The effects of agroecological farming systems on smallholder livelihoods: a case study on push–pull system from Western Kenya
Open accessAbstract
There is a need for scaling-up agroecology to promote sustainable agriculture at global level. Although, recent studies show that agroecological approaches can achieve both high yields and profits compared with conventional systems, the performance of other socioeconomic indicators remains unknown. This study has two objectives (i) identify the main characteristics of small-scale producers who represent the target-groups of the SDG 2; (ii) provide a comparison between push–pull and conventional farming systems of maize production to explore and possibly implement sustainable systems. In collaboration with Biovision Africa Trust, a participatory assessment framework was implemented in Western Kenya. Twenty-three farmers were selected and data were analysed showing that the push–pull contributes to social/cultural and natural/ecological capitals. In particular, push–pull farmers are more focused on socially oriented groups (75%); moreover, they cultivate smaller plots (1.9 ha) compared to conventional farmers (3.1 ha) without showing a reduction in profitability. The benefits of adopting push–pull system indicated by farmers (e.g. diminished Striga weed) are consistent with the advantages reported in relevant scientific literature. Considering the explorative nature of this study, the article makes a key contribution by pointing towards important questions for future research on agroecology in Sub-Saharan African countries.
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Despite widely recognised benefits of agroecology for the environment and food security, little is known about its socio-economic performance.
“Despite the widely recognised benefits of agroecology for the environment (Nicholls and Altieri 2018) and food security and nutrition (Bezner Kerr et al. 2021), little is known on its socio-economic performance (D'Annolfo et al. 2017, 2021).”
From The socio-economic performance of agroecology. A review (2024) · cites this paper as D'Annolfo et al. 2021
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A review of social and economic performance of agroecology
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The socio-economic performance of agroecology. A review
Mouratiadou, I., Wezel, A., Kamilia, K., Marchetti, A., Paracchini, M. L., & Bàrberi, P. (2024) · Agronomy for Sustainable Development · doi:10.1007/s13593-024-00945-9 · Cited by 96 · see citing works
“This is due to its varied potential benefits such as stabilisation of yields and productivity, enhanced resource use efficiency, reduced greenhouse gas emissions, and culturally sensitive and socially just approaches (Altieri 2002; Pretty et al. 2006; D’Annolfo et al. 2021).”
Background
- Authors
- D'Annolfo, R., Gemmill-Herren, B., Amudavi, D., Shiraku, H. W., Piva, M., & Garibaldi, L. A.
- Affiliations
- Doctoral School on the Agro-Food System (Agrisystem) of the Università Cattolica del Sacro Cuore, Piacenza, Italy
- World Agroforestry Centre, Nigiri, Nairobi, Kenya
- Biovision Africa Trust, Nairobi, Kenya
- Università Cattolica del Sacro Cuore (IT)
- Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas (AR)
- Venue
- International Journal of Agricultural Sustainability
- Publisher
- Informa UK Limited
- Published
- 2020-09-27
- Volume
- 19
- Issue
- 1
- Pages
- 56-70
- ISSN
- 1473-5903 (ISSN-L)
- 1747-762X
- OpenAlex
- W3091384247
- Cited by
- 49
- References
- 10
- Citations by year
- 2026: 7 · 2025: 7 · 2024: 11 · 2023: 11 · 2022: 6 · 2021: 7
- FWCI
- 9.07
- Type
- journal article
- Language
- en
- Open access
- green
- hdl.handle.net
- Licence
- cc-by-nc-sa
- Locations
- International Journal of Agricultural Sustainability (publishedVersion)
- DOAJ (DOAJ: Directory of Open Access Journals) (submittedVersion)
- Conicet (submittedVersion, cc-by-nc-sa)
- LA Referencia (Red Federada de Repositorios Institucionales de Publicaciones Científicas) (submittedVersion, other-oa)
- Funders
- Università Cattolica del Sacro Cuore
- Topics
- 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 › Agricultural Innovations and Practices
- Physical Sciences › Environmental Science › Environmental Chemistry › Sustainable Agricultural Systems Analysis
- Keywords
- agroecology, push-pull systems, smallholder livelihoods, maize production, sustainable agriculture, social capital, natural capital, farmer groups, plot size, profitability, zero hunger, Western Kenya
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