https://cris.library.msu.ac.zw//handle/11408/458 2026-04-14T23:13:31Z https://cris.library.msu.ac.zw//handle/11408/6925 Title: E-business and e-commerce applications and trends in the retailing sector in Zimbabwe Authors: Mbohwa, Charles; Sammie, Batanai Abstract: This paper discusses e-commerce adoption trends in the Zimbabwean retail sector. Data were collected using questionnaire and interviews of 170 retailers and 73 customers selected in Harare. Zimbabwe's retail sector lags behind in e-business adoption. Key e-commerce applications were in administration, accounting, management and control systems with barcode-driven systems and debit card swipe technologies being most common. Mismatch between the demand for e-business solutions by customers and the supply of such solutions by retailers and a pronounced digital divide between multiple store and single store retailers in the areas of network technologies were identified. The impact of e-business on business processes and company productivity is positive for multiple store and minimal for single store operators. Internal work organisation, procurement costs of supply goods and quality of product and services impacts are minimal. Scope exists for improved adoption and development of e-business for Zimbabwean retailers through better policies and supportive legislation. Description: Date of Conference: 06-09 December 2011, Singapore 2011-01-01T00:00:00Z Mbohwa, Charles Sammie, Batanai https://cris.library.msu.ac.zw//handle/11408/6924 Title: Use of Indigenous Knowledge Systems and Scientific Methods for Climate Forecasting in Southern Zambia and North-Western Zimbabwe Authors: Mugabe, F. T.; Mubaya, C. P.; Nanja, D.; Gondwe, P.; Munodawafa, Adelaide; Mutswangwa, E.; Chagonda, I.; Masere, Tirivashe P.; Dimes, J.; Murewi, C Abstract: The semi-arid areas of Southern Africa receive low and erratic rainfall which varies in both seasons and from year to year resulting in food insecurity. Few of the smallholder farmers have access to seasonal climate forecasts from the meteorological department hence they depend mostly on their indigenous knowledge systems for forecasting seasons which they make use of to develop crop management adaptive strategies. The study shows that farmers have several indicators for weather forecasting and some of these are similar in both Zambia and Zimbabwe. Some of these indicators include; floods or excessive rains in the preceding season, strong winds around October, an extended cold season that goes up to August and sometimes September and abundance or scarcity of certain fruits. The indicators conflict in some seasons and in such cases the farmers resort to using those that they know to have stronger signals from their reliability factors. Positive relationship between indigenous knowledge systems and modern science were observed between the 2008/9 season and 2009/10 which confirms that indigenous knowledge systems, when fully developed could be very helpful in seasonal forecasting. The study recommends the importance of the restoration of the confidence of the indigenous people in their traditional knowledge and skills of weather forecasting. 2010-01-01T00:00:00Z Mugabe, F. T. Mubaya, C. P. Nanja, D. Gondwe, P. Munodawafa, Adelaide Mutswangwa, E. Chagonda, I. Masere, Tirivashe P. Dimes, J. Murewi, C https://cris.library.msu.ac.zw//handle/11408/6923 Title: Effect of within-season daily rainfall distribution on maize crop yields Authors: Kevin Jan Duffy; Masere, Tirivashe P. Abstract: It is well known that major changes in global food systems are needed when agriculture must meet the challenge of feeding a growing population and at the same time minimize global environmental impacts. Both these aims require optimal crop yields. This need applies crucially to staple foods, such as maize, and in developing parts of the world, such as much of Africa. Within-season rainfall will affect crop yields, and this paper, using simulations, investigates the effects of varying within-season daily rainfall distributions on potential maize yields. The results show that within-season distributions can affect maize yields in low-rainfall seasons, but yields are also dependent on the use of fertilizer. In average and above average rainfall seasons, within-season variance has little effect on maize yields. If within-season distributions affect crop yields in low-rainfall seasons, as shown here, then this finding could be important for understanding the impacts of possible changes in climate. 2015-01-01T00:00:00Z Kevin Jan Duffy Masere, Tirivashe P. https://cris.library.msu.ac.zw//handle/11408/6922 Title: Factors cost effectively improved using computer simulations of maize yields in semi-arid Sub-Saharan Africa Authors: Masere, Tirivashe P.; Duffy, Kevin Abstract: Achieving food security is a challenge for the developed and developing world. These challenges are greater for developing nations such as in Africa because of the severity of the problems. An important aspect of this is poor agricultural productivity. Worldwide, technology is being developed to increase agricultural production. One aspect of this is the development of predictive computer models that enable farmers to optimise crops using management decision based on simulation scenarios. Most African farmers do not have the computer resources or expertise to implement these types of technology. Even extension offices in Africa, who provide much needed advice, can be under resourced in this way. We suggest here that simpler computer models that are cheaper and easier to use need to be developed. As a first step in this process we investigate here which factors are most cost effectively managed using computer simulations in semi-arid conditions pertinent to much of sub-Saharan Africa. Factors known to be important in crop farming are planting date, sowing density, variety, weeding, soils and fertiliser. We use qualitative arguments with simulations and conclude that interactions between rainfall, soil condition and fertiliser can benefitfrom simulations and thus should help in their management. 2014-01-01T00:00:00Z Masere, Tirivashe P. Duffy, Kevin