A report on farmers participation in a soil analysis survey in Chihota Communal Area, Marondera District : conducted 14 to 23 Septembre 1998
Gambara, P.
A report on farmers participation in a soil analysis survey in Chihota Communal Area, Marondera District : conducted 14 to 23 Septembre 1998 - [Zimbabwe : s.n., 1998] - 39 pages
Open Access
It has been generally observed over the years that most farmers in Chihota communal area in Marondera district, Mashonaland East province, are abandoning their arable lands citing depleted fertility. Average crop yields in the are are well below the potential and farmers cite poor soil fertility as the major cause. In view ofthe above, a participatory rural appraisal (PRA) exercise was conducted from 14 to 23 Septermber 1998 in four selected wards in the area to assess farmers' perceptions on soil fertility issues in their area. This was conducted by a team composed of officers from the departments of Agricultural, Technical adn Extension Services (Agritex), Research and Specialist Services (R&SS) and CIMMYT, Harare. Mauricio Bellon of the CIMMYT Economics Programme, Mexico provided guidance on the methodologies used. The PRA exercise consisted of focus group discussion with groups of males, females and mixed male and female. Data was collected on soil categories, the strengths and weaknesses of each soil, how each soil could be improved and what constraints farmers faced in trying to improve their soils. Farmers also categorised themselves giving the strengths and weaknesses of each category. Lastly farmers looked at the attributes of a good and bad season and what actions they normally take to counter the effects of a a bad season. This report is in two parts, a summary of all the groups reports is contained in pages 1-15 whilst all reports from the different groups are included in the appendices. The report has used vernacular soil type names used by the farmers so as not to lose some detail in trying to translate them into English. This exercise brought out soil fertility problem areas and possible technical interventions to overcome them. It aslos highlighted the depth of knowledge farmers have about their own environment. Many participants were surprised that farmers were able to come up with ten types of soils. This exercise is the beginning of increased collaboration between the farmers, extension and researchers on exchange of ideas and feedback on generated technologies to reserachers. It is hoped that the next step after this survey will be to conduct a baseline survey on farmers' socio-economic conditions. These constituted a major proportion of the reason farmers gave for not practising somo of the soil improvement technologies they already know. Some of the technologies that farmers are using to improve their soil fertility e.g. addition of anthill soil, and some of the technologies that research is recommending have low rates of adoption or usage. There is therefore need to make an economic analysis of the technologies being used by farmers and those recommended for adoption by researchers. The ultimate aim of this exercise is to contribute to an improved standard of living for rural communities through improved and viable human and farm productivity.
Text in English
Farmer participation
Soil fertility
Participatory research
Zimbabwe
A report on farmers participation in a soil analysis survey in Chihota Communal Area, Marondera District : conducted 14 to 23 Septembre 1998 - [Zimbabwe : s.n., 1998] - 39 pages
Open Access
It has been generally observed over the years that most farmers in Chihota communal area in Marondera district, Mashonaland East province, are abandoning their arable lands citing depleted fertility. Average crop yields in the are are well below the potential and farmers cite poor soil fertility as the major cause. In view ofthe above, a participatory rural appraisal (PRA) exercise was conducted from 14 to 23 Septermber 1998 in four selected wards in the area to assess farmers' perceptions on soil fertility issues in their area. This was conducted by a team composed of officers from the departments of Agricultural, Technical adn Extension Services (Agritex), Research and Specialist Services (R&SS) and CIMMYT, Harare. Mauricio Bellon of the CIMMYT Economics Programme, Mexico provided guidance on the methodologies used. The PRA exercise consisted of focus group discussion with groups of males, females and mixed male and female. Data was collected on soil categories, the strengths and weaknesses of each soil, how each soil could be improved and what constraints farmers faced in trying to improve their soils. Farmers also categorised themselves giving the strengths and weaknesses of each category. Lastly farmers looked at the attributes of a good and bad season and what actions they normally take to counter the effects of a a bad season. This report is in two parts, a summary of all the groups reports is contained in pages 1-15 whilst all reports from the different groups are included in the appendices. The report has used vernacular soil type names used by the farmers so as not to lose some detail in trying to translate them into English. This exercise brought out soil fertility problem areas and possible technical interventions to overcome them. It aslos highlighted the depth of knowledge farmers have about their own environment. Many participants were surprised that farmers were able to come up with ten types of soils. This exercise is the beginning of increased collaboration between the farmers, extension and researchers on exchange of ideas and feedback on generated technologies to reserachers. It is hoped that the next step after this survey will be to conduct a baseline survey on farmers' socio-economic conditions. These constituted a major proportion of the reason farmers gave for not practising somo of the soil improvement technologies they already know. Some of the technologies that farmers are using to improve their soil fertility e.g. addition of anthill soil, and some of the technologies that research is recommending have low rates of adoption or usage. There is therefore need to make an economic analysis of the technologies being used by farmers and those recommended for adoption by researchers. The ultimate aim of this exercise is to contribute to an improved standard of living for rural communities through improved and viable human and farm productivity.
Text in English
Farmer participation
Soil fertility
Participatory research
Zimbabwe