Research Article | OPEN ACCESS
Knowledge, Attitudes and Practices of Farmers Pertaining to Agro-biodiversity
in the Shiselweni Region, Eswatini, Southern Africa
1Patricia. J. Musi, 1Ndumiso Mafu and 2Michael T. Masarirambi
1Consumer Science Education and Community Development Department, Faculty of Consumer Sciences,
2Horticulture Department, Faculty of Agriculture, University of Eswatini, PO Luyengo M205, Eswatini
Current Research Journal of Social Sciences 2019 2:26-32
Received: September 17, 2018 | Accepted: January 28, 2019 | Published: July 25, 2019
Abstract
The purpose of this study was to ascertain farmers’ knowledge, attitudes and management practices in conserving agricultural biodiversity in the Shiselweni Region. The study revealed that farmers’ livelihoods were quite diversified but were shifting to off-farm income-generating activities. Farmers had knowledge of agro-biodiversity and acknowledged the losses of biodiversity. Some farmers practiced agro-biodiversity conservation by practicing agroforestry while others diversified in production of agricultural products. There were a high continuity and heavy reliance on external inputs such as fertilizers, pesticides, herbicides and antibiotics for livestock which are not sustainable and were a threat as they damage the environment, weaken the nutritional value of foods and results in the loss of biodiversity. It was concluded that agro-biodiversity was highly threatened mostly by the spread of modern agricultural practices and that the knowledge and efforts in empowering farmers to adopt best agricultural practices were low. Therefore, it may be recommended that extension officers and agencies need to provide effective support for regional and national development strategies to improve farming, technologies and sustainable agricultural practices.
Keywords:
Agro-biodiversity, agricultural systems, climate change, food security, indigenous knowledge (IK), sustainable development,
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Competing interests
The authors have no competing interests.
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