Socio-economic Determinants of Commercialization of Smallholder Rabbit Production in Mt Darwin District of Zimbabwe

Abstract

A study was conducted to analyze the socio-economic factors influencing commercialization of rabbit production in communal areas of Mt Darwin district of Zimbabwe. A study sample of 85 smallholder rabbit farmers was randomly selected across the study area. Data were collected by means of questionnaires and analyzed using descriptive and inferential statistics. Results revealed that 81.2% of respondents had attained some form of education and 63.5% had more than 6 years of rabbit farming experience. It was also observed that access to agricultural extension services, rabbit producer price, agricultural education and experience in rabbit keeping significantly (P < 0.05) influenced commercialization of rabbit farming by the farmers. It was concluded that improved access to agricultural extension services by a farmer, good rabbit producer prices, level of agricultural training attained by a farmer and years of rabbit farming experience of a farmer ease farmer's ability to adopt commercial rabbit production and hence a higher production level. It was recommended that Zimbabwe national government create an enabling environment that promotes adequate technology transfer to farmers. Also, an investment in agro-industries that deal with the value chain components of rabbitory could be embarked upon by the government in order to improve on value-addition by farmers which would in-turn lead to more favourable prices.

A Review of Leadership and Capacity Gaps in Nutrition-Sensitive Agricultural Policies and Strategies for Selected Countries in Sub-Saharan Africa and Asia

“…Previously, studies on capacity for these programs have been mainly limited to country level, 14,15 with a few exceptions. 25 The goal of this capacity review, therefore, was to: (1) review and describe the nutrition sensitivity of agricultural policies and investments of selected A4NH focus countries in Africa and Asia and (2) complement the findings with a review of the literature to identify and describe leadership and capacity gaps that may serve as barriers to effective nutrition-sensitive agriculture policies and programming. The gaps identified through the review will inform leadership and capacity strengthening actions and recommendations for both country and regional programs in the short and long terms.…”

“…In some cases, collaboration was happening at national level but not at subnational levels and vice versa. 25,30 As a result, there were reported situations where different sectors gave conflicting messages to households in the same community; for example, development agents (agriculture extension workers) promoted selling produce for income while health workers encouraged them using the produce for food. 27 This limitation was frequently linked with 2 main reasons: (1) decision-makers in the agriculture sector either did not have knowledge of nutrition or how agriculture is linked with nutrition and (2) decisionmakers were not convinced that nutrition should be an agenda for the agriculture sector.…”

“…14 In other settings, it was reported that funding allocation was not the problem but rather poor capacity to utilize available funding and resources in a meaningful manner. 25 In such situations, there is need for improving capacity for resource allocation, based on priorities and specific nutrition sensitive actions that bring about synergy within the agriculture interventions. 40…”

“…Linking policy to action: Capacity regarding policy processes was varied. Limitations identified were linked with prioritization of nutrition-sensitive policies and programs, 25,35 capacity to link programs with policies that address nutrition, 28 and use of research to inform policy. 37 The identified challenges in policy formulation were observed both at country and regional levels.…”

“…Leaders with the ability to develop strategy, design, and manage complex programs were identified as lacking. 25,40 In some situations, leadership skills were needed to stimulate changes in an institutional culture that limits nutrition-sensitive agriculture program implementation. 15…”