Vol. 2006 No. 1 (2006)
Quantifying Sustainable Agriculture Practices’ Impact on Soil Fertility in Zimbabwe’s Midlands Province: A Mixed-Methods Study
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.