Rural small-scale aquaculture: An assessment of farmers' perceptions and technical efficiency in Masvingo, Zimbabwe

Aquaculture potential as a source of food security, protein, income, employment and poverty alleviation can be realized through improved production efforts in Zimbabwe. A survey was conducted in three districts of Masvingo to assess rural small-scale fish farmers' perception and technical efficiency. Data was collected from 63 fish farmers using a primary cross-section approach. The field study was conducted from July to September 2021. A stochastic frontier production model (with technical inefficiency effects) was used to assess production. There were 73% male respondents, the average age was 51 years and 73% had attained formal education up to primary, secondary or tertiary level. Fish farming system was in earthen ponds stocked with mixed-sex tilapia fingerlings, collected mainly from the wild and fed mostly on local farm bi-products. The Cobb-Douglas production function was applied to relate production output to input variables. Results indicated significant positive correlation between the production output and the quantity of fingerling and feed inputs. Pond size had an inverse relation with production output. Fingerling and fish feed quality significantly reduced technical inefficiency, however, time allocated to fish farming and education insignificantly reduced technical inefficiency. Experience significantly increased technical inefficiency, but age, training, gender and occupation insignificantly increased technical inefficiency. Fish farmers were operating at 67% technical efficiency. The significance of input quantity and quality on aquaculture output, in the current study, informs any future aquaculture development plans in Zimbabwe, to consider investing in training and capital support.