) approaches. They are less affected by the “Relay producer” (41.8%) and “Radio broadcast” (4.4%) approaches. Non-adopters are affected by the “ProSOL Technician” (63%) and “Relay Producer” (33.3%) approaches. However, they are less aware of the “Radio broadcast” approach (33.3%) and not affected by the “SOL-Mobil” approach. It is therefore important to take into account the diversity of farmers when implementing these approaches.

The Effect of Participation in Farmer Groups on Household Adoption of Sustainable Land Management Practices in Kenyan Drylands

Land degradation is a major cause of declining yields and loss of dryland ecosystems resilience in the Lake Baringo Basin in Kenya. One of the solutions to land degradation in drylands is the application of Sustainable Land Management (SLM) technologies. Improving farmers’ capacity to adopt SLM technologies has been an important strategy of the Kenyan government and her development partners to addressing land degradation. State agricultural extension services are charged with the role of building this capacity. Unfortunately, such extension services have had little impact in the Kenyan drylands. To counter this inadequacy in extension services, farmers have formed grass-root organisations to foster networks of support and information sharing. In this paper, we analysed the effect of participation in farmers organisation in promoting adoption of SLM practices by agropastoralists in the Lake Baringo Basin. Data were collected through in-depth household interviews with 150 farmers, 79 of them group members and 71 non-group members. Level of knowledge, sources of information and challenges of SLM adoption were studied. The study revealed significant and positive association between group participation and adoption of SLM practices at X2 (3, N=150=63.209, P=0.000). Additionally, group partnering with development agencies like Non-Governmental Organisations (NGOs) and government departments was reported to have significant influence on household adoption of SLM practices at X2 (3, N=79=13.147, P=0.004). The results indicated that farmer groups can effectively be used to leverage farmers' adoption of SLM innovations and potentially improve household income and food security in the Kenyan drylands. We recommended organizational and resource capacity building for farmer groups to promote their effectiveness in provision of resources and services to their members. In addition, government research and extension agencies and academia should consider forming collaborations with farmer groups in generation of SLM technologies that are suited to the farmers location and prevailing context.

Questioning the link between tenure security and sustainable land management in cocoa landscapes in Ghana

Abstract Sustainable land management (SLM) is increasingly recognized as viable pathway to accelerate poverty reduction and achieving sustainable development, particularly in the global South. Despite efforts to promote SLM practices, their adoption has been extremely limited with debates revolving around the role of land tenure in farmer’s decision-making. Drawing on a tripartite conception of tenure security, we distinguish between three categories of tenure security: 1) legal security; 2) contextual/defacto security, and 3) perceived tenure security to examine factors affecting smallholders’ investment in SLM in Ghana. The paper draws on 380 surveys covering 796 plots and a series of key informant interview to investigate how land tenure shapes farmers’ investment decisions regarding SLM adoption at the plot level. The findings of the study demonstrate that different types of SLM investments (including soil improvements, on-farm tree planting and conservation of naturally-occurring tree species) were undertaken by farmers, even those who perceived their tenure rights as insecure. However, the results demonstrate that different components of tenure security influence adoption of SLM practices in ways which are not consistent across the different components of tenure security or specific SLM practices. Furthermore, the relationship between tenure security and SLM investments is also mediated by other important non-tenurial factors (including access to credit, modernised agricultural inputs and targeted extension service support). The findings suggest that land tenure policies will deliver a range of outcomes (both positive and negative) pertaining to land conservation investments. This means thinking more deeply about priorities with respect to SLM interventions, particularly in emerging contexts like Ghana and SSA generally. Overall, these findings are important for redesigning context- specific and appropriate land-use policy interventions that address barriers to SLM adoption.

The determinants of sustainable land management adoption under risks in upland area of Vietnam

This study investigates how the determinants including risk preference affect farmers’ decision to adopt Sustainable Land Management (SLM) practices in upland areas of Vietnam. Empirical data was collected from 200 farmers in Bac Kan province through an interview using a structured questionnaire. The physical, institutional and other characteristics of SLM adopter group and non-adopter group were compared using ANOVA (Single Factor Test) and Chi-square test (for non-parametric variables). The SLM adopters likely to have less farming experience, larger farm size, more labor, and more SLM knowledge; better trained, member of farmers’ organization, and is less risk-averse than the SLM non-adopters. The factors affecting SLM adoption of farmers in Na Ri district were examined by the 2SLS-Probit model. The results indicated that there is a set of factors affecting SLM adoption. The relative risk aversion and farming experience of farmers have negative effects while farm size and knowledge of SLM have positive effects on SLM practices adoption. The study suggest that increase SLM practices adoption through better training, increasing the cultivated farm land, farm clustering, encouraging farmers to join farmers’ organization, introducing and subsidizing labor-saving technologies, making credit accessible, improving insurance market, and demonstration plots for SLM practices.

Exploring Drivers of Livelihood Diversification and Its Effect on Adoption of Sustainable Land Management Practices in the Upper Blue Nile Basin, Ethiopia

Land degradation poses a major threat to agricultural production and food security in Ethiopia, and sustainable land management (SLM) is key in dealing with its adverse impacts. This paper examines the covariates that shape rural livelihood diversification and examines their effects on the intensity of adoption of SLM practices. Household-level data were collected in 2017 from 270 households in three drought-prone watersheds located in northwestern Ethiopia. We used the Herfindahl–Simpson diversity index to explore the extent of livelihood diversification. A stochastic dominance ordering was also employed to identify remunerative livelihood activities. A multivariate probit model was employed to estimate the probability of choosing simultaneous livelihood strategies, and an ordered probit model was estimated to examine the effect of livelihood diversification on the adoption intensity of SLM practices. In addition to mixed cropping and livestock production, the production of emerging cash crops (e.g., Acacia decurrens for charcoal, and khat) dominated the overall income generation of the majority of farmers. Stress/shock experience, extent of agricultural intensification, and agro-ecology significantly affected the probability of choosing certain livelihood strategies. Livelihood diversification at the household level was significantly associated with the dependency ratio, market distance, credit access, extension services, membership in community organizations, level of income, and livestock ownership. A greater extent of livelihood diversification had a significant negative effect on adopting a greater number of SLM practices, whereas it had a positive effect on lower SLM adoption intensity. Overall, we found evidence that having greater livelihood diversification could prompt households not to adopt more SLM practices. Livelihood initiatives that focus on increasing shock resilience, access to financial support mechanisms, improving livestock production, and providing quality extension services, while also considering agro-ecological differences, are needed. In addition, development planners should take into account the livelihood portfolios of rural households when trying to implement SLM policies and programs.

Achieving land degradation neutrality: The role of SLM knowledge in evidence-based decision-making

WOCAT – The World Overview of Conservation Approaches and Technologies with its unique methodology and global Sustainable Land Management (SLM) database - can help promote scaling out of SLM and thus contribute to land degradation neutrality. This paper focuses primarily on three Land Degradation Neutrality (LDN) indicators: (i) land cover, (ii) land productivity and (iii) carbon stocks. It is demonstrated what can be achieved by analyzing SLM practices in the database and how these shed light on the LDN indicators. Different stages of interventions - from prevention (avoiding), to reduction (reducing), and restoration (reversing) of Land Degradation (LD) - are differentiated and analyzed. This highlights the fact that most efforts and achievements recorded by WOCAT focus on reducing and preventing LD: that stands in contrast to the current emphasis by many policy makers on the much more costly task of restoration. The use of the WOCAT-LADA (Land Degradation Assessment) mapping approach is illustrated, with a case study from Madagascar. Understanding and integrating mosaic pieces at the local level can help in comprehending impacts at the national and global levels as observed by remotely sensed imagery. Supporting land users with financial resources, an enabling legal framework and, in particular with knowledge and information about SLM practices is a logical and promising way forward to promoting adoption of SLM and, eventually, reaching LDN. With respect to creating an enabling environment for scaling out SLM and supporting land users, the analysis reveals that knowledge is the second greatest constraint after financial resources. This implies that further investment must be made in capacity building and sharing knowledge on impacts of SLM, costs-benefits and the spatial spread of SLM. Furthermore, this knowledge should be linked to a clear SLM mainstreaming and scaling out strategy, which will support countries to reach their LDN targets. A decision support framework was developed by the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO) and WOCAT which guides countries in LD and SLM assessments, and the use of the results for formulating and informing SLM mainstreaming and scaling out.

Sustainable land management practices, off-farm work participation and vulnerability among farmers in Ghana: Is there a nexus?

Addressing issues of agricultural sustainability and vulnerability to poverty under climate change are major challenges to development in the 21st century. Accounting for the trade-off and synergies between off-farm work participation and sustainable land management on one hand, and vulnerability to poverty on the other hand, will therefore be useful to policy. In this study, we use recent farm household data from Ghana to examine the effect of off-farm work participation on intensity of adoption of sustainable land management (SLM) practices and impact of off-farm work participation on vulnerability to poverty. We employed a bivariate Tobit model to examine the determinants of SLM adoption intensity, and endogenous switching probit model to assess the impact of off-farm work participation on vulnerability to poverty. The results reveal that participation in off-farm is positively and significantly associated with adoption intensity of bunds, and organic manure. The results also show that off-farm work participation significantly reduces household vulnerability to poverty by 13%. Based on these findings, we conclude that rural development through non-farm work opportunities can lead to positive synergies between sustainable agricultural production, off-farm employment and poverty alleviation.

Do Land Conservation Practices Have the Same Impact on Smallholder Maize Productivity? The Case of Bunda and Ileje Districts, Tanzania

This paper analyses the adoption of sustainable land management and conservation practices (SLMCPs) and their contribution to maize yield using cross-section data from two distinct agro-ecological zones: Bunda and Ileje districts, which represent Lake andSouthern highland zones with medium and high rainfall, respectively. It samples 15 villages from each district using both stratified and simple random sampling techniques, with a total of 482 households. Descriptive analysis shows that most commonly adoptedSLMCPs in all the districts were sustainable agronomic practices (SAPs), with an adoption rate of 91%. Other practices include soil water conservation and erosion control (SWCEC) (75%), and the use of organic (63%) and inorganic fertilizers (49%). The descriptive analysis and propensity score matching (PSM) results revealed that adopters of SLMCPs and their interactions (with the exception of SAPs), particularly intercropping, had higher yields than their counterparts (non-adopters). The yields varied across SLMCPs and areas. These results imply that the provision of right knowledge and promotion of the adoption of SLMPs and their interactions is pertinent in increasing productivity. However, such initiatives in a given area should be backed by local knowledge and research for effective adoption and sustainable productivity.