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- 1. 1 CHAPTER ONE 1.1 Background information According to (Elliot, 2008) agribusiness can be defined as the combine of agriculture and business management knowledge in order to run a farm as a firm with the objectives of making profits. It includes all sectors that constitute the supply chain from farm to final users. This process is enhanced through production, processing, distribution and marketing. The farm is highly concerned with food products for traceability issues. To survive in the competition we have to put great emphasis on the application of science and technology in order to boast yield in agriculture production sectors such as agribusiness enterprise (MonsontoandAgricura, 2009). Most of the developing nations such as Zimbabwe, Kenya, and Nigeria are dominated by agribusiness in term of the contribution to Gross Domesticated Product and value addition in manufacturing. Agribusiness includes two main groups which are livestock rearing and the growing of crops. Livestock rearing includes small stocks such as poultry rabbit, pigs and goats’ production and large stocks such as cattle (Cheekie, 2009). Smallholder farmers who normally rear rabbits are usually faced by various constraints factors (Commercial Farmers Union, 2013). Small holder farmers had basically found it so difficulty to undertake in commercial agriculture which produces high value products. There are several reasons for this, such as market freedom policies promoted by the World Bank in 1980s that stimulate government to grant agriculture input and transfer market for framers to private sector, other factors include lack of collateral security for farmers to access loans from banks and financial institutes’, no guarantee markets for outputs from farms, lack of both local and foreign investment, lack of government support in terms of infrastructure and poor relationship with agro food value chains which offer them opportunity for growth and expansion. Several economists have knotted that agribusiness is changing structure to horizontal one where cooperation, supply chain agreements and a specialisation are aided, hence forward agribusiness farmers and managers should spend less time on farm doing farm activities rather than to spend more time in developing business service strategies that aims at enhancing their competitiveness. The focus is not general on economic and technological interests but also on the value addition. Therefore agriculture will play a very big role in any developing country since it is the backbone of all developing nations. To be much more specific there is a need for farmers to adopt on small livestock enterprise such as rabbit rearing which does not consume much land. Among the livestock industry this study focused on mainly commercial rabbit production because of its favourable attributes such as high rate of reproduction, adaptability to inexpensive housing and very useful in many by products(Hungu, 2013). Population is increasing on a daily basis posing a
- 2. 2 constraint to the agriculture farm lands. This introduction of rabbit production will help to eradicate malnutrition and poverty since it is practised on a small piece of land. Small scale rabbit production is still new in Marondera area and is mainly in smallholder system that has merits over livestock systems because of the small rabbits body size, high rate of reproduction, adaptability to inexpensive housing and useful by products. Since inadequate food production is a critical problem throughout some parts of Marondera such as Igava, Masomera, Garikai and others, rabbit rearing could make major contribution to human survival in those areas with inadequate food production and food supply. Rabbit rearing is practiced on small scale farming essentially due to small land space, which if well adopted can be practiced widely. Some of the challenges identified by previous studies which have been conducted in the past include limited access to technical information by farmers (Chard, 2006). This result in prevailing farmers undertaking some of things unknowingly such as inbreeding. There have been previous studies which try to analyse the factors which affect the development of the rabbit enterprises. Some of findings which were knotted showed major factors which need to be addressed. These factors include promotional campaigns, extension services, breeding and genetic improvement, research and modernization of production and export market targeting. Some have been implemented but still farmers are reluctant to adopt rabbit keeping as a commercial enterprise. The rabbit industry is somehow not well established bearing in mind it has some opportunities which will favour its development. Some of the opportunities include change of eating culture to white meat (Chinarumbidza, 2005). Hence forward this study is been targeting rabbit farmers, potential and non-rabbit farmers and some few researchers in this field. Descriptive analyses were used in explaining the socio-economic characteristics affecting the industry. Also regression analysis was done on factors affecting its adoption. The results will be useful to government policy makers, farmers and other researchers. 1.2Problem statement The debate for my argument is that in Zimbabwe many researchers have not state the exact problem facing the slow adoption of commercial rabbit keeping. Their main focus was to analyse the reasons why farmers are reluctant to practice commercial rabbit keeping yet it is a very profitable enterprise. Therefore, in a rundown my research problem will be to analyse the factors behind the unwillingness of certain potential individuals’ producers, small scale, and large scale farmers to embark in commercial rabbit keeping growing. 1.3 Research objectives i. To distinguish potential rabbit producers based on their socio-economic characters. ii. To determine if they is a linear relationship between the farmers characteristics and their ability to adopt to commercial rabbit keeping.
- 3. 3 iii. To determine the positive contribution of commercial rabbit production to the livelihoods of the people of Marondera district. 1.4 Research questions i. Does the characteristics of rabbit producers influence commercial rabbit keeping? ii. Are they any differences among rabbit producers? iii. What is the impact of adopting rabbit production to the livelihoods of the people? 1.5 Justification of the study The call for the research is based on developing and socio-economic issues bearing in mind Zimbabwe is still in its developing stages and it relies on commercial agricultural activity which is mainly rainfed farming for it to achieve its development goals such as poverty eradication, food insecurity and malnutrition as stipulated well in its vision 2025 and also in ZimAsset documentary. To achieve this each part of Marondera being the area under study has to play a role. In Marondera district land sizes are becoming smaller daily since more people prefer to settle in the area due to its nearness to the capital cities such as Harare and Mutare. Therefore rabbit being a good source of protein which can be achieved cheaply by even low income earners will be the most profitable business enterprise among the livestock industry due to its growth characteristics and also requires small land sizes. The results will be useful to rabbit farmers, potential farmers, other researchers and government policy makers in the livestock ministry of agriculture as a whole. Therefore, commercialisation of rabbit keeping will play a vital role of agriculture in achievement of Zimbabwe vision 2025 and ZimAsset development goals which are empower, develop, indigenise and self-employ. 1.5 Study area The project was carried out in Marondera destrict under natural region ii were we experience a rainfall which range from 800mm to 1000mm and temperatures which range from 90 to 270 which sustain plant growth and livestock rearing. Reason for its selection is based on issues to do with land sizes, socio-economic appearances of the people living there. For instance land sizes in the area are becoming smaller due to what they call real estate investments. More land is being used to build rental houses (such as Garikai houses incorporation, Aurtherstone houses, Garyson houses, Zbc houses, Marondera real estate’s building and NSSA flats house, etc.) thus minimizing the land available for agriculture. Therefore food productivity is affected somehow which calls for small stock like rabbit keeping to be given a thorough seriousness since it can do well in small land sizes. To touch on socio-economic characteristics
- 4. 4 Marondera is the main supply of food to the capital cities such as Harare and Mutare and also the whole of Mashonaland East Province. 1.7 Organization of the project report The repose of the project is arranged as follows; chapter one all about the introduction, chapter two which is all about the literature review, then trailed by chapter three which is all about methodology issues namely; data collection and sampling procedure, model used and variables included in the model and chapter four the reference list.
- 5. 5 CHAPTER TWO 2.0 LITERATURE REVIEW This segment highlights the previous studies and empirical evidence which have been done in relation to the study l am currently undertaking. It includes their methods, findings and conclusions. They did analysis of hindrances to the adoption of improved rabbit technologies by small scale farmers in Nigeria. Methods used were organised interviews of sixty respondents, which were analysed by percentages, multiple regression and factor analysis. Findings showed that production of rabbit is dominated by young children of school age (50%) and males (63%). Also they found that age was a significant factor in influencing the improved rabbit technologies. Major obstacles identified were management, economic, constraints, nutritional and housing constraints. They concluded that extension agents should design programs that aimed to encourage students in secondary school towards to this adoption (Sithole, 2012). Another study was done by Abu et al who focused on status and promotional strategies for rabbit production in Nigeria in year 2008. Methods used were field survey, questionnaires, personal interviews and observations plus experiences of the author. Findings showed that rabbit production mainly non-commercial oriented, smallholder type kept mainly by women and mainly were for specialized research based institutions and inbreeding was highly evident. They also found that space was a limiting factor. Conclusion showed that there is need for promotional strategies and policy suggestions (Commercial Agriculture Journal, 2011). Another study was done by Hungu et al on production characteristics and constraints of rabbit farming in central, Nairobi and rift-valley provinces in Kenya 2013. Methods used were questionnaire and examination sheets in recording data. Findings showed that rabbit rearing is done on small-scale due to small land space but there was sustained interest in rabbit farming as shown by a large proportion of farmers. Also they noticed that farmers had limited access to technical information in rabbit farming as seen in the poor design and construction of the rabbit hutches. Conclusions revealed that there are opportunities and challenges to increase rabbit production in the country though access to technology and marketing strategies were major hindrances to this development thus need for promotional and extension services. Fourth previous study was on factors affecting the growth of agribusiness enterprises in Kenya a case of rabbit keeping in Kiambu County. This was done by Geoffrey in 2004. Methods used were purposive sampling technique in conducting the study, selection of study used sample probabilistic sampling technique where a sample of 30 out of 120 rabbit farmers was selected. Data was analysed using descriptive statistics and tools used to process data were SPSS V20 and Ms Excel spread sheet. Findings showed market availability remained a challenge, little research has been done, and there were inadequate financial resources and minimal extension services. Conclusion indicated that government should spearhead promotion campaign to create market, encourage research and extension services (Mandizvidza, 2005)
- 6. 6 2.1 AN OVERVIEW OF MY UNDERSTANDING Since the main purpose of this study is to analyze the factors influencing commercialisation of rabbit rearing in Marondera district and the objectives of this study is to distinguish different types of rabbit producers, to determine if they is an auto core relationship between the stated farmers characteristics and adoption of commercial rabbit keeping and lastly to determine the positive contribution of commercial rabbit production to the livelihoods of the people of Marondera district. Selection of respondents was through sampling and Central Limit Theorem which we specifically selected 40 farmers out of 140 farmers like the case of Geoffrey 2004. Zimbabwe policies that deal with improvement of technology and extension services should be directed towards rabbit rearing for it to be commercialised. These technologies include pelt processing, technology that converts manure and urine into fertilizer and introduction of usage of artificial insemination. For instance artificial insemination will increase efficiency and reduce cost of production. Therefore in summary, findings from previous studies as seen in the above paragraphs showed that main obstacles to adoption are market inaccessibility, type of technological advancement used and personal characteristics. Hence forward l will use these as the roots of the research variables which are yet to be tested.
- 7. 7 CHAPTER THREE 3.0METHODOLOGY 3.1 Data collection and sampling procedure Data used in this study was mainly primary and secondary which was collected through use of questionnaires and face to face interviews with the rabbit producers and secondary data which were gathered from institutes like ZimStats, NatStats, and International trade statistical data capture. Type of data collected were both qualitative (market access, gender, education level) and quantitative (age and stock). Farmers were selected using the central limit theorem which incorporates a sample of 40 rabbit farmers out of 140 farmers with a 90% confidence level. They were interviewed and opinions recorded as answers to the questionnaires. 3.2 Empirical model used The study involved identification of factors that affect the slow adoption of commercial rabbit keeping using linear regression model to test the relationship of the variables and adoption process. Dependent variable here was adoption while independent variables included socio-economic characteristics of the farmers. Therefore, the independent variables and dependent variable were formulated and linear regression was run using the SPSS software. To specify on variables used, dependent variables included socioeconomic characteristics, market accessibility, credit accessibility and technology level used. Socio- economic characteristics include factors such as age, gender, education level, and stock size kept. The mathematical equation for this model is given as; 𝑌 = 𝛽0 + 𝛽1𝑥1+ 𝛽2𝑥2+ 𝛽3𝑥3+ 𝛽4𝑥4 Where; i. Y is the adoption of commercial rabbit rearing ii. β0 is the coefficient of adoption when no variable is in effect iii. β1X1 is socio-economic characteristics and its beta coefficient iv. β2X2 is technology and its beta coefficient v. β3X3 is market accessibility and its coefficient vi. β4X4 is credit accessibility and its coefficient
- 8. 8 3.3 Descriptive Analysis An analysis was carried out using face to face interviews and semi-structured questionnaire to reveal information about the socio-economic characteristic of the people in Marondera district. The research showed that a large proportion of peasant farmers and different individual were victims of malnutrition and poverty. This produces a clear window that the adoption of rabbit production will help to sustain life in this targeted region and can even end up growing to a national adaptation hence sustaining almost the livelihood of Zimbabweans and can latter contribute to the country’s Gross Domesticated Product. 3.4 Description of the variables included in the model and the expected outcome Subsistence type of rabbit keeping is mainly associated with women and small boys therefore gender was expected to affect the commercial adoption in either way depending on the gender of respondent. Thus if the majority of the respondent were of male gender then the adoption would be affected positively. Education level was expected to have a positive effect on the adoption process since the more one is educated the higher the chances he or she will practice commercial type of agriculture. Scale of operation was expected to have either positive or negative effect depending on majority of respondents interviewed. For instance if majority were practicing small scale type of rabbit keeping expectation is that there will no willingness to adopt it commercially. Also stock size kept by the respondent would have the same effect as that of scale of operation since they are both related. Credit accessibility was expected to have either positive or negative effect on adoption process. Reason being a farmer can be accessible to credit facilities but he or she chooses to invest in other form of commercial agriculture, thus affecting the adoption process negatively. Technology such as value addition and pelt processing was expected to affect the adoption positively since more and more farmers will be attracted to adopt commercial due to increased returns in the industry. Market accessibility was expected to affect the adoption process positively in a manner such that if a farmer is accessible to market he or she will be willing to commercialise it. Adoption to commercial rabbit production was expected to have positive impact to the livelihoods of the people since it was to improve the living standards of the people of Marondera.
- 9. 9 CHAPTER FOUR REFERENCE CHARD PG (2006) BARRINS OF AGRICULTURE, ZSC COLLEGE PRESS, HARARE. Cheeke, P.R, (2009) Potentials of rabbit production in tropical and subtropical agricultural systems. Journal of animal science. CHINARUMBIDZA, SITHOLE FM (2005) Focus study aids A LEVEL AGRICULTURE. COMMERCIAL AGRICULTURE JOURNAL (2011). COMMERCIAL FARMERS UNION (2015) CFU MARGAZINE COLLEGE PRESS HARARE. Commercial Farmers Union, (2013) Rabbit production research in Zimbabwe, Status and promotional strategies for rabbit production in. Journal of management and economy. D SITHOLE (2012) focus on agriculture COLLEGE PRESS AGRICULTURE HARARE. ELLIOT FC (2008) AGRICULTURE FOR SOUTHERN AFRICA, MEDIA PRINTERS SOUTH AFRICA. Hungu C.W, Gathumbi P.K., Maingi N and Ng’anga C.J.,(2013) Production characteristics and constraints of rabbit farming in Central, Mash-east and Mash-west provinces in Zimbabwe. Journal of livestock research for rural development. MAVENGWA MANDIZVIDZA (2005) P JANARIES OF AGRICULTURAL COLLEGE PRESS HARARE. MONSONTE AND AGRICURA (2009) MONSOTO AGRIC JOURNAL COLLEGE PRESS HARARE.
- 10. 10 Tableof Contents CHAPTER ONE.............................................................................................................................. 1 1.1 BACKGROUND…………………………………………………………………………………………………………………....1 1.2 PROBLEMSTATEMENT……………………………………………………………………………………………………………..2 1.3 RESEAECH OBJECTIVE………………………………………………………………………………………………………….....2 1.4 RESEARCH QUESTION……………………………………………………………………………………………………………….3 1.5 JUSTIFICATION OFTHE STUDY………………………………………………………………………………………………….3 1.6 STUDY AREA……………………………………………………………………………………………………………..................3 1.7 ORGANISATION OFTHE PROJECT……………………………………………………………………………………………..4 CHAPTER TWO……………………………………………………………………………………..........................................5 2.1 LITERATURE REVIEW………………………………………………………………………………………………..................5 2.2 OVERVIEW OF UNDERSTANDING.......................................................................................... 6 CHAPTER THREE…………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………….7 3.0METHEDEOLOGY………………………………………………………………………………………………………………….7 3.1DATA COLLECTION ANDSAMPLINGPROCEDURE……………………………………………………………………..7 3.2EMPIRICAL MODEL USED………………………………………………………………………………………………………….7 3.3Descriptive analysis………………………………………………………………………………………………………………….8 3.4DESCRIPTION OF VARIABLES................................................................................................. 8 CHAPTER FOUR............................................................................................................................ 9 REFERENCE............................................................................................................................... 9