an Eldis Resource

This paper is based on a study undertaken as part of the Malawi Starter Pack Evaluation Programme (1999–2000). Focusing on the concept of ‘sustainable agriculture’, it describes how participatory approaches can be used for impact assessment and the kind of information that emerges from such an approach. The study explored how farmers themselves perceive the concept of sustainable agriculture and how this relates to their livelihoods.

Research findings:

• the use of participatory approaches revealed that farmers’ perceptions on sustainable agriculture were closely related to their concerns for immediate family food security. Cropping practices and the availability of seed to support these were regarded by farmers as the most important indicators of sustainable agriculture
• Malawi’s experience does not appear to fall within the commonly assumed paradigm of highly biodiverse small farm agriculture at risk from the interventions of the formal seed sector. Rather, small farmers appear to be short of crops and varieties and are keenly seeking new sources
• Starter Pack beneficiaries indicated a desire to see the quality of the packs improved, both in terms of content and delivery systems

Policy implications:

• current professional recommendations for sustainable agriculture that promote agroforestry, fallowing and low chemical application may not be feasible in Malawi, given farmers’ present natural and human capital base
• donor agencies contributing to the design and implementation of sustainable agriculture programmes have a responsibility to ensure that such programmes contribute positively to institutional structures and processes, including research and extension institutions
• participatory impact assessment approaches can be used to capture trends and variations at national level and also gather detailed information at village level

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