C.T. Gadzirayi

Impact of community-based approaches to wildlife management: case study of the CAMPFIRE programme in Zimbabwe

The objective of this study was to elicit community perceptions on the effectiveness of the CAMPFIRE programme, a community initiative, designed to benefit rural communities in Gonono ward in the Zambezi valley. Five villages and 76 respondents were selected from the ward using simple random sampling. Data collection included a structured questionnaire administered to households, semi-structured interviews with key informants, such as chiefs, headmen and local council staff, transect walks and participant observations. The results of the study revealed that, although the CAMPFIRE concept has been instrumental in creation of employment and infrastructure, the local community considers that no significant changes have occurred to their livelihoods. The findings suggest that the current model of wildlife conservation in Zimbabwe is not promoting total community participation. Future models need to focus on total involvement and independence from government structures. However, this can only happen when there is sufficient capacity building in communities on a wide number of issues, including general management, to ensure long-term sustainability.

Cultivation practices and utilisation of moringa oleifera provenances by small holder farmers: caseof Zimbabwe

The study sought to establish the cultivation practices and utilisation of Moringa oleifera provenances grown by small holder farmers in Zimbabwe. Focus group interviews, questionnaires and field observations were used to collect data. The snowball technique was used to identify farmers to be interviewed in the targeted study site. Eight focus group discussions, in four districts, disaggregated by sex were conducted, one per district. Questionnaires were administered to farmers who were growing Moringa oleifera trees. Data from questionnaires was analysed using Statistical Analysis Systems (SAS) version 9.13 in order to come up with descriptive statistics of the responses to the questionnaires. The study established that, the common innovative cultivation system for Moringa is mixed cropping, where Moringa is planted together with fruit trees in the orchards or grown together with garden crops around homesteads. The leaf biomass was used as mulch and as organic fertiliser. A significant number of farmers, 63%, use Moringa for Research Article Gadzirayi et al.; AJAEES, Article no. AJAEES.2013.005 153 both medicinal purposes and household nutrition and, 9%, use it for household uses only such as water purification. The main Moringa provenances grown by farmers are Malawi, Binga and Mutoko. However, there is need for an efficient production system that enhances full realisation of the benefits of Moringa oleifera in the small holder farming sector.

Factors affecting adoption of long staple cotton variety among smallholder farmers in Zimbabwe

The changing requirements of the international cotton market have created the need for continual investment in new technological innovations in developing countries. The main objective of this research was to identify factors that affect the adoption of Long Staple (LS9219) variety among smallholder cotton farmers in Matepatepa communal area of Mashonaland Central province of Zimbabwe. A total of 75 farmers were selected using stratified sampling and a structured questionnaire administered at the farm level. A binary logistic regression model was used to investigate adoption of the LS9219 variety. Results of the survey showed that the economic returns per hectare for the traditional (SZ9314) and LS9219 were not statistically different at the 5% level. Most farmers were aware of the new cotton variety. Agricultural credit was found to have a positive and significant effect on adoption. On the other hand, large farm size was negatively associated with adoption of LS9219 variety. These findings point to the need for a holistic approach in which agricultural credit and sufficient price premiums for long staple varieties are central for longterm sustainability.

Holistic Environmental Management in a Communal Grazing Scheme

22 Rangelands About the Grazing Area The Chikukwa communal area is located on the southeastern border of Zimbabwe with Mozambique and on the northern end of the Chimanimani range of mountains. The communal area has approximately 700 households, deriving livelihoods from diverse agricultural activities practiced on deep, mainly clay, soils. The area is found in agro-ecological region 1, receiving between 1,200 mm and 1,500 mm of rainfall per annum. Temperatures are relatively low, ranging from 15°– 25°C. It is one of the prime agricultural zones of Zimbabwe, but under siege from environmental degradation as a result of soil erosion, steep slopes, and inappropriate farming practices. The vegetation is characterized by open grasslands and scattered woodlands of various indigenous and exotic species. The Chikukwa people were allocated Jantia Farm in 2003 by the government as a grazing area for their cattle. This was done to solve grazing problems emanating from a shortage of grazing land. Jantia farm is 1,120 ha in extent, much of which is hilly and broken hills with a number of streams starting from the hills. Over 100 ha are for homesteads and cropping, leaving 881 ha of grazing land. Jantia can hold between 300−400 livestock units (LU). One livestock unit is equivalent to 500 kg live weight. The Chikukwa grazing committee planned 6 paddocks in Jantia farm ranging from 88−194 ha. Each paddock has one or more water points for cattle.

A Mixed Integer Programming Poultry Feed Ration Optimisation Problem Using the Bat Algorithm

In this paper, a feed ration problem is presented as a mixed integer programming problem. An attempt to find the optimal quantities of Moringa oleifera inclusion into the poultry feed ration was done and the problem was solved using the Bat algorithm and the Cplex solver. The study used findings of previous research to investigate the effects of Moringa oleifera inclusion in poultry feed ration. The results show that the farmer is likely to gain US 0.89 more if Moringa oleifera is included in the feed ration. Results also show superiority of the Bat algorithm in terms of execution time and number of iterations required to find the optimum solution as compared with the results obtained by the Cplex solver. Results revealed that there is a significant economic benefit of Moringa oleifera inclusion into the poultry feed ration.

Comparative analysis of farmer participatory extension approaches: case of farmer field schools and master farmer training in Mashonaland Central Province of Zimbabwe

This study made a comparative analysis of two extension approaches, Farmer Field Schools and Master Farmer Training with the objective of finding out the effectiveness of these approaches as regards farmer knowledge gains, skills empowerment, farmer adoption of recommended practices and cost effectiveness. Structured, semi structured questionnaires and informal interviews were used to collect data from farmers, local non-governmental organizations and extension workers. The results indicated that farmer field schools were more effective in terms of improvement in farmer’s knowledge, skills empowerment and change in crop husbandry practices. Master Farmer Original Research Article Gadzirayi and Mafuse; AJAEES, 4(4): 317-324, 2015; Article no.AJAEES.2015.032 318 training improved farmers’ marketing strategies because of assistance rendered by extension workers. Use of farmer field schools is therefore recommended when implementing extension programs targeted at large groups of farmers inclined towards crop husbandry. Where emphasis is on change in marketing strategies use of master farmer training programs is recommended.

The Role of Nutrition Gardens in the Healthcare of HIV/AIDS Infected and Affected Urban Households

This study assessed the role played by low input nutrition gardens in improving the livelihoods of HIV/AIDS infected and affected people in the urban areas of Zimbabwe. Structured interviews were conducted mainly with infected and affected households in th e city of Harares high density suburbs. A stratified random sampling design was used to select respondents from the three suburban areas, with each suburban area acting as a stratum. Sixty six households were then randomly selected from a sampling frame o f 182 using the lottery technique from three suburbs. Data was analyzed using descriptive statistics. Most of the households (39%) grew green leafy vegetables in their low input nutrition gardens. Herbs and bulbous vegetables were grown by 33% and field c rops by 28% of the households. Low input nutrition gardens contributed diversification of vegetables and herbs which enhanced the health status of the HIV infected and affected households. According to the respondents, nutrition gardens offered affordable healthy food because they are environmentally sustainable. Low input nutrition gardens should therefore be integral to the livelihoods of HIV/AIDS infected and affected households in a context characterized by prohibitive costs of acquiring food and medica tion. Original ResearchArticle

The Case Study of the Assessment of Ground Water Quality and Acceptance in Residential Urban Suburbs in Bindura, Zimbabwe

The research centered on the groundwater quality parameters in five boreholes and three wells in residential urban areas of Zimbabwe. Ten runs of chemical analysis for water pH, EC (electrical conductivity), water hardness were carried out weekly and averages were calculated for each at Bindura University laboratory. Iron concentrations analysis was done at the Tobacco Research Station. The results from boreholes and wells were compared to the WHO (World Health Organisation) drinking water acceptable standards to measure the deviations. It was found that the boreholes had hard waters (112 mg/L), EC (425 s/m) and iron concentration (0.49 ppm) outside the WHO standards (＞ 64 mg/L; 400 s/m; 0.3 ppm respectively). In contrary the wells had only the water pH slightly outside the acceptable ranges (5.8); other parameters were in the acceptable ranges (EC 379 s/m; water hardness 0.38 mg/L as CaCO3 and iron concentration 0.38 ppm). The difference in chemical composition between the boreholes and wells caused the borehole water rejection in favor of well water. High iron concentrations and water hardness in boreholes were major contributors to the water rejection by the residents.

Feature ArticlesHolistic Environmental Management in a Communal Grazing Scheme: From isolation to consolidation

22 Rangelands About the Grazing Area The Chikukwa communal area is located on the southeastern border of Zimbabwe with Mozambique and on the northern end of the Chimanimani range of mountains. The communal area has approximately 700 households, deriving livelihoods from diverse agricultural activities practiced on deep, mainly clay, soils. The area is found in agro-ecological region 1, receiving between 1,200 mm and 1,500 mm of rainfall per annum. Temperatures are relatively low, ranging from 15°– 25°C. It is one of the prime agricultural zones of Zimbabwe, but under siege from environmental degradation as a result of soil erosion, steep slopes, and inappropriate farming practices. The vegetation is characterized by open grasslands and scattered woodlands of various indigenous and exotic species. The Chikukwa people were allocated Jantia Farm in 2003 by the government as a grazing area for their cattle. This was done to solve grazing problems emanating from a shortage of grazing land. Jantia farm is 1,120 ha in extent, much of which is hilly and broken hills with a number of streams starting from the hills. Over 100 ha are for homesteads and cropping, leaving 881 ha of grazing land. Jantia can hold between 300−400 livestock units (LU). One livestock unit is equivalent to 500 kg live weight. The Chikukwa grazing committee planned 6 paddocks in Jantia farm ranging from 88−194 ha. Each paddock has one or more water points for cattle.

Holistic Environmental Management in a Communal Grazing Scheme: From isolation to consolidation

22 Rangelands About the Grazing Area The Chikukwa communal area is located on the southeastern border of Zimbabwe with Mozambique and on the northern end of the Chimanimani range of mountains. The communal area has approximately 700 households, deriving livelihoods from diverse agricultural activities practiced on deep, mainly clay, soils. The area is found in agro-ecological region 1, receiving between 1,200 mm and 1,500 mm of rainfall per annum. Temperatures are relatively low, ranging from 15°– 25°C. It is one of the prime agricultural zones of Zimbabwe, but under siege from environmental degradation as a result of soil erosion, steep slopes, and inappropriate farming practices. The vegetation is characterized by open grasslands and scattered woodlands of various indigenous and exotic species. The Chikukwa people were allocated Jantia Farm in 2003 by the government as a grazing area for their cattle. This was done to solve grazing problems emanating from a shortage of grazing land. Jantia farm is 1,120 ha in extent, much of which is hilly and broken hills with a number of streams starting from the hills. Over 100 ha are for homesteads and cropping, leaving 881 ha of grazing land. Jantia can hold between 300−400 livestock units (LU). One livestock unit is equivalent to 500 kg live weight. The Chikukwa grazing committee planned 6 paddocks in Jantia farm ranging from 88−194 ha. Each paddock has one or more water points for cattle.