Family Farming Systems Research Articles

Sustainability Indicators of Family Farming in a Rural Community in the Amazon Interior

Objective: The objective of this work was to measure sustainability indicators using the MESMIS methodology in the Colônia do Uraim community in Paragominas, state of Pará, aiming to show the sustainability level of this productive activity. Theoretical Framework: This section introduces the concept and foundations of the MESMIS Method (Marco para Evaluación de Sistemas de Manejo de Recursos Naturales Incorporando Indicadores de Sustentabilidad), which assesses the sustainability of agroecosystems through indicators. Additionally, it explores the concept of sustainable development and the importance of specific indicators to evaluate and strengthen sustainability in family farming systems in the Amazon. Method: The research adopts a case study approach in a community within the Amazon, focusing on nine family agroecosystems. The MESMIS method was used, applying questionnaires and direct observations to gather data from the producers. The analysis was based on identifying and measuring sustainability indicators in the environmental, economic, and social dimensions, which were scored on a scale from 1 to 5. Results and Discussion: The results show an intermediate effort in environmental conservation, primarily through reforestation, but reveal economic and social challenges, such as low diversification of activities and the need for technical support, underscoring the need for public policies adapted to the local context. Research Implications: The implications of this research encompass both the practice of monitoring sustainability in agroecosystems and the development of support policies for family farming. This study is particularly relevant for environmental conservation initiatives and local economic development, providing essential data to improve sustainable agricultural practices. Originality/Value: The study contributes to the sustainability literature by applying and adapting the MESMIS method to Amazonian family agroecosystems, highlighting local specificities. This innovative approach enables a critical assessment and offers recommendations that can influence policies and sustainable development strategies in the region.

Rooting Conditions for Production of Guarana Clonal Seedlings

The guaraná tree is a species known for the stimulating properties found in its seeds, leading to increased consumption and promising production. Cultivation is primarily carried out in family farming systems, and one of the challenges in the production process is the acquisition of seedlings. The conventional nursery system, which employs intermittent misting for the production of guaraná clones, raises the cost of seedlings, necessitating the exploration of alternatives to this approach. The aim of this study was to evaluate different conditions as alternatives to the conventional nursery system for rooting guaraná cuttings. The experimental design was entirely randomized, featuring three guaraná genotypes, BRS Maués, BRS CG 611, and BRS Luzeia, alongside two rooting conditions, the conventional nursery and a humid chamber with nebulization, with four repetitions. The rooting of guaraná clones was significantly influenced by the interaction between conditions and genotypes. The humid chamber with nebulization demonstrated superior root system characteristics among the tested conditions, with a rooting rate of 56.66% for BRS Luzeia. This method proved to be efficient and accessible for small producers, making it a satisfactory option for rooting guaraná trees.

Semi-natural agroecosystems. challenge of the functional redesign of biodiversity during the agroecological transition towards sustainable food

Various documents show that the design and management of agroecosystems, according to the principles of agroecology and the functions of biodiversity, facilitates the transition to sustainable food. Experiences in the participation of projects advised and facilitated in family farming systems allowed us to consider that humans, who for many years have been consumers of a few agricultural products, integrate agricultural fruits that have developed in semi-natural agroecosystems into their diet. This article discusses that sustainable food should integrate semi-natural foods, as a complement to the diet, due to their importance in digestion, nutrition and immunity to certain diseases.

Preventive, Curative, and Tolerance Practices: Family Farmers' Local Ecological Knowledge regarding Harmful Crop Arthropods in NW Patagonia

Family farming systems face the challenge of carrying out their activities alongside Harmful Arthropods (HA), which cause damage to edible, wild, and cultivated plants that are fundamental for farmers. This case study, with farmers from the Nahuel Huapi Family Farmers Free Fair (FFAFNH, Spanish acronym), shows some distinctive elements of Local Ecological Knowledge about HA (LEKHA). LEKHA investigated about seven HA among farmers regarding nomenclature, characterization, ecological aspects, cultivated species affected, ways of acquiring and transmitting knowledge, management practices, and HA's importance. Discussed how these aspects allow us to infer the hybrid character of LEKHA, which articulates traditional knowledge of peasant agriculture and Scientific Technical Knowledge (STK). A participatory workshop was carried out, which emerged as a request and demand from the members of the FFAFNH. Fifteen local names were registered, two of which were Mapuche. Most of the HA are recognized as harmful to more than one plant, and the majority (60%) have been with farmers for a long time. Regarding management, preventive practices predominated (57%) over curative practices (14%). We postulated a new HA management practice, "tolerance" (29%), which implies that HA coexist with people in their productive spaces and are deliberately allowed to follow their natural cycles. The predominant ways of acquiring and transmitting knowledge are idiosyncratic and oblique (35% each). The workshop was an instance of reinforcement and self-validation of LEKHA, where a dialogue of knowledge was established back and forth with the STK.

Current Perspectives on the Development of Food Packaging in Local Agri-Food Systems: an Integrative Review

Objective: This study aims to consolidate a theoretical framework on the development of food packaging within the context of family farming and local agri-food systems, focusing on a critical analysis of the existing literature. Theoretical Framework: The study addresses active and intelligent packaging, new bioactive materials, and biopolymers, focusing on food quality and safety. It also explores strategic design, environmental impact, food waste, emerging trends, consumer behavior, circular economy, and the role of packaging in territorial sustainability and local food entrepreneurship. Method: The methodology consisted of applied, exploratory, and descriptive research, using longitudinal and cross-sectional studies. An integrative review was conducted, initially including 755 articles indexed in databases such as "Periódicos CAPES", "Web of Science", "Scopus", and "Science Direct", of which 47 texts were selected based on the "PRISMA 2020" protocol. The analysis of the selected articles was supported by the "Parsifal" tool, generative artificial intelligence solutions "SciSpace-Copilot" and "ChatGPT-4", and the "VOSviewer" software for graphical-bibliometric analyses. Results and Discussion: The importance of technological innovations in packaging was identified, highlighting sustainable practices and the challenges to increase the competitiveness and sustainability of agri-food products. Research Implications: The study emphasizes the need for innovations in packaging design to enhance competitiveness, as well as the importance of interdisciplinary approaches that integrate technical, environmental, and consumer aspects. Originality/Value: It contributes to the literature by mapping technological innovations in packaging and their applications in local agri-food systems, providing insights into the integration between technology, sustainability, and food systems.

Organic fertilization as a sustainable alternative in the production of bean varieties in the brazilian semiarid region

This study aimed to evaluate the effect of organic fertilization and the use of rock powder in different varieties of cowpea in an agroecological family farming system in a semi-arid region of Brazil. The design was in randomized blocks 4 blocks x 4 treatments (T1 - witness; T2 - 4.0 t ha-1 rock powder; T3 - 10 t ha-1 bovine manure + organic matter; and T4 - 4 t ha-1 rock powder + 2.1 t ha-1 organic compound) x 3 varieties. At 65 days, plant height (PH), stem diameter (SD), number of leaves (NL), leaf area (LA), and crop yield were evalueted: number of pods (NP), number of pods per plant (NPP), total seed weight (TSW), grain production (GP) and shoot dry matter production (SDMA). The creole variety Sedinha obtained better results in the development and yield of the crop, the organic compost was the most efficient for all varieties, the addition of rock powder did not result in significant effects compared to other treatments. This study highlights the potential for producing Creole seeds, in addition to demonstrating that organic fertilization is an efficient alternative, and reduces the use of chemical fertilizers contributing to the sustainable use of natural resources.

Assessment of transitory crops in cocoa (Theobroma cacao L) agroforestry in Páez, Boyacá

Agroforestry systems incorporate several productive components per unit area to yield efficiency. However, considering the high degree of complexity inherent to interspecific plant-plant interactions, little is known about most of these systems' real productive potential and efficiency. In this context, it is important to analyze the interactions between the components to identify potential favorable associations. The objective of this research was to evaluate the performance of the transitory crops maize (Zea mays L) and cowpea (Vigna unguiculata L) in a family farming system under three agroforestry arrangements with cocoa in the municipality of Páez, Boyacá, Colombia. A split plot design was used, where the main plots corresponded to three shade forest species, which were associated with cocoa and the transient crops. The subplots corresponded to three planting systems: CS1cocoa+maize, CS2 coca+beans and CS3 cocoa+maize+beans. The effect on agronomic and productive traits of transitory crops (maize and beans) was evaluated, and an economic analysis was carried out. For beans, the effect of the cropping system on yield (t. ha-1) stood out, while for maize, the statistical effect was given by the forest x cropping system interaction in most of the variables evaluated. Considering the interspecific interactions found under the influence of different forests, the use of Colombian mahogany as a companion species in these intercropping systems is suggested. The cost analysis revealed that the maize-bean association is more efficient in the equivalent use of land. Therefore, the data obtained reveal more efficient strategies for sustainable cocoa productivity in Colombia.

Use of sugarcane crop residue silage with different levels of inclusion in dual-purpose cow diets

In the sugar cane production chain, different byproducts are generated that can be used in animal feed. Their conservation in the form of silage is an important contribution towards improving animal production in tropical regions. The objective was to evaluate the inclusion of different levels of silage from sugarcane crop residues in the diet of dairy cows in a family farming system. Nine lactating cows were used in a 3x3 Latin square design in triplicate and means were compared using the Tukey test. The treatment sequences were randomly assigned with periods of 14 days. Three treatments were formulated that included feed of mixed native grasses, supplemented with sugarcane top silage with different inclusion levels (2 kg/DM for T1, 4 kg/DM for T2 and 6 kg/DM for T3), along with commercial concentrate and corn silage. Milk production, its chemical composition, and the efficiency of feed utilization were evaluated. The average milk production, fat content and crude protein were, respectively, 9.38kg/cow/day, 32.6 and 340.0 g/cow/day. No differences were detected (P>0.05) for any of the variables evaluated, but the inclusion of 6 kg of sugarcane residues silage improved the animals' feed efficiency. Therefore, sugarcane top silage is a viable alternative for feeding ruminants.

Contribution of pollinators to production and reproduction of neglected and underutilized food species in family farming systems in Patagonia

ABSTRACT Many of the species used in family farming systems (FFS) in Patagonia belong to the group known as neglected and underutilized species (NUS), which promote biocultural diversity and contribute to food sovereignty. Due to the scarce attention paid to NUS by agronomic sciences, little is known about their biotic pollination, although it is a well-studied aspect for commercially important plants. We evaluate the contribution of animal pollination to NUS managed by Patagonian FFS. We present a literature review of the NUS used and aspects related to their pollination and floral visitors, for which 725 papers were reviewed. FFS use 426 NUS (414 angiosperms, 10 gymnosperms and 2 ferns). Most NUS (86.7%) depend to some extent on animal pollination, either for the production of fruits or seeds that are harvested for consumption (direct dependence, 35%) or for obtaining seeds (indirect dependence, 65%), which in many cases are necessary for reseeding. Gathering and cultivation are the most common management practices for these species. Hymenoptera and Diptera are the animals that contribute most to NUS biotic pollination. Our results show that animal pollination is a key contribution of nature to sustain cultural aspects and food sovereignty of FFS in Patagonia.

Diversity of vegetable landraces in the Pampa biome of Brazil and Uruguay: utilization and conservation strategies.

The historical meeting between originally American people, European colonizers, and slaved peoples from Africa in the biome Pampa in South Brazil and Uruguay involved a cultural syncretism and a great genetic diversity of landraces of cultivated species. Genetic richness evolved by selection and cultural processes in response to different environments, cultural backgrounds, and needs. This review summarized the knowledge on vegetable and maize landraces in South Brazilian and Uruguayan Pampa biome, to design a strategy towards the rediscovery, conservation, and sustainable use. Landraces diversity maintained in situ and ex situ is described, specific case studies are presented, and the main problems and tools towards landraces re-valorization are discussed. We show that traditional family farming systems maintain diverse vegetable species, mainly squashes (Cucurbita spp.), sweet potato (Ipomoea batatas), beans (Phaseolus spp.), onion (Allium cepa), peppers (Capsicum spp.), tomato (Solanum lycopersicum), next to leafy vegetables and maize, among others. We propose the priority of systematic surveys as a basis for monitoring genetic erosion, increasing complementariness between in situ and ex situ conservation, and implementing sustainable conservation and utilization. The case studies highlight genetic diversity within each cultivated species, with different crop physiological responses; disease resistances, different quality traits and associated uses, from animal feeding in maize to a range of culinary uses linked to traditional culture in maize and vegetable species, and ornamental uses of specific Capsicum and Cucurbita. Some landraces were the basis for breeding, where improved cultivars allowed the competitiveness of landrace germplasm in the markets. Renewed industrialized products allowed the competitive and sustainable use of Capsicum landraces in Brazilian farmers communities. Strategies towards in situ conservation improvements and valorization are discussed; emphasizing the role played by agroecology, community seed banks and custodian farmers, participatory plant breeding, promotion of landraces specialties among consumers, and the need of research and capacity building, among others. Farmers' participation in the decisions is a key factor, along with the academia and the public sector. Landraces and associated knowledge are treasures to be used to benefit from farmers to consumers, directing the course of agriculture towards sustainable directions.

Selection of dairy goats using milk recording and multivariate analysis in a family farming system

Although dairy control is a widely used tool in herds with numerous animals (mainly cows), it is often neglected in small farms. The aim of the present work was to select the most suitable animals for milk production using dairy control and multivariate statistics. Results indicate a great dispersion of the data as a consequence of milk production variation from each goat. These results demonstrate the need to identify and select the most productive animals in order to have a selected and controlled flock. The analysis of hierarchical conglomerates showed that the herd can be divided into three groups: Cluster 1 is integrated by 31 goats with the highest productive parameters, above the herd average and together produce 59.1% of the accumulative milk yield; Cluster 2 consists of 24 animals whose production parameters are close to the current average of the herd and accumulates 27.7% of milk production and Cluster 3 groups animals with the lowest production. From the results obtained, it was possible to make the selection of the 55 most productive animals for milk production. This represents 64.70% of the herd and they are responsible for 86.8% of the total milk production.

Productivity of Dry Grains of Cowpea [Vigna unguiculata (L.)] Creole Cultivar (Canupum), as a Function of Different Planting Densities

Aims: Cowpea [Vigna unguiculata (L.)] is a legume of great importance, being a source of food rich in protein, being essential for human nutrition and produced during the rainy season in the semi-arid region of Brazil. In this sense, the objective was to study the efficiency of different planting densities on cowpea productivity in the Brazilian semi-arid region.
 Place of Study: The experiment was conducted from September to December 2021 at the Rafael Fernandes experimental farm, in the district of Alagoinha (5º03'37 "S, 37º23'50" W), northwest of Mossoró, State of Rio Grande do Norte, Brazil,
 Study Design and Methodology: The experimental design used was randomized complete blocks with five treatments (1.0; 2.0; 3.0, 4.0 and 5.0 plants hole-1) with four replications. Each plot consisted of dimensions of 3.5 m x 4.8 m, with six rows of 4.8 m in length, with a total area of 18.2 m2, with the useful area being the four central rows, with dimensions of 2.8 x 4.8 m, with an area of 13.44 m2, for collecting dry grains.
 Agronomic Characteristics of Cowpea [Vigna unguiculata (L.)]: Number of pods, expressed in units ha-1 (NV), length of pods, expressed in cm (CPV), weight of one hundred grains, expressed in grams (P100G), dry grain productivity, expressed in kg ha-1 (PG), number of grains pod-1, expressed in units (GV), dry grain index, expressed in percentage (IGS) and pod production, expressed in grams (PV) of cowpea, Creole cultivar (canapum).
 Conclusions: The highest grain productivity was influenced by planting densities, with the density of 3.4 plants per pit being the one that resulted in the highest productivity (409.78 kg ha-1). For the characteristic weight of 100 dry grains, the density of one plant per hole was the one that promoted the highest average weight with a maximum value of 28.24 g.
 For farmers who cultivate in a family farming system, a planting density of three plants per hole is recommended.

Strategic sustainability practices in intercropping-based family farming systems: study on rural communities of Iran

This paper reports a realistic analysis of a region using Grounded Theory (GT) to provide a sustainable model for family farming systems based on the intercropping system in rural communities of Iran. Furthermore, the fuzzy analytic hierarchy process (FAHP) was applied to assign weights to the criteria and sub-criteria of intercropping and monocropping systems. According to the model, the main phenomenon was “sustainability in the family farming system based on intercropping”. In this model, the causal factors were found to include behavioral and attitudinal motivators. Micro- and macro-factors were identified as the interfering factors in family farming systems based on intercropping. Social factors, economic components, and environmental potentials were the contextual factors of this system. Finally, the consequences included the conceptual development and evolution of sustainability, socioeconomic transformation, and ecological-environmental transformation. The results of FAHP showed that the environmental criterion was ranked the first among all criteria underpinning the sustainability of the intercropping system.

Characterization of dairy farms in a family-farm system in the municipality of Senador Guiomard, Acre State, Western Amazon

National dairy production is characterized by significant heterogeneity in production techniques and herd and farmer profiles. Our objective was to characterize 18 dairy farms under family farming in Senador Guiomard, Acre State, from January to December 2019. Data were gathered through 255 question semi-structured forms applied to farmers in monthly visits. The data were then stored in Excel® spreadsheets and subjected to descriptive statistics. A joint analysis showed the following characteristics: farmers with low schooling level (89%); farmers of advanced age (61%); nonadoption of good dairy practices (100%); inadequate milk transport (72%); adequate brucellosis vaccination (100%); non specialized herds (40%); pasture production system (100%); low productivity per area (873 L/ha/year) and per cow (4.0 liters/cow/day); low number of lactating cows (53%); and gross milk income (29,466.65 R$/year) representing 69% of the total gross income. The region studied has positive factors such as market guarantees, proximity to large market centers, reasonable land prices, suitable climate, ease of credit, rural education, and technical assistance. Overall, the farms are managed under a traditional production system, with low use of technology and unsatisfactory zootechnical indexes. However, the region has favorable conditions for dairy farming development.

Family farming systems: An index-based approach to the drivers of agroecological principles in the southern Andes

Global social-ecological crises call for the identification and promotion of resilient agrifood systems. Agroecology can help addressing these challenges by fostering high levels of diversity and climate resilience. The application of agroecological principles (i.e. social-ecological processes translated into practices with positive effects on the conservation, stability and resilience of agriculture), increases systems’ response capacity and ability to adapt to crises. Agroecology has its roots in indigenous agriculture but social-ecological filters (i.e. human-nature factors that remove or reinforce agroecological practices) may be, at times, shifting away these systems from agroecological principles. The dynamism of territories has prompted the arrival of new actors to rural areas such as lifestyle migrants. In this study, we assess the extent to which agroecological principles are present in family farming in the southern Andes and identify factors that can act as “social-ecological filters” of management practices, affecting the level of agroecology in these systems. We applied questionnaires to 80 gardeners (40 campesinos and 40 migrants), asking about 35 management practices and their socio-demographic profiles. We developed an Index of Agroecological Principles (IAP) to estimate the presence/absence of management practices that contribute to seven agroecological principles (four biological and three sociocultural). Most principles showed a presence over 0.5 (50%). We found a positive relationship between biological and cultural principles (r = 0.56; p < 0.01). Biodiversity was the principle with the highest presence (0.72 ± 0.01). The value of the IAP was higher for indigenous and non-indigenous campesinos (4.5 ± 0.1; ß = 4.27) than for migrants (3.9 ± 0.12; ß = −0.4). The origin of the gardener, the age of the homegarden and the size of the farm, were the most influential social-ecological filters that selectively remove or reinforce agroecological practices in homegardens. We discuss the potential of an Index of Agroecological Principles in homegarden management for strengthening agroecology and resilience to social-ecological changes in a Global Biodiversity Hotspot and beyond.

The Role of Home Gardens in Promoting Biodiversity and Food Security.

Plant genetic resources provide the basis for sustainable agricultural production, adaptation to climate change, and economic development. Many present crop plants are endangered due to extreme environmental conditions induced by climate change or due to the use of a limited selection of plant materials. Changing environmental conditions are a challenge for plant production and food security, emphasizing the urgent need for access to a wider range of plant genetic resources than what are utilized today, for breeding novel crop varieties capable of resilience and adaptation to climate change and other environmental challenges. Besides large-scale agricultural production, it is important to recognize that home gardens have been an integral component of family farming and local food systems for centuries. It is remarkable how home gardens have allowed the adaptation and domestication of plants to extreme or specific ecological conditions, thus contributing to the diversification of cultivated plants. Home gardens can help in reducing hunger and malnutrition and improve food security. In addition, they provide opportunities to broaden the base of cultivated plant materials by harboring underutilized crop plants and crop wild relative species. Crop wild relatives contain a wide range of genetic diversity not available in cultivated crops. Although the importance of home gardens in conserving plant genetic resources is well recognized, there is a risk that local genetic diversity will be lost if traditional plant materials are replaced by high-yielding modern cultivars. This paper provides an overview of home gardens and their present role and future potential in conserving and utilizing plant genetic resources and enhancing food and nutritional security under global challenges.

Vulnerability of family farming systems to climate change: The case of the forest-savannah transition zone, Centre Region of Cameroon

Family farms are especially vulnerable to the negative effects of climatic variations and changes. In this regard, this paper assessed the factors that influence family farmers' vulnerability to climate variability and change in the transition zone between forest and savannah in the northern part of the Centre Region of Cameroon. The study did this by combining primary data (gathered from a survey of 180 smallholder farmers) with secondary data (information on temperature and rainfall). Field observations were also conducted on these family farms in Mbangassina, Ntui, Batchenga, and Obala from January to March 2020, March to May 2021, and July to September 2021. We used statistical tools for both descriptive, multivariate and inferential analyzes. Small farmers have faced the highest temperatures and heat waves. Everybody living in this community is exposed to the same temperatures and heat waves. Maybe smallholder farmers are susceptible or vulnerable to these heat waves and high temperatures. Extreme droughts, which are becoming more often, and diminishing rainfall totals were assumed to be the key contributors to climate sensitivity. According to the findings, family farms in Obala are just marginally vulnerable to climatic variability and change (1.1 vulnerability score), whereas those in Batchenga, Ntui, and Mbangassina have considerable vulnerability indices (2.16, 2.17, and 2.99 vulnerability scores respectively). A significant noncausal correlation exists between vulnerability and four and five continuous and discontinuous explanatory factors, respectively. The binomial logistic regression model demonstrates statistically significant inverse causal links between five of the six explanatory factors and the sensitivity of family farmers to climate change. According to the model, useful agricultural area (β = −0.348, p < 0.0001), soil fertility (β = −0.568, p < 0.05), Dioscorea spp. (β = −0.926, p < 0.05), precipitation during these 10 to 30 years (β = −0. 582, p < 0.05), and annual income (β = −0.002, p < 0.01) all contributed to lessening smallholder farmers' vulnerability to unfavorable climate variability and change. The drought variable has a significant positive causal relationship. This leads to the conclusion that these six explanatory variables largely impact smallholder farmers' vulnerability to climate fluctuation and change. According to the study's conclusions, family farmers should be given more financial help and reliable climatic information to reduce their vulnerability to climate fluctuation and change.

Family Farming Systems in Northern Central Cameroon: Challenges and Prospects for Food Security

If family farming is supported, it can serve as a foundation for growth and food security. One of Cameroon's biggest development challenges is still food insecurity. Therefore, the purpose of this study was to investigate the situation and key determinants of food security in the northern forest-savanna transition zone of the Central Cameroon Region. To do this, 180 family farmers from Mbangassina, Ntui, Batchenga, and Obala participated in a survey and field observations (January-March 2020; March-May 2021, and July-September 2021). According to this survey and these findings, the useful agricultural area is 4.55 ± 0.21 hectares. Cocoa, yam, cassava, maize, plantain, sweet potato, and peanut are the principal crops mentioned. With a mixed workforce, the vast majority of agricultural work is performed manually (machetes, daba, etc). (Family and external). Seven significant challenges face family farming in these areas: poor market organization, bad road/track conditions, a lack of inputs, seasonal uncertainties/rainfall deficits, challenging access to irrigation, unstable land tenure, challenging access to credit, and challenging access to agricultural equipment. Each community faces unique challenges. The family agricultural industry, which these people rely on for their food security, needs to be saved to overcome these obstacles. According to the findings, expanding access to financial and commercial services will help agricultural operations in the study area increase food security. This will be in line with initiatives made by both governmental and non-governmental organizations to advance agricultural technologies as a way to address the issue of food insecurity.

Adoption of sustainable agricultural practices during the pandemic: the case of Ecuadorian family farming systems

PurposeThe objective of this study was to examine the impact of the pandemic on sustainable agricultural practices (SAP) adoption such as: organic fertilizers, minimal use of tillage, crop rotation, soil burning and crop association in the frame of family farming systems in Ecuador.Design/methodology/approachThe present research employed probit models' estimation with pooled data from 2018 to 2020. The study combined three sources of information with The Survey on Surface and Agricultural Continuous Production, as the main. This study also proposed the analysis of six regions: Coast, Coast Mountains, Northern Highlands, Central Highlands, Southern Highlands and the Amazon.FindingsThe authors see a lower adoption in the year 2020, where the pandemic was one of the causes. The only exception was the use of organic fertilizer. The adoption of these sustainable practices differed across the six regions. The findings also reveal that the employment generated by agricultural enterprises had a negative influence on the adoption of three sustainable practices, and that for the remaining practices the effect was positive.Research limitations/implicationsThe data set lacks information on the acceptance and the application of the practices promoted by agricultural technical assistance, which could provide insights into the effectiveness of the learning process. The limited observation period does not allow for investigating long-term effects on sustainable practices adoption.Originality/valueThis study helps to understand the implications of the COVID-19 pandemic in the adoption of SAP. Additionally, this research can help with the scalability of the practices starting from the regions that are most likely to adopt each of them.

Family Farming Systems in Northern Central Cameroon: Challenges and Prospects for Food Security

If family farming is supported, it can serve as a foundation for growth and food security. One of Cameroon's biggest development challenges is still food insecurity. Therefore, the purpose of this study was to investigate the situation and key determinants of food security in the northern forest-savanna transition zone of the Central Cameroon Region. To do this, 180 family farmers from Mbangassina, Ntui, Batchenga, and Obala participated in a survey and field observations (January-March 2020; March-May 2021, and July-September 2021). According to this survey and these findings, the useful agricultural area is 4.55 ± 0.21 hectares. Cocoa, yam, cassava, maize, plantain, sweet potato, and peanut are the principal crops mentioned. With a mixed workforce, the vast majority of agricultural work is performed manually (machetes, daba, etc). (Family and external). Seven significant challenges face family farming in these areas: poor market organization, bad road/track conditions, a lack of inputs, seasonal uncertainties/rainfall deficits, challenging access to irrigation, unstable land tenure, challenging access to credit, and challenging access to agricultural equipment. Each community faces unique challenges. The family agricultural industry, which these people rely on for their food security, needs to be saved to overcome these obstacles. According to the findings, expanding access to financial and commercial services will help agricultural operations in the study area increase food security. This will be in line with initiatives made by both governmental and non-governmental organizations to advance agricultural technologies as a way to address the issue of food insecurity.