The analysis of the impact of Presidential inputs scheme on agricultural productivity of Zimbabwe for the period 2016 to 2019: a case study of cotton

Abstract

This study investigated the impact of the cotton presidential input scheme on agricultural productivity during the period 2016-2019. Poor cotton production in Zimbabwe due to exorbitant price of inputs coupled by poor returns is a major problem, which is affecting cotton production. A case study research design, which employed a mixed method approach to gather data and analyse the data of this study was used. Six key informant interviews were held with Cotton Company of Zimbabwe officers and Agritex officers, three from each department, while 180 beneficiaries from Chiredzi, Sanyathi and Gokwe responded to the online survey questionnaire. The Key-informants were purposively sampled, while stratified random sampling was the sampling technique used to select the Presidential cotton input scheme beneficiaries. Results were analysed using statistical Package for Social Sciences version 25 and content analysis; suggest that the Presidential cotton input scheme had a positive impact cotton productivity. However, the program faces numerous changes ranging from crop diseases, wild animals and poverty, to mention just a few. Cotton output has been observed to increase over the years, due to increased number of beneficiaries joining the scheme and increased cotton output per hectare due experience. In addition, findings revealed differences in productivity amongst the three cotton-producing districts, Gokwe being the most productive. For effective cotton production, the study recommended that the government provide adequate finance to support the scheme, consider changing the mode of funding by establishing an agricultural bank where presidential cotton scheme beneficiaries borrow and repay funds at very low interest rates. In addition, in the interim, it is recommended that the Presidential cotton input scheme should continue until the establishment of the agricultural bank. Lastly, the government should put in place laws that prohibit side marketing of inputs, heavy custodial sentences should be imposed on the perpetrators of such crimes. Despite, the numerous challenges the scheme is facing, the study concluded that the presidential cotton input scheme has a positive impact if the country has to attain Middle Income Country status by the year 2030. Agriculture is expected play a major role in feeding an industrializing and urbanising nation.