Sustainable Development Goal 1 aims to end extreme poverty everywhere by the year 2030. Smallhold... more Sustainable Development Goal 1 aims to end extreme poverty everywhere by the year 2030. Smallholder irrigation development is arguably a vital strategy to reduce rural poverty. The authors assessed the socioeconomic determinants of poverty reduction in Mberengwa district, Zimbabwe. Data were collected from 444 randomly selected households. Data were analyzed using SPSS version 27 and Microsoft Excel 2019 software packages. Chi-square tests, t-tests, and Foster-Greer-Thorbecke (FGT) poverty index and binary logistic regression model tests were performed. The chi-square test results show an association between access to irrigation and farmer's level of education (p < 0.01). The t-test results show significant differences between irrigators and non-irrigators for household size (p < 0.01), household labor (p < 0.05), and rainfed plot size (p < 0.05). FGT indices show that the poverty incidence, depth, and severity were lesser for irrigators than non-irrigators. The binary logistic regression model results show that age, household size, access to irrigation and household income significantly influence household poverty status. In conclusion, access to irrigation reduces poverty in rural areas. However, access to irrigation is not a panacea for poverty reduction in rural areas. Smallholder irrigation development policies should consider socioeconomic determinants of poverty reduction to properly target and tailor interventions, and increase the relevance and effectiveness of poverty reduction efforts.
Sustainable Development Goal (SDG) 2 seeks to end hunger and guarantee food and nutrition securit... more Sustainable Development Goal (SDG) 2 seeks to end hunger and guarantee food and nutrition security worldwide by 2030. Smallholder irrigation development remains a key strategy to achieve SDG 2. This study assesses how smallholder irrigation contributes to household food security in Mberengwa district, Zimbabwe. Primary data were gathered from a randomly chosen sample of 444 farmers (344 irrigators and 100 non-irrigators) using a structured questionnaire. Microsoft Excel and Statistical Package for Social Sciences version 27 software packages were used to analyse the data. Descriptive statistics, chi-square test, t-test, and binary logistic regression were performed. The t-test results show significant differences in mean between irrigators and non-irrigators for household size, the dependency ratio, farming experience, farm income, food expenditure share, and livestock owned (p < 0.05). Irrigators had significantly higher area planted, yield, and quantity sold for maize during the summer than non-irrigators (p < 0.05). Food Consumption Score results show that 97% of irrigators and 45% of non-irrigators were food secure. Binary logistic regression results reveal a significant association between food security and household size, irrigation access, and farm income (p < 0.05). In conclusion, access to smallholder irrigation increases household food security. The government and its development partners should prioritise investments in smallholder irrigation development, expansion, and rehabilitation.
African Journal of Food, Agriculture, Nutrition and Development, May 31, 2023
Zimbabwe is an agricultural based economy contributing an average 20% to the gross domestic produ... more Zimbabwe is an agricultural based economy contributing an average 20% to the gross domestic product (GDP). The sector has been facing a number of challenges including low productivity, erratic rainfall, poor soil fertility, low investment, shortages of farm power, poor physical and institutional infrastructure. Tobacco is one of the major crops grown in Zimbabwe normally accounting for more than 50% of agricultural exports, 30% of total exports and nearly 10% of GDP. The advent of COVID-19 significantly affected tobacco production. The government instituted measures such as restrictions on transportation and movement of people, lockdowns, curfews, limited gatherings and closure of schools and universities. The study investigated the effects of COVID-19 on smallholder tobacco farmers in Zimbabwe. The results revealed both positive and negative effects of COVID-19 on tobacco farmers. On the positive side, there has been an increased adoption of information communication technology among farmers. The negative effects of the COVID-19 included reduction in tobacco hectarage, distortions in supply chains, shortage of labour supply, increased cost of production and difficulty in accessing extension services. Extension workers were also not able to offer training to farmers, negatively affecting new tobacco farmers given that they had limited know-how on cultivation of the crop and to, later on, cure it. The non-contracted farmers adopted coping and resilience strategies that ensured that they minimised losses and debts. These farmers were worried about the persistence of the pandemic and how long it would take them to take their produce to the markets. The implication of the study is that shocks to the agriculture sector have serious ramifications on farmers and the downstream industries. There is need for the government to build resilient mechanisms for the farmers and ensure timely bailouts so that production and marketing are not disturbed.
Evaluation of Financial Performance of Center Pivot Versus Furrow Irrigation Systems in Sugarcane Production at Green Fuel Estate in Chipinge, Zimbabwe
Big Data in Water Resources Engineering (BDWRE)
The study was conducted at Green Fuel Chisumbanje Estate in Chipinge, Zimbabwe. The study evaluat... more The study was conducted at Green Fuel Chisumbanje Estate in Chipinge, Zimbabwe. The study evaluated financial performance of Center pivot versus Furrow irrigation systems in sugarcane production. Secondary data were obtained from the Estate, Zimbabwe Electricity Transmission and Distribution Company, Agricultural Bank of Zimbabwe, Commercial Bank of Zimbabwe, First Capital bank, Zimbabwe National Water Authority and FAOSTAT. Cost Benefit Analysis (CBA) was used to assess financial performance. Furthermore, a sensitivity analysis was done to measure the responsiveness of financial performance to changes in market interest rate. CBA results showed that the Center pivot system is more financially viable [Net Present Value (NPV) =USD36 472; Internal Rate of Return (IRR) =50% and Benefit Cost Ratio (BCR) =1.26] than Furrow the system (NPV=USD24 414; IRR=49% and BCR=1.06). Furrow system was found to be less desirable (BCR falling from 1.06 to 0.99) than Center pivot system (BCR falling fr...
Assessing the readiness of Zimbabwe in adoption of an agricultural commodity and derivatives market- a review paper
With the increased fragmentation of the Zimbabwean agricultural system it has become apparent for... more With the increased fragmentation of the Zimbabwean agricultural system it has become apparent for stakeholders to look for new ways to managing market risk to enhance farm profits. Globalisation has also increased the pressure for regional and global integration hence the possibility of a commodities and derivative exchange has been under serious consideration by the Government and stakeholders. This review has shown that while financing the exchange is central to its implementation, more studies need to be done to assess, the level of interest by farmers, infrastructural, the logistical, warehousing, capacity building and legal parameters. A specific study on viability of the exchange is also required. The review has also shown that the success of such an exchange in sub-Saharan Africa, with the exception of SAFEX is limited due to the main issues of volumes of trade and strong government interventions in the market.
Asian Journal of Advances in Agricultural Research
The study’s aim was to determine socioeconomic factors that influence sustainable intensification... more The study’s aim was to determine socioeconomic factors that influence sustainable intensification amongst smallholder tobacco farms in Karoi district, Zimbabwe. The study was conducted during the period November 2018 to February 2019. A descriptive approach was used in the study. Primary data were collected using a structured questionnaire. The main aspects measured by the questionnaire were household demographic characteristics, assets owned, livestock ownership, income and expenditure, agricultural production and marketing information. A sample of 91 respondents was chosen using the stratified random sampling technique, with the strata being the four wards in Karoi district. Descriptive statistics together with a multivariate regression model were used to analyse the determinants of sustainable intensification among the smallholder tobacco farms. The main findings suggested a significant relationship between sustainable intensification and use of improved seed (P=.01), household-h...
The study was conducted in 2011 at Hamamavhaire and Mhende irrigation schemes in Chirumanzu distr... more The study was conducted in 2011 at Hamamavhaire and Mhende irrigation schemes in Chirumanzu district in Zimbabwe to determine the typology of the farmers using different irrigation technologies. A structured household survey was carried out on a sample of 79 respondents drawn from farmers using the sprinkler (n=32), flood (n=39) and drip (n=8) irrigation systems. The information gathered was analysed and interpreted using descriptive statistics and inferential statistics in the form of the chi-square test and Analysis of Variance (ANOVA). The main findings showed that there are significant differences (P < 0.05) in yield per hectare (for green maize, maize-grain, wheat and sugar-beans) across the three irrigation systems. Farmers using sprinkler irrigation were found to be better-off in terms of livestock ownership and household assets compared to those using drip and flood irrigation. The study recommended that there is need to provide agricultural training to farmers in irrigat...
The study was conducted in 2011 at Hamamavhaire and Mhende irrigation schemes in Chirumanzu distr... more The study was conducted in 2011 at Hamamavhaire and Mhende irrigation schemes in Chirumanzu district in Zimbabwe to determine the typology of the farmers using different irrigation technologies. A structured household survey was carried out on a sample of 79 respondents drawn from farmers using the sprinkler (n=32), flood (n=39) and drip (n=8) irrigation systems. The information gathered was analysed and interpreted using descriptive statistics and inferential statistics in the form of the chi-square test and Analysis of Variance (ANOVA). The main findings showed that there are significant differences (P < 0.05) in yield per hectare (for green maize, maize-grain, wheat and sugar-beans) across the three irrigation systems. Farmers using sprinkler irrigation were found to be better-off in terms of livestock ownership and household assets compared to those using drip and flood irrigation. The study recommended that there is need to provide agricultural training to farmers in irrigation schemes to enhance their productivity.
As a service to authors and researchers we publish this version of the accepted manuscript (AM) a... more As a service to authors and researchers we publish this version of the accepted manuscript (AM) as soon as possible after acceptance. Copyediting, typesetting, and review of the resulting proof will be undertaken on this manuscript before final publication of the Version of Record (VoR). Please note that during production and pre-press, errors may be discovered which could affect the content.
The study was conducted in 2011 at Hamamavhaire and Mhende irrigation schemes in Chirumanzu distr... more The study was conducted in 2011 at Hamamavhaire and Mhende irrigation schemes in Chirumanzu district in Zimbabwe to determine the typology of the farmers using different irrigation technologies. A structured household survey was carried out on a sample of 79 respondents drawn from farmers using the sprinkler (n=32), flood (n=39) and drip (n=8) irrigation systems. The information gathered was analysed and interpreted using descriptive statistics and inferential statistics in the form of the chi-square test and Analysis of Variance (ANOVA). The main findings showed that there are significant differences (P < 0.05) in yield per hectare (for green maize, maize-grain, wheat and sugar-beans) across the three irrigation systems. Farmers using sprinkler irrigation were found to be better-off in terms of livestock ownership and household assets compared to those using drip and flood irrigation. The study recommended that there is need to provide agricultural training to farmers in irrigation schemes to enhance their productivity.
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