*Adapted from original blog post written by Minke Stadler on the Wageningen University website.
An example of terracing technique and vegetable production in the Siwito area of Lealui, Zambia. (Photo credit: Minke Stadler)
What are nutrition-sensitive landscapes?
The study of nutrition-sensitive landscapes explores opportunities to build diversity into landscapes and local food systems to improve human and environmental health. Increasing farm productivity and diversification of nutritious food crops are key issues in agricultural development, which can offer opportunities to reduce poverty, food insecurity, and malnutrition. Improving food and nutrition security requires the adoption of new practices, among other changes. Farmers’ mindsets and social values systems are therefore important, as people interact with their environment and decide what and how to farm.
This blog post shares insights from a study that was part of A4NH’s research on best practices in nutrition-sensitive landscapes, conducted with partners from nine CGIAR Research Centers as well as Wageningen University and the Earth Institute at Columbia University. This particular study, jointly run by the CGIAR Research Program on Aquatic Agricultural Systems, sought to develop a better understanding of the mindset and socio-cultural aspects that influence the relations between nutritious food production and landscape, while studying successes.
"Can development be taught?… No. It can only be learnt." (Clapham, 1996)
Two villages: two agricultural approaches
The study looked at two Zambian communities, Kapanda and Lealui, each located in a different agro-ecological setting, in order to test whether geographical location and position in a landscape results in different mindsets and values systems, which in turn influence agricultural practices and adoption strategies.
The two villages share some commonalities. They are both located in the Western Province of Zambia, dealing with similar climate conditions, seasonal variability (flooding and droughts), and soil types. Both are characterized by low-input farming systems in which farmers use simple tools, such as hoes and hands, and produce maize, rice, cassava, and vegetables, amongst others.
However, in Kapanda, agricultural practices are mainly rooted in traditional agriculture (chimetene), whereas Lealui, shows greater variability in agricultural practices, given its better economic network (i.e. infrastructure), access to financial loans, and external inputs. Consequently, in Lealui, farmers are more likely to apply conservation agriculture, cultivate permanent fields, rear cattle, and produce cash crops for the regional market.
Farmer mindsets
In both Kapanda and Lealui, farmers tend to enjoy learning opportunities with concrete, practical solutions. They are practical problem-solvers and are willing to learn from experiences. Yet, the farmers in Kapanda show risk-averse behavior. Socio-cultural value systems emphasize harmonious family ties and specific gender and age-related roles. Being loyal to the community, showing respect for existing rites, and honoring the elderly are highly valued. A strong belief in superstitions results in even stronger risk-averse behavior. In general, farmers in Kapanda aim at improving existing techniques rather than implementing new techniques, which explains why farmers still apply traditional agricultural practices and why the adoption rate of new conservation practices is generally low in Kapanda.
On the other hand, the mindsets of farmers in Lealui is individually orientated and willing to experiment with new techniques. Furthermore, socio-cultural values such as ‘tradition, discipline, morality, and obeying rules’ results in a relatively orderly and dutiful community. Thus, farmers enjoy working with experts and detailed instructions or procedures to improve their farm productivity. In Lealui, farmers tend to be less impulsive and are more likely to build a financial buffer, which can be used to ensure farm resilience and stability.
Environment impacts mindset
The research found that generally, geographical and environmental conditions do play a role in determining mindsets, values systems, agro-ecological practices, and farming styles. It can be argued that the mindsets and socio-cultural values are a ‘best practice,’ or a means for coping with external conditions, which will also influence the adoption of new techniques. The study argues that rural development approaches and technologies that support, meet, or fit current mindsets and values are more likely to be adopted. In other words, choosing a implementation process and teaching approach that honors current motives and values systems is key.
Specifically, the link between agro-ecological mindsets and participatory learning processes should be considered in designing context-specific agricultural programs that enhance adoption which can bring about health and nutrition impact.
