African Family Business Review (Business/Social crossover) | 22 January 2006
Quantifying Sustainable Agriculture Practices’ Impact on Soil Fertility in Zimbabwe’s Midlands Province: A Mixed-Methods Study
M, a, k, a, r, a, u, M, u, s, h, a, t, i, ,, N, e, v, a, n, i, k, e, M, a, n, y, i, k, a, ,, C, h, i, n, a, z, a, M, u, t, i, t, i
Abstract
Zimbabwe’s Midlands Province is a significant agricultural region known for its diverse farming practices, including sustainable and conventional methods. A mixed-methods study combining quantitative data from surveys and interviews with qualitative insights from focus group discussions and case studies. Sustainable farming methods led to an average increase of 15% in soil organic matter content compared to conventional methods over a five-year period. The findings highlight the potential for sustainable agriculture practices to enhance soil fertility, supporting their adoption as a key strategy for agricultural sustainability. Policy makers should incentivize farmers to adopt sustainable farming techniques by providing educational resources and financial support.