Ecological intensification is being promoted to address food security and environmental challenges. It has shown the potential to improve yields as well as adapt and mitigate the effects of climate variability and change. Despite the great potential, smallholder farmers continue to shun the latter. Apart from this, limited research has been conducted focussing on their acceptance and use in smallholder sub-Saharan African agricultural systems. In this study, a qualitative approach using the Unified Theory of Acceptance and Use of Technology (UTAUT) four constructs (performance, ease of use, social influence and enablers) was used to assess behavioral intention to accept and use ecological intensification options. A total of 97 smallholder farmers from diverse farm types in rural Limpopo and Eastern Cape, South Africa participated in focus group discussions to assess behavioral intention to accept and use ecological intensification options. Smallholder farmers revealed that they were exposed to a plethora of ecological intensification options. However, acceptance and utilization of these options were low, mainly due to lack of awareness, germplasm, and technical support. The four constructs of the UTAUT framework revealed locally relevant knowledge that must be considered for effective acceptance and use of ecological intensification options.

Abbreviations: ACCESS: Alliance for Collaboration for Climate and Earth System Sciences; ADCI: African Climate Development Initiative; NRF: National Research Foundation; SSA: Sub Saharan Africa; UTAUT: Unified Theory of Acceptance and Use of Technology; WRC: Water Research Commission; FAO: Food and Agriculture Organisation; CA: Conservation Agriculture

正在促进生态集约化以应对粮食安全和环境挑战。它显示了提高产量以及适应和减轻气候变化和变化影响的潜力。尽管潜力巨大，但小农却继续避开后者。除此之外，已经进行了有限的研究，重点是在撒哈拉以南非洲小农户中对它们的接受和使用。在这项研究中，定性方法是使用统一的技术接受和使用理论（UTAUT）的四个结构（性能，易用性，社会影响力和促成因素）来评估接受和使用生态强化方案的行为意图。林波波农村地区和东开普省共有来自不同农场类型的97名小农，南非参加了焦点小组讨论，以评估接受和使用生态强化方案的行为意图。小农户表示，他们面临着过多的生态集约化选择。但是，这些选择的接受和利用率很低，这主要是由于缺乏认识，种质和技术支持。UTAUT框架的四个结构揭示了与当地有关的知识，为有效接受和使用生态集约化方案必须考虑这些知识。和技术支持。UTAUT框架的四个结构揭示了与当地有关的知识，为有效接受和使用生态集约化方案必须考虑这些知识。和技术支持。UTAUT框架的四个结构揭示了与当地有关的知识，为有效接受和使用生态集约化方案必须考虑这些知识。

缩写：ACCESS：气候和地球系统科学合作联盟；ADCI：非洲气候发展倡议；NRF：国家研究基金会；SSA：撒哈拉以南非洲；UTAUT：技术接受和使用的统一理论；WRC：水研究委员会；粮农组织：粮食及农业组织；CA：保护性农业