An analysis of agricultural commercialisation amongst smallholder farmers in Munyati Resettlement Area, Chikomba District, Zimbabwe

Smallholder farmer commercialisation has been identified as a way of increasing agricultural production, food availability, and farmers' incomes. Smallholder commercialisation can occur asa result of an increase in the production levels of "traditional" food crops or asa result ofa shift in production towards cash crops. Commercialisation occurs both on the input side and output side. Zimbabwe has been coming up with strategies to increase smallholder farmer commercialisation and participation in agricultural markets. Smallholder farmers in Munyati resettlement area in Zimbabwe are still facing challenges in commercialisation. The study analysed smallholder farmer input and output commercialisation in the study area, paying attention to the determinants, current levels, challenges and the perceptions of the smallholder farmers on commercialisation. The study was limited to crop commercialisation. The study respondents were smallholder farmers and the extension officer working in the study area. Research methodologies used include transect walk, key informant interviews, and structured questionnaires. Descriptive statistics and econometric methods were used to analyse the data on the statistical package Stata version 10.0. The Tobit Regression Model was used to analyse the determinants of input and output commercialisation. The study revealed that the farmers have an average input commercialisation index of0.42 and an average output commercialisation index of 0.41. Level of input commercialisation was found to be determined by method of cultivation, years of schooling of household head, irrigation availability, distance to input market, road access and household gross production value in the study area. Level of output commercialisation at household level was found to be determined by household labour size, irrigation availability, household gross production value, farming experience and off farm income. The farmers had positive perceptions and attitudes towards agricultural commercialisation. Various challenges were indicated as hindrances to commercialisation. Most of the indicated challenges were market related. Lack of farmer organisations was another challenge indicated. The study ends by recommending that different strategies be used to enhance input and output commercialisation as they are determined by different factors. Further studies are recommended on commodity specific levels of commercialisation so as to better understand the agricultural commodities which can be promoted for the purpose commercialisation in the study area.

Author dc:creator

• Kabiti, Hlekani Muchazotida

Advisors dc:contributor.advisor

• Raidimi, E. N
• Pfumayaramba, T. K.

• Adoption
• Survival strategies
• Agro-SMEs
• economic ression
• Climate change
• UCTD

Statement dc:rights

• Univeristy of Venda

Language dc:language.iso

en

Handle dc:identifier.uri

http://hdl.handle.net/11602/250

OAI identifier oai:identifier

oai:univendspace.univen.ac.za:11602/250