Epsilon Archive for Student Projects

Abstract

This thesis explores farmers’ understanding and adoption of crop diversification strategies to manage the fall armyworm (Spodoptera frugiperda).The fall armyworm is a crop pest that is increasingly threatening the production of staple crops such as maize (Zea mays L.). This study targeted rural smallholder maize farmers in two farming communities in Zambia’s Eastern Province, who are affected by this pest. The farmers were participating in a network of on-farm trials that investigated crop diversification strategies to reduce fall armyworm damage, while also increasing food security, nutrition, and income. Previous studies have shown that fall armyworm damage is often lower in diverse cropping systems. By means of crop diversification, farmers can reduce their reliance on chemical pesticides, helping to protect the health of both farmers and the environment. Data was collected through semi-structured interviews and Focus Group Discussions. Farmers’ experiences with fall armyworm and crop diversification were analysed as a basis for understanding how they relate to the implemented on-farm trials, and how project organisation and the trials align with farmers’ needs. The analysis combined perspectives from Chambers et al. Farmer First theory (1989), Rogers’ Attributes of Innovations from the Diffusion of Innovations theory (1983), and Stone’s farmer learning typologies (2016). The findings revealed a complex interplay of farmer challenges, next to pests, including labour constraints, climate change, and crop theft. While farmers recognised some advantages to crop diversification in terms of pest damage, farmer learning was limited in the on-farm trials, as they were not provided with sufficient information about the purpose of various activities. This highlights a misalignment between scientific research agendas and farmer realities. Providing fixed ‘technology packages’, without engaging with farmers’ realities, will not provide useful solutions to the farmers. Therefore, it is essential to shift away from a top-down model and advocate for bottom-up research processes. This is essential to create space for truly mutual learning and facilitate useful farmer experimentation, and will help move towards research processes that build effective solutions for and with farmers.