During the summer of 2024, I will conduct independent research on the barriers to implementing sustainable agriculture practices in the village of Gowa, Malawi (e.g., permaculture or agroforestry). I will conduct this research in collaboration with Zisinthe Farm and Community Garden, an agrobiodiversity demonstration farm in Gowa. Having lived in this village for two weeks during my study abroad experience last fall, I am excited to return and build upon my previous knowledge of the region. I hope to use this experience as the basis of my senior essay. My research will consist of a series of survey groups and interviews with residents of the village and surrounding villages.
My research will be guided by two broad questions:
1. What are the limitations to the residents of Gowa in adopting sustainable agriculture practices?
2. If provided with the physical assets (e.g., irrigation, loans to offset low yields in early years), would my interviewees want to adopt these practices? If so, what initiatives would help them most? If not, why not?