Technology adoption by smallholder farmers: Lessons from the soyabean research/promotion program in Zimbabwe

Agricultural research programs in universities in sub-Saharan Africa generate technologies few of which are adopted by the smallholder farmers. A technology that demands significant additional inputs be they financial or physical is less likely to be adopted compared to one that generates significant socioeconomic benefits. In Zimbabwe, smallholders’ food security, under threat from declining soil fertility, high fertiliser prices and poor commodity markets persuaded University of Zimbabwe scientists to explore the potential of nitrogen fixing legumes for soil fertility improvement, balanced nutrition and cash income. The technologies tried out included use of Rhizobium inoculants on soyabean, itself a new crop, rotations with staple maize, processing for human and livestock consumption and access to formal markets. The challenge was that both soyabean as a crop and rhizobium inoculant technology were virtually unheard of in the smallholder agricultural sector of Zimbabwe. A Soyabean Promotion Task Force that brought together key stakeholders guided the research and promotion agenda whose major aim was to promote the production, processing, utilisation and marketing of soyabean by smallholders so as to enhance food security, health, farm incomes and soil fertility. An innovation platform made up of key stakeholders was built as the project proceeded and included researchers, extension agents, farmers unions, NGOs, input suppliers, processors, brokers, transporters and bankers to service the soyabean value chain for the benefit of smallholder and newly resettled farmers. The main lesson learnt was that for soyabean technologies to deliver food on farmers tables and cash in their pockets each relevant stakeholder needed to play their part in the value chain. Soyabean’s multiple benefits as cash, food and soil improving crop were demonstrated practically and this proved the main driver for adoption. From only 50 farmers in the pilot phase in 1996, the number of adopting farmers exceeded 50,000 by 2003. Smallholder farmers’ contribution to formally marketed soyabean rose from 395 tons in 1995 to over 12 000 tons in 2001. The model used had a strong impact on technology adoption as it addressed food security and has potential for success in similar settings across sub-Saharan Africa.