Impacts of Cash Crop Production on Household Food Security for Smallholder Farmers: A Case of Shamva District, Zimbabwe

Theresa Tendai Rubhara, Maxwell Mudhara, Oluwaseun Samuel Oduniyi and Michael Akwasi Antwi
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Theresa Tendai Rubhara: Department of Agriculture and Animal Health, University of South Africa, Roodepoort 1709, South Africa
Maxwell Mudhara: Department of Agricultural Economics, University of KwaZulu Natal, Durban 4041, South Africa
Oluwaseun Samuel Oduniyi: Department of Agriculture and Animal Health, University of South Africa, Roodepoort 1709, South Africa
Michael Akwasi Antwi: Department of Agriculture and Animal Health, University of South Africa, Roodepoort 1709, South Africa

Agriculture, 2020, vol. 10, issue 5, 1-11

Abstract: Zimbabwe has recently experienced a considerable shift towards the production of more cash crops, such as tobacco, at the expense of food crops. Although cash cropping has been associated with increased income, the question is whether the income gained from cash crops would be enough to provide the food needs of farming households. This research was conducted to analyse the impact of cash crops on household food security. A cross-sectional survey consisting of 281 randomly selected smallholder farmers in Shamva District was used for primary data collection. Data were analysed using the Tobit regression model and Propensity score matching (PSM). The household dietary diversity score (HDDS) was used to measure food security. The PSM results showed a positive impact of cash crop production on the HDDS. This could be attributed to the income effect of cash cropping. Furthermore, Tobit regression results showed that cash crop production ( p < 0.1), non-farm income ( p < 0.01), total arable land ( p < 0.05) and access to draft power ( p < 0.05) positively influenced household food security. Household size negatively impacted food security ( p < 0.05). While the results from this study suggest the need to promote cash crop production, it should not be regarded as the panacea for addressing food insecurity. There is a need for further research to derive optimum combinations of cash and food crops in the crop mixture for smallholder farmers to achieve food security. Furthermore, opportunities for off-farm livelihood options should be developed, since non-farm income had a positive effect on food security.

Keywords: African smallholder farmers; cash crop; household dietary diversity; household food security; propensity score matching (search for similar items in EconPapers)
JEL-codes: Q1 Q10 Q11 Q12 Q13 Q14 Q15 Q16 Q17 Q18 (search for similar items in EconPapers)
Date: 2020
References: View references in EconPapers View complete reference list from CitEc
Citations: View citations in EconPapers (7)

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