Leveraging green training practices to foster sustainable farming practices in agricultural co-operatives in Tanzania.

Abstract

Globally, sustainable farming practices are essential for reducing the consequences of climate change and preserve the long-term sustainability of food production systems. Although studies have indicated that Tanzanian agricultural cooperatives may and should support climate change adaptation and mitigation strategies, the information on the impact of green training practices on sustainable farming practices is still scant. It is against this backdrop that the present study was carried out to assess the effectiveness of green training practices in fostering sustainable farming practices in agricultural co-operatives in Tanzania. By utilizing the Ability Motivation Opportunity theory, the study employed systematic review of literature by multiple reviewers whereby the International Bibliography of the Social Sciences, EBSOhost, SCOUPS, Google Scholar, DOAJ and Web of Science were searched focusing on titles and abstracts published from January 2015 to December 2025, supported with gray literature review and the field expert inputs. Further, only articles without language or publication date restriction were consulted and search terms included green training, co-operatives, agricultural cooperatives, sustainable farming practices and climate friendly agriculture. None the less, the Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-analyzes (PRISMA) flow diagram was used to summarize and record the articles found relevant for the study. The search identified 110 studies on green training practices in sustainable agricultural co-operatives, with 43 meeting inclusion criteria. All studies provided relevant information addressing the research objective. Thus, the systematic review found that different green strategies, green skills and knowledge can promote sustainable farming practices in agricultural co-operatives, hence improving soil health, reducing chemical dependency, and promoting eco-friendly methods. The study concluded that green training in Tanzanian agricultural cooperatives can foster commitment to sustainable agricultural practices, recommending strengthening green training programs and integrating green practices into cooperative by-laws as the best ways to promote sustainable agricultural practices in Tanzania.