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Assessing the Contribution of Smallholder Irrigation to Household Food Security in Zimbabwe

Author

Listed:
  • Norman Mupaso

    (Department of Agricultural Economics and Development, Midlands State University, Gweru P.O. Box 9055, Zimbabwe)

  • Godswill Makombe

    (Gordon Institute of Business Science, University of Pretoria, Lynnwood Rd, Hatfield, Pretoria 0002, South Africa)

  • Raymond Mugandani

    (Department of Lands and Water Resources Management, Midlands State University, Gweru P.O. Box 9055, Zimbabwe)

  • Paramu L. Mafongoya

    (School of Agriculture, Earth and Environmental Sciences, University of KwaZulu-Natal, Pietermaritzburg 3201, South Africa)

Abstract

Sustainable Development Goal (SDG) 2 seeks to end hunger and guarantee food and nutrition security worldwide by 2030. Smallholder irrigation development remains a key strategy to achieve SDG 2. This study assesses how smallholder irrigation contributes to household food security in Mberengwa district, Zimbabwe. Primary data were gathered from a randomly chosen sample of 444 farmers (344 irrigators and 100 non-irrigators) using a structured questionnaire. Microsoft Excel and Statistical Package for Social Sciences version 27 software packages were used to analyse the data. Descriptive statistics, chi-square test, t -test, and binary logistic regression were performed. The t -test results show significant differences in mean between irrigators and non-irrigators for household size, the dependency ratio, farming experience, farm income, food expenditure share, and livestock owned ( p < 0.05). Irrigators had significantly higher area planted, yield, and quantity sold for maize during the summer than non-irrigators ( p < 0.05). Food Consumption Score results show that 97% of irrigators and 45% of non-irrigators were food secure. Binary logistic regression results reveal a significant association between food security and household size, irrigation access, and farm income ( p < 0.05). In conclusion, access to smallholder irrigation increases household food security. The government and its development partners should prioritise investments in smallholder irrigation development, expansion, and rehabilitation.

Suggested Citation

  • Norman Mupaso & Godswill Makombe & Raymond Mugandani & Paramu L. Mafongoya, 2024. "Assessing the Contribution of Smallholder Irrigation to Household Food Security in Zimbabwe," Agriculture, MDPI, vol. 14(4), pages 1-16, April.
    • Handle: RePEc:gam:jagris:v:14:y:2024:i:4:p:617-:d:1376386
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    References listed on IDEAS

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    1. Nkegbe, Paul Kwame & Abu, Benjamin Musah & Haruna, Issahaku, 2016. "Food security in the Savannah Accelerated Development Authority Zone of Ghana: an ordered probit with household hunger scale approach," MPRA Paper 101605, University Library of Munich, Germany, revised 07 Feb 2017.
    2. Hammer, Bernhard & Prskawetz, Alexia & Freund, Inga, 2015. "Production activities and economic dependency by age and gender in Europe: A cross-country comparison," The Journal of the Economics of Ageing, Elsevier, vol. 5(C), pages 86-97.
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