Mazvimavi, K and Murendo, C and Minde, I J and Kunzekweguta, M (2013) Assessing the Impacts of Zimbabwe’s Agricultural Vouchers Input Program. In: 4th International Conference of the African Association of Agricultural Economists, 22-25 September 2013, Hammamet Tunisia.
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Abstract
Using data from ICRISAT 2010/11 household and fertilizer retailer surveys, the study reveals that open vouchers enhance farmers input choice. The targeting of vulnerable farmers was efficient in selecting, households with less livestock ownership and those affected by HIV/AIDS. The use of open vouchers enabled retailers to sale agricultural inputs, boost revenue and link them to suppliers. The use of open voucher is preferable in areas where retailer’s infrastructure and mobile telephone network coverage is good. Timely payment of retailers and suppliers is necessary to encourage their willingness to participate in the program. Risk bearing options like wholesaler insurance are critical to ensure wholesalers are compensated in the event that agro-inputs are not purchased. Credit facilities specifically meant for retailers to stock and trade agricultural inputs will be useful. Programs and policies that enable farmers to access credit to buy inputs should also be put in place. A well planned voucher system links commercial retail channels and has multiplier effects to the society. Experiences from the PRP input program demonstrated that voucher system, as an alternative to direct input distribution, is workable in the Zimbabwe situation and can be adequately supported by suppliers and rural retailers. Voucher programs have the potential to support retail linkage and there is need for increasing more stakeholders, such as seed and fertilizer companies, and wholesalers.
| Item Type: | Conference or Workshop Item (Paper) |
|---|---|
| Divisions: | UNSPECIFIED |
| CRP: | UNSPECIFIED |
| Subjects: | Others > Agriculture-Farming, Production, Technology, Economics |
| Depositing User: | Mr Sanat Kumar Behera |
| Date Deposited: | 14 Dec 2013 05:45 |
| Last Modified: | 14 Dec 2013 05:45 |
| URI: | http://oar.icrisat.org/id/eprint/7285 |
| Acknowledgement: | We gratefully acknowledge the funding support received from consortium of donors who included DFID, AusAID, Netherlands Embassy, Norwegian Embassy, DANIDA and the World Bank to enable GRM International contract ICRISAT to implement this study. The authors would like to thank interviewed farm households and retailers who were willing to 15 participate in the survey as well as the research assistants who worked tirelessly to collect the data. |
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