ABSTRACT
Agricultural nurseries are key in the production of horticultural and forestry seedlings. Various nursery media is used to raise these seedlings. The study was aimed at determining the researchers’ views and opinions on the nursery practices that the farmers employ. The survey was carried out to establish the productivity and types of media used in the nursery industry within Manicaland, Zimbabwe. In this study, the survey was conducted at provincial level within five (5) selected districts of Manicaland Province. In each district, all the existing nurseries were selected. Data was analyzed using the descriptive analysis. Nursery holders were classified as entrepreneurs, farmers, local government owned and non –profit making organizations owned. Farmer nurseries were the largest category comprising of 56.4% of the total sampled population. Most of the seedlings were raised in containers with the exception of vegetable seedlings which were raised in seed beds. Nursery media comprising of top soil and compost proved to be most popular amongst nursery owners. Pine media used proved to be least used due to its low water holding capacity and lack of proper extension training on its use.
Table of Contents
1. Introduction
2. Materials and Methods
3. Results
3.1 Nursery ownership and land holding
3.2 Ownership by sex
3.3 Production area
3.4 Opinion on nursery expansion
3.5 Nursery media used and transportation
3.6 Nursery training
3.7 Species grown
3.8 Production constraints
4. Discussion
5. Conclusion
Research Objectives and Focus
This study investigates the nursery industry in Manicaland, Zimbabwe, by assessing the prevalent nursery practices, the types of growth media utilized, and the operational productivity of selected extension and registered nurseries. The primary research goal is to understand how different nursery holders—ranging from individual farmers to non-profit organizations—manage production, navigate environmental constraints, and address market demands in the region.
- Analysis of nursery ownership structures and land use patterns.
- Evaluation of various nursery media formulations and transportation logistics.
- Assessment of the role of gender in nursery production and management.
- Examination of production constraints and training accessibility for nursery operators.
Excerpt from the Book
Nursery ownership and land holding
The study showed that entrepreneurs formed 14.3% of the total nursery owners. All the farmers interviewed were working together with Forestry Commission Conservation and Extension personnel. The study found that all the raised seedlings were sold to individuals or other entrepreneurs for resale in urban centres or used within the community to foster forestry development through the reafforestation programmes. All the proceeds went to the farmer. The highest percentages of nursery holders were found to be farmers (56.4%). Local government nurseries are those in the custody of the city or town council. These were the least in number at 4.8%. Local government nurseries were found to be located in Mutare urban district only. They provided seedlings to the residence of the city. Non–profit making organizations comprised of non–governmental organizations (NGO), schools, colleges and prisons. Their main aim for nursery production was to provide seedlings to the community so as to improve community livelihood and dissemination of knowledge. These formed 28.6 % of the total nursery owners.
Table 2 shows the characteristics of the interviewed nursery holdings in Chipinge, Makoni, Mutare Urban, Mutasa and Nyanga, districts. Makoni district had the highest percentage of nursery holdings (28.6%) and all these are still under the supervision of Forestry Commission Department of Conservation and Extension. Nyanga district had the lowest number of nursery ownership (14.3%). Chipinge, Makoni and Mutare Urban had the same number of nursery ownership (19.0%).
Summary of Chapters
1. Introduction: Outlines the importance of agricultural nurseries in horticultural and forestry production and defines the study’s aim to assess nursery practices and media usage in Manicaland.
2. Materials and Methods: Details the provincial-level survey conducted across five districts, describing the data collection process, including informant interviews and questionnaire-based assessments.
3. Results: Presents the findings regarding nursery ownership models, gender involvement, production areas, expansion opinions, media usage, transportation methods, training, and common production constraints.
4. Discussion: Interprets the findings in the context of previous studies, highlighting the diversification of nursery ownership and the ongoing challenges regarding infrastructure, media accessibility, and extension support.
5. Conclusion: Summarizes that most nursery owners avoid pine bark due to poor water holding capacity and lack of training, favoring topsoil and manure despite their limitations.
Keywords
Agricultural nurseries, Manicaland, Zimbabwe, Seedling production, Nursery media, Forestry Commission, Reafforestation, Entrepreneurship, Nursery management, Extension services, Land use, Horticulture, Production constraints, Sustainable livelihoods.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the core focus of this research?
The research evaluates the nursery industry in Manicaland, Zimbabwe, focusing on the practices, productivity, and types of growth media used by various nursery operators.
Which entities operate nurseries in the studied region?
Nursery holders are categorized into entrepreneurs, individual farmers, local government bodies, and non-profit organizations, including schools and prisons.
What is the main objective of the study?
The primary aim is to determine researchers' views on current nursery practices and to assess the productivity and operational challenges of extension and registered nurseries.
What scientific methods were employed?
The study utilized a survey approach at the provincial level, employing descriptive analysis of questionnaire data and conducting key informant interviews.
What topics are covered in the main section?
The main section covers nursery ownership types, the role of women in production, land management, media formulations, transportation logistics, training availability, and common production constraints.
What are the primary characteristics of the nursery industry mentioned?
The industry is characterized by a high percentage of small-scale farmers, diverse ownership structures, and a reliance on locally available, inexpensive growth media.
Why is pine bark considered a controversial medium in the study?
Although pine bark is a lightweight alternative, nursery owners avoid it due to its low water-holding capacity and a lack of proper extension training on how to manage its use effectively.
How does the study link nurseries to local communities?
Nurseries are shown to serve as educational platforms for reforestation and community development, particularly through schools and NGO-led programs aimed at supplementing modern medication with herbal gardens.
What is the impact of water shortages on nursery production?
Water shortages in residential areas frequently force nursery owners to scale down their operations, as they cannot manage seedling growth effectively under resource-constrained conditions.
How is the issue of seedling packaging addressed by farmers?
Following the withdrawal of government-provided packaging, most farmers now procure their own, with some resorting to using recycled waste, such as empty fruit juice containers.
- Quote paper
- Tawona Honour Matenda (Author), T. Amtaita (Author), M. Mrema (Author), 2010, An assessment of the nursery industry in Manicaland, Zimbabwe in 2008, Munich, GRIN Verlag, https://www.grin.com/document/181406
