Research papers from Tugwi-Mukosi https://cris.library.msu.ac.zw//handle/11408/4936 2026-04-09T22:39:21Z 2026-04-09T22:39:21Z Francis Muromo Madanzi, Tendai Manjeru, Pepukai Innocent Isaac Jephias Matunhu https://cris.library.msu.ac.zw//handle/11408/6527 2025-08-31T10:46:55Z 2021-01-01T00:00:00Z

Title: Building Resilience to Climate Change through the Adoption of Grain and Vegetable Amaranth in Binga District of Matabeleland North, Zimbabwe Authors: Francis Muromo; Madanzi, Tendai; Manjeru, Pepukai; Innocent Isaac; Jephias Matunhu Abstract: This paper seeks to popularize and commercialize grain and vegetable amaranth (mowa in Shona, imbuya in IsiNdebele and bboonko in Tonga) by local farmers in Manjolo and Sikalenge wards in Binga District of Matabeleland North Province, Zimbabwe. The paper is based on a baseline survey of randomly selected 74 farmers in the two wards. The paper argues that the introduction of grain and vegetable amaranth in Binga District, will improve nutrition security for humans and livestock. Findings of the study indicate that the majority of the respondents knew the local vegetable amaranth types (various weedy species) but did not know the white version (Amaranthus hypochondriacus) grown also for its grain value. Results also indicate that the weedy species germinate naturally in the District and local communities in the two wards viewed these as a weed and had therefore not bothered about the crop because the knowledge about its potential markets was not known. The paper recommends the adoption of grain and vegetable amaranth in arid areas such as Binga because of its higher nutritional quality and quantity than traditional crops.

2021-01-01T00:00:00Z Francis Muromo Madanzi, Tendai Manjeru, Pepukai Innocent Isaac Jephias Matunhu Jephias Mapuva https://cris.library.msu.ac.zw//handle/11408/6448 2024-12-12T06:14:58Z 2024-08-25T00:00:00Z

Title: Interrogating the Community Participation Paradigm: A theoretical Perspective Authors: Jephias Mapuva Abstract: Community participation in governance processes has been viewed as enhancing a democratic culture within concerned communities by making participants part of the problem-solving mechanism. Proponents of community participation espouse divergent views but concur that positive attributes are realised. In South Africa the post-1994 democratic dispensation has created an enabling environment for community participation at different levels of government. This has been necessitated in part to the participatory approach the communities undertook to dislodge the apartheid regime. In South Africa, through appropriate constitutional provisions, communities have been empowered to have a stake in the running of their own affairs through elected councillors and municipal officials. With community participation, people have felt to be part of a solution to problems in their communities and this has helped to eliminate poverty through the engagement of private sector to provide services which cannot be efficiently delivered by government. Lack of interest in municipal affairs has also resulted in non-participation by some communities..

2024-08-25T00:00:00Z Jephias Mapuva Francis Muromo Terrence Motida Mashingaidze https://cris.library.msu.ac.zw//handle/11408/6294 2024-09-19T11:22:37Z 2024-07-23T00:00:00Z

Title: Tugwi Mukosi Dam and Climate Change: Unlocking Economic Value from Field Cropping for Chivi and Masvingo Rural Districts Authors: Francis Muromo; Terrence Motida Mashingaidze Abstract: Climate change is real and water harvesting is a promising strategy for food and income insecurity for struggling communities. This study proposes how crop agricultural crop value can be unlocked by Masvingo and Chivi rural district communities around and downstream Tugwi Mukosi Dam (TMD). The TMD is Zimbabwe’s largest inland water body is located at the confluence of Tugwi-Mukosi rivers. The dam is on the boundary of in the two districts of Masvingo Province. The study applied both qualitative and quantitative data from Zimbabwe’s Ministry of Lands, Water, Agriculture Fisheries and Rural Development, Tongaat Hulett Zimbabwe Limited, local leadership (elected and traditional), development agencies in Chivi, and Masvingo districts, the Zimbabwe National Water Authority (ZINWA), as well as agronomists from a local university. Study participants were purposively selected. Interviews, observation and questionnaires were the main data collection instruments. Findings from this study established that local communities around and downstream this dam still suffer severe food and income insecurity despite being on the fringes of this mega water body. It also established vast agricultural crop potential for local communities given supportive national policy and capital investment by the government. It established that the dam was planned and constructed to serve economic interests of corporates only. The study recommends liberalisation of the ZINWA policy to allow local communities to benefit fully from the dam, particularly now as the districts suffer the effects of climate change.

2024-07-23T00:00:00Z Francis Muromo Terrence Motida Mashingaidze Michael M. Githae Candice A. Coombes Reyard Mutamiswa Sean D. Moore Martin P. Hill https://cris.library.msu.ac.zw//handle/11408/6245 2024-08-07T09:58:59Z 2024-05-14T00:00:00Z

Title: Suitability of false codling moth eggs from different sterile to fertile moth ratios in the sterile insect technique programme, to parasitism by Trichogrammatoidea cryptophlebiae Authors: Michael M. Githae; Candice A. Coombes; Reyard Mutamiswa; Sean D. Moore; Martin P. Hill Abstract: The sterile insect technique (SIT) and augmentative releases of egg parasitoids, Trichogrammatoidea cryptophlebiae have been employed to manage false codling moth (FCM), Thaumatotibia leucotreta in South Africa. To enhance FCM control, simultaneous releases of sterile moths and egg parasitoids are conducted. It is, therefore, necessary to determine the compatibility and combined values of these approaches. A laboratory study was conducted to explore the susceptibility of FCM eggs resulting from various pairings of sterile and fertile moths to parasitism by egg parasitoids. The ratios of sterile to fertile FCM used in the study were 0:1, 10:1, 20:1, 40:1, and 60:1. The fitness of the egg parasitoids emerging from these ratios was assessed using a flight chamber test. Sterile male and female FCM treated with 150 Gy of gamma irradiation were crossbred with fertile counterparts. The resulting eggs were then exposed to egg parasitoids for parasitism. The study evaluated the parasitism rates of newly laid (24 h), 48 h and 72 h old eggs. Overall, eggs from all ratios were suitable for egg parasitoid development and acceptable for oviposition. Significantly higher proportions of parasitised eggs were recorded between the control (0:1) and ratios 40:1 and 60:1 with 48 h old eggs. Additionally, a higher number of egg parasitoids emerged across the ratios, with a higher proportion of female-to-male parasitoids recorded. These findings indicate that egg parasitoids can successfully accept and hatch from FCM eggs from different sterile to fertile moth ratios. This suggests the potential for achieving a synergistic suppressive effect by combining SIT and augmentative releases of egg parasitoids for improved FCM control. Nevertheless, further studies are necessary to investigate the combined releases of sterile moths and parasitoids under field conditions.

2024-05-14T00:00:00Z Michael M. Githae Candice A. Coombes Reyard Mutamiswa Sean D. Moore Martin P. Hill