Barriers and Coping Mechanisms Relating to Agroforestry Adoption by Smallholder Farmers in Zimbabwe

Autor/inn/en	Chitakira, Munyaradzi; Torquebiau, Emmanuel
Titel	Barriers and Coping Mechanisms Relating to Agroforestry Adoption by Smallholder Farmers in Zimbabwe
Quelle	In: Journal of Agricultural Education and Extension, 16 (2010) 2, S.147-160 (14 Seiten) PDF als Volltext Verfügbarkeit
Sprache	englisch
Dokumenttyp	gedruckt; online; Zeitschriftenaufsatz
ISSN	1389-224X
Schlagwörter	Extension Education; Coping; Foreign Countries; Rural Development; Forestry; Agricultural Production; Questionnaires; Interviews; Observation; Females; Case Studies; Agricultural Occupations; Consciousness Raising; Skill Development; Knowledge Level; Zimbabwe + Suchen Sie Ihr Suchwort? Erweitertes Bildungsangebot; Bewältigung; Ausland; Rural environment; Development; Ländliches Milieu; Entwicklung; Forstwissenschaft; Waldwirtschaft; Agriculture; Production; Landwirtschaft; Produktion; Agrarproduktion; Landwirtschaftliche Produktion; Fragebogen; Interviewing; Interviewtechnik; Beobachtung; Weibliches Geschlecht; Case study; Fallstudie; Case Study; Occupation; Beruf; Landwirtschaftlicher Beruf; Bewusstseinsbildung; Kompetenzentwicklung; Qualifikationsentwicklung; Wissensbasis; Simbabwe
Abstract	Purpose: The purpose of the present study was to investigate agroforestry adoption by smallholder farmers in Gutu District, Zimbabwe. Design/Methodology/Approach: The methodology was based on field data collected through household questionnaires, key informant interviews and direct observations. Findings: Major findings reveal that traditional agroforestry was common in the study area. There were no cases of innovative agroforestry other than dwindling remnants from a former trees-with-pasture project. Majority of respondents were willing to adopt innovative agroforestry technologies to improve yields and income. Damage and destruction of plants by pests and animals due to lack of fences emerged as the major challenges to the adoption of agroforestry. Other challenges included seed availability and labour requirements. Possible coping strategies, identified through consulting farmers and other stakeholders, would include local initiatives and support from outside the community. Local and external efforts are required especially to secure inputs and raise awareness, knowledge and skills with respect to specific agroforestry technologies. Practical Implications: The paper presents pointers on the involvement of women in agroforestry and on the cultural significance of indigenous and exotic fruit trees. It provides practical lessons useful to extension or rural development workers in a localised set-up. Originality/Value: The case study gives an insight into the problems faced by peasant farmers and the requirements to make agroforestry successful. Practitioners in southern Africa could learn a great deal about issues relating to smallholder farmers from reading this paper. (Contains 3 tables and 3 figures.) (As Provided).
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Erfasst von	ERIC (Education Resources Information Center), Washington, DC
Update	2017/4/10