Impact of Corporate Governance on Service Delivery in Murewa Rural District Council (MRDC), Zimbabwe

Past studies on corporate governance sought to outline the best practices in corporate governance and other related areas. However, a study on the impact of corporate governance on service delivery in rural local authorities, especially Murewa Rural District Council (MRDC) has never been done.  Data was collected through questionnaires administered to MRDC management, staff, District Administrator and the Council Committee while a focus group discussion was held with MRDC staff and the Council chairperson. The study established that corporate governance has an impact on service delivery. The study also established that corporate governance at MRDC is hindered by structural and deliberate factors. Structural factors were policy and national in nature while deliberate factors were administrative and could be solved at local level. The study also noted that, Murewa RDC is doing its best in trying to adhere to best practices in corporate governance regardless of the militating factors.  The research recommends that government should take a deliberate stance in resolving militating factors by coming up with minimum qualifications for councillors and a quota system for women representation in Council. There is a feasibility of coming up with a Code of Corporate Governance for Local Authorities in Zimbabwe. Keywords: Agency, corporate governance, rural local authorities, service delivery, stakeholders, Zimbabwe

Characterization of Bank Lending Requirements for Farmers in Zimbabwe

Bank credit availability is vital for enhancing farm productivity, income, and farmer livelihoods. This study sought to characterize the lending requirements considered by commercial banks when lending to farmers in Zimbabwe. Primary data were collected from a cross-section of 12 registered commercial banks. Relative Importance Index (RII) and Thematic analysis analysed data. High importance lending requirements that were always considered by all commercial banks when lending to farmers included credit history, productive farm assets, business registration, loan purpose, amount, and repayment source. Agricultural production skills, age, business plans, financial statements, social reputation, and project insurance were also mandatory in the majority of the commercial banks. High to medium importance lending requirements included extension support, business management skills, bank account ownership, own contribution, and personal savings. Medium importance requirements included formal basic education, alternative income, and freehold land ownership. Therefore, besides the widely documented collateral, local commercial banks also considered several other requirements when lending to farmers. Government policy should go beyond solving the collateral issue but benchmark its policies to other bank lending requirements. Farmers should also pursue personal development programs in agricultural production, business, and financial management. They should also invest in off-farm assets to ensure collateral availability.</jats:p

Characterization of Bank Lending Requirements for Farmers in Zimbabwe

Bank credit availability is vital for enhancing farm productivity, income, and farmer livelihoods. This study sought to characterize the lending requirements considered by commercial banks when lending to farmers in Zimbabwe. Primary data were collected from a cross-section of 12 registered commercial banks. Relative Importance Index (RII) and Thematic analysis analysed data. High importance lending requirements that were always considered by all commercial banks when lending to farmers included credit history, productive farm assets, business registration, loan purpose, amount, and repayment source. Agricultural production skills, age, business plans, financial statements, social reputation, and project insurance were also mandatory in the majority of the commercial banks. High to medium importance lending requirements included extension support, business management skills, bank account ownership, own contribution, and personal savings. Medium importance requirements included formal basic education, alternative income, and freehold land ownership. Therefore, besides the widely documented collateral, local commercial banks also considered several other requirements when lending to farmers. Government policy should go beyond solving the collateral issue but benchmark its policies to other bank lending requirements. Farmers should also pursue personal development programs in agricultural production, business, and financial management. They should also invest in off-farm assets to ensure collateral availability

Characterization of Bank Lending Requirements for Farmers in Zimbabwe

Bank credit availability is vital for enhancing farm productivity, income, and farmer livelihoods. This study sought to characterize the lending requirements considered by commercial banks when lending to farmers in Zimbabwe. Primary data were collected from a cross-section of 12 registered commercial banks. Relative Importance Index (RII) and Thematic analysis analysed data. High importance lending requirements that were always considered by all commercial banks when lending to farmers included credit history, productive farm assets, business registration, loan purpose, amount, and repayment source. Agricultural production skills, age, business plans, financial statements, social reputation, and project insurance were also mandatory in the majority of the commercial banks. High to medium importance lending requirements included extension support, business management skills, bank account ownership, own contribution, and personal savings. Medium importance requirements included formal basic education, alternative income, and freehold land ownership. Therefore, besides the widely documented collateral, local commercial banks also considered several other requirements when lending to farmers. Government policy should go beyond solving the collateral issue but benchmark its policies to other bank lending requirements. Farmers should also pursue personal development programs in agricultural production, business, and financial management. They should also invest in off-farm assets to ensure collateral availability