SOAS Research Online

Abstract

Peasant agriculture provides a direct source of livelihood for about 75 cent of Zimbabwe's population. Its performance, however, has been disappointing, despite government efforts to increase its productivity, and all hopes of sustaining the country's rapidly growing population seen likely to be frustrated unless some significant progress can be made. This study, undertaken in three provinces - Mashonaland East, Mashonaland West and Masvingo - investigates the causes of this poor performance in peasant agriculture; evaluates the effectiveness of several agricultural development strategies now being used; and assesses the peasant farmer's ability to adopt modern agricultural techniques. Alongside a brief examination of the agricultural extension services, and of the multi-purpose African Development Fund, the thesis investigates the contribution being made by agricultural co-operatives. Participant observation, three separate questionnaires and unstructured interviews were used to collect data from 212 peasants, thirty agricultural extension assistants, fourteen government co-operative officers and assistants, twelve peasant agricultural promoting organisations, and from many other sources. Useful statistical data were also obtained from Government reports and historical documents. The peasants' level of adoption of modern agricultural practices, their agricultural productivity per unit factor of production, and their family incomes are used as criteria to measure the effectiveness of agricultural co-operation as am agricultural development strategy. Evidence suggests that peasant co-operatives have much to commend them in any attempt to improve peasant agriculture in Zimbabwe.