The first page of the MSc Thesis by Urayayi G. Mutsindikwa on the use of Vouchers and Fairs to access inputs in rural Zimbabwe.

1. Adoption of Sustainable Input Supply Programmes for Small-Scale Farmers. An Evaluation of the Agricultural Input
Vouchers and Fairs (IV&F) Model: Uzumba Maramba Pfungwe District, Zimbabwe
November
2010
Urayayi Mutsindikwa i Msc RUP
i
DECLARATION
I Urayayi Mutsindikwa, declare to the Registrar of examinations at the University of Zimbabwe that the work contained in this thesis is solely a result of my own investigation and findings unless otherwise quoted. This dissertation has not been submitted in part or full for any other University or College.
Name……………………………………………… Signed………………………………
Date………………………………………………...Place………………………………..

2. Adoption of Sustainable Input Supply Programmes for Small-Scale Farmers. An Evaluation of the Agricultural Input
Vouchers and Fairs (IV&F) Model: Uzumba Maramba Pfungwe District, Zimbabwe
November
2010
Urayayi Mutsindikwa ii Msc RUP
ii
DEDICATION
For my beloved wife, Lizzie Loveness,
For your encouragement and wishes,
You gave me the best opportunity,
To grow in my academic prowess …
Dear, you are the best,
For you never gave up on me.
To my angel, Danielle Tinetariro and yet to be born Gabrielle Anoshamisaishe, this is a challenge to you guys.
--I would love to see you do better

3. Adoption of Sustainable Input Supply Programmes for Small-Scale Farmers. An Evaluation of the Agricultural Input
Vouchers and Fairs (IV&F) Model: Uzumba Maramba Pfungwe District, Zimbabwe
November
2010
Urayayi Mutsindikwa iii Msc RUP
iii
ABSTRACT
Agriculture remains the mainstay of rural development for most rural areas in developing countries. In Zimbabwe crop production is at the epicenter of small-scale family farming and this greatly depends on access to ‘right’ quantities of inputs, particularly good quality seed and fertilizer. These two if properly utilized can assist in the fight against hunger and rural poverty.
This study was conducted in Mashonaland East province, covering Uzumba Maramba Pfungwe district in Zimbabwe for the period June to October 2010 to evaluate the effectiveness of the Input vouchers and fairs model in delivering inputs to the ultra poor households in rural small- scale farming areas. It also drew comparisons between this ‘new’ technology and other conventional input support delivery mechanisms. The information was gathered through household interviews, focus group discussions (FGDs) and key informant interviews.
Results have shown that 95% of the rural folk rely on agriculture as a source of livelihood and 31% indicated that agricultural input access was their major challenge. 82% of the households and all the FGDs (100%) preferred the use vouchers and fairs as a better approach than the conventional method such as direct distributions. The study recommends that the Input Vouchers and Fairs (IV&F) should be endorsed as short-to-medium term input delivery mechanism. However there are suggestions that they may need to be modified to suit different contexts. Some of the modifications recommended includes to use the open, closed or electronic vouchers and engage the agrodealers-supplier chain together with the local informal input systems to diversify the range of options available for farmers to choose.

4. Adoption of Sustainable Input Supply Programmes for Small-Scale Farmers. An Evaluation of the Agricultural Input
Vouchers and Fairs (IV&F) Model: Uzumba Maramba Pfungwe District, Zimbabwe
November
2010
Urayayi Mutsindikwa iv Msc RUP
iv
ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS
Before I begin expressing my heartfelt gratitude, I pay all my highest honour to the Creator of the Universe and all the life on it, My GOD!
I am quite grateful to Catholic Relief Services, Zimbabwe programme for the funding to undertake this study. To all the CRS and Community Technology Development Trust Agronomists and Field Staff, I thank you all sincerely. In particular, I am greatly indebted to my supervisor: Mr. S.R. Murowe who tirelessly guided me from the start, with a lot of patience though. At times, I felt quite depressed and unsure of what I was doing but he has been there when I needed his expertise.
To Wilfred Munguri (Catholic Relief Services Food Security Sector Coordinator) I cannot begin telling you how much I have learnt from being around you. I know I will never be able to thank you enough. I will always cherish and treasure all your efforts into this project. To Dr. Brighton Mvumi (GRM International); your input to this study was tremendous. I cannot start telling you now. Your speedy responses to my requests and suggestions were great!
Gratitude also goes to Mr. Zvirevo, DAEO AREX (UMP), Mr. Mukombe, District Agronomist, Ms. Vivian Chishakwe, the District Administrator and Mr. Deure, the CEO for UMP, for availing time from their busy schedule to discuss with the researcher as well as the permission to carryout the study in the district. To Mr Tinashe Sithole and Mr. Godfrey Madondoro thank you so much for making my stay in UMP a pleasure and all the people in study communities, thank you heartily for your time and patience. Without your support, this study could not have been possible. Acknowledgements at district level are a clear testimony of the collaboration and support which this study received for its successful completion.

5. Adoption of Sustainable Input Supply Programmes for Small-Scale Farmers. An Evaluation of the Agricultural Input
Vouchers and Fairs (IV&F) Model: Uzumba Maramba Pfungwe District, Zimbabwe
November
2010
Urayayi Mutsindikwa v Msc RUP
v
To my family and friends: Lovemore, Amos, Esther and Enock your encouragement and support has been quite immense. My family, I owe you a lot… Liz, this is a product of your sweat! To Danielle Tinetariro, thank you for all the patience and understanding. I know with time, you will appreciate why I left you to endure all the loneliness. To my classmates, without you, I could have been alone…! To the rest, if you are not mentioned by name, please, do not feel offended. You are too many to mention by names, sorry and thank you! To you all, I will forever be grateful.
May God abundantly bless you all, with GOD everything is possible!!

6. Adoption of Sustainable Input Supply Programmes for Small-Scale Farmers. An Evaluation of the Agricultural Input
Vouchers and Fairs (IV&F) Model: Uzumba Maramba Pfungwe District, Zimbabwe
November
2010
Urayayi Mutsindikwa vi Msc RUP
vi
ACRONYMS AND ABBREVIATIONS
AREX Agricultural Research and Extension Services
CBA Community-Based Approach
CBI Crop Breeding Institute
CF Conservation Farming
CHBC Community Home-Based Care
CIMMYT International Center for Maize and Wheat
CRS Catholic Relief Services
CSO Central Statistical Office
CTDT Community Technology Development Trust (also known as COMM-TECH)
DAEO District Agricultural Extension Officer
DDA District Development Agency
DFID U.K. Department for International Development
DID Direct Input Distributions
DR&SS Department of Research & Specialist Services
DSD Direct Seed Distributions
FAO Food and Agricultural Organisation
FFS Farmer Field School
FGD Focus Group Discussion
GMB Grain Marketing Board
GoZ Government of Zimbabwe
HH Household
HIV/AIDS Human Immuno-deficiency Virus
IARC International Agricultural Research Center
ICRISAT International Centre for Research in Semi-Arid Tropics
ICT Information and Communication Technology
IDC Industrial Development Cooperation
IGA Income-Generating Activity
IHD Integral Human Development
IP Implementing Partner
IS&L Internal Savings and Lending

7. Adoption of Sustainable Input Supply Programmes for Small-Scale Farmers. An Evaluation of the Agricultural Input
Vouchers and Fairs (IV&F) Model: Uzumba Maramba Pfungwe District, Zimbabwe
November
2010
Urayayi Mutsindikwa vii Msc RUP
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IV&F Input Vouchers and Fairs
JFFS Junior Farmer Field School
PRA Participatory Rural Appraisal
M&E Monitoring and Evaluation
MoA Ministry of Agriculture
MT Metric Tonne
NGOs Non Governmental Organizations
NR Natural Region
OPV Open-Pollinated Variety
PVLP Protecting Vulnerable Livelihoods Programme
RBZ Reserve Bank of Zimbabwe
RDC Rural District Council
SADC Southern Africa Development Community
SL Sustainable Livelihoods
SPSS Statistical Package for Social Sciences
SVF Seed Vouchers and Fairs
SWOT Strengths, Weaknesses, Opportunities, Threats
UMP Uzumba Maramba Pfungwe
USD United States Dollar
UN United Nations
UNFAO United Nations Food and Agricultural Organisation
ZAR South African Rand
ZNA Zimbabwe National Army

8. Adoption of Sustainable Input Supply Programmes for Small-Scale Farmers. An Evaluation of the Agricultural Input
Vouchers and Fairs (IV&F) Model: Uzumba Maramba Pfungwe District, Zimbabwe
November
2010
Urayayi Mutsindikwa viii Msc RUP
viii
LIST OF TABLES
Table 2.1: Emergency seed and fertilizer beneficiaries, Zimbabwe 2003-2010…………………16
Table 2.2: Emergency Agricultural Inputs distributed (MT), Zimbabwe 2003-2010…………...17
Table 2.3: Traditional typical Hectarage and demand (mt) for different fertilizers in Zimbabwe……………………………………………………………………………………….22
Table 3.1: Study sites……………………………………………………………………………39
Table 3.2: Investigative thrusts used in the study in Uzumba Maramba Pfungwe district, July 2010………………………………………………………………………………………………44
Table 4.1: Production Trends for major crops in UMP district, Zimbabwe ……………………48
Table 4.2: Farmers’ most three most important crops grown the study area……………………50
Table 4.3: Percent of farmers who used each seed source during 2005/6 to 2009/10 cropping seasons by crop across all sites…………………………………………………………………..51
Table 4.4: Percentage of community members who are seed secure for 2010/11 season……....58
Table 4.5: Sowing needs per household: Groundnuts and cowpeas ……………………………59
Table 4.6: Fertilizer use in UMP district………………………………………………………..61
Table 4.7: Use of fertilizer in the sampled areas across sites……………………………………62
Table 4.8: Targeting inputs to poor households by distribution type……….. ………………….66

9. Adoption of Sustainable Input Supply Programmes for Small-Scale Farmers. An Evaluation of the Agricultural Input
Vouchers and Fairs (IV&F) Model: Uzumba Maramba Pfungwe District, Zimbabwe
November
2010
Urayayi Mutsindikwa ix Msc RUP
ix
LIST OF FIGURES
Figure 2.1: Channels through which small-scale farmers’ access seed…………………………18
Figure 2.2: Trends in the manufacture of ammonium nitrate and phosphate (P2O5) fertilizers in Zimbabwe between 1999 and 2008……………………………………………………………..23
Figure 2.3: Patterns in locally manufactured and imported inorganic fertilizers in Zimbabwe between 2001 and 2008………………………………………………………………………….24
Figure 3.1: Project Implementation Plan and Design…………………………………………....40
Figure 4.1: Major Livelihood Activities in UMP district………………………………………..46
Figure 4.2: Major Agricultural Activities for UMP farmers…………………………………….46
Figure 4.3: Components of ‘good season’ in UMP from proportional piling sessions………….49
Figure 4.4: Percentage of maize seed obtained from each source, in relation to total seed planted from 2005/05 to 2009/10 cropping seasons across sites…………………………………………52
Figure 4.5: Percentage of small grains seed obtained from each source, in relation to total seed planted from 2005/05 to 2009/10 cropping season across sites………………………………….52
Figure 4.6: Percentage of main legumes seed obtained from each source, in relation to total seed planted from 2005/05 to 2009/10 cropping season across sites………………………………….53
Figure 4.7: Sources of pearl millet seed during the 2009/10 season in Pfungwe area…………54
Figure 4.8: Channels through which farmer source finger millet seed in Uzumba South………55
Figure 4.9: Channels through which farmer source groundnut seed in Uzumba ………………..56
Figure 4.10: Channels through which farmer source maize seed (across sites) – 2008/09 -2009/10 seasons …………………………………………………………………………………………..57
Figure 4.11: Maize Seed sources (across sites) for the past 5 seasons (2005/6 to 2009/10)…….58

10. Adoption of Sustainable Input Supply Programmes for Small-Scale Farmers. An Evaluation of the Agricultural Input
Vouchers and Fairs (IV&F) Model: Uzumba Maramba Pfungwe District, Zimbabwe
November
2010
Urayayi Mutsindikwa x Msc RUP
x
Figure 4.12: Farmers in UMP district distributing fertilizer using the conventional Direct distribution approach…………………………………………………………………………….61
Figure 4.13: Some of the products brought by sellers for sale at the IV&F…………………….63
Figure 4.14 Input vouchers and Fairs Pictures…………………………………………………..64
Figure 4.15: UMP farmers’ choice of input delivery mechanism………………………………65
Figure 4.16: Farmers’ views about IV&F in comparison to conventional models………………68

11. Adoption of Sustainable Input Supply Programmes for Small-Scale Farmers. An Evaluation of the Agricultural Input
Vouchers and Fairs (IV&F) Model: Uzumba Maramba Pfungwe District, Zimbabwe
November
2010
Urayayi Mutsindikwa xi Msc RUP
xi
LIST OF BOXES
Box 4.1: Do farmers really eat seed? ………………………………………………………….53
Box 4.2: How many buckets for a bag? Trading sweet potato for fertilizer …………………60
Box 4.3: From rags to riches – How Input Vouchers and Fairs (IV&F) made me ‘rich’ – Mrs Erinera Sadza’s story……………………………………………………………………………67