Unlocking the potential : challenges and factors influencing the use of ICTs by smallholder maize farmers in Zimbabwe

DATA AVAILABILITY STATEMENT : The data and materials supporting the results and analysis presented in this paper is readily available upon reason- able request.The study aims to investigate the challenges faced by smallholder maize farmers and identify the pivotal factors influencing the adoption of ICTs in agriculture. A blend of descriptive and probit regression analytical techniques is applied by analyzing cross-sectional survey data from a selected multistage random sample of 155 maize farmers in Marondera Rural District, Zimbabwe. The study findings revealed that the foremost obstacles hampering ICT adoption include electricity shortages attributable to load-shedding and persistent communication network challenges. Additionally, it was observed that the utilization of mobile phones for agricultural purposes remains moderately low, while the use of computers in agriculture is strikingly minimal. The probit regression model results revealed that age, gender, access to credit, and extension contact are significant determinants for computer use in agriculture. Furthermore, critical influencers of mobile phone adoption for agricultural activities that were identified include farming experience, engagement in non-farm activities, credit access, remittances, and extension visits. The study recommends fostering an enabling environment to encourage farmers to embrace ICTs for agricultural purposes. To support this endeavor, the study advocates an improved agricultural training and extension system, with particular attention to less experienced and elderly farmers who may exhibit resistance to technological advancements.https://www.tandfonline.com/journals/OAEFhj2024Agricultural Economics, Extension and Rural DevelopmentSDG-02:Zero HungerSDG-09: Industry, innovation and infrastructur

Factors affecting the profitability of smallholder broiler production in Mutare district, Manicaland Province, Zimbabwe : a quantile regression approach

Small-scale broiler farming has become one of the fastest-growing subsectors in Zimbabwe. However, the profitability levels of these small ventures have been questioned due to the rising production costs owing to the highly inflationary macroeconomic environment. Using a sample of 110 small-scale broiler producers selected using the exponential non-discriminative snowballing sampling method, the paper analysed the factors affecting these farmers’ profitability. Gross margin analysis and quantile regression were used to analyse the data. We found that, although feed costs constituted 56.8% of the total variable costs, small-scale broiler production is a profitable venture in the area with a mean gross margin of US$65.25 per batch of 100 broilers and a return per dollar variable costs invested of$ 1.15. Training on broiler production, farming experience, level of education, access to extension services, access to credit and household size significantly determine the profitability of the broiler enterprise at various quantiles, with only training affecting profitability at all three quantiles. All these factors are essential contributing factors to the profitability or lack thereof of small-scale broiler production in Mutare district. We recommend that training programs on effective broiler production be offered to small-scale farmers in the Mutare district. The government and non-governmental organisations should also develop small loan packages that can assist the farmers in improving their production levels and profits. Government extension workers should be more visible and accessible to the farmers in peri-urban areas to positively influence their profitability levels.https://www.tandfonline.com/journals/OABMam2024Agricultural Economics, Extension and Rural DevelopmentSDG-02:Zero Hunge