Bio-physical and socio-economic challenges, farmers’ perception of success and 14- year soil fertility trajectories in smallholder organic market gardens of North-East Zimbabwe

Abstract Some researchers have argued that organic agriculture does not yield intended benefits in African smallholder settings because of degraded soils and lack of organic resources. A multidisciplinary case study analysis of selected organic farming gardens in Makoni, Zimbabwe was done to explore farmer resources, perceptions, market access, preferences, and soil fertility status using survey and interview tools and soil analysis. Lack of agricultural water was identified as a major production challenge by 75% of respondents. Unavailable and unreliable transport and low income from sales were identified as the two main challenges (84 % of respondents) in selling organic produce. Roughly 95% of interviewed farmers currently sell their organic produce not marked as organic in the local district. We also reveal that 14-year organic management of soil fertility at MOFA has resulted in increased on average pH (range 0.6 – 2.1 units), and available P (range x6 – x26) compared to adjacent uncultivated areas. Soil organic matter either stayed the same or increased at 5 out of 6 sites and exchangeable Ca, Mg, and K increased by at least 157%, 21%, and 10%, respectively, all compared to uncultivated land. These improvements are likely the reason why 64% of farmers said they had observed yield increases. We conclude that 14 years of organic agriculture has led to the improvement of soil fertility in the initially low-fertility gardens as measured by pH, organic matter, and nutrient content. However, we recommend strengthening the market access to organic produce to sustain organic farming for smallholder farmers in Zimbabwe.