Communal Areas Of Zimbabwe Research Articles

Gender Perceptions of Small Holder Farmers on the Impact of Climate Change in Communal Areas of Zimbabwe

Climate change has caused severe havoc to social, economic, environmental and physical repercussions to development. The world has encountered the unprecedented natural catastrophes which encompass climate induced calamities such as hurricanes, floods, volcanoes, droughts and cyclones. The study was aimed at unpacking the gender dimensions of small holder farmer on the impact of climate change, vulnerability, adaptation in communal areas. Quantitative primary data was collected from a sample of 244 selected smallholder communal famers, in which stratified random sampling was used to select the respondents to this study. A self-administered structured questionnaire was used to solicit quantitative data from smallholder communal farmers, Bikita rural district council (department of environment) and from Agriculture Extension department. A total of 188 questionnaires were responded to and used for data analysis. Using SPSS version 16.0 quantitative data were analysed using a mix of descriptive statistics, correlation analysis and regression analysis. The study established that the negative effects of climate change and variability are mitigated through growing of drought resistant small grains, growing early maturity seed varieties, adjusting crop planting times, application of lower levels of fertilizers, winter ploughing and ridging and pot-holing. Participation of smallholder farmers in climate change adaptation interventions in Bikita district is subject to socio-political, resources and physical systems and processes barriers. It also established a negative relationship between resource availability and female smallholder farmers’ participation in climate change adaptation practices and the study concluded that availability of resources is a key factor to female small holder farmers’ participation in climate change intervention. There is also need to avail agricultural research results relevant to the small holder farmers and train them on how to use the results to make informed on-farm investment decisions.

Contestations and struggles in the use and protection of wetland ecosystems in communal areas of Zimbabwe: a case study of Intunjambili wetland in Matobo district

Contestations and struggles in the use and protection of wetland ecosystems in communal areas of Zimbabwe: a case study of Intunjambili wetland in Matobo district

Human-Animal Relations and Livestock Disease Management in Postcolonial Zimbabwe, c.1980 to 2022

Abstract The history of livestock disease management strategies in colonial Zimbabwe has generally revealed uneven and racialised access to conventional veterinary facilities that favoured white- over black-owned livestock. In light of this context, this article examines the human-animal relationships that emerged in post-colonial Zimbabwe when access to such facilities was liberalised in a new era in which communal livestock owners still had broken interrelations with the state. In articulating this, it also explores factors that precluded communal livestock farmers from raising 'healthy' livestock. Using qualitative methods, it discusses how the postcolonial state failed to provide robust state veterinary services, and demonstrates communal farmers' agency amidst loss to epizootics and enzootics. As this study will show, livestock diseases and the challenges they posed significantly impacted on how humans (communal farmers) determined which animals to raise and how to raise them. It concludes that livestock diseases and the human-animal relationships that emerged out of the quandary posed by the former, had a negative impact on state-communal livestock farmer relationships, and promoted the continued relevance of otherwise officially despised livestock knowledge regimes in Zimbabwe's communal areas.

The impact of colonial and contemporary land policies on climate change adaptation in Zimbabwe's communal areas.

Climate change adaptation policies should recognise the country's colonial and historical legacy that has led to poverty and other livelihood challenges in communal areas. By acknowledging this, policymakers are better positioned to understand the structural issues making adaptation difficult, and they could intervene by proposing context-specific adaptation strategies that meet the needs of communal farmers.

Ethnoveterinary Remedies Used in Avian Complementary Medicine in Selected Communal Areas in Zimbabwe.

Plant remedies used in avian ethnomedicine are potential candidates for the development of phytogenic feed additives. An ethnoveterinary survey was carried out in 3 districts in Zimbabwe to document plants used in poultry ethnomedicine and identify plants that have the potential to be used for the development of poultry phytogenic feed additives. The survey employed questionnaire-guided oral interviews with 146smallholder farmers. Key areas of investigation and discussion were poultry production and traditional knowledge in bird health care (ethnotreatments and poultry disease control). The survey documented a total of 36 plant species cited as being useful interventions for the treatment and management of various poultry ailments/health constraints. These medicinal plants belonged to 22 families, with the Fabaceae family the dominant family. The plant species were used to treat 11 disease/health constraint categories, with the highest number of species being used for coccidiosis. Trees (44.44%) were the main reservoir of medicinal plants followed by herbs (36.11%), shrubs (8.33%), climbers (8.33%), and flowers (2.78%). Based on the results of the survey, Bobgunnia madagascariensis, Aloe chabaudii, Adenia gummifera, Erythrina abyssinica, Agave sisalana, Capsicum frutescens, Strychnos cocculoides, Aloe greatheadii, Tridactyle bicaudata, Senna singueana, Sarcostemma viminale, Morus alba, and Moringa oleifera are potential candidates for the development of phytogenic feed additives.

Struggles of Women to Access and Hold Landuse and Other Land Property Rights under the Customary Tenure System in Peri-Urban Communal Areas of Zimbabwe

The struggles of women to access and hold landuse and other land property rights under the customary tenure system in peri-urban communal areas is increasingly becoming a cause for concern. These debates are revealed using a case study of a peri-urban communal area called Domboshava in Zimbabwe. Women living in this peri-urban communal area struggle to access and hold landuse and other land property rights registered under their names. The aim of this paper is to present an analysis of the struggles faced by women to access and hold landuse and other land property rights in Domboshava. This paper is a product of a literature review on land property rights, land tenure systems, and peri-urbanity more generally. Field data was intermittently collected in the peri-urban communal area of Domboshava over a period of four years from 2011 to 2014, as well as through post-research social visits stretching to 2019. Thirty-two women were conveniently selected and interviewed. I applied Anthony Giddens’ structure-agency theory as a framework of analysis. The struggles to access and hold landuse and other land property rights by women are rooted in land transactions, social systems including the customary land tenure, patriarchy, as well as the peri-urban context of Domboshava. Responsible authorities on land administration in communal areas need to acknowledge the existence of new and invented ways of accessing and holding landuse and land property rights under the customary land tenure system, as well as to find ways to mobilize more opportunities for women on the peri-urban land market.

Characteristics of herbaceous vegetation on abandoned fallow fields in south central Zimbabwe

Fields abandoned to fallow, due to biophysical and socio-economic factors in communal areas of Zimbabwe, are used for livestock grazing. A study was conducted to characterise vegetation from such fields, and assess its grazing suitability across four agroecological regions (AER II – AER V) characterised by annual rainfall ranging from 750 mm to 400 mm, and five categories of fallow age groups (0-5; 6-10; 11-20, > 20 years and normal rangeland). Most fallow fields did not mature into woodlands but remained grasslands with or without sparse shrubs regardless of the period of fallowing and AER because of high stocking rates. There were no variations in palatability, ecological value, diversity, biomass and grazing capacity across fallow age groups. However, significant differences were observed across AERs. The quality of vegetation from fallows in AER II and III was poor but good in AER IV and V. The quantity of vegetation from fallows in AER II was higher than from other AERs. However, all fallow fields from the four AERs had low grazing capacity than expected from literature. We conclude that using fallow fields for uncontrolled grazing is unsustainable. There is need to investigate better management strategies for livestock production in fallow fields.

Climate Smart Agriculture techniques as a strategy for Climate Adaptation by Smallholder Farmers in Nkayi District

The study investigates the viability of Climate Smart Agriculture (CSA) techniques being utilized in communal areas in Zimbabwe as mitigation strategy to the effects of climate change, with particular reference to Wards 18 and 19 in Nkayi District. As their livelihoods are highly dependent on climate-sensitive activities such as rain-fed agriculture, climate change has a significantly negative effect on people's livelihoods in communal areas of this country. Increased temperatures, reduced annual rainfall marked by dry spells in the mid-season, and increased frequency and severity of climate-related hazards such as droughts and El Ninos have been detrimental to the livelihoods of communal farmers. The most important problems facing communal farmers in the Nkayi District as a result of climate change are food shortage, water scarcity and livestock loss. CSA techniques are the solution to this predicament. Conservation Agriculture (CA), small grains production, Water Harvesting Techniques (WHTs), fodder production, small livestock production and seed banks are some of the techniques available to communal farmers. Community-based adaptation to climate change helps to develop communities' capacity to guide climate change adaptation strategies to fix their own challenges and to meet their own needs. Thus, traditional awareness, unique environments, tools and mechanisms for societies to map their own strategies to tackle climate change are taken into account by community-based adaptation. The research thus concludes that CSA techniques are a viable strategy in mitigating the effects of climate change.

Property rights and the conservation of forests in communal areas in Zimbabwe

Institutional arrangements for managing forests at the constitutional level of the state define the property rights bundles through which rural households access benefits and manage forests in communal lands. Forest degradation in communal areas of Zimbabwe show that there is need to understand the influence of forest-related constitutional level rules on actual or perceived benefits to conserve, preserve and improve management of forests in communal areas. We examined through a systematic search and review of Acts of Parliament, the overarching principles that underlie property rights bundles for harvesting of forest produce in communal lands in Zimbabwe. Results show that the rights to regulate access, withdrawal, management, exclusion and alienation of land and forest resources lie with the minister and the state President. The legislation criminalizes unauthorized access and commercial use even for inhabitants. Local communities and individuals can initiate and implement management systems only with the approval of the appropriate authority. The constitutional level rules restrict inhabitants of communal lands to authorized entrants for protected forest areas or authorized users for communal forests thus shifting the responsibility for proactive management of forest resources away from the direct users. The current legislation inherited the legislative provisions of the colonial era where centralization of forest management shaped land and forest resources conservation policies. Therefore, there is need for legislation that stimulates local management of land and forest resources through revision of property rights for rural households. Coupling alienation rights with exclusion rights could stimulate rural households to invest in forest resources and undertake more intensive management of woodlands in communal lands.

Soil fertility status of abandoned fields in smallholder agriculture in South Central Zimbabwe

In Zimbabwe, because of shortages of land, there is need to establish whether soil fertility improves over time in abandoned fields. A study was undertaken in 2015 to characterize fertility status of abandoned fields in smallholder farming areas located in Buhera and Hwedza districts in Zimbabwe. Abandoned fields were divided into four categories based on years of being abandoned (0–5, 6–10, 11–20 and ≥ 20 years) across two soil types and agroecological gradient made up of four regions (AER II to V) where annual rainfall decreases from AER II to V. Soil samples were analysed for pH, N, P and K using standard laboratory methods. A survey was conducted to determine adequacy of nutrient resources used. Soil nutrients did not significantly vary (p > 0.05) with period of abandonment but varied with soil type and agroecological regions. Clay soils and soils from AER V had significantly high N, P and K content. In terms of adequacy of nutrients across all the three factors, N and P content were below required recommendations for crop production whilst K was adequate and soil pH was too acidic. With regards to fertilizer use, majority of the farmers failed to purchase mineral fertilizers because their annual cash earnings were far below money required. As a result 91% of the farmers were failing to apply recommended fertilizers for sustainable yields. In conclusion, abandoned fields in Zimbabwe's communal areas do not restore soil fertility regardless of period to which a field has been abandoned, soil texture or agroecological region. The fertility of these abandoned soils remains poor and too low for crop growth. Farmers are financially unable to meet soil nutrient requirements to improve fertility of their abandoned soils. These findings are important in determining appropriate measures to restore soil fertility and in determining efficient land use policing and planning measures.

Health Problems in Zvimba Rural and Communal Areas in Zimbabwe

This study was carried out to determine people’s health problems in Zvimba district in Mashonaland West Province. The research employed the survey research design to solicit data since it was found to be the most appropriate for this study as it was capable of capturing the respondents’ views towards health issues in Zvimba district fast enough to meet both the time frame and the demands of the study. It involved 189 participants in an easily definable geographical area. These respondents comprised 135 communal dwellers who visited clinic or hospital the same day one of the researchers passed through the clinic or the hospital collecting data for the study, plus 54 professional health workers who accepted to participate in the study. The study used questionnaires and interviews for the collection of data. Research results showed that malaria and diarrhoea were the most prevalent diseases with the highest frequency rates among other diseases. The study recommends increase in the number of clinics, availability of low cost public transport, upgrade of road network links and community engagement in health awareness programmes. Keywords : People, health, health problems, rural, communal, Zvimba, Zimbabwe DOI : 10.7176/DCS/9-4-09 Publication date : April 30 th 2019

Institutional arrangements governing wetland utilization and conservation in communal areas of Zimbabwe

<p>Based on household surveys and key informant interviews, the paper explores the consequences of existing institutional arrangements governing wetland access, utilization and conservation in six wetlands located in communal areas found in the central part of Zimbabwe. This was provoked by the fact that wetland ecosystem services are being lost in most developing countries despite the existence of institutions meant to promote their wise use. The results of the study indicated a complex multi-institutional involvement in wetland resources governance. The roles and relationship of participating institutions often compromised wetland resources conservation as a result of conflicts, confusion and tensions exacerbated by divergent motives. There was no homogeny in number of institutions determining utilization at each wetland as well as their degree of influence on management decisions, a situation resembling lack of consistency in existing institutional structure at communal level. Given the proximity of traditional leaders and wetland committees to the people and wetlands and poor participation of government agencies, an institutional structure which place local institutions at the core of the governance system should be formulated. This should be complemented by a clear framework which promotes inter-co-ordination of institutional roles and clarification of their relationships in order to minimize discord in execution of their duties; a situation observed to currently influence degradation of wetland ecosystems. The necessary policy and legal framework to support this institutional framework should be put in place as well as resources for its operations. </p>

CHEMICAL ANALYSIS OF THE POTENTIAL CONTRIBUTION OF Lantana camara TO THE NUTRITION OF BROWSING LIVESTOCK

<p>Contrary to what is known and reported that <em>Lantana camara</em> is poisonous to livestock, animals have been seen consuming it with no cases of poisoning reported in most communal areas in Zimbabwe. A study was conducted to determine the total phenolic compounds and nutrient composition. Pink flowered, red flowered and white flowered <em>L. camara</em> leaves were air dried and milled to facilitate chemical analysis of their crude protein (CP), dry matter (DM), neutral detergent fibre (NDF) and acid detergent fibre (ADF). The DM, CP, ADF, and NDF content of <em>L. camara</em> all the three varieties did not differ significantly among the three varieties assessed (P < 0.05). The mean total phenolic compounds of the red and white varieties was twice as high as that of the pink variety (Mean± standard error of difference (4.7 ± 1.5) g/kg DM; and was significant different (P < 0.05). The CP content ranged from 213.2 to 223.1 g/kg of among the three varieties. Phosphorus and calcium content ranged between 3.5 to 3.9g/kg DM and 17 to 24g/kg DM respectively while acid detergent insoluble nitrogen (ADIN) was very low and less than 2g/kg DM. The results from this study demonstrate all the three <em>L. camara</em> varieties exceeded the minimal levels of CP required to sustain animal production and have the potential to contribute to livestock nutrition as a protein supplement. However, more research should be done to determine feeding levels which are not detrimental to animal health.</p>

The missing link between awareness and the implementation of wetland policy and legislation in communal areas of Zimbabwe

This paper explores stakeholders’ perceptions of the efficacy of the current policies and legislation meant to conserve wetlands in the communal areas of Zimbabwe. A questionnaire was administered to one hundred and twenty three households adjacent to six wetlands studied including key informants who were interviewed. The existing laws were analysed to determine their appropriateness in light of peoples’ livelihood aspirations and principles of wetland protection. Zimbabwe has no national wetland policy per se but only wetland legislation, however inimitable policies shaped by indigenous tradition and practice were present at each wetland site. The majority of the people were not aware of the existence and rationale of laws governing the conservation of wetlands due to limited awareness education and enforcement by responsible institutions. Therefore, there was a disjuncture between legal provisions and the practical implementation resulting in less impact. Poor implementation of legislation was due to inadequate resources for regulatory agencies, political interference, social conflicts and high incidences of poverty among other factors. The results of the study highlighted that even if awareness was improved, enforcement was likely to remain a challenge unless adequate resources for regulatory institutions and alternative livelihood strategies for communities were availed. The paper thus recommends that development planners should therefore initiate other rural survival options such as restoration of dryland agricultural productivity by introducing water harvesting and conservation farming techniques. This would help to reduce community dependency on already vulnerable wetland ecosystems. Overall, a national wetland policy should be developed through a participatory process, if the legislation is to be used as an effective tool in wetland management.

Wetland utilisation patterns in semi-arid communal areas of Zimbabwe between 1985 and 2013 and the associated benefits to livelihoods of the surrounding communities

Wetlands are among the most threatened natural ecosystems in developing countries. Loss of wetlands is attributed to, among other factors, inadequacy in information on the resource's value to rural communities. This paper investigates wetland utilisation patterns as well as the status of benefits derived by surrounding communities in Runde, Tongogara and Vungu rural districts of Zimbabwe. Two sets of questionnaires were used to gather data from 123 household heads and 60 teenagers. Snowball sampling was used to select 14 elderly people for semi-structured interviews. Land cover changes were established through analysis of the 2013 RapidEye imagery and aerial photographs (1985 and 1996). The results of land cover change analysis indicate an increase in spatial extent of cultivated area, water and bare land, and a decrease in the area covered by sparse and dense vegetation. Meanwhile, the majority of households revealed that there is no change in wetland utilisation patterns as cultivation continues to dominate. Increase in area under cultivation is driven by multidecadal rainfall variability, making dryland farming unproductive; food security projects implemented by donors; political interference; and availability of market for horticultural products. The level of households’ dependency on wetlands is generally high, although spatially heterogeneous. Overall, information on community dependence on wetlands should be accounted for and factored into local conservation planning, since it influences use and conservation of wetlands.

Issues and concerns in pro poor community based cattle breeding program in Bulilimamangwe District of Zimbabwe.

Cattle rearing plays a crucial role in the semi arid communal areas of Zimbabwe, as a result any developmental strategy that is aimed at improving household livelihood in these areas should target cattle production. The objective of the study was to assess the impact of introducing improved indigenous cattle beef breeds in Bulilima District of Matabeleland South in Zimbabwe. The study was carried out in Masendu ward comprising of six villages of Luvuluma, Mambo, Tjeboroma, Makumbi, Thandawani and Muke. A random sample of 13 livestock farmers were selected from participants of the Kellogg Foundation communal areas indigenous cattle (Tuli, Afrikaner and Nguni) improvement program through a donation of improved indigenous beef cattle bulls. Semi-structured questionnaires were used to collect data on household demographics, socioeconomic factors, herd structure, management practices and constraints in cattle breeding program. Qualitative data were coded and analyzed using the Statistical Package for Social Sciences (SPSS 2008) computer software in order to generate descriptive statistics such as means and frequencies or percentages. The study revealed an interesting scenario on household demographics; the majority of the farmers had formal education, with only 7.7% not having attained any formal education. As a result of Kellogg Foundation bull donations some farmers (15.4%) increased their herd size to more than 30 cattle which improved their social status in the areas. Farmers interviewed showed that they were motivated to keep improved breeds with least more than half of the farmers reporting that the bulls to a certain extent increased the number of cows serviced within the community herds. Poor animal condition was reported in cattle herds due to the inadequate supply of both water and nutrition, the latter being caused by lack of good grazing. It was noted that government support was necessary in infrastructure development in order to improve community based cattle breeding programs. The need to organise market to encourage smallholder farmers to sell their animals was also cited. There was a belief that better prices were achievable at local markets if the communal herd was genetically improved for important economic traits. Therefore, the key conclusion was that communal farmers had a positive perception on improving the communal cattle herds. This warranted a multi-sectoral approach to address different challenges that militate against high cattle productivity in communal areas.

Large-scale land deals, global capital and the politics of livelihoods: Experiences of women small-holder farmers in Chisumbanje, Zimbabwe

Large scale land acquisitions by foreign conglomerates in Zimbabwe have been a recurrent phenomenon within the last five years. This has led to land deals being negotiated with state, individual and nongovernmental actors, leading to the production of agro fuels. This article investigates how the large scale commercial land deals have affected the livelihoods of women small holder farmers, the role of global capital in entrenching discrimination of women and how the politics of resource use and distribution has become a central force in shaping livelihoods in Zimbabwe's communal areas. The article is based on field work that was conducted in Ndowoyo communal area, in Chisumbanje village, from July 2011 until April 2012. The methods used for collecting data were in-depth interviews with the women, interviews with officials from the Platform for Youth Development, a nongovernmental organisation, Macdom Pvt Ltd and Ratings Investments, focus group discussions and personal observations that involved interactions with the women. In 2011, Macdom Pvt Ltd and Ratings Investments, both bio fuels companies owned by Billy Rautenbach started green fuel production operations in Chisumbanje and this has led to the altering of the livelihoods systems of women smallholder farmers. The argument seeks, first, to demonstrate how the company‘s green fuel production systems have led to the loss of land for women and the redefinition of tenure in a communal area. Secondly it explores how the company has been involved in political issues that have undermined the role of development for the women and, thirdly, the article investigates how the women have created livelihood alternatives in an area which has been transformed from a communal rural area into almost an urban area. It concludes by suggesting the need to give primacy to women centred notions of agency in coping with the negative implications of commercial land deals on women‘s livelihoods.

Enhancing Social Support System for Improving Food Security Among the Elderly Headed Household in Communal Areas of Zimbabwe

The study sought to establish factors that contribute towards food security among elderly headed households and then seek ways of enhancing them. The study was conducted in Mudzi District in Mashonaland East Province of Zimbabwe. Data was collected from wards 11, 12 and 16. The study used cross sectional household data collected using a structured questionnaire. Two measures of food security are used; namely household food insecurity access score and household dietary diversity score. The results showed that food insecurity access score was statistically higher for elderly headed household when compared to those headed by younger people. The study revealed that social capital, remittances, and off farm income generating projects can increase the elderly headed household’s likelihood of being food secure. The study also showed that public assistance is not making a positive contribution towards food security of elderly headed household. This paper argues that it is important for government and civil society to promote social capital and support channels of remittances to elderly headed households in communal areas.

The Use of Woodland Products to Cope with Climate Variability in Communal Areas in Zimbabwe

Woittiez, L. S., M. C. Rufino, K. E. Giller, and P. Mapfumo. 2013. The use of woodland products to cope with climate variability in communal areas in Zimbabwe. Ecology and Society 18(4): 24. https://doi.org/10.5751/ES-05705-180424

English

  Cross-sectional data of 2008 from smallholder farmers in the Mazowe District reveals a trend in maize production in the communal areas of Zimbabwe which suggests trade-offs between agricultural production of food crops, mainly maize, which is price regulated and production of non price regulated cash crops. An average maize yield of 1.6 tonnes per hectare, calculated from the households’ production data was used to categorize farmers into high and low performers. Low performers, who constituted 54% of the farmers, had a yield below the average yield per hectare, and 46% of the farmers, the high performers obtained yields above the mean yield per hectare. Even though cotton, a cash crop, had a higher average gross margin per hectare than maize, the net returns per dollar spent (average gross margin per total variable cost) was higher for maize than for cotton. The paper concludes that maize market reform processes in Zimbabwe were proving to be promoting cash rather than food crop production in the smallholder farming sector. The implication for the observed decline in maize production is that the decontrol of maize needs to be adopted to give farmers incentive to continue and increase production levels of maize.   Key words: Market reforms, household, food self-sufficiency, viability, gross margin analysis, smallholder, Zimbabwe.