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The study assessed the impact of irrigation technology on the financial and economic performance of smallholder irrigation in Zimbabwe. The study was conducted in 2011 in the Hamamavhaire and Mhende irrigation schemes in Chirumanzu District (south-central Zimbabwe). A questionnaire survey was administered to 79 respondents drawn from farmers using sprinkler (n = 32), flood (n = 39) and drip (n = 8) systems. Gross margin analysis, in conjunction with cost-benefit analysis, was used to evaluate the financial and economic performance of farmers. Farmers using the sprinkler system obtained the highest total gross margin per hectare (US$2762), followed by the flood system with returns that were 21% lower (US$2191), while the drip system recorded 50% lower returns (US$1387). Economic analysis indicated the superiority of the flood system (NPV = US$36 699; IRR = 42% and BCR = 4) compared to sprinkler irrigation (NPV = US$27 813; IRR = 38%; BCR = 2) and the drip system (NPV = US$25 393; IRR = 23%; BCR = 2). While the flood system was the most desirable from the financial and economic points of view, because of low operational costs, this could be offset by negative environmental impacts. The study concluded that the choice of one particular irrigation technology over another is a fine balance between efficiencies that can be achieved and the development and operational costs. Irrigation technology alone does not determine financial and economic viability. Copyright © 2014 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.key words: smallholder; irrigation technology; economic performance; cost-benefit analysis; sensitivity analysis; Zimbabwe RÉSUMÉ L'étude a évalué l'impact de la technologie de l'irrigation sur le rendement financier et économique de la petite irrigation au Zimbabwe. L'étude a été menée en 2011 dans les périmètres irrigués du Hamamavhaire et de Mhende (district de Chirumanzu, centre-sud du Zimbabwe). Une enquête par questionnaire a été conduite auprès de 79 agriculteurs utilisant l'irrigation soit par aspersion (n = 32), soit par submersion (n = 39), soit par goutte à goutte (n = 8). La performance financière et économique des agriculteurs a été évaluée par l'étude de la marge brute, et par une analyse coûts-bénéfices. Les agriculteurs qui utilisent le système d'arrosage par aspersion ont obtenu la plus forte marge brute totale par hectare (US$2762), suivis par le l'irrigation par submersion, avec des rendements inférieurs de 21% (US$2191), tandis que le système au goutte à goutte a donné des rendements inférieurs de 50% (US$1387). L'analyse économique a indiqué la supériorité du système par submersion (VAN = US$36 699; IRR = 42% et BCR = 4) par rapport à l'irrigation par aspersion (VAN = US$27 813; IRR = 38%; BCR = 2) et au système au goutte à goutte (VAN = US$25 393; IRR = 23%; BCR = 2). Le système par submersion était le plus désirable du point de vue financier et économique, en raison des faibles coûts d'exploitation, mais ne pouvait compenser ses impacts négatifs sur l'environnement. L'étude a conclu que le choix d'un...

The International Center for Tropical Agriculture (CIAT) believes that open access contributes to its mission of reducing hunger and poverty, and improving human nutrition in the tropics through research aimed at increasing the eco-efficiency of agriculture.CIAT is committed to creating and sharing knowledge and information openly and globally. We do this through collaborative research as well as through the open sharing of our data, tools, and publications. Citation:Makate, Clifton; Siziba, Shephard; Hanyani-Mlambo, Benjamin T.; Sadomba, Zvakanyorwa; Mango, Nelson. 2016. The efficiency of small and medium enterprises in informal metal manufacturing in Zimbabwe: Implications for stakeholders in the agricultural sector. Development Southern Africa. Routledge Taylor & Francis, 11 p. AbstractThis study uses the structure-conduct-performance framework to examine the structure and efficiency of small and medium enterprises in the informal metal manufacturing sector in Zimbabwe. Small and medium enterprises provide a lifeline to the country's resource-poor farmers, whose numbers increased exponentially after the agrarian reform in 2000. The study utilises nationally representative, enterpriselevel data from five major towns (Harare, Chitungwiza, Bulawayo, Mutare and Rusape) in Zimbabwe.Various performance measures are applied at the industry level to assess efficiency, profitability and competitiveness; these include the Herfindahl-Hirschman index, concentration ratios, average yearly profits and Tobin's q ratio. The results indicate that small and medium enterprises in Zimbabwe are modestly efficient, profitable and competitive. These findings highlight the need to integrate informal metal fabrication activities into Zimbabwe's national economic development plans.