A survey of the distribution of and consumer preference for dried fruits and vegetables in the Harare-Chitungwiza metropolis

A journal article based on a survey of the distribution of and consumer preference for dried fruits and vegetables in Zimbabwe.The distribution of and consumer preference for dried fruits and vegetables in the Harare-Chitungwiza metropolis was studied by conducting two surveys. Data was collected over eight weeks between December 1999 and February 2000. The survey on the distribution of dried fruits and vegetables was conducted in 47 retail shops located in low, medium-and high density areas and the Central Business District (CBD). Low density areas are generally inhabited by high income earners (at least US$909 to Z$50 000 per month) while medium income earners inhabit medium density areas (earning between US$182 and US$909 to Z$10 000 and Z$50 000). The high density areas are home to low income earners earning at most US$182 (Z$10 000). The objective of the survey was to determine the types and brands of dried fruits and vegetables on the market, their source, and to draw a comparison between the prices of fresh and dried products. The products on the market were found to be predominantly from Zimbabwe and South Africa. The distribution of products was found to be related to the socioeconomic status of the hinterland serviced by a particular shop. Low density area shops had more total products (both fresh and dry) than the shops in other residential areas. Shops in the low density areas and the CBD had equal ratios of fresh and dried products suggesting that they were patronised by the same type of clients. Medium density area shops had 16 times more fresh than dried products while shops in the high density areas had no dried products at all. On a weight basis dried products were found to be more expensive than fresh products. Price ratios for dried to fresh products ranged from four-fold for apples (Malus domestics Borkh.) to 20 fold for mangoes (Mangifera indica L.). The survey on consumer preference for dried products was conducted by administering samples of dried fruits; mangoes, apples, peaches (Prunus persica L. Batsch) and pears (Pyrus communis L.) and questionnaires to a total of 120 individuals in the Harare-Chitungwiza metropolis. The survey was aimed at determining the favourite brand of product for each fruit as well as the attribute considered to be the most important by the consumers, in influencing their preference for the products among colour, texture, taste, shape, size and smell. Optimal Scaling Procedures were used to analyse the data. For all fruits colour was considered to be the most important attribute followed by taste and smell, respectively. Size and texture were considered of less importance in influencing consumer preference

Characteristics of four rural horticultural markets in the south-eastern low veld of Zimbabwe

A research paper on four rural based outlets for the convenience of trading in horticultural produce in the South- Eastern Lowveld regions of Zimbabwe.Fortnightly surveys of Iruit and vegetable marketing at four rural centres representing diverse socio-economic hinterlands of communal (Ngundu), resettlement (Matandamaviri), smallholder irrigation (Rupangwana) and semi-urban (Checheche) areas were done between September 1989 and December 1990. The three most important vegetables marketed were tomato, rape and cabbage while banana, avocado and orange were the dominant fruits. Results showed differences in the type and volume of produce, source of produce, supply and seasonal availability of produce among the marketing centres. Matandamaviri had the lowest economic activity while Rupangwana recorded the most activity. For all centres, except Matandamaviri, stallholders sometimes travelled great distance of up to 300 km in search of fruits and vegetables for sale. The most commonly cited problems included transport difficulties, unreliability and poor quality of produce, and overtrading among the stallholders due to over-supply on the market

Strategies of smallholder irrigation management in Zimbabwe

The smallholder irrigation sub-sector in Zimbabwe, according to literature sources, is under threat due to what are called management problems. Poor water management and low crop yields have been cited, as has also been poor financial and economic viability, resulting in heavy government subsidies. Schemes run by farmers are said to be better managed than those under government management. This study sought to understand the implied management problem in both government and farmer-managed smallholder irrigation schemes in Zimbabwe. The study had its focus operational irrigation management, dealing with what irrigation management actually was, what it involved and did not involve, and how it was executed in practice. This was investigated in relation to water delivery/distribution, field irrigation and crop production and disposal as three distinguishable operational 'levels' in irrigation management.The socio-technical approach to irrigation was chosen as the general theoretical framework of the study since it is able to handle both social and technical aspects. A number of concepts were used namely practice, coping strategies, institutionalisation and ideology. Empirical evidence was mainly gathered with respect to Mutambara, Chibuwe and Fuve Panganai irrigation schemes. The study was conducted between 1994 and 1996 and included at least two wet and dry seasons.The empirical material demonstrated that water distribution was affected by the water source, the technology, social relations and commoditization of certain crops, which however, combined and recombined differently in each scheme it was concluded formal water allocation should not be emphasized ahead of how actually water is distributed in practice. Farmers were found to be at the very centre of field irrigation as shown by farmers' ability to cope with the demands of timing of irrigation, the amount of water to be applied and the actual application of water in the fields. Apart from the biophysical conditions of the fields, farmer's face challenges in the social realm, particularly socio-economic factors such as lack of draught power and related financial resources to adequately prepare lands for irrigation. There was also a discussion of the causes of the discrepancy between farmers and government officials in relation to operational aspects of irrigation management. These included institutionalization highlighting that certain practices were largely a result of routines having been established and ideology referring to the fact that interventions tend to be based on ideas about what ought to be done ideally, and not on practical realities on the ground.The major conclusions of the study were that the state tended to administer rather than manage irrigation schemes. In contrast farmers in all the schemes easily engaged with operational aspects of irrigation management. Farmers, however, had their shortcomings particularly, in relation to factoring extra-local factors. The findings caution against hasty conclusion that farmer management was superior to government management without understanding the coefficients of the actual management in place. It is suggested that irrigation management should be seen as composed of management domains where some actors are more active in one area than others for a variety of reasons. This observation justifies a contingency approach to management originating from organizational theory which can be summarized thus: the beginning of management wisdom is the awareness that there is no one optimum management system.</p

Indigenous and institutional profile: Limpopo River Basin

River basins / Water resource management / History / Institutions / Social aspects / Legal aspects

A Lost Opportunity: The Case of the Water Reform Debate in the Fourth Parliament of Zimbabwe

This article analyses the debate on water reform that took place in the fourth Parliament of Zimbabwe leading up to the enactment of the Water Act [Chapter 20: 24] and the Zimbabwe National Water Authority (ZINWA) Act [Chapter 20: 25]. It assesses how Members of Parliament tried to ensure the utilisation and management of the country’s water resources for the benefit of their constituencies, most of them disadvantaged smallholder farmers, and the nation in general. Using Moore (1989)’s critique of the neo-liberal doctrine in water management, that emphasizes “the market†and technical efficiency, as water use-regulating mechanisms, it is argued that the debate failed to push for a more people-oriented water reform. This is illustrated in the article with regards to the goal of the reform torn between economictechnical and social objectives, lack of strong local institutions to further the democratic ideals and poor financing of water resource development. Overall the debate failed to place on the national agenda sustainable water development. Perhaps at a later date the lost opportunity can be regained by way of amending the concerned Acts of parliament