Potential of sorghum and finger millet to enhance household food security in Zimbabwe's semi-arid regions: a case study of communal areas in Masvingo Province

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dc.contributor.advisorObi, Ajuruchukwuen
dc.contributor.authorMukarumbwa, Peteren
dc.date.accessioned2026-07-28T10:30:58Z
dc.date.available2026-07-28T10:30:58Z
dc.date.issued2009en
dc.description.abstractSuccessive droughts, in Zimbabwe compounded by other economic shocks in recent years have resulted in decreased maize productivity amongst the communal farmers most of whom reside in regions IV and V which are considered semi-arid. This has given rise to the need to find alternative food crops, which may be suitable for these areas. Generally, research in the world indicates that sorghum and millet have the potential to end chronic food insecurity in semi-arid areas because of their drought tolerance. Whilst this might be the case, research, government policy and assistance from non-governmental organizations on food crop production in Zimbabwe have shown a continual inclination to maize production in semi-arid areas. However, maize is regarded as a high risk crop in these regions. The main objective of the study was to investigate major factors affecting smallholder farmers in semi-arid areas, from increased production of small grains, specifically sorghum and finger millet. The study was conducted in two rural districts of Masvingo and Gutu, which lie in natural region IV in Masvingo Province. The questionnaire was used as the main tool of inquiry to gather data from households in selected villages within these districts. Questionnaires were administered through face-to-face interviews. The total sample size was 120. The logistic regression model was used to analyze data. The results revealed that, at the 5% level, labour, cattle ownership, farm size, age, extension, yields and access to credit significantly influence sorghum and finger millet production. These findings suggest that an adjustment in each one of the significant variables can significantly influence the probability of participation in small grain production. In view of these research findings, a policy shift that encourages increased production of finger millet and sorghum in Zimbabwe‟s semi-arid regions is proposed. It is suggested that this may increase household food security in these regions.en
dc.formatxi, 110 leaves; 30 cmen
dc.formatpdfen
dc.identifier.citationMukarumbwa, Peter. 2009en
dc.identifier.othervital:11186en
dc.identifier.otherhttp://hdl.handle.net/10353/368en
dc.identifier.otherFood security -- Zimbabwe Case studiesen
dc.identifier.otherFood supply -- Zimbabwe Case studiesen
dc.identifier.otherCrops -- Zimbabwe Case studiesen
dc.identifier.otherSorghum -- Zimbabween
dc.identifier.otherPoverty -- Zimbabween
dc.identifier.otherMillets -- Economic aspects -- Zimbabween
dc.identifier.urihttp://hdl.handle.net/20.500.11837/4196
dc.language.isoEnglishen
dc.publisherUniversity of Fort Hareen
dc.publisherFaculty of Science & Agricultureen
dc.rightsUniversity of Fort Hareen
dc.subjectFood security -- Zimbabwe Case studiesen
dc.subjectFood supply -- Zimbabwe Case studiesen
dc.subjectCrops -- Zimbabwe Case studiesen
dc.subjectSorghum -- Zimbabween
dc.subjectPoverty -- Zimbabween
dc.subjectMillets -- Economic aspects -- Zimbabween
dc.titlePotential of sorghum and finger millet to enhance household food security in Zimbabwe's semi-arid regions: a case study of communal areas in Masvingo Provinceen
dc.title.alternativePotential of sorghum and finger millet to enhance household food security in Zimbabwe's semi-arid regions: a case study of communal areas in Masvingo Provinceen
dc.typeThesisen
dc.typeMastersen
dc.typeMSc Agric (Agricultural Economics)en

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