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Enhancing farmers' agency is a more effective extension paradigm: The case of soil health management in Africa
Journal article   Peer reviewed

Enhancing farmers' agency is a more effective extension paradigm: The case of soil health management in Africa

Chima Rickards, Paswel Marenya, Mazvita Chiduwa, Anton Eitzinger, Monica Fisher and Sieglinde Snapp
Agricultural systems, Vol.225, p.104267
04/2025
DOI: https://doi.org/10.1016/j.agsy.2025.104267

Abstract

Agricultural extension Farmer agency Farmer-led research Knowledge transfer Participatory approaches Research dissemination Soil health
Climate change, volatile markets, and local resource variability pose significant challenges to sustainable agricultural development, particularly in soil health management. Despite extensive scientific research, the adoption of soil health solutions (SHS) among smallholder farmers in Africa remains low, highlighting a gap between research and practical implementation. To explore the role of farmer agency in enhancing the effectiveness of agricultural extension models, with a focus on soil health management. The paper aims to demonstrate how empowering farmers to innovate and adapt both local and scientific knowledge can lead to more efficient and sustainable agricultural systems. This paper presents a review and perspective on the importance of farmer agency in sustainable soil management and agriculture extension more generally. It examines current limitations in research and extension systems, discusses the need for hyper-localisation of soil health practices, and proposes solutions for integrating farmer agency into agricultural development programmes. The review identifies several factors that enhance farmer agency, including education, economic opportunities, social networks, and supportive policies. It concludes that fostering farmer agency is crucial for improving soil health outcomes and driving sustainable agricultural transformation. The paper proposes guiding principles for policies and programmes aimed at elevating farmer decision-making power, including farmer-centred learning platforms, digital tools, and initiatives that strengthen social capital within farming communities. This perspective highlights the critical role of farmer agency in bridging the gap between scientific research and practical implementation of sustainable soil management practices. By emphasising the importance of empowering farmers as autonomous decision-makers, the paper provides a framework for more effective agricultural extension and development programming. This approach has the potential to significantly improve the adoption and adaptation of SHS, leading to more sustainable and resilient agricultural systems in Africa. [Display omitted] •Traditional extension approaches often overlook farmer agency, hindering sustainable development.•Enhancing farmer agency in soil health management improves adaptation of scientific knowledge to local contexts.•Actionable solutions for improving farmer engagement in soil health management and extension are provided.

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