Characterisation of soil physical properties and resistance to erosion in different areas of soil associations

Understanding the effects of soil physical properties on resistance to erosion is important for land use planning and soil erosion management. The objective of this study was to characterise the physical soil properties of areas of soil associations and determine the influence of litter source on aggregate stability and rates of soil loss in areas of soil association in the Ntabelanga area, Eastern Cape Province, South Africa. Soil was sampled from 21 randomly selected points in the areas of soil associations. Soil was incubated for 30 weeks after increasing the SOC to > 2% by adding Vachellia karroo leaves (low C/N) and Zea mays stover (high C/N) and rate of soil loss (t ha-1) determined at 1, 3, 8, 14, 23 and 30 weeks of incubation. The soil physical properties, resistance to dispersion and aggregates distribution varied significantly (P < 0.05) across soils. All soils had significantly (P < 0.05) low (< 2%) SOC (%) and high (> 0.02)[(t\ua0ha\ua0h)\ub7(ha\ua0MJ\ua0mm)-1] K-factors indicating high erodibility. Vachellia karroo and Z. may organic matter significantly (P < 0.05) reduced soil loss from 1 to 8 weeks after incubation thereafter lost its effectiveness. Organic matter stabilised the soils, but only for a short period (8 weeks). It is recommended to minimise soil disturbance in the Ntabelanga area as this will exacerbates the problem of erosion.Il est important de comprendre les effets des propri\ue9t\ue9s physiques du sol sur la r\ue9sistance \ue0 l\u2019\ue9rosion pour la planification de l\u2019utilisation des terres et la gestion de l\u2019\ue9rosion du sol. L\u2019objectif de cette \ue9tude \ue9tait de caract\ue9riser les propri\ue9t\ue9s physiques du sol des zones d\u2019associations de sol et de d\ue9terminer l\u2019influence de la source de liti\ue8re sur la stabilit\ue9 d\u2018agr\ue9gat\ua0de\ua0sol et les taux de perte de sol dans les zones d\u2019association de sol dans la r\ue9gion de Ntabelanga, Province du Cap oriental, Afrique du Sud. Le sol a \ue9t\ue9 \ue9chantillonn\ue9 \ue0 partir de 21 points choisis au hasard dans les zones d\u2019associations de sols. Le sol a \ue9t\ue9 incub\ue9 pendant 30 semaines apr\ue8s avoir augment\ue9 le COS \ue0 > 2% en ajoutant des feuilles de Vachellia karroo (faible C / N) et de la souche de Zea mays (C/N \ue9lev\ue9) et le taux de perte de sol (t ha-1) d\ue9termin\ue9 \ue0 1, 3, 8, 14, 23 et 30 semaines d\u2019incubation. Les propri\ue9t\ue9s physiques du sol, la r\ue9sistance \ue0 la dispersion et la distribution des agr\ue9gats variaient consid\ue9rablement (P <0,05) d\u2019un sol \ue0 l\u2019autre. Tous les sols avaient significativement (P <0,05) un SOC faible (<2%) (%) et \ue9lev\ue9 (> 0,02) [(t ha h).(ha MJ mm)-1] facteur K indiquant une forte \ue9rodabilit\ue9. Vachellia karroo et Z.may peuvent consid\ue9rablement r\ue9duire la perte de sol de 1 \ue0 8 semaines apr\ue8s que l\u2019incubation ait perdu son efficacit\ue9. La mati\ue8re organique a stabilis\ue9 les sols, mais seulement pendant une courte p\ue9riode (8 semaines). Il est recommand\ue9 de minimiser la perturbation du sol dans la r\ue9gion de Ntabelanga car cela aggravera le probl\ue8me de l\u2019\ue9rosion

COVID-19 outbreak lockdown and its impacts on marketing of horticultural produces in Zimbabwe

Coronavirus disease of 2019 (COVID-2019) outbreak resulted to a global health problem. Lockdown was one of the common options suggested to curb the pandemic. Horticultural produces are perishable so delayed post-harvest marketing cause losses. This study aimed at evaluating the marketing of horticultural produces and farmers’ level of preparedness during the COVID-19 lockdown. A self-administered questionnaire was posted online from April 7 to May 7, 2020 the first month of COVID-19 lockdown in Zimbabwe (began on March 30, 2020). The study targeted horticultural farmers around Harare peri-urban and had 300 respondents. Data on sociodemographic, farmers’ behavior, awareness and attitude toward marketing and desire to minimize post-harvest losses was obtained. Frequency counts and percentages were determined. Chi-square tests on independent variables were done to test associations with demographics using SPSS version 8. There were significant (P<0.05) relations between awareness and attitude toward marketing, age and level of education. Demographic variable influenced the famers’ marketing behavior and attitude during COVID-19 lockdown. Most farmers reported highest (>35%) produce sale leftovers at the markets and spoilage during than prior the COVID-19 lockdown. The lockdown resulted to low sales and most farmers were unprepared for any crisis during the marketing stage of their production. The research contributed to an understanding of how a crisis situation influence marketing of horticultural produce and raises awareness regarding post-harvest losses. A qualitative study is recommended as a follow-up of this work

Evaluation of Farm Technical Efficiency Among Smallholder Cotton Farmers in Zimbabwe

There are few efficiency studies that have been done in Zimbabwe. The current study bridges the literature gap by carrying a frontier efficiency analysis using survey data obtained from the cotton producing farms in three selected provinces. Results from a restricted stochastic frontier model, with a three-stage procedure, indicated existence of technical inefficiency in cotton production. Our findings proved that the results from the traditional frontier models are biased. The model displays that farmers' educational background, farm size, soil type, the application of fertilizer (both basal and top dressing), access to inputs, reliability of rainfall, farmers' involvement in off-farm work and cotton production experiences significantly (p= 0.05) contribute to input use efficiency. A quantile regression showed that knowledge indicators were pivotal in increasing farmers’ efficiency in cotton production. The impact of cotton production experience on technical efficiency was positive, though not significant, in the middle and higher efficiency percentiles. Notably, having a basic education (completing primary education only) was not sufficient in obtaining higher efficiency. Results indicated that the provision of agricultural training and the development of sound cotton extension services will assist farmers to acquire new technologies and decision-making capabilities about farm productivity that will ultimately raise the resource use efficiency in cotton production

EVALUATION OF FARM TECHNICAL EFFICIENCY AMONG SMALLHOLDER COTTON FARMERS IN ZIMBABWE

There are few efficiency studies that have been done in Zimbabwe. The current study bridges the literature gap by carrying a frontier efficiency analysis using survey data obtained from the cotton producing farms in three selected provinces. Results from a restricted stochastic frontier model, with a three-stage procedure, indicated existence of technical inefficiency in cotton production. Our findings proved that the results from the traditional frontier models are biased. The model displays that farmers' educational background, farm size, soil type, the application of fertilizer (both basal and top dressing), access to inputs, reliability of rainfall, farmers' involvement in off-farm work and cotton production experiences significantly (p= 0.05) contribute to input use efficiency. A quantile regression showed that knowledge indicators were pivotal in increasing farmers’ efficiency in cotton production. The impact of cotton production experience on technical efficiency was positive, though not significant, in the middle and higher efficiency percentiles. Notably, having a basic education (completing primary education only) was not sufficient in obtaining higher efficiency. Results indicated that the provision of agricultural training and the development of sound cotton extension services will assist farmers to acquire new technologies and decision-making capabilities about farm productivity that will ultimately raise the resource use efficiency in cotton production

Growth and Performance of Baby Spinach (Spinacia oleracea L.) Grown under Different Organic Fertilizers

Spinacia oleracea L. (baby spinach) is a relatively new leaf vegetable crop in Zimbabwe, so the agronomic performance is unknown. A 3-year field experiment was done at the Seke Teachers College research farm, Zimbabwe. The research evaluated the response of baby spinach to different types of organic manure sources, days after fertilizer application (DAS), and growing season. A 3 × 2 factorial in a completely randomized block design (CRBD) with three replicates was used. Baby spinach cultivar, Dash, was grown on three organic manures (goat applied at 14.894 t ha−1, cattle at 17.789 t ha−1, and poultry at 13.807 t ha−1) in winter 2018, 2019, and 2020. Compound D (7% N, 14% P, and 7% K) at 300 kg ha−1 was included as a control. Crop growth rate, leaf area index, leaf area ratio, net assimilation rate, total dry matter production, and harvest index were measured on 7-day intervals from 14 to 35 days after transplanting. Analysis of variance (ANOVA) to compare the effects of the treatments on the baby spinach growth parameters was done. Significant p<0.05 interactions on the type of organic manure × DAS × growing season were observed on all the measured response variables. There were varied effects of organic manures on growth performance at 14 to 28 DAS where poultry manure had higher growth performance compared to cattle and goat manure. Generally, there was a significant p<0.05 gradual increase in growth from 14 to 35 DAS on the organic manures and a decline from day 28 to 35 DAS under compound D. Low quality (large C/N) cattle and goat manure had lower effects than high quality (small C/N) poultry manure at early growth stages of the baby spinach. Unlike compound D, organic manure continuously supplied adequate nutrients throughout the life cycle (35 DAS) of the baby spinach

Unlocking the potential of value chains as climate change resilience strategies: can macadamia nuts (macadamia integrifolia) offer the gateway?

The consequences of climate change threaten existing agriculture systems across Zimbabwe. The researchers examined the possibility and potential for developing a smallholder farmer driven macadamia nuts value chain. Using the case of Chipinge district, Manicaland province, Zimbabwe, the study evaluated the potential of macadamia nut value chain functions as a climate change resilience strategy in Zimbabwe. Challenges faced by actors and positive developments made in incorporating smallholders into the macadamia nuts production sector were explored. The role of local markets and producers in the international trade in macadamia nuts were also examined, using a modified stakeholder analysis framework. Triangulation, a mixed methodology, was used to adequately capture the various quantitative and qualitative dimensions along the macadamia nuts value chain pillars. A sample of 220 farming units including Estates, A1 and A2 farmers was proportionately selected for the study. Primary data were collected from Key Informants through interviews and personal communications. Secondary data were collected from Agritex officers, buyers, and the Macadamia Association of Zimbabwe farmers’ records.  The production-marketing interface for macadamia nuts is weakly coordinated in the study area as shown by the rudimentary production systems especially for the A1 and A2 farmers. Results show that the major missing links are the limited application of extension driven production enhancers and the limited visibility of farmers in more rewarding export markets. Production scales have, however, been increasing with more farmers allocating land towards the macadamia nuts trees. Decentralization of macadamia nuts markets and localized value addition needs to be done to realign domestic and export market prices

Use and Management of Animal Manure by the Communal Farmers, Seke District, Mashonaland East Province, Zimbabwe

Poor handling and storage practices reduce the manure quality as a fertilizer. A survey was done in the Seke communal area, Zimbabwe to establish common manure management practices, determine factors that influence use of manure and determine effects of the manure management practices on vegetable yield. A structured questionnaire was administered to 222 respondents from April to August 2019. Both descriptive and inferential statistics were done using SPSS. Chi-square tests and Spearman rank correlation were done to test for associations and the non-cause-effect relationship between different independent variables and farmers’ management practice of manure respectively. 88% of the respondents owned 0.5 t/ha) quantities and >50% of the farmers were void of information on animal manure management. Fencing only was the common type of animal housing but had negative effects on quantity and quality of the manure. Drylot was most common (90%) manure management practice and different manure management practices had significantly (P<0.05) varied effects on vegetable yield. Drying manure resulted in significantly (P<0.05) low losses in manure quality. Generally, poultry and pigs manure had higher nutrient content compared to cattle and goat manure. Animal housing affected the quantity and quality of the manures as a fertilizer. Extension service programs like vocational training on manure management, exposure visits between farmers as well as a lead farm approach are necessary