Determinants of sorghum adoption and land allocation intensity in the smallholder sector of semi-arid Zimbabwe

Abbyssinia Mushunje,Joseph P Musara,Lovemore Musemwa,Charles Pfukwa,Munyaradzi Mutenje

doi:10.5424/sjar/2019171-13115

Abstract

Sorghum is important for sustainability of smallholder farmers’ subsistence, social and economic livelihoods in semi-arid and arid environments of Southern Africa. However, production of the crop has been on the decline in the smallholder communities of semi-arid Zimbabwe. The study examines factors affecting smallholder farmers’ inclination towards producing sorghum and allocating differential land proportions towards the crop. The paper uses a double hurdle estimation approach with cross-sectional survey data from 380 small holder sorghum farmers in the Mid Zambezi region. Frequency of contact with relatives, duration of receiving subsidies and the number of groups to which household members belonged had a robust influence (p<0.01) on the adoption decision. Market frequency, availability of storage facilities and the number of buyers in the market significantly (p<0.01) influenced the land allocation decision. Variables influencing the two decisions are not necessarily the same showing independence in the decisions. However, information flow from networks and conditions of market platforms remain important variables in the two decisions. It is important to decentralise sorghum markets, strengthen local networks of kinships and increase the scope of inclusive and responsive formal extension delivery systems. Storage facilities can also be developed in partnership with private players to allow for sales during market windows which generates higher returns for the small holder sorghum farmers.

Highlights

Agriculture remains an integral sub-sector for economic development prospects in Southern Africa (Scoones et al, 2011)
Storage facilities can be developed in partnership with private players to allow for sales during market windows which generates higher returns for the small holder sorghum farmers
Zimbabwe has the potential to retain its ‘bread basket’1 status in Southern Africa if appropriate enterprise choices and land allocation decisions which accommodate ‘orphan crops’ such as sorghum are made at all scales

Summary

Introduction

Agriculture remains an integral sub-sector for economic development prospects in Southern Africa (Scoones et al, 2011). The choice of appropriate enter prises has been identified as a key determinant that has compromised the success of agricultural value chains. Sorghum (Sorghum bicolor (L.) Moench) production once dominated crop mixes in arid and semi-arid areas of Africa (Taylor, 2003). In Zimbabwe, the crop was integral in strengthening local kinship networks and as a safety net for drought resilience and food and income insecurity mitigation (Mukarumbwa & Mushunje, 2010). Zimbabwe has the potential to retain its ‘bread basket’ status in Southern Africa if appropriate enterprise choices and land allocation decisions which accommodate ‘orphan crops’ such as sorghum are made at all scales.

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Conclusion