Details

Autor(en) / Beteiligte

• Poshiwa, X
• Nyoka, R
• Chikumba, N
• Gatsi, T
• Chakoma, I

Titel

A baseline socio-economic evaluation of an European Union funded project on use of Micro-Symbionts in agroforestry systems in Zimbabwe

Ist Teil von

• Journal of sustainable development in Africa, 2006-01, Vol.8 (1), p.186-196

Erscheinungsjahr

2006

Quelle

EZB Electronic Journals Library

Beschreibungen/Notizen

• The main objective of the survey was to establish the use of micro-symbionts in agroforestry systems by the smallholder dairy farmers in the different agro-ecological zones of Zimbabwe. Specific objectives of the survey were to (i) Characterize the farmers in terms of resource endowment and agricultural activities they are engaged in (ii) Assess the extent of inoculant use in agroforestry systems (iii) Assess the extent of the use of multipurpose trees by the Zimbabwean smallholder dairy farmers and (iv) provide a baseline report to be used as a basis for the impact assessment of the project. Baseline information on inoculant and Calliandra calothyrsus use and/or awareness was collected through structured questionnaires from farmers in Rusitu (Natural Region 1), Tsonzo (Natural Region 11), Nharira (Natural Region 111) and Mshagashe (Natural Region 1V). Results show that 50 to 70% of the farmers interviewed have raised some agroforestry tree species in the past five years. However, there were low levels (2.7% in Nharira) of inoculant use in smallholder agroforestry systems in almost all the areas surveyed. This suggests that farmers were not aware of inoculants in tree species. There is therefore a knowledge gap, which the project can fill in terms of testing and evaluating the different species with and without inoculants in the areas. Majority of the farmers interviewed were willing to grow Calliandra (>95%). In addition farmers were also probed on the reasons that they would want to grow Calliandra. Almost 70% of the sample size mentioned that they would grow Calliandra for livestock feed. Other reasons were for improving soil fertility, preventing soil erosion, firewood and for providing windbreaks.