An assessment of smallholder soil and water conservation practices and perceptions in contrasting agro-ecological regions in Zimbabwe

Musiyiwa, K and Harris, D and Filho, W L and Gwenzi, W and Nyamangara, J (2017) An assessment of smallholder soil and water conservation practices and perceptions in contrasting agro-ecological regions in Zimbabwe. Water Resources and Rural Development, 9. pp. 1-11. ISSN 22126082

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Abstract

Improved soil and water management practices can reduce moisture stress and crop failures associated with rain-fed cropping systems. Little information exists on soil and water management technologies requirements for male and female farmers in different agro-ecological regions. The objective of current study was to investigate farmers’ sources of information and perceptions on soil and water management technologies. Four sites selected from different agro-ecological regions (AERs), sub-humid (Mazowe/Goromonzi, and Kadoma) and semi-arid (Matobo and Chiredzi). Data on sources of information on soil and water management, types of technologies preferred by farmers and constraints to adoption of technologies were collected through household interviews and focus group discussions. Results showed that government extension agents, farmer-to farmer extension and non-governmental organizations were the main sources of information on soil and water management technologies at all the sites. NGOs mainly provide information on reduced tillage methods. Main technologies were mulching (61%), reduced tillage methods (53%), and contour ridges (33%) in Mazowe/Goromonzi district, reduced tillage method (83) and mulching (64%) in Kadoma, and reduced tillage methods (54%) and contour ridges (47%) in Matobo. More farmers used soil and water management technologies at the sub-humid sites than at the semi-arid sites. Soil and water conservation technologies used were similar between male-headed (MHH) and female-headed households (FHH). Soil and water conservation technologies used by farmers matched their preferences in two of the four study sites. The findings are important for targeting soil and water management practices in the various agro-ecological zones.

Item Type:	Article
Divisions:	Research Program : East & Southern Africa
CRP:	UNSPECIFIED
Uncontrolled Keywords:	Climatic risk, Farmers’ perceptions, Soil water management, Sub-Saharan Africa, Soil and water management practices, Zimbabwe, Agro-ecological regions, Smallholder farmers, Water conservation technologies
Subjects:	Others > Semi-Arid Tropics Others > Soil Others > Smallholder Agriculture Others > Water Resources Others > Southern Africa Others > Sub-Saharan Africa Others > Zimbabwe Others > Water Conservation
Depositing User:	Mr Ramesh K
Date Deposited:	09 Aug 2017 05:15
Last Modified:	09 Aug 2017 05:15
URI:	http://oar.icrisat.org/id/eprint/10138
Official URL:	http://dx.doi.org/10.1016/j.wrr.2016.09.001
Projects:	Adapting agriculture to climate change: Developing promising strategies using analogue locations in Eastern and Southern Africa” (CALESA – Climate Analogue Locations in Eastern and Southern Africa) Project
Funders:	Deutsche Gesellschaft fur Internationale Zusammenarbeit (GIZ)
Acknowledgement:	We would like to thank ICRISAT, for facilitating field work, the Zimbabwe Meteorological Services Department, Government Agricultural Extension officers, and farmers from the study sites. We would like to acknowledge the Deutsche Gesellschaft fur Internationale Zusammenarbeit (GIZ) for funding this study conducted in the framework of the research project “Adapting agriculture to climate change: Developing promising strategies using analogue locations in Eastern and Southern Africa” (CALESA – Climate Analogue Locations in Eastern and Southern Africa) Project implemented by ICRISAT and its partners. The sponsor played no role in study design, data collection, analysis and interpretation of data, in the writing of the report; and in the decision to submit the article for publication. We also greatly appreciate the helpful comments of two anonymous reviewers.
Links:	Google Scholar

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