Agricultural Product Types and Household Income Contribution in Mhondoro-Mubaira (Zimbabwe) (original) (raw)
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Agriculture
Zimbabwe has recently experienced a considerable shift towards the production of more cash crops, such as tobacco, at the expense of food crops. Although cash cropping has been associated with increased income, the question is whether the income gained from cash crops would be enough to provide the food needs of farming households. This research was conducted to analyse the impact of cash crops on household food security. A cross-sectional survey consisting of 281 randomly selected smallholder farmers in Shamva District was used for primary data collection. Data were analysed using the Tobit regression model and Propensity score matching (PSM). The household dietary diversity score (HDDS) was used to measure food security. The PSM results showed a positive impact of cash crop production on the HDDS. This could be attributed to the income effect of cash cropping. Furthermore, Tobit regression results showed that cash crop production (p < 0.1), non-farm income (p < 0.01), total ...
2014
Farmers in Zimbabwe face many challenges, including low soil fertility, low and erratic rainfall, and poor market access. They are therefore often poor and vulnerable to risks and shocks. With increasing human populations and a dwindling natural resource base, farming systems are under greater pressure to provide sufficient food and sustain farmers' livelihoods. There is a dire need to intensify farming systems on a sustainable basis. Previous efforts have been focusing on improving either crop or livestock production, often ignoring the potential synergies mixed systems offer. We believe that substantial gains can be made by better integrating crop and livestock systems, using the resources more effectively and following a more market-oriented approach. This report describes the baseline situation of crop-livestock systems in semi-arid Zimbabwe. It informs the ZimCLIFS project, which has the goal to improve rural food security and livelihoods through promoting sustainable intensification of integrated crop-livestock systems and market participation. The report focuses on communities in Nkayi and Gwanda Districts, situated in agro-ecological zones IV and V in southwestern Zimbabwe. In each district participatory community visioning was held to identify development pathways that the communities seek to pursue. About 300 households were interviewed to compile data informing a comprehensive farming systems analysis. Descriptive statistics characterize the households, including a disaggregated gender analysis. Through factor and cluster analysis, farm households were grouped into most common-farm types based on resource endowments, agricultural production levels and market markets. Communities in both districts saw their future in market-oriented agriculture. The levels of both crop and livestock production were however very low at both districts. Maize, the predominant crop, yielded less than 400 kg per ha, during a year of relatively low rainfall. Yields of sorghum and groundnuts were even less. Farmers relied mainly on using resources within their systems. Almost all households used animal draft power to plow crop fields, more than half the households fed crop residues to their animals and a third used animal manure as organic fertilizer. The use of external inputs was more limited. Fewer than 20% of households applied fertilizers. In Gwanda about a third of the livestock keepers fed commercial stock-feeds to their animals. As a result of low production, crop sales and livestock off-take rates were also low (<5%), and financial reinvestments limited. Farm typology analysis suggests that households experienced different levels of resource endowments and their investments in agriculture varied. The majority were very poor, especially female-headed households. They need safety support to protect their assets. For them drought-tolerant crops and small stock, improved management and strong support to start marketable production could make a difference. Distinctively different were the groups of intensifying farmers. They were better endowed in resources and access to information, practiced more diversified and integrated farming systems, and earned higher income from agriculture. Even though a small proportion, these farmers are important for promoting improved agricultural production. The farm typologies will be used to simulate potential yields and welfare gains for different types of household in their specific contexts.
John Ishimwe, 2018
ABSTRACT Maize is a staple crop in Zimbabwe, hence it bears important implications for poverty alleviation and food security. The thesis aims to assess the factors affecting maize production of smallholder farmers in Mutasa district specifically in Old Mutare. The study used descriptive research design to investigate the factors affecting maize productivity in Old Mutare. The population of smallholder farmers in Old Mutare were 135 and the researcher used a sample size of 57 smallholder farmers. The researcher made use of questionnaire to collect information for the research study. The questionnaire was randomly distributed to smallholder farmers in Old Mutare, and the researcher targeted the farmers group in Old Mutare which regularly meets on. The data was analysed using descriptive method only. Research data was presented using the following; frequency tables and percentages, bar graphs and pie charts. The findings indicated that young farmers adopts technology fast and easy as compared to old farmers. Male-headed household are more productive as compared to female-headed household. Majority of smallholder farmers in Old Mutare uses unpaid family labour as a source of power followed by animal draught power. The main costly in maize production its fertiliser followed by land preparation. Smallholder farmers in Old Mutare do not practice modern farming methods which are cost effective in maize production for example they do not practice minimum tillage and they do not apply herbicides to their crops, but they know that these modern farming methods reduced cost of production. Majority of farmers in Old Mutare do not attend field days, however they know the importance of extension service to them. significant number of smallholder farmers in Old Mutare indicated that they have never received loan of which loan is essential in farming to enable financing of farming practice. Majority of farmers did not sell their maize because less was produced and it was used to feed families. The findings also show that smallholder farmers are aware of climate change and majority have been affected by it. The researcher then recommended the following; smallholder farmers in Old Mutare should engage young farmers in their farming practice through employing attachés from colleges and universities, encourage female-headed household to seek information on different farming aspects and attend extension services. Smallholder farmers cooperate and buy or hire machine power since it prepares the land well and it is cost effective. The farmers group leader should report to the local government that they are receiving subsidies late to see if it can be adjusted to effectively use government subsidies. Individual farmers should also be encouraged to use the subsidies effective. Farmers should also seek financial information from different financial institution to and choose the credit facility that is affordable and meet the farmer’s needs. Key words: Maize, maize production, smallholder farmers, Old Mutare, Mutasa
International Journal of Sustainable Development Research
The objective of this research was to ascertain the communal farmers' perceptions and experiences regarding the current communal market system. The study was carried out in the area of Mhondoro-Mubaira, situated in Mashonaland West province of Zimbabwe. The population samples for the study comprised of communal farmers (N=150) and extension officers (N=25. According to the study, private buyers are the most preferred buyers for all the produce, for field, garden crops and livestock. The reason for favorable rating of the private buyers is they offer competitive prices, they pay the farmers on delivery of produce and sometimes they cover transport costs. Even though the private buyers are the most preferred buyers, farmers still prefer selling produce between themselves and the open market because they have control of the prices especially for livestock. The Grain Marketing Board and the Cold Storage Commission, which are government run, are the least favorable markets for the farmers. This is because these institutions offer the lowest prices, they do not pay on delivery and offer any assistance to the farmers regarding transport/transport costs. The results show that the farmers are not satisfied with the of the current market system which they deem restrictive, minimally supported by the government, low participation by the private sector, and the current economic situation in Zimbabwe overburdens the situation. The government of Zimbabwe needs to create a conducive environment for private players to participate with government interferences through overburdening policies.
2014
This study aims at describing the baseline situation of crop-livestock systems in the semi- arid regions of Zimbabwe. Using quantitative household surveys data and stakeholder workshops, it captures livelihood strategies, community visions, crop and livestock production and marketing, perceptions of risk and uncertainties and farm household typologies. The present data set captures quantitative household data from two districts of Gwanda and Nkayi. At each site multi-stage sampling approach was used. A total of four wards in each district were purposively selected, to include wards close to and far from market centres and in each ward three villages were randomly selected. Household village population across the two districts ranged from 200-300 households. Using random sampling techniques 25-30 households were selected in each village. The sample size (n) for Gwanda is 350 and for Nkayi is331. The overall goal of the project is to identify, test and prove ways to increase agricultu...
Journal of Agricultural Extension and Rural Development, 2013
Zimbabwe's semi-arid regions are characterized by high incidence of poverty, low rural incomes, low agricultural productivity, and food insecurity. These all lead to difficulties in sustaining rural livelihoods. Relatively little is known about the impacts of agricultural technologies on agricultural productivity and food security in the drier pockets of land located within the wetter regions of the country. This study explored the relationships between agricultural technology use (water harvesting, conservation agriculture, fertilizer/ manure application, and irrigation) and agricultural productivity and food security among households in Ward 15 of Makonde District in Mashonaland West Province. The methodology employed involved questionnaire interviews of 55 households selected using the stratified random sampling technique. Data analysis involved the use of the Statistical Package for the Social Sciences (SPSS). Hypothesis testing was done using the independent samples t-test and oneway between groups analysis of variance. Use of conservation agriculture resulted in significantly higher maize yields among smallholders. The t-test to measure the impact of using irrigation technology on crop yields indicated that there was a significant difference between mean yields of those practicing irrigation (Mean = 2.70 ton; SD = 2.30) and those not practicing it (Mean = 0.76 ton; SD = 1.19); t = 3.35 at the 0.2% level of significance. Therefore, development resources in semi-arid areas like Makonde District should be channeled towards agricultural technologies such as irrigation and conservation agriculture.
Development Southern Africa, 2014
Policies fronting commercialization of agriculture in Kenya assumed that realization of increased household incomes, through cultivation of cash crops, would guarantee improved food security and subsequent reduction of poverty. Population pressure has led to competition for limited land resource, coupled with unfavorable poverty indicators; they have impacted negatively on food access in the district. Factors influencing households' food security among smallholder tea farmers in Nandi South was investigated using a modified Almost Ideal Demand System (AIDS). Multi-stage proportional-to-size cluster sampling was used to sample 180 households. Results showed that income, savings, food storage, land productivity, off-farm income, ratio of land allocated to tea significantly influence household dietary diversity. Policies that aim at improving household food security among smallholder cash crop farmers should target at increasing and diversifying household income sources and farm enterprises, provision of saving opportunities, storage facilities and proper allocation of land resource between cash crops and food crops.
The study assessed the socio-economic impact of the Zimbabwean white farmers on the host communities; Shonga, Dumagi, and Todo in Edu Local Government Area of Kwara State. Two set of questionnaire was administered to gathered information on the socio-economic impact of the large scale commercial farming by the Zimbabwean white farmers. The first set of questionnaire was administered to the people of the three areas selected for the study, while the second set of questionnaire was administered to the Zimbabwean white farmers. A total of 385 respondent were used as the sample size, drawn from the sample frame (10,318). On the other hand, 5 white farmers were administered the second questionnaire, this was based on the number of white farms in the communities. Two hypotheses were tested in the study: the first shows that there is no significant difference in the monthly income of the people before and after the coming of the white farmers, the result shows that the calculated t value of .000 is < the P-value of 1.000 (2-tailed) under 8 degrees of freedom; the second hypothesis reveals that there is a significant relationship between the coming of the white farmers and improvement in farming skills of the host communities. The result shows that the calculated chi value is greater than P-value of 14.292 and .074 respectively. On a whole, the coming of the white farmers has brought some positive impact among the host community, however, the government need to fulfill its own part of the understanding-provision off adequate security, electricity, good roads and pipe-borne water.
Horticultural crop production and marketing among smallholders in Zimbabwe
University of Zimbabwe (UZ) Publications eBooks, 1997
Horticultural crop production was traditionally under women's domain. As families migrated to the urban areas, many women utilized their indigenous knowledge of these crops in establishing and maintaining marketing enterprises in the informal economy. This paper analyzes traditional aspects of horticultural crop production within the communal area farming system, utilizing gender and the rural division of labour as key elements in this system. The paper then discusses how women's expertise in horticultural crops was transformed to fit the urban marketing setting of Harare. The analysis then proceeds to characterize the incomes derived from this economic activity with policy suggestions as to how female urban fruit and vegetable vendors might maintain their marketing niche, especially in light of the imposition of ESAP (Economic Structural Adjustment Policies). The paper is based on research conducted 1985-87, 1993 and 1994.