Ahamed M. Ramadhani ^* Eliakira K. Nassary Filbert B. Rwehumbiza Boniface H. Massawe Susan Nchimbi-Msolla

• Sokoine University of Agriculture, Morogoro, Tanzania

Synthetic biodegradable mulch emerges as a promising option to address plastic waste concerns in agriculture by performing equally to polyethylene, and biodegrading completely into constituents that do not harm soil and environments. Derived from renewable resources like thermoplastic starch, polylactic acid, polyhydroxyalkanoates, and copolyesters, synthetic biodegradable mulch offers sustainable alternatives to conventional polyethylene mulch. The review covers three main aspects:(1) the potential benefits of Synthetic biodegradable mulch in crop production, pest and disease control; (2) the socioeconomic, environmental and climatic resilience of synthetic biodegradable mulch compared to polyethylene mulch; and (3) the existing and feasible institutional policies for promoting the adoption and use of synthetic biodegradable mulch. The findings indicated that synthetic biodegradable mulch can provide similar or better performance than polyethylene mulch in terms of crop yield and quality, weed suppression, acting as a physical barrier against pests and diseases, reducing the need for chemical usage, water conservation, and nutrient management. In addition, synthetic biodegradable mulch can reduce plastic waste, microplastic pollution, and greenhouse gas emissions, contributing to environmental sustainability and climate change mitigation. However, the adoption of synthetic biodegradable mulch is influenced by various factors, such as relatively high initial investment costs, farmer preferences, consumer demand, and regulatory framework. Synthetic biodegradable mulch holds promise for improving small farmer's livelihoods without compromising the environment. Keywords: Conservation agricultural practices; Bio-based products; improved livelihoods; Smallholder farming systems.Introduction Mulching, a well-established agricultural practice, involves directly applying materials onto soil surfaces for purposes such as safeguarding seedlings, minimizing evaporation, controlling weeds, and enhancing the aesthetic appeal of an area (Chalker-Scott, 2007;Mhlanga et al., 2021;Abbate et al., 2023). The mulches are instrumental in protecting delicate crops from adverse conditions caused by weather, pests, and weeds. Widely employed in agriculture, they are crucial tools for preventing crop yield loss (Mansoor et al., 2022). Mulching fosters economic and environmental sustainability by improving crop yields, reducing water usage, and lowering greenhouse gas emissions. This is achieved through decreased soil respiration and a diminished need for synthetic fertilizers, which typically have a high carbon footprint (Guo and Liu, 2022).