Smallholder farmers perceptions on groundnut (Arachis hypogaea L.)-based cropping systems: A case study of Chisamba District, Zambia

Abstract

The inclusion of legume crops in cropping systems has been shown to improve soil fertility and productivity, but the adoption rate is low among many smallholder farmers. A study to determine the perceptions of the smallholder farmers on groundnut production, use of inputs and cropping systems was conducted in Chisamba District, Zambia. Using a multi-stage sampling technique, 164 farmers from 20 villages within 11 agricultural camps in two agricultural blocks were randomly chosen for the study. Questionnaires were administered to only smallholder farmers who cultivated groundnuts. Results showed that the cropping systems used by smallholder farmers in Chisamba District were crop rotation (90%), mixed-intercropping (5%) and sole-cropping (5%). Groundnut production was mainly undertaken by female smallholder farmers (71%) on land averaging 1.68 ha. However, there was non-significant relationship between gender of the household head and adoption of cropping system (χ 2 (2) = 1.726; p = 0.414). Fifty-seven percent of the smallholder farmers perceived the groundnut variety Natal Common to be most suitable for the study area (χ 2 (4) = 9.745; p = 0.045). It was concluded that particular traits of varieties affected the perceptions and hence adoption decisions of smallholder farmers in Chisamba District.