An Investigation on the effectiveness of Pfumvudza as a drought resilient strategy in achieving the Sustainable Development Goal (SDG) of zero hunger: the experiences of rural communities in ward 4, Zvimba district. · Electronic Theses and Dissertations

Author

Qitani, Vimbai

Title

An Investigation on the effectiveness of Pfumvudza as a drought resilient strategy in achieving the Sustainable Development Goal (SDG) of zero hunger: the experiences of rural communities in ward 4, Zvimba district.

Abstract

The aim of the study was to investigate the effectiveness of Pfumvudza in achieving zero hunger in ward 4, Zvimba District, Zimbabwe. The research involved small holder farmers, agritex officers and local authorities who provides information on the role of Pfumvudza and its effectiveness in achieving food security sustainably. The study employed a case study design. The research adopted a mixed approach where both qualitative and quantitative data are collected simultaneously but analysed separately for interpretation. Questionnaires and key informant interviews were the instruments used to gather data for analysis. From the research, amongst the characteristics of Pfumvudza findings show that the initiative farmers slightly agree that the initiative is generally labor intensive with a mean of 3.8 rated on the Likert scale and below for other characteristics like need for training and that it works better in high rainfall areas than dry regions of Zimbabwe. Respondents showed that livestock compete with the crops for mulching and that the initiative is labor intensive especially with younger population migrating to urban areas. The research also showed with a mean of 4.5 rated using the Likert scale that farmers strongly agreed that Pfumvudza has many advantages including improving maize yields significantly, improving household food security for adopting farmers and that it requires less labour than conventional tillage. The findings were supported by the views from farmers in their own words expressing gratitude for its trapping of moisture and reduced labour and reduced reliance on relief grain which is sustainability. Challenges were also noted which included the long time taken by Pfumvudza to materialise and female headed households facing difficulties in adopting Pfumvudza due to its labor demands. Strategies recommended for improving Pfumvudza to farmers include community-based labor-sharing initiatives, adapted training approaches and localised input support system.

Date

June 2025

Publisher

BUSE

Keywords

Pfumvudza

small holder farmers

agritex officers

local authorities

Supervisor

Dr Bowora