Socio-economic differences between innovation platform participants and non-participants: the case of smallholder dairying in Zimbabwe

摘要

The concept of innovation platforms as a strategy for enhancing technology development, the dissemination of innovations, and market participation has received much attention in recent times among researchers in Sub Saharan Africa. However, very little is written on the determinants of participation in smallholder dairy innovation platforms, particularly for Southern Africa. This paper investigates the socio-economic differences between participants and non-participants in smallholder dairy innovation platforms, based on results of a cross-sectional survey of 227 households in Rusitu and Gokwe smallholder dairy schemes in Zimbabwe. Results indicated statistically significant differences between the groups with respect to experience in commercial dairying, agricultural training received, household size, availability and access to labour, the main source of household income, dairy herd size, and the number of lactating cows (p < 0.01). The study also established statistical significance in differences in asset ownership; dairy management systems (p < 0.01); overall Knowledge, Attitudes and Practices (KAP) scores (p < 0.01); and household food and nutrition security (p < 0.05). Insights from this study have critical implications for smallholder dairy research and advisory services. They suggest a need for improvements in the design of