Contract farming arrangement and poor resourced farmers in Zimbabwe

This study sought to understand the impact of contract farming on livelihoods among the small-scale farmers in two study districts of Zvimba and Goromonzi which are located in the Mashonaland Provinces.

This was done through examining different levels of income earned between contract and non-contract tobacco growers, food consumption rates, land use patterns and asset accumulation among other indicators. The asymmetric power relations between farmers and buyer firms was as well examined.

Evidence shows that contract farming has improved access to high-yielding input, better extension service, incomes, while also contributing to asset accumulation when compared to noncontract farming households.

However, lack of platform in the contract design process disadvantages farmers and exposes them to different forms of buyer firm exploitation such as the charging of high interest rates on inputs. Download the PDF on the link at the bottom of the page to access the policy brief.