Participatory agroecological research on climate change adaptation improves smallholder farmer household food security and dietary diversity in Malawi
Abstract
This study examines whether agroecological farming practices, when employed by highly vulnerable households in sub-Saharan Africa, can improve food security and dietary diversity. The research involved a four-year study with 425 smallholder households, selected purposively based on high levels of food insecurity and/or positive HIV status. The households carried out agroecological experiments of their own choosing over a four-year period. Baseline (n = 306) and follow-up (n = 352) surveys were conducted in 2011 and 2013 respectively to assess changes in farming practices, food security, crop diversity and dietary diversity. Longitudinal mixed effects models were used with 203 matched households to estimate determinants of change in food security and dietary diversity at the population level. Qualitative interviews and focus groups were also conducted to provide depth to the survey findings. The findings show that participatory agroecology experimentation increased intercropping, legume diversification and the addition of compost, manure and crop residue amendments to the soil. Intercropping was associated with food security and the use of organic soil amendments was associated with gains in dietary diversity in bivariate analysis. Household food security and dietary diversity increased significantly over a 2-year period. Importantly, multivariate models showed that spousal discussion about farming was strongly associated with increased household food security and dietary dive…
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A co-creation approach to the development of the common method is important as a value, and for ensuring the methods are relevant and feasible in each location.
“A co-creation approach to the development of the common method is important as a value, and for ensuring the methods are relevant and feasible in each location (Bezner Kerr et al. 2019b).”
From Methodological challenges in assessing the viability of agroecological practices: lessons from a multi-case study in Africa (2025) · cites this paper as Bezner Kerr et al. 2019b
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“A co-creation approach to the development of the common method is important as a value, and for ensuring the methods are relevant and feasible in each location (Bezner Kerr et al. 2019b).”
- Authors
- Bezner Kerr, R., Kangmennaang, J., Dakishoni, L., Nyantakyi-Frimpong, H., Lupafya, E., Shumba, L., Msachi, R., Boateng, G. O., Snapp, S. S., Chitaya, A., Maona, E., Gondwe, T., Nkhonjera, P., & Luginaah, I.
- Affiliations
- University of Waterloo (CA)
- Harvard University (US)
- Michigan State University (US)
- Western University (CA)
- ORCID
- Venue
- Agriculture, Ecosystems & Environment
- Publisher
- Elsevier BV
- Published
- 2019-07
- Volume
- 279
- Pages
- 109-121
- ISSN
- 0167-8809 (ISSN-L)
- OpenAlex
- W2936970800
- Cited by
- 155
- References
- 5
- Citations by year
- 2026: 20 · 2025: 28 · 2024: 21 · 2023: 27 · 2022: 27 · 2021: 20 · 2020: 10 · 2019: 2
- FWCI
- 30.60
- Type
- journal article
- Language
- en
- Open access
- closed
- Locations
- Agriculture Ecosystems & Environment (publishedVersion)
- Digital Commons - DU (University of Denver) (submittedVersion)
- Funders
- Social Sciences and Humanities Research Council of Canada (410-2009-1434)
- International Development Research Centre, Canada (105152)
- Topics
- Life Sciences › Agricultural and Biological Sciences › General Agricultural and Biological Sciences › Agricultural Innovations and Practices
- Life Sciences › Agricultural and Biological Sciences › General Agricultural and Biological Sciences › Agriculture, Land Use, Rural Development
- Life Sciences › Agricultural and Biological Sciences › General Agricultural and Biological Sciences › Food Security and Socioeconomic Dynamics
- Keywords
- agroecology, participatory research, climate change adaptation, smallholder farmers, household food security, dietary diversity, intercropping, gender equity, HIV, Malawi
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