Baudron, F and Tui, S H and Silva, J V and Chakoma, I and Matangi, D and Nyagumbo, I and Dube, S (2024) Tailoring interventions through a combination of statistical typology and frontier analysis: a study of mixed crop-livestock farms in semi-arid Zimbabwe. Experimental Agriculture (TSI), 60. pp. 1-24. ISSN 0014-4797
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Abstract
An innovative methodological approach combining statistical typologies and stochastic frontier analysis was applied to data collected from 1840 mixed crop-livestock farms in six districts of Zimbabwe, representative of semi-arid areas of the country. The average annual cereal production was 362 kg farm–1, and the average annual livestock offtake was 0.64 ± 1.32 Tropical Livestock Units (TLU) farm–1. Our results demonstrate there is scope to increase cereal and livestock production by 90.7% and 111.9% relative to current production levels, respectively, with more efficient use of existing resources and technologies. Rainfall was found to have a strong effect on cereal production, highlighting the need for climate-smart practices. Livestock mortality (0.59 ± 1.62 TLU farm–1) was found to be in the same order of magnitude as livestock offtake (0.64 ± 1.32 TLU farm–1). Cereal production was supported by livestock, demonstrating the importance of crop-livestock interactions in these mixed farming systems. Three farm types were identified in our analysis. Crop-oriented mixed farms (31%) are likely to be the ones most responsive to crop-specific interventions e.g., crop rotation and integrated pest management. Livestock-oriented mixed farms (34%) are likely to benefit the most from livestock-specific interventions, e.g., home feed. Mixed farms dependent on off-farm activities (36% of the sample) may require nutrition-sensitive and labour-saving sustainable intensification technologies to benefit from their limited resources. Reducing cattle mortality is a priority for all three farm types. The method proposed here could be adapted to other contexts characterized by heterogeneous farming populations to target interventions.
| Item Type: | Article |
|---|---|
| Divisions: | Research Program : East & Southern Africa |
| CRP: | UNSPECIFIED |
| Uncontrolled Keywords: | farming systems, farm diversity, yield gaps |
| Subjects: | Others > Crop Yield Others > Farming Systems Others > Cropping and Farming Systems |
| Depositing User: | Mr Nagaraju T |
| Date Deposited: | 05 Feb 2025 04:52 |
| Last Modified: | 05 Feb 2025 04:52 |
| URI: | http://oar.icrisat.org/id/eprint/12934 |
| Official URL: | https://www.cambridge.org/core/journals/experiment... |
| Projects: | UNSPECIFIED |
| Funders: | UNSPECIFIED |
| Acknowledgement: | The European Union funded this research through the project Livestock Production Systems in Zimbabwe (LIPS-ZIM; https://lips-zim.org/). We thank Beatrice Chiname, Rachel Chitsiko, Comfort Manjengwa, Emmanuel Mubaiwa, Liberty Ndlovu, and Sandy Ndlovu for assistance with field work in Beitbridge District, Ngonidzashe Chakezha, Lydia Machemedze, Simbarashe Maobvera, Precious Muchemwa, Amanda Museruka, and James Muzembe in Buhera District, Chenesai Chaputsira, Elimon Chauke, Tapiwa Chipangura, Mathew Munotumaani, Tinashe Muzondo, and Ityanai Zhira in Chiredzi District, Sibhekisiwe Dhlomo, Lorraine Gwatinyanya, Hlangabeza Moyo, Setlina Noko, Trevor Nyathi, and Beatrice Tembo in Gwanda District, Naume Bema, Aksebia Chitetere, Luke Matoropito, Magaisa Ngara, Lucky Nyatoti, and Yvonne Vingirai in Mutoko District, and Thobekile Dhlamini, Tryphine Mlilo, Bukhulu Mlotshwa, Debra Ndlovu, Prince Ndlovu, and Sithembile Nyathi in Nkayi District. |
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