Journal articles Open Access A gendered approach to the goat value chain analysis: A case study of Mbire District, Zimbabwe J. Musovi · T. Mutibvu · B Rusawo This study evaluated the functionality of the goat value chain from a gender perspective in a rural district of Zimbabwe prone to crop failure due to droughts and flooding in some parts. Using KII and a semi-structured questionnaire, data … RUF-40848 2024 CC BY 4.0 5 Mar 2024
Working Document Series Open Access Managing Agriculture Risk through Commodity Exchanges: An opportunity for Zimbabwe and other emerging economies E. Chikodza · T. Makoni Zimbabwe is an agro-ecological area and its economy is backed by agriculture. Managing agricultural activities is important as this will impact positively on the country’s gross domestic product (GDP). There are risks associated with agric… RUF-40734 2019 CC BY 4.0 20 Nov 2023
Working Document Series Open Access Mobile Night Kraals in Crop Fields: Sustainably Improving Soil Productivity P. C. Nyamusamba Rutendo Soil productivity is positively related to soil pH. Animal manure is good alternative for improving soil pH over time. “Impacting” is a term used to refer to the establishing of mobile kraals in crop fields, to create nutrient hot spots. T… RUF-40550 2018 CC BY 4.0 28 Jul 2023
Working Document Series Open Access Challenges and opportunities faced in Sesame production in Zambezi Valley, Zimbabwe R. Mandumbu · R.F. Mapfeka · G. Nyamadzawo · T. Zengeza The Kaitano area of the Zambezi Valley is one of the few main producers of sesame (Sesamum indicum) in Zimbabwe. The soils are fertile, alluvial in nature, and the temperatures are usually high, making them suitable for sesame production. … RUF-39798 2019 CC BY 4.0 17 Feb 2023
Working Document Series Open Access Impact of crop management practices and soil type of Hwedza communal area of Mashonaland East Province in Zimbabwe S Mabasa · K. Mukomberanwa · J.T. Rugare The impact of crop management practices and soil type on weeds is only partially understood in Zimbabwe. A weed survey was carried out in Hwedza communal area of Mashonaland East Province in Zimbabwe during the 2014/2015 agricultural seaso… RUF-39353 2018 CC BY 4.0 28 Jul 2021
Working Document Series Open Access Analysis of uptake of drip irrigation by smallholder farmers in Zimbabwe: Case study of Mutare District M. Chiwa · K. Mukumbi The use of drip irrigation has the potential to increase yields but uptake by smallholder farmers in Zimbabwe has been low. This study was conducted to determine the factors influencing the adoption of smallholder farmers in Zimbabwe. The … RUF-38661 2018 CC BY 4.0 12 Sep 2020
Working Document Series Open Access Community/stakeholder linkages in agroforestry development: Experiences from Zimbabwe M. Dube · W. Kurangwa · D. Mwenye The need for tertiary institutions’ involvement in agroforestry development is relevant now more than ever due to limited funding within the national research and extension institutions and weak community/stakeholder linkages. A study was … RUF-37755 2016 CC BY 4.0 29 Oct 2018
Working Document Series Open Access Ex-ante benefit-cost analysis of an animal production and forage centre for a smallholder dairy value chain in Zimbabwe T. Chamboko · P. Mugabe · E. Mwakiwa Many smallholder dairy schemes in Africa face sustainability constraints due to shortages of feed resources and poor productivity. Extension supported dairy animal production and forage centres constructed alongside the milk collection cen… RUF-37508 2016 CC BY 4.0 10 Apr 2018
TAGDev Resources Open Access A compelling case for seed enterprises as a tool for rural development in the smallholder farming sector U. Mazarura · N. Munyaka · B.M. Mvumi This study analysed the community seed business developed by the Seeds and Markets Project (SAMP) managed by GRM International. The community seed business developed was named Zaka Super Seeds and was later named Zimbabwe Super Seeds as it… RUF-37186 2017 CC BY 4.0 27 Sep 2017
Working Document Series Open Access Strengthening quality protein maize development and utilisation for indigenous chickens in Zimbabwe T.N. Bidi · A.B. Dube · E. Gasura · N.A. Maibvisira +4 more Increasing household nutrition is a top priority in Zimbabwe where protein energy malnutrition is rampant among women and children. In rural areas, most people do not afford protein rich foods that include meat, meat products and other alt… RUF-37036 2016 CC BY 4.0 18 Sep 2017
Working Document Series Open Access Characterization of water absorption properties of a partial bio-composite made from cotton stalk fibres and phenol formaldehyde resin C. Londiwe Nkiwane · J. Mwasiagi Igadwa · D. Njuguna · Z. Nkosilathi Nkomo +1 more Cotton stalks are a by-product of cotton farming and about two to three tonnes of cotton stalks are generated per hectare of land farmed. In this research, fibres extracted from waste cotton stalks using natural retting and decortication w… RUF-36417 2016 CC BY 4.0 26 Oct 2016
Journal articles Open Access Validation of the use of secondary traits and selection Indices for drought tolerance in tropical maize (Zea mays l.) C. Magorokosho · X. Mhike · P. Okori · Ndlela. Thokozile Breeding progress for drought tolerance in maize has been slow since drought tolerance is a complex trait controlled by many genes. Breeders improving maize for drought tolerance have therefore been using secondary traits and selection ind… RUF-35606 2012 CC BY 4.0 7 Oct 2015
Theses & Dissertations Open Access Temporal population dynamics of stored maize insect pests and efficacy of safer grain protectants in the smallholder sector of Zimbabwe H. Machekano The overall objective of the study was to establish the efficacies of different inert dusts alone and in combination with safer levels of a synthetic pyrethroid or a bio-pesticide as grain protectants. Parallel on-station ecological studie… RUF-35592 2013 CC BY 4.0 7 Oct 2015
Working Document Series Open Access Evaluating the effects of conservation agriculture and related technologies on soil biodiversity, crop and labour productivity in semi-arid Zimbabwe L. Mhaka · E. N. Mutsamba · I. Nyagumbo This on-going study is examining the linkage between termite prevalence and residue amount under conservation agriculture in Zimbabwe. Preliminary results show that convectional ploughing had lowest termite abundance while tied ridging inc… RUF-35098 2010 CC BY 4.0 16 Sep 2015
Working Document Series Open Access Effects of integrated water and nutrient management technologies on crop and labour productivity in Zimbabwe L. Mhaka · I. Nyagumbo Poor soils, erratic rainfall, frequent dry spells have been cited as the major threats to the development agricultural in Southern Africa. This experiment was designed to evaluate the benefits derived from post planting tied ridging, conse… RUF-35088 2010 CC BY 4.0 16 Sep 2015
Working Document Series Open Access Evaluating the benefits of action learning processes in driving integrated soil fertility management benefits among smallholder farming communities in Zimbabwe R. Chikowo · P. Mapfumo · T.C. Mashavave · F. Mtambanengwe +1 more The widespread fragmented adoption of improved soil fertility management options among smallholder farmers can partly be attributed to poor diffusion of acquired knowledge. Using participatory action research approaches, a study was conduc… RUF-35077 2010 CC BY 4.0 16 Sep 2015
Working Document Series Open Access Translating integrated soil fertility management knowledge into livelihood benefits through farmer learning and participatory action in Zimbabwe R. Chikowo · T. Gwandu · P. Mapfumo · F. Mtambanengwe Smallholder agriculture production is constrained by poor technology adoption often linked to lack information dissemination strategies, among other factors. This study sought to evaluate the effectiveness of participatory information mana… RUF-35042 2015 CC BY 4.0 15 Sep 2015
Working Document Series Open Access Financial viability and acceptability of specific packages of dairy production and marketing innovations in Wedza, Zimbabwe R. T. Mano · N. T. Ngongoni · P. I. Zvinorova Low viability indicators and high operating ratios indicated poor viability in the smallholder sector, with the exception of rich farmers. Variations in gross margins were associated with heterogeneity of farmers in resource endowments, al… RUF-35021 2010 CC BY 4.0 15 Sep 2015
Working Document Series Open Access Milking procedures and prevalence of mastitis and mastitis specific-pathogens in selected smallholder dairy herds in Zimbabwe G. Matope · M. Ndengu · D.M. Pfukenyi · Katsande. Simbarashe A cross-sectional study was carried to collect milk samples for bacteriological examination and somatic cell counting in diary cows in Zimbabwe. Of the total animals tested, 172 (29.5%) had mastitis with 84% (144/172) of them having subcli… RUF-34960 2010 CC BY 4.0 14 Sep 2015
Working Document Series Open Access Technology adoption by smallholder farmers: Lessons from the soyabean research/promotion program in Zimbabwe S. Mpepereki Agricultural research programs in universities in sub-Saharan Africa generate technologies few of which are adopted by the smallholder farmers. A technology that demands significant additional inputs be they financial or physical is less l… RUF-34943 2010 CC BY 4.0 14 Sep 2015
Working Document Series Open Access Prominence of goat milk consumption and determinants of attitudes towards the milk in five agro-ecological zones of Zimbabwe P.T. Banda · S. Mpofu · D.M. Pfukenyi This study determined the prominence and determinants of attitudes towards goat milk consumption in agro-ecological zones I to V of Zimbabwe. Data were collected from 545 households and analyzed using SPSS. Generally, milk was consumed at … RUF-34928 2010 CC BY 4.0 14 Sep 2015
Working Document Series Open Access Assessment of milk producers’ awareness of milk-borne zoonoses, prevalence and risk factors of brucellosis in selected smallholder and commercial dairy farms of Zimbabwe G. Matope · D. Mosalagae · D. Pfukenyi The study assessed milk producers’ awareness of milk-borne zoonoses and prevalence and risk factors of brucellosis in selected smallholder and commercial dairy farms of Zimbabwe. A total of 119 dairy producers were interviewed; 21 (17.6%) … RUF-34918 2010 CC BY 4.0 14 Sep 2015
Working Document Series Open Access Estimation of the total viable bacterial counts of raw and processed milk from selected smallholder dairy farms of Zimbabwe P.T. Banda · G. Matope · T.A Mhone A study conducted in several diary farms in Zimbabwe revealed high levels of bacteria in both processed and raw milk. This is a public health concern. Efforts need to be put in place to minimize such high loads of bacterial counts. RUF-34907 2010 CC BY 4.0 14 Sep 2015
Working Document Series Open Access Spatial and temporal distribution of fallow land and its utilisation in southeast Zimbabwe E. Manzungu · L. Mtali Since the attainment of national independence in 1980 land distribution has dominated if not defined the agrarian debate in Zimbabwe. However, evidence of increasing hectarage of fallow land in communal lands, where 70% of the population r… RUF-34748 2010 CC BY 4.0 10 Sep 2015
Working Document Series Open Access Effects of optimised innovative soil fertility and water management technologies on maize production in two contrasting soils in Harare, Zimbabwe S. Madyiwa · J. Nyamangara · B. Nyamasoka · P. Nyamugafata +1 more Poor soil fertility and fertiliser management coupled with increased frequency of mid-season droughts induced by climate change have made it difficult for urban farmers to get sustainable crop yields especially on sandy soils. Urban farmer… RUF-34692 2010 CC BY 4.0 10 Sep 2015
