Evaluating “Climate Smart” Technologies with Indicators of Sustainable Intensification: Examples from Southern Africa.

Technological changes in smallholder farming systems can have complex direct and indirect effects.  In this paper we assess commonly promoted “climate smart” agricultural technologies using a framework of indicators of sustainable intensification across five domains: productivity, economic, environment, social and human condition. Combining data from Malawi and Zambia from on-farm trials, surveys and published literature we use radar charts to visualize the potential tradeoffs and synergies associated with conservation agriculture and legume diversification. Overall, we find that while these technologies reduce variability in productivity and improve food security they have complex social and environmental effects. Conservation agriculture is often used with herbicides, which are becoming increasingly available and utilized despite lack of training and protective clothing. Herbicide use also has the potential to reduce the hiring of day labor, a key survival strategy for the food insecure. The long-term soil benefits associated with zero tillage are unlikely to materialize due to farmers’ preference to till mid-season for weed control and plant support. One strategy for diversifying production with legumes is to use a “doubled up legume” system where soybean or groundnuts are intercropped with pigeonpea.  The complementary growth forms allow for higher and more reliable production and greater improvement of soil quality. They also are preferred by female farmers for their nutritional value.