Estimating demand for perennial pigeon pea in Malawi using choice experiments

Area of Science:

• Agricultural Science
• Agronomy
• Soil Science

Background:

• Perennial crops offer ecological and agronomic benefits over annual crops.
• Continuous maize cultivation in Southern Africa often leads to soil fertility degradation.
• Pigeon pea, a nitrogen-fixing legume, can potentially improve soil health.

Purpose of the Study:

• To evaluate farmer preferences for perennial pigeon pea attributes when intercropped with maize in Malawi.
• To understand the trade-offs farmers perceive between perennial and annual pigeon pea production.
• To identify drivers of demand for perennial pigeon pea cultivation.

Main Methods:

• Discrete choice models were used to analyze farmer preferences.
• The study focused on central and southern Malawi.
• Models incorporated attributes like labor, seed requirements, soil fertility, and biomass.

Main Results:

• Farmers demonstrated positive, though varied, demand for perennial pigeon pea.
• Key drivers for perenniality included improved soil fertility and pigeon pea grain yield.
• A primary trade-off identified was potential competition between perennial pigeon pea and maize in subsequent years.

Conclusions:

• Perennial pigeon pea intercropping presents a viable option for enhancing agricultural sustainability in the region.
• Addressing farmer concerns about intercrop competition is crucial for wider adoption.
• The findings highlight the importance of soil health benefits in farmer decision-making for perennial crops.