The effect of social capital on the intensity of conservation agriculture adoption among smallholder farmers in Malawi
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Reducing Malawi's persistent food insecurity requires sustainable agricultural productivity despite climate shocks and soil degradation. This study explores social capital as a catalyst for adopting Conservation Agriculture (CA), a sustainable farming technique addressing these challenges. Despite efforts by NGOs and the Malawian government and evidence supporting CA, adoption remains low. Using secondary data from 1,512 households collected under the ACASA project by IITA and CIMMYT, the study examines how social capital elements influence CA adoption using the Negative Binomial Regression Model (NBRM). Principal Component Analysis (PCA) created social capital components. Findings reveal that assistance from networks and leadership relations positively influence CA adoption. Other factors, including cultivated land, extension services, livestock ownership, and access to credit, also promote CA adoption. While full CA adoption remains limited compared to partial adoption, the results highlight promising trends toward comprehensive CA uptake. Additionally, Seemingly Unrelated Regressions (SUR) analysis shows that sustainable agriculture training is the primary determinant of participation in social capital networks across all dimensions. These
results emphasize the need for policies fostering cooperation and community engagement to strengthen social networks and enhance CA adoption. By integrating social capital into agricultural strategies, Malawi can better address food insecurity and promote sustainable farming.
Palabras clave
social capital, conservation agriculture, smallholders, malawi, catalysts