Effectiveness of poultry out-grower schemes in improving small-scale farmers’ Income: the case of Chegutu district, Zimbabwe
- Author
- Majoni, Joshua.
- Title
- Effectiveness of poultry out-grower schemes in improving small-scale farmers’ Income: the case of Chegutu district, Zimbabwe
- Abstract
- Out-grower schemes in Zimbabwe have been associated with unfair pricing, delayed payments, and limited control over production decisions. This study assessed the effectiveness of poultry out-grower schemes in improving small-scale farmers’ income, a case of Chegutu in Zimbabwe. The study was guided by the sustainable livelihoods framework and transaction cost economics theory. This study employed a mixed-methods approach, combining both qualitative and quantitative data collection and analysis methods. A total of 66 respondents were chosen from three categories using probability seedling, which is simple random sampling. A standardised questionnaire and in-depth interviews were utilised to collect data from participants in the study. The study revealed that 69.4% of the respondents were females while 30.6% were males. The findings showed that a large representative of the study (38.8%) were aged 31 to 40 years. In addition, 49% of the respondents in the study area attained secondary level of education. Furthermore, 36.7% of respondents had been involved in poultry out-grower scheme for a period of six to 10 years. Majority of respondents identified technical support as a key factor that influence their income. A majority (53.1%) of respondents agreed that the scheme has enabled farmers to better manage their household expenses. The study results also shows that proportion (44.9%) of respondents agreed that the income from the scheme has allowed farmers to diversify their income streams. Furthermore, 49% of respondents indicated that the scheme has had a positive contribution on household food security and nutrition. These findings were supported with an R value of 0.745 indicating a strong positive correlation between poultry out-grower schemes and the household income. However, contractual disputes were revealed as a major challenge faced by small-scale farmers participating in out-grower scheme. The study concluded that out-grower scheme increased farmers' income and was attributed to the scheme being effective in improving the financial well-being of participating farmers. The study recommended the policymakers and development practitioners to scaling up poultry out-grower schemes as an effective way to improve household income among small-scale farmers.
- Date
- May 2025
- Publisher
- BUSE
- Keywords
- Out-grower,
- Small-scale Farmers
- Household income
- Supervisor
- Ms. D. Manyumwa
- Media
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Majoni - AEM.pdf