From dogmatic views on conservation agriculture adoption in Zambia towards adapting to context

Theoretical Underpinnings in Research Investigating Barriers for Implementing Environmentally Sustainable Farming Practices: Insights from a Systematic Literature Review

“…Ndah et al [32] combined the Qualitative expert Assessment Tool for CA adoption (QAToCA) [60], diffusion of innovation [12], elements of the theory of behaviour modification [46] and of the theory of planned behaviour [43][44][45], to assess perception, attitude, and intention of farmers at various stages of adaptation and adoption of CA or its modified version-the Conservation Farmers Unit (CFU)-CA-in Zambia. Variables included in the study were factors at the upper-scale socio-economic, institutional, and cultural levels, and at the household and farm levels; as well as characteristics of the innovations (trialability, compatibility, divisibility, relative advantage).…”

“…The World Bank innovation system concept [53] was used as the systemic overarching framework in which linkages among all elements were analysed. Ndah et al argued that adaptation and partial adoption represent theoretical stages in a behavioural change process and in the diffusion of innovations more broadly [32]. In their study, therefore, they focussed specifically on the factors that influenced CA adaptation and partial adoption within the selected case study regions, with the goal of deriving useful lessons for CA in other African countries [32].…”

“…Ndah et al argued that adaptation and partial adoption represent theoretical stages in a behavioural change process and in the diffusion of innovations more broadly [32]. In their study, therefore, they focussed specifically on the factors that influenced CA adaptation and partial adoption within the selected case study regions, with the goal of deriving useful lessons for CA in other African countries [32]. Ndah et al found that specific barriers to adaptation and adoption at the farmer and farm level included: difficulties with weed control, absence of markets for farm outputs, non-compatibility of CA with village rules, pests, static mind-sets on ploughing, land availability and ownership-especially for women, and seasonal variation in rainfall [32].…”

“…In their study, therefore, they focussed specifically on the factors that influenced CA adaptation and partial adoption within the selected case study regions, with the goal of deriving useful lessons for CA in other African countries [32]. Ndah et al found that specific barriers to adaptation and adoption at the farmer and farm level included: difficulties with weed control, absence of markets for farm outputs, non-compatibility of CA with village rules, pests, static mind-sets on ploughing, land availability and ownership-especially for women, and seasonal variation in rainfall [32]. Hindering factors for a wider adaptation and adoption of CA in Zambia, notwithstanding a relatively supportive institutional environment, included issues such as limited credit facilities, absence of decentralized agencies for agriculture and development issues, uncertainty over land access, ownership, and absence of ready markets for CA products [32].…”

Why we should rethink ‘adoption’ in agricultural innovation: Empirical insights from Malawi

“…There is a building portfolio of evidence across southern Africa that the science of new agricultural practices does not directly translate into farmers' implementation (Bell et al, 2018; Giller et al, 2009; Ndah et al, 2018; Ngwira et al, 2014; Ward et al, 2018). The agronomically designed top‐down 'fixed' package is designed with a focus on biophysical improvements and is often not fully suitable for the local adaptation it will undergo.…”