Farmer Led Irrigation Initiatives And Its Impact On The Livelihoods Of Smallholder Farmers Under Redistributed Lands: A Case Study Of Mazowe District A1 Resettled Farmers, Zimbabwe

Abstract

: Farmer led irrigation farming (FLI) is a vital strategy in the livelihoods of smallholder farmers especially the A1 model resettled farmers in Zimbabwe who now operate in an unpredictable natural and economic environment which has become more and more volatile especially under the prevailing climate changing environment and more recently global epidemics like COVID 19. FLI is now a revolutionary agricultural intensification approach which is already in progress and has the magnitude to significantly transform the living standards of smallholder farmers. However a rigorous assessment of its impact of A1 resettled under its Fast Track Land Reform (FTLRP) is lacking. This study bridges the gap by assessing role of FLI farming iniatives on the livelihoods of resettled farmers under redistributed lands in Mazowe District in Mashonaland Central Province in Zimbabwe. The sample size for the study for quantitative data was 310 A1 farmers practicing FLI in Mazowe District while 5 public officers were for qualitative data. A questionnaire was used to collect household data. Processing of data was done using the Structural Equation Model (STEM). This study found out that smallholder farmer led irrigation had a positive impact on the socio economic aspects of the livelihoods of A1 resettled farmers under Mazowe District of Mashonaland Central Province of Zimbabwe. The study, therefore, recommended ICT development for extension officers who in turn are expected to assist A1 farmers as they embark on FLI farming while improving level of education will help farmers acquire the necessary information needed for decision making under the FLI. Government subsidy interventions will help farmers acquire FLI hardware at affordable costs while enhanced female participation is also envisaged to help stabilize household food security situations. The study also recommends further studies to establish other factors that might provide further insights into the effect of farmer led irrigation farming on livelihoods of farmers.