Preferences for legume attributes in maize-legume cropping systems in Malawi

Adoption rates of leguminous crops remain low in sub-Saharan Africa despite their potential role in improving nutrition, soil health, and food security. In this study we explored Malawian farmers’ perceptions of various legume attributes and assessed how these perceptions affected allocation of land...

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Autores principales: Waldman, K.B., Ortega, D.L., Richardson, R.B., Clay, D.C., Snapp, Sieglinde S.
Formato: Journal Article
Lenguaje:Inglés
Publicado: Springer 2016
Materias:
Acceso en línea:https://hdl.handle.net/10568/107034
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author Waldman, K.B.
Ortega, D.L.
Richardson, R.B.
Clay, D.C.
Snapp, Sieglinde S.
author_browse Clay, D.C.
Ortega, D.L.
Richardson, R.B.
Snapp, Sieglinde S.
Waldman, K.B.
author_facet Waldman, K.B.
Ortega, D.L.
Richardson, R.B.
Clay, D.C.
Snapp, Sieglinde S.
author_sort Waldman, K.B.
collection Repository of Agricultural Research Outputs (CGSpace)
description Adoption rates of leguminous crops remain low in sub-Saharan Africa despite their potential role in improving nutrition, soil health, and food security. In this study we explored Malawian farmers’ perceptions of various legume attributes and assessed how these perceptions affected allocation of land to legume crops using a logit link model. We found high regional variation in both consumption- and production-related preferences, but relatively consistent preferences across samples. While scientific understanding and farmer perceptions were aligned on some topics and for some legumes, there were discrepancies elsewhere, particularly in terms of soil fertility and nutrition. Understanding why these discrepancies exist and where there were potential biases are critical in explaining the extent of adoption. In many cases perceptions of legume attributes may be influenced by the cultural role of the crop in the household, particularly in terms of food security or market-orientation. The findings also suggest that researchers need to look beyond both the agronomic properties and farmers’ preferences to fully understand the extent of adoption. Socioeconomic factors, biases, and marketing concerns may also influence integration of legumes into maize-based cropping systems.
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spelling CGSpace1070342024-08-27T10:35:18Z Preferences for legume attributes in maize-legume cropping systems in Malawi Waldman, K.B. Ortega, D.L. Richardson, R.B. Clay, D.C. Snapp, Sieglinde S. legumes crops farming systems intensification mixed farming livestock development food science Adoption rates of leguminous crops remain low in sub-Saharan Africa despite their potential role in improving nutrition, soil health, and food security. In this study we explored Malawian farmers’ perceptions of various legume attributes and assessed how these perceptions affected allocation of land to legume crops using a logit link model. We found high regional variation in both consumption- and production-related preferences, but relatively consistent preferences across samples. While scientific understanding and farmer perceptions were aligned on some topics and for some legumes, there were discrepancies elsewhere, particularly in terms of soil fertility and nutrition. Understanding why these discrepancies exist and where there were potential biases are critical in explaining the extent of adoption. In many cases perceptions of legume attributes may be influenced by the cultural role of the crop in the household, particularly in terms of food security or market-orientation. The findings also suggest that researchers need to look beyond both the agronomic properties and farmers’ preferences to fully understand the extent of adoption. Socioeconomic factors, biases, and marketing concerns may also influence integration of legumes into maize-based cropping systems. 2016-12 2020-02-11T11:59:00Z 2020-02-11T11:59:00Z Journal Article https://hdl.handle.net/10568/107034 en Limited Access Springer Waldman, K.B., Ortega, D.L., Richardson, R.B., Clay, D.C. and Snapp, S. 2016. Preferences for legume attributes in maize-legume cropping systems in Malawi. Food Security 8(6):1087-1099.
spellingShingle legumes
crops
farming systems
intensification
mixed farming
livestock
development
food science
Waldman, K.B.
Ortega, D.L.
Richardson, R.B.
Clay, D.C.
Snapp, Sieglinde S.
Preferences for legume attributes in maize-legume cropping systems in Malawi
title Preferences for legume attributes in maize-legume cropping systems in Malawi
title_full Preferences for legume attributes in maize-legume cropping systems in Malawi
title_fullStr Preferences for legume attributes in maize-legume cropping systems in Malawi
title_full_unstemmed Preferences for legume attributes in maize-legume cropping systems in Malawi
title_short Preferences for legume attributes in maize-legume cropping systems in Malawi
title_sort preferences for legume attributes in maize legume cropping systems in malawi
topic legumes
crops
farming systems
intensification
mixed farming
livestock
development
food science
url https://hdl.handle.net/10568/107034
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