Perceptions of Small-Scale Farmers on Tobacco Contract Farming: The Case of Marondera Rural District, Zimbabwe

Small-scale farmers’ perceptions of tobacco contract farming schemes in the Marondera rural district of Zimbabwe were critically assessed in this paper. The multi-stage sampling design was used to select five wards with the highest number of tobacco contracted farmers from where 60 contract and 60 non-contract tobacco farmers were randomly selected. A 5-point Likert scale was used to rank farmers’ perceptions. The paper established that small-scale farmers in Marondera rural district strongly believe contract farming makes it possible for the majority of farmers to venture into the production of high-value crops as it provides access to the much-needed markets while reducing the risk of price fluctuations. However, the majority of the respondents believed that contract farming is not profitable and there is a manipulation of farmers in contract farming arrangements. The independent samples t-test indicated a significant difference in perception score between participants and non-participants of tobacco contract farming schemes (p<0.05). The farmers who were not participating in tobacco contract farming schemes had a more positive perception of these schemes while those who participated had a more negative perception. The major implication is that gains associated with tobacco contract arrangements are not always apparent to farmers while the disincentives may be more visible. It is therefore fundamental that contract companies address some of the shortcomings existing in these contractual arrangements as well as change the perception of the farmers to develop mutually beneficial lasting relationships with their major stakeholders

A comparative economic analysis of small scale tobacco production under contract and non-contract farming : the case of Marondera rural district, Mashonaland East province, Zimbabwe

Constitutionalism and separation of powers is the most dynamic topic worldwide. Montesquieu, the French philosopher is credited with the doctrine of separation of powers. Various countries adopted the doctrine and modified it, in order to fit their systems of governments. The reason behind is that there is no universally recognized model of separation of powers or one size fit all. Countries apply this doctrine differently in a fashion that fits their domestic laws and constitutional requirements. Montesquieu gave a classic exposition and the rationale for separation of powers in one of his well-celebrated work “The Spirit of Laws”. The concept of separation of powers emerged premised on the theory that the arms of state namely, the judiciary, the legislature and the executive, should operate within their providence without one interfering with the other. From the South African perspective, the Constitution of South Africa of 1996 requires separation of powers even though it is not explicitly so stated in the text. This research examines the unique South African model of separation of powers and how the courts have navigated through it from the time the Constitution was promulgated. It seeks to establish whether or not a South African model of separation of powers has come to the fore. The research further examines the problem of interference amongst the arms of state and mechanism of checks and balances which can be applied to prevent or minimise such interference. In doing so, the study pursued a desktop survey of primary and secondary materials, including scientific literature, legislation, courts’ jurisprudence, and official documents. A comparative perspective was also made in order to learn from the experiences of other jurisdictions where the doctrine is applied. The findings reveal that South Africa has a unique model of separation of powers. The model was learned and enriched from various foreign jurisdictions. The courts have contributed enormously to this model, which contrive to be fluid and living

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

Determinants of effective cattle disease management among smallholder farmers in light of rapid theileriosis outbreaks and economic losses: The case of Mutare rural district, Manicaland province, Zimbabwe

AbstractSmallholder farmers face significant challenges in effectively managing their cattle due to the rapid outbreaks of theileriosis and other tick-borne diseases, resulting in severe economic losses. These outbreaks pose significant threats to food security and rural livelihoods, yet there is a lack of understanding of the factors affecting effective cattle disease management among smallholder farmers. In this paper, we determine the factors affecting effective cattle disease management in Mutare rural district, Zimbabwe. We quantify the economic losses associated with cattle diseases which we use as a proxy for effective cattle management. Multiple linear regression was used to analyse the data. Six wards were chosen at random among 36 wards in the district, and primary data was gathered from 90 randomly selected farmers. The results showed that cattle diseases cause significant losses in the rural Mutare district, with an average loss of US$ 1 288.87 per farmer during the two years under study. The level of education of the household head, access to an animal health officer, and training on cattle diseases are significant variables in reducing economic losses due to cattle diseases at 5% while formal credit access was found to be statistically significant at 1% significance level. To lessen the losses brought on by cattle diseases, we recommend the government raise the number of animal health officers, strengthen training programs on preventing and controlling cattle diseases, invest in the development of a comprehensive disease-reporting network, and the creation of policies that incentivize banks to lend money to farmers