An Analysis of the Contribution of Small-Scale Farming to Rural Household Income. A Case of Honde Valley, Zimbabwe

Small-scale farming plays a critical role in reducing rural poverty and contributes significantly to household income. This study aimed to assess the contribution of small-scale farming to rural household income in Honde Valley, Mutasa District, Zimbabwe. A survey was conducted, during which 60 questionnaires were distributed. Key findings revealed that small-scale farming significantly contributes to household income, with an average annual income ranging from $1201 to $2000, accounting for 78% of total rural household income. However, the heavy dependence on farming exposes households to climate shocks and income insecurity.
A multivariate linear regression model was applied, and the analysis indicated that larger household size—likely due to increased labor availability—had a positive effect on income. Marital status, particularly being widowed or single, was associated with lower income levels. The model also demonstrated that crop diversification, market access, and irrigation use positively influence household income. Conversely, off-farm and non-farm income sources were found to be insignificant contributors to overall household income.
The study concludes by emphasizing the importance of policies and programs that support small-scale farmers. Enhancing irrigation development, improving market access, promoting crop diversification, and adopting climate-resilient practices can significantly improve livelihoods, income generation, and food security in the region.

poverty; income; diversification; food security; farm income

1. Chant, S. (2016). Gender and poverty: Introduction to the special issue. Journal of Poverty and Social Justice, 24(1), 1-12. [Google Scholar] [Crossref]

2. Chikuvire, T. J. (2020). Effects of price fluctuations on agricultural productivity and household income in Gweru, Zimbabwe. Journal of Agricultural Economics and Development, 10(2), 1-12. [Google Scholar] [Crossref]

3. Chitumba, M., and Murwira, A. (2019). The potential of safety net programs for addressing poverty in rural Zimbabwe. Journal of Social Development in Africa, 34(2), 79-102. [Google Scholar] [Crossref]

4. Denison, D., Muchadenyika, L., and Nefedova, L. (2016). Rural-urban poverty dynamics in Zimbabwe. World Development, 87, 182-193. [Google Scholar] [Crossref]

5. Ellis, F. (2000), The Determinants of Rural Livelihood Diversification in Developing Countries. Journal of Agricultural Economics, 51: 289-302. https://doi.org/10.1111/j.1477-9552.2000.tb01229.x [Google Scholar] [Crossref]

6. FAO (2021). Livestock and rural livelihoods. Rome: FAO. [Google Scholar] [Crossref]

7. FAO. (2010). The banana boom in Honde Valley, Zimbabwe: A case study of successful value chain development through farmer empowerment. Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations. [Google Scholar] [Crossref]

8. FAO. (2011). Gender equality in agriculture: Closing the gap for development. Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations. [Google Scholar] [Crossref]

9. FAO. (2015). Small-scale farmers: Prospects, problems and policies. Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations. [Google Scholar] [Crossref]

10. FAO. (2015). The impact of animal ownership on household income. Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations. [Google Scholar] [Crossref]

11. FAO. (2018). How to feed the world in 2050: High-level expert forum, 3-5 October 2018, Background note. Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations. [Google Scholar] [Crossref]

12. FAO. (2018). Off-farm income sources for rural households. Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations. [Google Scholar] [Crossref]

13. FAO. (2021). The state of food security and nutrition in the world 2021. Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations. [Google Scholar] [Crossref]

14. Fintrac. (2017). Honde Valley value chain analysis: Transforming the banana production sector in Mutasa District, Zimbabwe. Fintrac Inc. [Google Scholar] [Crossref]

15. Fintrac. (2017). Market opportunities for value-added bananas in Zimbabwe. Fintrac Inc. [Google Scholar] [Crossref]

16. Glover, D., Lawrence, P. and Manoj, K. (2014). The new harvest: Transforming food systems to strengthen resilience and reduce hunger. International Institute for Environment and Development (IIED). [Google Scholar] [Crossref]

17. Hair, J. F., Anderson, R. E., Tatham, R. L., and Black, W. C. (2019). Multivariate data analysis (8th ed.). Cengage Learning. [Google Scholar] [Crossref]

18. Hemed, A. M. (2015). Advantages and disadvantages of cross-sectional studies. International Journal of Advanced Nursing Education, 4(1), 1-2. [Google Scholar] [Crossref]

19. Hussain, I., Khan, M. A., and Hassan, S. (2019). Impact of irrigation on crop yields and farm income in Pakistan. Journal of Agricultural Water Management, 221, 245-253. [Google Scholar] [Crossref]

20. Mapfumo, P., Mupangwa, W., Madakasha, I., and Nyagumbo, I. (2014). Assessment of banana value chains in Honde Valley, Zimbabwe. Journal of Agriculture and Rural Development in the Tropics and Subtropics, 115(2), 181-190. [Google Scholar] [Crossref]

21. Martinez, P., Silva, F. S., and Santos, S. (2017). Household size and rural household income in Brazil. Journal of Rural Social Sciences, 32(1), 1-18. [Google Scholar] [Crossref]

22. Mazorodze, I. (2015). Beekeeping (Apiculture) as an Alternative Livelihood Strategy in Rural Communities of Developing Countries: A Case Study of Honde Valley, Zimbabwe. Journal of Emerging Trends in Engineering and Technology, 6(2), 121-1 [Google Scholar] [Crossref]

23. Meena, M. S., and Singh, K. M., Singh, Ram, K, Kumar, A, Kumar, A, and Chahal, V, Inequality and Determinants of Income among Rural Households in Tribal Dominated Areas of Jharkhand (January 28, 2017). Indian Journal of Agricultural Sciences, Vol. 87(1), p. 92–96, Jan 2017, http://dx.doi.org/10.2139/ssrn.2907252 [Google Scholar] [Crossref]

24. Ministry of Agriculture. (2019). Rural job opportunities in Zimbabwe. [Google Scholar] [Crossref]

25. Ministry of Primary and Secondary Education. (2019). Educational attainment in rural Zimbabwe. [Google Scholar] [Crossref]

26. Montgomery, D. C. (2017). Introduction to statistical quality control (7th ed.). John Wiley and Sons. [Google Scholar] [Crossref]

27. Moyo, M. and Moyo, J. (2018). Crop diversification and household income in rural Zimbabwe. Journal of Agricultural Economics and Development, 8(1), 1-12. [Google Scholar] [Crossref]

28. Mugandani, R., Wuta, M., Makombe, G., and Tauro, T. P. (2012). Climate change scenarios for Zimbabwe. Climate Research, 56(2), 181-195. [Google Scholar] [Crossref]

29. Mupenzi, S., Muchenje, V., and Nyakatsine, R. (2022). The contribution of smallholder dairy farming to household food security and income generation in rural Zimbabwe. International Journal of Agricultural Research and Innovation, 12(4), 349-358. [Google Scholar] [Crossref]

30. Mutsami, C., Parlasca, M. C, and Qaim, M. (2025). Evolving Farm and Off-Farm Income Sources and Jobs in Rural Africa. Journal of International Development, Volume 37, Issue 6, p 1367-1380. https://doi.org/10.1002/jid.70010 [Google Scholar] [Crossref]

31. Ogbanje, E. C., Chidebelu, S. A. N. D., & Nweze, N. J. (2015). An evaluation of off-farm work and household income among small-scale farmers in North Central Nigeria. Journal of Agriculture and Sustainability, 7(2) [Google Scholar] [Crossref]

32. Osarfo, D., Senadza, B., & Nketiah-Amponsah, E. (2016). The impact of nonfarm activities on rural farm household income and food security in the upper east and upper west regions of Ghana. http://dx.doi.org/10.4236/tel.2016.63043 [Google Scholar] [Crossref]

33. Stratton S J. Purposeful sampling: advantages and pitfalls. Prehosp Disaster Med. 2024 apr;39(2):121–122. doi: https://doi.org/10.1017/S1049023X24000281 [Google Scholar] [Crossref]

34. Tajik, O., Golzar, J., and Noor, S. (2024). Purposive Sampling. International Journal of Education & Language Studies, IJELS, 2(2). Retrieved from https://www.ijels.net/article_220924_ce6107ccf89d7d18ac058cf10d924df7.pdf. [Google Scholar] [Crossref]

35. Terera, K., Mangwende, S, and Nyoni, J. (2024). Unpacking the Zimbabwean smallholder banana farmers’ dilemma along value chains: A survey of in Mutasa district. International Journal of Research and Scientific Innovation (Ijrsi), Volume Xi Issue Xi November 2024. DOI: https://doi.org/10.51244/IJRSI.2024.11110062 [Google Scholar] [Crossref]

36. Terera, K., Harrison, T.F., and Mangwende, S. P. (2024). Profitability of smallholder banana farming in Zimbabwe. The case of Mutasa District, 2016 – 2022. Journal of Public Administration and Development Alternatives Vol. 9, No. 3. https://doi.org/10.55190/JPADA.2024.3544 [Google Scholar] [Crossref]

37. Thewelli, G. S, Mokhaukhau, P. J and Nengovhela, R. (2023). A multivariate logistic analysis on factors affecting the market participation of smallholder indigenous goat farmers in Makuya Village of Hamakuya community, Mutale Local Municipality, Limpopo Province. Prizen Social Science Journal, Volume 7, Issue 3 September –December 2023. DOI: https://doi.org/10.32936/pssj.v7i3.468 [Google Scholar] [Crossref]

38. United Nations Development Plan (UNDP). (2020). Study on off-farm and non-farm income sources for rural households. [Google Scholar] [Crossref]

39. United Nations. (2019). Household size and composition. United Nations Department of Economic and Social Affairs. Retrieved from https://www.un.org/development/desa/pd/sites/www.un.org.development.desa.pd/files/undesa_pd_2019_about_the_un_database_on_the_household_size_and_composition.pdf [Google Scholar] [Crossref]

40. Wooldridge, J. M. (2016). Introductory Econometrics: A Modern Approach 6rd ed. Cengage learning. [Google Scholar] [Crossref]

41. Wooldridge, J, M. (2010). Econometric analysis of cross section and panel data - 2nd ed.p. cm. Massachusetts Institute of Technology [Google Scholar] [Crossref]

• Traditional and Orthodox Medicine Systems in Nigerian Rural Health Service Delivery: A Comparative Analysis