• THE IMPACT OF MASTER FARMER TRAINING SCHEME ON CROP PRODUCTIVITY OF COMMUNAL FARMERS IN GUTU DISTRICT

Abstract

A study was conducted in Gutu district’s wards 2, 8, 17, 23 and 37 to determine what impact the Master Farmer Training Scheme, a tool in Zimbabwe’s agricultural extension has on productivity and livelihoods of communal farmers. It also sought to explore the relevance of the training method to Zimbabwe’s current agricultural landscape and reasons for low adoption of farming methods learnt during Master Farmer Training. A total of 300 structured questionnaires were distributed in 5 wards selected by simple random sampling. Data collected was on farm management practices, major crop yields, access to and availability of inputs, extension workers’ qualifications and experience and socio-demographic information. The survey revealed that there was a general decrease in maize output between 2005/6 and 2006/7 seasons and there was a statistically significant difference in maize production between the 2006/7 and 2007/8 seasons for both trained and untrained farmers. A yield comparison of three major crops grown in 2007-08 season show no significant differences between the trained and untrained farmers. Out of the 278 farmers 8.73% trained and 4.67% untrained farmers keep records. Planning and budgeting is done by 8.52% and 4.56% of the trained farmers respectively compared to 7.91% and 3.34% of untrained farmers. The differences between trained and untrained were in both cases not statistically significant. 6% of trained farmers have conservation works and practice moisture conservation techniques on their fields. 73% of extension agents are 18-month-certificate holders, whilst 2-year- certificate holders constitute 8% of the workforce. Diploma holders constitute 6% and of the extension workforce in Gutu district only 13% of the extension agents have undergone in-service training to enhance their performance. The study reveals that despite the commitment of time, resources and manpower to the Master Farmer Training, the scheme does not have any impact on crop productivity neither does it change the farming system of individual farmers. There is therefore need to revise the Master Farmer Training policy, principles and objectives with a view to overhaul the whole scheme or conduct a re-alignment exercise in order for it to suit the current agricultural dispensation.