The impact of the Russia-Ukraine conflict on farmer input supply in small-scale maize production in Mashonaland east province Zimbabwe

Authors

  • FADZAI MUTASA 1Chemicals Private Limited, Zimbabwe Author
  • ARCHEFORD MUNYAVHI Department of Agribusiness and Management, Faculty of Agribusiness and Entrepreneurship (FAE), Marondera University of Agricultural Sciences and Technology (MUAST), Zimbabwe Author
  • INNOCENT CHIRISA Office of the Vice Chancellor, Zimbabwe Ezekiel Guti University, Bindura, Zimbabwe; Department of Urban & Regional Planning, University of the Free State, Bloemfontein, South Africa Author

Keywords:

smallholder farmer, Profitability, Productivity

Abstract

The conflict between Russia and Ukraine created economic impacts felt across the whole world and has high potential to derail the economic outlook for Zimbabwe among many other countries that heavily depend on imports. Starting in early 2022, fertiliser prices rose almost 30% due to the Russian invasion of Ukraine. In this study, the effect of the RussiaUkraine conflict on the cost of maize inputs, maize productivity and profitability of maize production was evaluated in Chikomba District, located within Mashonaland East Province for the 2021-2022 and 2022- 2023 maize growing seasons. Simple random sampling was used to obtain a sample size of 385 participants derived from the conversion of a standard deviation of 0.5 at a 95% confidence level into a z-score. Questionnaires were used to obtain primary data from the participants. Benefit cost ratio (BCR) and gross margin budget analysis were used to evaluate the profitability of maize production. Out of the five explanatory variables that had a significant impact on maize productivity, AN use had the most significant effect in both seasons, 2021/22 and 2022/23, with (B=0.575, p=0.025) and (B=0544, p=0.025), respectively. Given that the Russia-Ukraine conflict period was characterised by exorbitant AN price increases that reduced affordability by many smallholder farmers across Zimbabwe, it therefore, means that the conflict has had a negative impact on maize productivity by farmers. This is due to the use of a lower fertiliser rate in response to the 57% and 71% price hike in basal and top-dressing fertiliser, respectively, lowering the yield/productivity of maize, meaning that there will be less maize to sell for covering costs and making a profit. The reduction in input levels lowered both the cost of production and the potential yield that could be produced for the market. There is need for further study aimed at  developing solutions that enhance the farmers‟ resilience to the effects of conflict on input prices, productivity and profitability of maize production

Author Biographies

  • ARCHEFORD MUNYAVHI, Department of Agribusiness and Management, Faculty of Agribusiness and Entrepreneurship (FAE), Marondera University of Agricultural Sciences and Technology (MUAST), Zimbabwe

    Archeford Munyavhi is a distinguished agricultural economist and lecturer at Marondera University of Agricultural Sciences and Technology (MUAST). With a wealth of experience in education and research, Archeford has made significant contributions to the field of agriculture, particularly in climate financing, conflict perspectives, agricultural productivity, gender issues, and emerging technologies. He was born in Zimbabwe and grew up with a passion for Agriculture and Mathematics. He pursued his tertiary education at the Bindura University of Science Education (BUSE), where he graduated with a Bachelor of Science in Agricultural Economics. He furthered his studies at the Marondera University of Agricultural Sciences (MUAST), obtaining a Master of Science in Agricultural Economics. He began his teaching career in 2013 as a high school teacher, instructing Agriculture and Mathematics for nine years. During this period, he developed a strong foundation in pedagogy and a deep understanding of the needs of students. His dedication and expertise earned him recognition as an outstanding teacher, and he became a sought-after educator in his community. In March 2022, He joined Marondera University of Agricultural Sciences and Technology (MUAST) as a lecturer in the Department of Agricultural Economics. He brought with him a wealth of experience and a passion for research, which has enabled him to make significant contributions to the university's academic programs. He has co-authored several publications in reputable journals and books, focusing on climate financing, conflict perspectives in agriculture, agricultural productivity, gender issues in agriculture, and emerging technologies in agriculture. His research has been presented at international conferences, and he has collaborated with scholars from various institutions globally. He is a member of the Association of Agricultural Economists of Zimbabwe (AAEZ).  

  • INNOCENT CHIRISA, Office of the Vice Chancellor, Zimbabwe Ezekiel Guti University, Bindura, Zimbabwe; Department of Urban & Regional Planning, University of the Free State, Bloemfontein, South Africa

    Innocent Chirisa, the Vice Chancellor of the Zimbabwe Ezekiel Guti University (ZEGU) is a Full Professor in Urban and Regional Planning. Has a keen interest in urban and peri-urban dynamics. Currently focusing on environmental systems dynamics with respect to land-use, ecology, water and energy. Holds a DPhil in Social Sciences. Prof Chirisa is also currently a Research Fellow with the Department of Urban and Regional Planning, University of the Free State, South Africa. He has also served as a Visiting Professor at the Chinhoyi University of Technology (Zimbabwe). He is an external examiner for the Department of Geography, Bindura University of Science Education (Zimbabwe) and the Department of Regional and Urban Planning, University of Venda (SA). He has also served in the same capacity with the Great Zimbabwe University. Membership of Professional Associations: Fellow of the Pan-African Scientific Research Council (FPASRC); Member of the African Academy of Sciences (AAS); Member of the American Association of Geographers (AAG); Member of the American Political Science Association (APSA); Member of the Global Land Programme (GLP); Member of the Research and Development Committee of the Health Professions Committee (R&D-HPA (of Zimbabwe)); Member of the International Society for Urban Health (ISUH); Member of the International Society of City and Regional Planners (ISOCARP); Member of the Organisation for Social Science Research in Eastern & Southern Africa (OSSREA); Member of the Zimbabwe Institute for Urban and Regional Planners (ZIRUP) 

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Published

2024-10-15

Issue

Volume 1, Issues 1 and 2 (2023)

Section

Articles

How to Cite

The impact of the Russia-Ukraine conflict on farmer input supply in small-scale maize production in Mashonaland east province Zimbabwe. (2024). The Review of Rural Resilience Praxis, 1(1 and 2), Pages: 73 - 91. http://journals.zegu.ac.zw/index.php/rrp/article/view/147