Authors : Manager Hope Chokuwamba; Liberty Chidewe

Volume/Issue : Volume 10 - 2025, Issue 11 - November

Google Scholar : https://tinyurl.com/3z3vxtv6

Scribd : https://tinyurl.com/4p72tur7

DOI : https://doi.org/10.38124/ijisrt/25nov1070

Note : A published paper may take 4-5 working days from the publication date to appear in PlumX Metrics, Semantic Scholar, and ResearchGate.

Abstract : This study examines the challenges faced by smallholder irrigation farmers in Zvimba District, Zimbabwe, focusing on their access to essential agricultural inputs such as seeds, fertilizers, and irrigation equipment. Through a combination of online questionnaires and in-depth interviews with smallholder farmers, Irrigation Management Committees (IMCs), and Agritex officers, the study identifies key barriers, including high input costs, geographical constraints, inconsistent input supply, and limited access to financial services. These challenges significantly hinder the productivity and sustainability of smallholder irrigation farming, limiting farmers' ability to increase crop yields, improve food security, and contribute to poverty alleviation. The study emphasizes the need for targeted interventions that address these barriers and enhance input access to support smallholder farmers. The findings also offer recommendations for future research, including expanding the geographical scope of the study and conducting longitudinal research to assess the long- term impact of improved input access on farm productivity. This study provides essential insights for policymakers and stakeholders working to improve the conditions for smallholder farmers and foster agricultural development in Zimbabwe.

Keywords : Smallholder Irrigation Farming; Agricultural Inputs; Input Access Challenges; Food Security and Poverty Alleviation.

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