Papers by TIRIVASHE PHILLIP MASERE
African Journal of Food, Agriculture, Nutrition and Development
A study was conducted in Lower Gweru Communal area of Zimbabwe to determine factors affecting sma... more A study was conducted in Lower Gweru Communal area of Zimbabwe to determine factors affecting small-scale resource-constrained farmers’ technology adoption and innovation processes. Specific objectives included determining circumstances when farmers consider learning about and adopting new technologies; documenting challenges faced by farmers in technology adoption; and determining the kind of support farmers require in adopting technologies or innovating. Multistage stratified random sampling was used to select a study sample of 256 farmers who participated in focus group discussions (FGDs). Additionally, semi-structured interviews (SSIs) with 200 farmers, selected from within the 256 FGD participants, were conducted to corroborate data collected in FGDs and participant observation. The study found that farmers were ready to learn and adopt new technologies when proposed technologies were (i) cheaper to acquire and use than their current technologies, (ii) easier and simpler to use...
International Journal of Civil, Mechanical and Energy Science
Tropical forests play an important role of storing significant quantities of carbon, both, aboveg... more Tropical forests play an important role of storing significant quantities of carbon, both, aboveground and belowground. However, deforestation activities for various purposes, among them, agriculture and settlement, have continued to remove unknown quantities of biomass and carbon stocks across tropical forests of Africa. This study was conducted to estimate aboveground tree biomass (AGB), carbon stocks (AGCS) and carbon dioxide equivalent (CO2 e) among three vegetation cover types (wooded land, bushland and grassland) found in Mapfungautsi forest and to quantify the long-term estimated total AGB, AGCS and CO2 e lost due to deforestation activities in the forest (between the year 2000 and 2020). Data collection was conducted using remote sensing imagery, field measurements and an allometric equation. A total of 22 plots, each measuring 50m x50m were established across the three vegetation cover types where tree height, diameter at breast height, number of stems/ha and regeneration w...
International Journal of Environment, Agriculture and Biotechnology, 2023
This study was conducted with agricultural extension agents of semi-arid Zimbabwe to gather their... more This study was conducted with agricultural extension agents of semi-arid Zimbabwe to gather their perceptions on innovation and technology adoption by small-scale resource-constrained farmers, as well as the effect of their working conditions on the quality of service delivery to small-scale farmers. Data was solicited through focus group discussions (FGDs) and semi-structured interviews (SSIs) with all the public agricultural extension agents operating in the study area. It was found that agents were mainly hampered by lack of inservice training, transport and poor remuneration. Of all disseminated technologies during the last 20 years, respondents assessed that 17% had very low adoption rate, 26% had low adoption, 17% had average adoption, 26% had high adoption and only 13% had very high adoption. Bulky, expensive and risky technologies like tractors, solar driers, metal silos and bee farming were among the least adopted whereas hybrid seeds and value addition were very highly adopted. Reasons for the very low adoption were noted to be lack of capital, markets and information support on how to use new technology. Despite these challenges respondents indicated that small-scale farmers had the capacity to innovate and to adopt technology in the form of indigenous knowledge, willingness and commitment to learn and improve productivity, and labor. Agents suggested the strengthening of farmer-extension-research linkages so that technologies could be developed from some successful indigenous innovations, where possible and also to ensure the development of technology tailor-made to the needs of smallscale farmers, resource-endowments and biophysical conditions of their farming communities.
Springer International Publishing eBooks, 2023
International journal of agriculture and technology, Dec 31, 2022
This study was conducted in Mapfungautsi forest to determine the extent of deforestation from the... more This study was conducted in Mapfungautsi forest to determine the extent of deforestation from the year 2000 (when no deforestation was detected by satellite imagery) up to 2020, as well as to gather perspectives from members of communities around the forest, on factors responsible for deforestation. A mixed method approach in the form of remote sensing techniques, questionnaires and key informant interviews was used to gather data. Findings indicated the extent of deforestation to be 4254ha (5%) and 10632ha (14%) after the first decade (2000-2010) and second decade (2000-2020) respectively. Of the cleared forest, the most affected vegetation cover type was the wooded grassland (84%) followed by bushland (31%) and wooded land (10%) after the 20-year period. Respondents identified political gain, expansion of jurisdictions of chiefs and population pressure as the social factors most responsible for accelerated deforestation in Mapfungautsi. Conversely, the identified economic factors mainly contributing to deforestation were agriculture, timber and firewood poaching. The study concluded that agriculture was the single most impactful factor responsible for deforestation as the main social factors (political gain and expansion of chieftaincy) worked in combination to invade and clear protected forests for settlement and agriculture (which is also the main livelihood source of local people). Consequently, any control measures to arrest deforestation in Mapfungautsi and any other protected forests for that matter, will require serious buy-in and will power from political and traditional leaders and other stakeholders like farmers and community members.
Resource Management in Agroecosystems [Working Title]
The global land resource is increasingly under pressure due to both anthropogenic and natural fac... more The global land resource is increasingly under pressure due to both anthropogenic and natural factors such as unsustainable land management practices and climate change, respectively. Land degradation and climate change are among the major global threats to the resilience of agro-ecosystems and stability of food production systems. Small-scale resource-constrained farmers, who account for the majority of farmers across the world, are the hardest hit due to the scale of their operations, operating environment, and circumstances. Despite these global challenges, small-scale farmers have continued to adjust their farming systems to withstand the vagaries of climate change, while at the same time aiming to achieve land degradation neutrality. This chapter sought to evaluate the role played by small-scale farmers in soil and water conservation management in attempt to address land degradation and climate change. Further, the chapter investigated key characteristics and circumstances of s...
Achieving food security is a challenge for the developed and developing world. These challenges a... more Achieving food security is a challenge for the developed and developing world. These challenges are greater for developing nations such as in Africa because of the severity of the problems. An important aspect of this is poor agricultural productivity. Worldwide, technology is being developed to increase agricultural production. One aspect of this is the development of predictive computer models that enable farmers to optimise crops using management decision based on simulation scenarios. Most African farmers do not have the computer resources or expertise to implement these types of technology. Even extension offices in Africa, who provide much needed advice, can be under resourced in this way. We suggest here that simpler computer models that are cheaper and easier to use need to be developed. As a first step in this process we investigate here which factors are most cost effectively managed using computer simulations in semi-arid conditions pertinent to much of sub-Saharan Africa...
The importance of agricultural extension in small-scale farming systems of developing countries c... more The importance of agricultural extension in small-scale farming systems of developing countries cannot be overemphasised. Extension organisations and their agents play crucial roles in transferring technologies to small-scale farmers for adoption and in fostering development of innovations from among diverse actors including farmers, research institutions, input suppliers, non-governmental organisations (NGOs), and donors. In many developing countries, particularly of Africa, most new agricultural technologies are disseminated by the primary public extension agencies. In Zimbabwe, the Department of Agricultural Technical and Extension Services (AGRITEX) through its agents are tasked with this responsibility. Despite the efforts by AGRITEX and its agents in disseminating new technologies aimed at improving farm production and hence the livelihoods of small-scale farmers, the adoption of most such recommended technology has been poor. This study was thus driven by the following primar...
Small-scale farmers rarely get enough yields to sustain themselves to the next harvest. Most of t... more Small-scale farmers rarely get enough yields to sustain themselves to the next harvest. Most of these farmers are located in marginal areas with poor soils and in semi-arid areas which receive little rainfall yet the farmers practice rainfed agriculture. A number of reasons can be attributed to the low yields characterizing these farms. Lack of relevant knowledge for decision-making and climate change are among the major reasons for poor yields. Whilst there is not much the small-scale farmers can do to influence climate, they can at least make informed decisions to improve their yields. The information necessary for agricultural decision-making include the climate forecast information and information about performance of new technologies be it fertilisers, varieties or other practices. The study aimed to answer the primary research question: What is the applicability of the APSIM model in decision-making by small-scale resource constrained farmers? This question was supported by secondary research questions namely: How useful is the APSIM model in small-scale farmers" adaptation to future climate change? What are the current farming systems of Lower Gweru farmers with regards to maize production? What are farmers" perceptions of climate change and what changes have they noticed in the last 10 years? How do small-scale farmers make crop management decisions? Data was gathered through five methods namely, Focus Group Discussions, resource allocation mapping technique, APSIM simulations, on-farm experimentation, and semi-structured interviews. Data was collected from a group of 30 small-scale farmers of Lower Gweru Communal area. The study concentrated on maize production due to the fact that it is the staple food and was grown by all farmers.
Journal of International Agricultural and Extension Education, 2016
This study assessed the applicability of APSIM, a crop simulation model, to decisionmaking by sma... more This study assessed the applicability of APSIM, a crop simulation model, to decisionmaking by small-scale resource-constrained farmers in Lower Gweru, Zimbabwe. Input data for APSIM were collected from 30 farmers through focus group discussions and resource allocation mapping. APSIM simulations were run to simulate the farmers' farming systems to establish model credibility and validate the model with the local data and to explore "what if" questions to discuss ways to improve maize yields in a below-normal season. After two years interacting with model outputs, semi-structured interviews were conducted with the farmers to assess their continued use of APSIM in decision-making, the form of information they value the most, and preferred sources of information. The study found a greater willingness to consider computerbased modeling because of the pressures of climate change and the waning adequacy of their indigenous systems. However, the study also found that farmers used APSIM when they saw for themselves its accuracy and relevance to their farming systems and found it useful for making decisions relative to climate variations. The study confirmed APSIM's limitations as the lack of accurate data, the need for expert support and access to computers, and found that indigenous indicators, although waning in reliability and accuracy, can be strengthened when revisited through a deliberate learning program designed to engage farmers in scientific enquiry. While preferring to obtain information from extension agents, farmers will not readily adopt significant changes unless they have hard facts that they themselves have participated in generating. Whether introducing a model like APSIM or other technologies, unless farmers are directly involved with its testing in the field they are unlikely to adopt what is offered.
Outlook on Agriculture, 2015
It is well known that major changes in global food systems are needed when agriculture must meet ... more It is well known that major changes in global food systems are needed when agriculture must meet the challenge of feeding a growing population and at the same time minimize global environmental impacts. Both these aims require optimal crop yields. This need applies crucially to staple foods, such as maize, and in developing parts of the world, such as much of Africa. Within-season rainfall will affect crop yields, and this paper, using simulations, investigates the effects of varying within-season daily rainfall distributions on potential maize yields. The results show that within-season distributions can affect maize yields in low-rainfall seasons, but yields are also dependent on the use of fertilizer. In average and above-average rainfall seasons, within-season variance has little effect on maize yields. If within-season distributions affect crop yields in low-rainfall seasons, as shown here, then this finding could be important for understanding the impacts of possible changes i...
Biochar - Productive Technologies, Properties and Application [Working Title]
The use of low-cost agricultural waste-derived biochar in solving water and environmental challen... more The use of low-cost agricultural waste-derived biochar in solving water and environmental challenges induced by climate change was investigated and sound conclusions were presented. Water reuse strategies can diminish the impact of climate change in rural and remote areas of developing countries. The novel biochar materials from three agro-waste biomass (Matamba fruit shell, Mushuma, and Mupane tree barks) were investigated and characterized to attest to their capacity to remove iodine from the aqueous solution. Their surface morphologies were assessed using Field Emission Scanning Electron Microscopy with Energy Dispersive X-Ray Spectroscopy (FESEM-EDX) which exhibited their structural phenomena to purge environmental pollutants. The Fourier-transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR) was conducted to show surface functional groups of the biochar materials and Matamba fruit shell exhibited hydroxyl (-OH), carbonyl groups (C=O), C=C stretches of aromatic rings, and the carboxylate (C–O–O...
South African Journal of Agricultural Extension (SAJAE), 2021
This paper presents the findings of challenges facing Zimbabwe’s extension services and how these... more This paper presents the findings of challenges facing Zimbabwe’s extension services and how these have affected the adoption of technologies they render to small-scale farmers. This study uses a critical review of relevant literature on Zimbabwe’s primary public extension agency (AGRITEX). Additionally, 21 key informant interviews (KIIs) were conducted to corroborate data collected in secondary research on extension approaches currently in use, the key factors affecting technology adoption, and the technology adoption process of small-scale farmers. The study found AGRITEX’s major challenges to be poor funding, poor remuneration and incentives for extension personnel, lack of in-service training, lack of appropriate technology, as well as poor operational resources like transport to reach all farmers. Consequently, services offered to small-scale farmers were compromised, which led to poor adoption of recommended technologies. Furthermore, the study determined that key factors influ...
The agriculture sector is sensitive to climate change and the capacity of smallholder farmers in ... more The agriculture sector is sensitive to climate change and the capacity of smallholder farmers in developing countries to adapt is limited. Similar to adoption of any development-oriented strategies, perception is prerequisite to successful adaptation of agricultural strategies against climate change effects. This study was conducted in the semi-arid Lower Gweru Communal area of Central Zimbabwe to sensitize smallholder farmers on climate change and to establish their perceptions of the projected climate of Zimbabwe by 2050. Data were collected during 2011 from a total of 60 farmers drawn from six villages in Mdubiwa and Nyama Wards. Farmers were selected using systematic random sampling from a households list and grouped into three wealth groups: resource rich; resource poor and intermediate. Focus Group Discussions were conducted with each group to investigate their perceptions of the projected climate by 2050 and their proposed adaptive strategies. Farmers perceived the projected climate to have negative effects on their livelihoods and there were no outstanding differences in the nature of responses across the three categories of farmers. Farmers' responses showed that they were concerned about crop and livestock productivity as well as availability of water resources, food and nutrition security and about their general well-being. The intermediate wealth group, which had more than half of its members above 70 years of age provided the least number of ideas for adaptations. Farmers also suggested how they could possibly counteract some of the predicted negative effects or maximize on positive effects. Strategies that were suggested by the farmers were largely concerned with cropping and tended to address water shortages. It was concluded that almost all strategies suggested by farmers were self-directed, rather than directed at authorities like government or donors to do something for them thus showing that farmers had the will power to deal with climate change themselves.
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Small-scale farmers rarely get enough yields to sustain themselves to the next harvest. Most of t... more Small-scale farmers rarely get enough yields to sustain themselves to the next harvest. Most of these farmers are located in marginal areas with poor soils and in semi-arid areas which receive little rainfall yet the farmers practice rainfed agriculture. A number of reasons can be attributed to the low yields characterizing these farms. Lack of relevant knowledge for decision-making and climate change are among the major reasons for poor yields. Whilst there is not much the small-scale farmers can do to influence climate, they can at least make informed decisions to improve their yields. The information necessary for agricultural decision-making include the climate forecast information and information about performance of new technologies be it fertilisers, varieties or other practices. The study aimed to answer the primary research question: What is the applicability of the APSIM model in decision-making by small-scale resource constrained farmers? This question was supported by secondary research questions namely: How useful is the APSIM model in small-scale farmers" adaptation to future climate change? What are the current farming systems of Lower Gweru farmers with regards to maize production? What are farmers" perceptions of climate change and what changes have they noticed in the last 10 years? How do small-scale farmers make crop management decisions? Data was gathered through five methods namely, Focus Group Discussions, resource allocation mapping technique, APSIM simulations, on-farm experimentation, and semi-structured interviews. Data was collected from a group of 30 small-scale farmers of Lower Gweru Communal area. The study concentrated on maize production due to the fact that it is the staple food and was grown by all farmers.
Journal of Arid Environments
The agriculture sector is sensitive to climate change and the capacity of smallholder farmers in ... more The agriculture sector is sensitive to climate change and the capacity of smallholder farmers in developing countries to adapt is limited. Similar to adoption of any development-oriented strategies, perception is prerequisite to successful adaptation of agricultural strategies against climate change effects. This study was conducted in the semi-arid Lower Gweru Communal area of Central Zimbabwe to sensitize smallholder farmers on climate change and to establish their perceptions of the projected climate of Zimbabwe by 2050. Data were collected during 2011 from a total of 60 farmers drawn from six villages in Mdubiwa and Nyama Wards. Farmers were selected using systematic random sampling from a households list and grouped into three wealth groups: resource rich; resource poor and intermediate. Focus Group Discussions were conducted with each group to investigate their perceptions of the projected climate by 2050 and their proposed adaptive strategies. Farmers perceived the projected climate to have negative effects on their livelihoods and there were no outstanding differences in the nature of responses across the three categories of farmers. Farmers' responses showed that they were concerned about crop and livestock productivity as well as availability of water resources, food and nutrition security and about their general well-being. The intermediate wealth group, which had more than half of its members above 70 years of age provided the least number of ideas for adaptations. Farmers also suggested how they could possibly counteract some of the predicted negative effects or maximize on positive effects. Strategies that were suggested by the farmers were largely concerned with cropping and tended to address water shortages. It was concluded that almost all strategies suggested by farmers were self-directed, rather than directed at authorities like government or donors to do something for them thus showing that farmers had the will power to deal with climate change themselves.
African Journal of Agricultural Research, Aug 26, 2014
Smallholder farmer productivity in developing countries is limited by diverse biophysical, politi... more Smallholder farmer productivity in developing countries is limited by diverse biophysical, political and socioeconomic factors. The objective of this study was to establish current agronomic practices of smallholder farmers in semi-arid Lower Gweru and Lupane areas of Zimbabwe and to identify possible research and extension interventions that may improve crop productivity of these farmers. Focus group discussions, interviews and desktop study were used to collect data. Horticultural production is the main livelihood in Lower Gweru, while field crop and livestock production are livelihoods in both areas. Conventional tillage is the predominant tillage system. Important crops include maize (Zea mays L.), pearl millet (Pennisetum glaucum (L) R.Br.), sorghum (Sorghum bicolor L.) and groundnuts (Arachis hypogea L.). Farmers grow both hybrid and open-pollinated maize varieties (OPVs) with more farmers in Lupane than in Lower Gweru, growing these OPVs. The number of farmers growing improved varieties of small-grain crops has increased, since mid 1990s. The method and frequency of weeding depends on tillage system used and availability of equipment as well as draft power. Adoption rates for technologies such as water conservation and use of adequate soil ameliorants as well as effective crop rotations are low due to limited resources. The study identified some research and extension interventions that may be employed to improve crop productivity in semi-arid areas of Central and Western Zimbabwe.
This study assessed the applicability of APSIM, a crop simulation model, to decision-making by sm... more This study assessed the applicability of APSIM, a crop simulation model, to decision-making by small-scale resource-constrained farmers in Lower Gweru, Zimbabwe. Input data for APSIM were collected from 30 farmers through focus group discussions and resource allocation mapping. APSIM simulations were run to simulate the farmers' farming systems to establish model credibility and validate the model with the local data and to explore " what if " questions to discuss ways to improve maize yields in a below-normal season. After two years interacting with model outputs, semi-structured interviews were conducted with the farmers to assess their continued use of APSIM in decision-making, the form of information they value the most, and preferred sources of information. The study found a greater willingness to consider computer-based modeling because of the pressures of climate change and the waning adequacy of their indigenous systems. However, the study also found that farme...
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Papers by TIRIVASHE PHILLIP MASERE