https://ir.cut.ac.zw/xmlui/handle/123456789/35 2026-07-16T23:22:37Z 2026-07-16T23:22:37Z Matengo, Tafadzwa Musundire, Robert Tarakini, Gugulethu Guia Diaz, Laura Tarakini, Tawanda https://ir.cut.ac.zw/xmlui/handle/123456789/836 2026-07-13T06:48:21Z 2026-06-26T00:00:00Z

Assessing the Impacts of Different Cropping Systems and Pesticide Use on Pollinator Communities in Mbire District, Zimbabwe Matengo, Tafadzwa; Musundire, Robert; Tarakini, Gugulethu; Guia Diaz, Laura; Tarakini, Tawanda Pollination contributes immensely to food security, yet little is known about pollinator conservation practices in rural communities. This work assessed farmers' knowledge of pollinators and examined pesticide use in Mbire district of Zimbabwe. A structured questionnaire was distributed to 102 respondents who were sampled using the stratified purposive approach to collect information on perceptions of pollinators and chemicals used to control pests. Pan traps and sweep nets were used to capture pollinators from chemically treated and untreated plots in different cropping systems. Honeybees were the most cited pollinators (99% of respondents), while other pollinators like wasps, beetles, and true flies were mentioned. Awareness of pollinators was higher in males than in females and among middle-aged to old-aged farmers. A total of 38 different pesticides were used, with four belonging to the highly toxic pesticide category. Field sampling collected 239 individuals from nine pollinator families and three orders, with Lepidoptera (55.2%) being the dominant order. Pollinator abundance was highest in mixed-cropping systems and lowest in natural plots. Generalized Linear Mixed Models (GLMMs) showed that sweep netting captured significantly more pollinators than pan trapping (β = 0.575, SE = 0.173, p = 0.009). In addition, spraying alone showed no significant association with pollinator abundance. However, the interaction between monocropping and spraying resulted in relatively fewer pollinator visitors compared to the interaction between mixed cropping and spraying (p = 0.055). Further, Maerua edulis was the most mentioned plant used in traditional pest management. To increase pollinator awareness, there is a need for farmer training to promote systems such as mixed-cropping systems, as they support more pollinators. The use of highly toxic pesticides is concerning, and efforts are needed to minimize their application and promote eco-friendly alternatives and traditional methods.

2026-06-26T00:00:00Z Shoko, Joseph Muboko, Never Gandiwa, Edison https://ir.cut.ac.zw/xmlui/handle/123456789/833 2026-07-10T10:48:49Z 2026-06-12T00:00:00Z

Local enterprise as a catalyst: Exploring community-led development for security and sustainability in the Save Valley Conservancy Shoko, Joseph; Muboko, Never; Gandiwa, Edison This study investigates how local enterprise development (LED) can serve as a catalyst for community‑driven development, sustainability, and security in the Save Valley Conservancy (SVC), Zimbabwe. Operating within a context of contested land-tenure arrangements and fragmented governance structures, the SVC faces complex socio‑ecological challenges. Using focus group discussions complemented by thematic analysis as the primary qualitative method, the research captures collective community perspectives on enterprise initiatives, conservation priorities, and governance dynamics. The findings contribute to theory‑building in community development by illustrating how locally driven enterprises can enhance ecological stewardship, improve livelihoods and strengthen institutional resilience. The study proposes a socially embedded framework for inclusive development in conservation areas and outlines clear implications for practice and policy, particularly in designing participatory governance models and sustainable livelihood strategies in ecologically vulnerable regions.

2026-06-12T00:00:00Z Shoko, Joseph Muboko, Never Gandiwa, Edison https://ir.cut.ac.zw/xmlui/handle/123456789/832 2026-07-10T10:48:49Z 2026-06-03T00:00:00Z

Local enterprise as a catalyst: Exploring community-led development for security and sustainability in the Save Valley Conservancy Shoko, Joseph; Muboko, Never; Gandiwa, Edison This study investigates how local enterprise development (LED) can serve as a catalyst for community‑driven development, sustainability, and security in the Save Valley Conservancy (SVC), Zimbabwe. Operating within a context of contested land-tenure arrangements and fragmented governance structures, the SVC faces complex socio‑ecological challenges. Using focus group discussions comple mented by thematic analysis as the primary qualitative method, the research captures collective community perspectives on enterprise initiatives, conservation priorities, and governance dynamics. The findings contribute to theory‑building in community development by illustrating how locally driven enterprises can enhance ecological stewardship, improve livelihoods and strengthen institutional resili ence. The study proposes a socially embedded framework for inclu sive development in conservation areas and outlines clear implications for practice and policy, particularly in designing partici patory governance models and sustainable livelihood strategies in ecologically vulnerable regions.

2026-06-03T00:00:00Z Simakani, Agness Mashapa, Clayton Muboko, Never Mutanga, Chiedza N Gandiwa, Edson https://ir.cut.ac.zw/xmlui/handle/123456789/831 2026-07-10T10:48:48Z 2023-08-07T00:00:00Z

Trends and local perceptions of human-crocodile conflicts in Kariba town, northern Zimbabwe Simakani, Agness; Mashapa, Clayton; Muboko, Never; Mutanga, Chiedza N; Gandiwa, Edson This study assessed the nature and local people’s perceptions of human-crocodile (Crocodylus niloticus) conflicts (HCCs) for the period 2007 to 2016 in Kariba town, northern Zimbabwe. A mixed-method approach was used with 150 local fish folks interviewed between July and October 2017 through face-to-face interviews and secondary data on HCC were retrieved from the wildlife authority’s records. In contrast to the general perception from fish folks that there was an increase in HCC, secondary data analysis showed no significant trends of crocodile attacks on people for the period under study. HCC was mainly driven by fishing activities which exposed people to crocodile attacks. The study concludes that despite the recorded non-increasing trend in HCCs, HCC is a major conservation issue in Kariba town given enhanced human–wildlife interactions due to the economic needs for local livelihoods. Community educational programs are recommended as a way to manage HCC and close gaps between the conventional scientific and local knowledge.

2023-08-07T00:00:00Z