UNIVERSITY OF ZIMBABWE SMALL-SCALE RESETTLEMENT FARMERS AND SMALL GRAIN PRODUCTION. CASE OF DICK HUCK RESETTLEMENT AREA, MOUNT DARWIN DISTRICT. BY TIMOTHY MUSHAMBI (R123812M) THESIS SUBMITTED IN PARTIAL FULFILMENT OF THE REQUIREMENTS OF THE MASTER OF SCIENCE DEGREE IN SOCIOLOGY AND SOCIAL ANTHROPOLOGY, DEPARTMENT OF SOCIOLOGY, FACULTY OF SOCIAL STUDIES, UNIVERSITY OF ZIMBABWE FEBRUARY, 2017. i Table of Contents DECLARATION ............................................................................................................................................... 5 ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS ................................................................................................................................ 6 DEDICATION .................................................................................................................................................. 7 ACRONYMS ................................................................................................................................................... 8 ABSTRACT ..................................................................................................................................................... 9 CHAPTER ONE ............................................................................................................................................. 10 1.1 Introduction ...................................................................................................................................... 10 1.2 Background of the study ................................................................................................................... 10 1.3 Problem statement .......................................................................................................................... 13 1.4 Research objectives .......................................................................................................................... 13 1.5 Research questions ........................................................................................................................... 14 1.6 Significance of the study ................................................................................................................... 14 1.7 Operationalization of terms .............................................................................................................. 14 1.7.1 Private Company Committee ..................................................................................................... 14 1.7.2 Village Development Committee (VIDCO) .............................................................................. 15 1.7.3 Well up farmers .......................................................................................................................... 15 CHAPTER TWO ............................................................................................................................................ 16 Literature review ......................................................................................................................................... 16 2.1 Introduction ...................................................................................................................................... 16 2.2 Definition of Small grains .................................................................................................................. 16 2.3 Definition of Climate change ............................................................................................................ 16 2.4 Definition of food security ................................................................................................................ 16 2.5 Impacts of small grains on food security. ......................................................................................... 17 2.6 Assistance given to farmers by the government, NGOs and private companies ............................. 18 2.7 Evidence to justify the occurrence of climate change ...................................................................... 19 2.8 Hindrances to small grain production ............................................................................................... 21 2.8.1 Depredations of the quelea birds on small grains ...................................................................... 21 2.8.2 Labor costs associated with small grain production .................................................................. 21 2.8.3 Failure of small grains to yield much crop residue .................................................................... 22 2.8.4 Limited market ........................................................................................................................... 22 2 2.8.5 Labor intensiveness of small grain production .......................................................................... 22 2.8.6 Lack of government support ...................................................................................................... 23 2.9. Other livelihood strategies to enhance food security ..................................................................... 23 CHAPTER THREE .......................................................................................................................................... 24 3.1 Theoretical Framework ..................................................................................................................... 24 CHAPTER FOUR ........................................................................................................................................... 26 4.1 Research methodology ......................................................................................................................... 26 4.2 Sampling Procedure .......................................................................................................................... 26 4.3 Data collection methods ................................................................................................................... 27 4.3.1 Semi-Structured Interviews ........................................................................................................ 27 4.3.2 Focus Group Discussions ........................................................................................................... 27 4.3.3 Key Informant Interviews .......................................................................................................... 28 4.3.4 Document analysis ..................................................................................................................... 28 4.4 Ethical considerations ....................................................................................................................... 29 4.4.1 Beneficence ................................................................................................................................ 29 4.4.2 Respect ....................................................................................................................................... 29 4.4.3 Justice ......................................................................................................................................... 30 4.4.4 Confidentiality ........................................................................................................................... 30 4.5 Limitations of the study .................................................................................................................... 30 CHAPTER FIVE. ............................................................................................................................................ 31 Presentation of findings .............................................................................................................................. 31 5.1 Introduction ...................................................................................................................................... 31 5.2 The kind of assistance that people got from the government, NGOs and private companies. ....... 31 5.3 Farmer’s views on small grains as crops that can enhance household food security. ..................... 34 5.4 Farmers’ views on climate change as something that is happening their area. ............................... 35 5.5 Hindrances to small grain production ............................................................................................... 38 5.5.1 Depredations of the quelea birds on small grains ...................................................................... 38 5.5.2 Land shortages as a factor .......................................................................................................... 39 5.5.3 Labor costs associated with small grain production .................................................................. 40 5.5.4 Failure of small grains to yield much crop residue .................................................................... 40 5.5.5 Limited market ........................................................................................................................... 41 5.5.6 Labor intensiveness of small grain production .......................................................................... 41 3 5.5.7 Lack of government support ...................................................................................................... 42 5.5.8 Corruption and nepotism as factors ........................................................................................... 42 5.5.9 Preference to