African Crop Science (Agri/Plant Science) | 06 January 2004
Sustainable Soil Conservation Practices among Smallholder Farmers in Zimbabwe's Midlands Province: An Empirical Study
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Abstract
Soil degradation is a significant challenge in smallholder farming systems, particularly in resource-limited contexts such as Zimbabwe's Midlands Province. A mixed-methods approach was employed, including surveys (\(n=120)\) and focus group discussions with randomly selected farmers. Data were analysed using descriptive statistics and thematic analysis. Among the surveyed farmers, 65% reported implementing at least one sustainable soil conservation practice, with terracing being the most common intervention (37%). Sustainable soil conservation practices are widely adopted by smallholder farmers in Zimbabwe's Midlands Province, though their effectiveness varies. Policy makers should encourage the promotion of integrated soil fertility management and agroforestry systems to enhance soil health sustainably.