Demography of smallholder agricultural enterprise led by women and youth, and their association with the cultivation of the Okra (Abelmoschus esculentus L. Moench) vegetable crop

Abstract

Okra (Abelmoschus esculentus (L.) Moench) is a yearly multi-use crop propagated through seed with the potential to contribute to smallholder livelihood. The purpose of the study was to characterize women and youth smallholder irrigation scheme entrepreneurs (SHAW-YEr) to develop and facilitate policy instruments for sustainable agricultural businesses. A structured household questionnaire together with facilitation was used to survey a sample, purposively focusing on Smallholder Agricultural Women and Youth Enterprises (SHAW-YEs). The total sample was comprised of 294 respondents (N=294) selected through the general category, gender category, and gender by age category. The Statistical Package for the Social Sciences (SPSS) version 22 was used to analyse quantitative data. Descriptive statistics included frequency tables and measures of central tendency. The study revealed that gender, age, education, and income seem to have an influence on the production of Okra in the Madimbo Corridor in Musina and Upper Mutale Valley in Thulamela Local Municipality. But is characterized by small land areas under cultivation. However, the poor level of education at 90.8% re-emphasizes the need for the Government to enhance skills training on-farm to SHAW-YE to complement the farmer's experience with the cultivation of Okra.