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Incentivising Sustainability: Institutional barriers to the adoption and sustainability of organic agriculture in Morogoro, Tanzania

Sarantila, Selina Sofia LU (2025) EKHK18 20251
Department of Economic History
Abstract
This thesis investigates the institutional barriers that influence the adoption and sustainability of organic agriculture among smallholder farmers in Morogoro, Tanzania. Organic agriculture presents a promising pathway for achieving sustainable intensification and rural development, particularly in the context of Sub-Saharan Africa, where smallholders typically practice agriculture with limited synthetic inputs. Despite this potential, adoption remains low. Building upon interview data obtained over eight weeks of fieldwork in Tanzania, the study employs a qualitative approach to facilitate a comparative case study of organic and conventional smallholder livelihoods. The findings from this study highlight the complex reality facing... (More)
This thesis investigates the institutional barriers that influence the adoption and sustainability of organic agriculture among smallholder farmers in Morogoro, Tanzania. Organic agriculture presents a promising pathway for achieving sustainable intensification and rural development, particularly in the context of Sub-Saharan Africa, where smallholders typically practice agriculture with limited synthetic inputs. Despite this potential, adoption remains low. Building upon interview data obtained over eight weeks of fieldwork in Tanzania, the study employs a qualitative approach to facilitate a comparative case study of organic and conventional smallholder livelihoods. The findings from this study highlight the complex reality facing smallholder farmers engaging in organic agriculture. While there is clear interest and potential, adoption remains heavily reliant on NGO support amid persistent structural barriers, weak institutions, and limited market access. Without stronger public investment and clearer policy direction, organic farming will remain a distant opportunity for most smallholders. A more coherent and inclusive agricultural strategy is needed to unlock its full potential. (Less)
Please use this url to cite or link to this publication:
author
Sarantila, Selina Sofia LU
supervisor
organization
course
EKHK18 20251
year
type
M2 - Bachelor Degree
subject
language
English
id
9193989
date added to LUP
2025-06-16 11:40:19
date last changed
2025-06-16 11:40:19
@misc{9193989,
  abstract     = {{This thesis investigates the institutional barriers that influence the adoption and sustainability of organic agriculture among smallholder farmers in Morogoro, Tanzania. Organic agriculture presents a promising pathway for achieving sustainable intensification and rural development, particularly in the context of Sub-Saharan Africa, where smallholders typically practice agriculture with limited synthetic inputs. Despite this potential, adoption remains low. Building upon interview data obtained over eight weeks of fieldwork in Tanzania, the study employs a qualitative approach to facilitate a comparative case study of organic and conventional smallholder livelihoods. The findings from this study highlight the complex reality facing smallholder farmers engaging in organic agriculture. While there is clear interest and potential, adoption remains heavily reliant on NGO support amid persistent structural barriers, weak institutions, and limited market access. Without stronger public investment and clearer policy direction, organic farming will remain a distant opportunity for most smallholders. A more coherent and inclusive agricultural strategy is needed to unlock its full potential.}},
  author       = {{Sarantila, Selina Sofia}},
  language     = {{eng}},
  note         = {{Student Paper}},
  title        = {{Incentivising Sustainability: Institutional barriers to the adoption and sustainability of organic agriculture in Morogoro, Tanzania}},
  year         = {{2025}},
}