Economics of Labor Use in Smallholder Conservation Agriculture: The Driver of Change in Southern Africa.

Agricultural system sustainability is the key to long-term improvement of the livelihoods of smallholder farming families. Smallholder farmers in southern Africa are expected to save money, water, and labor; conserve or improve soil and system productivity; and cut emissions of greenhouse gases through the adoption of conservation agriculture (CA), based on minimal soil movement through tillage, surface retention of crop residues and planned crop rotations. CIMMYT and its partners in Malawi, Mozambique, Zambia and Zimbabwe have been engaged in the evaluation and promotion of CA technologies through collaborative research projects. Through broad, long-term partnerships, solid science, and support for innovation networks that involve farmers directly in testing and promotion, CIMMYT helps foster the adoption of CA technologies by small holders in southern Africa. Labor availability for farming operations in the predominantly maize–based farming systems has become a critical issue due to the combined effects of the HIV/AIDS pandemic and constant migration of rural labor to urban centers. Initial assessments of adoption potentials and constraints in CA have been analyzed. Labor saving has been identified as the driver of change for smallholder farmer uptake of CA technologies. Reduced labor demand for land preparations with animal traction in Zimbabwe and with hand hoes in Malawi is the major benefit of CA reported by farmers. Also the use of herbicides to control weeds has contributed to reduced costs and the release of farm labor for other activities. Farmers reallocate saved labor for the production of high value crops: tobacco in Malawi and vegetables in Zimbabwe and Zambia.  These benefits are driving diversification of the production system in areas where CA practices are being adopted and will no doubt lead to increased farm incomes and improved livelihoods.