TY  - JOUR
A1  - Ndah, Hycenth Tim
A1  - Schuler, Johannes
A1  - Diehl, Katharina
A1  - Bateki, Christian
A1  - Sieber, Stefan
A1  - Knierim, Andrea
T1  - From dogmatic views on conservation agriculture adoption in Zambia towards adapting to context
JF  - International Journal of Agricultural Sustainability
N2  - Conservation Agriculture (CA) has been widely promoted in sub-Saharan Africa (SSA) as a sustainable agricultural practice, yet with debatable success. Most authors assume successful adoption, only if all three principles of CA are implemented: (1) minimum or zero tillage, (2) maintenance of a permanent soil cover, and (3) integration of crop rotations. Based on this strict definition, adoption has declined or remained stagnant. Presently, not much attention has been given to context-suited adaptation possibilities, and partial adoption has not been recognized as an entry point to full adoption. Furthermore, isolated success cases have not been analysed sufficiently. By applying the QAToCA approach based on focus group discussions complemented by semi-structured qualitative expert and farmer interviews, we assessed the reasons behind positive CA adaptation and adoption trends in Zambia. Main reasons behind Zambia’s emerging success are (1) a positive institutional influence, (2) a systematic approach towards CA promotion – encouraging a stepwise adaptation and adoption, and (3) mobilization of strong marketing dynamics around CA. These findings could help to eventually adjust or redesign CA promotion activities. We argue for a careful shift from the ‘dogmatic view’ on adoption of CA as a packaged technology, towards adapting its principles to the small-scale farming context of SSA.
KW  - Conservation agriculture
KW  - adaptation
KW  - partial adoption
KW  - QAToCA
KW  - Zambia
Y1  - 2018
U6  - https://doi.org/10.1080/14735903.2018.1447227
SN  - 1473-5903
SN  - 1747-762X
VL  - 16
IS  - 2
SP  - 228
EP  - 242
PB  - Routledge, Taylor & Francis Group
CY  - Abingdon
ER  -