ASSESSING THE CONTRIBUTIONS OF INDIGENOUS KNOWLEDGE BASED FARMING SYSTEM AND MODERN AGRICULTURAL SYSTEMS IN HOUSEHOLD FOOD SECURITY IN MPOSA AND KACHULU

Abstract

Food insecurity is a global challenge and threatens smallholder farmers in the developing countries. Food security is a product of well-coordinated activities in food production, storage, transportation and usage. Although a modern farmer is encouraged to use improved agricultural practices, indigenous based farming practices can also profitably aid addressing challenges of food insecurity particularly for rural smallholder farmers. Unfortunately, such IK farming practices remain unearthed. This study chiefly aimed at assessing the contribution of both indigenous knowledge based farming practices and improved farming practices as agents of food security in Mposa (Machinga) and Kachulu (Zomba) areas. The study followed a mixed method approach when collecting data from 62 participants from both Zomba and Machinga districts. Through this study, it has been found that 87% of farmers use intercropping farming method as a form of indigenous knowledge based farming practice. The study also showed that 89% of farmers opt for indigenous based farming practices because they are cheap and readily available. Furthermore, the study revealed that 92% of the farmers recognized that improved farming practices yield more results in household food security. Briefly, 89% of farmers‟ choice of crop management options largely involves mixing indigenous knowledge based farming practices as well as improved farming practices. To that effect, the study has recommended to institute deliberate scientific studies which should focus on amalgamating both indigenous knowledge based farming practices and improved farming practices.