Urban farmer practices in soil fertility and water management and the influence of gender in Harare and Chitungwiza, Zimbabwe

Urban Farm DB summary

This study examined soil fertility and water management practices used by urban farmers in Harare and Chitungwiza, Zimbabwe, and their effect on maize yields, along with the influence of gender on their use. Women dominated farming activities (62.4%) over men (37.6%); farmers combining poultry manure, sewage sludge, or cattle manure with mineral fertilizers achieved an average maize yield of 1.5 t/ha, with more women than men using organic fertilizers but at lower application rates, resulting in lower yields, and the quantity of mineral fertilizer and sewage sludge applied was significantly correlated with gender, as was the use of ridges and furrows, raised beds, and mulching for water management, which more women than men employed.