The Role Of Extension Support In A Communal Farmers' Market System In Mhondoro-Mubaira, Zimbabwe

Abstract

The objective of this research was to establish the role of agricultural extension in communal farmers' market systems by looking at possible ways in which it could intervene and support communal farmers in the marketing of produce. The study was conducted in the area of Mhondoro-Mubaira, which is situated in Mashonaland West Province in Zimbabwe. The target population comprised of 150 communal farmers and 25 extension officers. Poor technology and an under-resourced extension department is one of the factors identified by the extension officers (84%) for poor extension delivery (p =<0.464). The communal farmers referred to in this study have a negative perception of government-led extension support, especially in the area of agricultural market support. About half (56%) of the farmers indicated that they do not receive any form of agricultural marketing extension support. The reasons for the poor ratings of government extension support by communal farmers include the following: they are hardly available (8.88%); they are not knowledgeable enough (13.02%); and they do not offer practical solutions (24.85%). Communal food production and food security could be significantly improved if farmers receive appropriate input, training and extension support. Market linkage from the extension department could effectively boost income from agriculture enterprises and upgrade communal farmers who come from the most vulnerable section of the country's population.

Influence of public agricultural extension on technology adoption by small-scale farmers in Zimbabwe

“…The majority of respondents (66.7%) are educated up to diploma level, 23.8% have a Bachelors, and less than 10% have progressed past the Bachelor's degree. These findings are similar to findings reported by Davis et al (2019) and Muchesa et al (2019). The demographics of respondents seem to indicate that the extension personnel are mature and capable of handling the rigours of tedious extension work.…”

“…This resulted in AGRITEX concentrating services on the small-scale farming sector and recently on resettled farmers from the fast-track land reform programmes of the early 2000s. Since its inception, AGRITEX has experienced multiple systemic challenges which are complex and multifaceted, including poor funding, high turnover of experienced, competent and skilled staff, as well as mostly disseminating and recommending 'old' technologies developed 15 to 20 years ago (Mapiye et al, 2021;Moyo & Salawu, 2018;Muchesa et al, 2019).…”

Extension-market linkages on banana commercialisation among smallholder farmers in Meru Region, Kenya

“…If farmers obtain proper input, training, and extension support, production and food security in Zimbabwe's community regions can be considerably improved. Furthermore, communal farmers can effectively improve income from agriculture enterprises and upgrade communal farmers who originate from the most vulnerable sector of the rural population by establishing market links (Muchesa, Nkosi, Zwane, & van Niekerk, 2019).…”