Publication Type
Journal Article
Publication Date (Issue Year)
2024
Journal Name
Research on World Agricultural Economy
Abstract
This study presents a seminal contribution regarding the economic value of indigenous seasonal weather fore‑ casts in Zimbabwe. Many farmers (58%) use indigenous seasonal weather forecasts to make maize farming deci‑ sions such as selecting suitable varieties. The main indicators used for indigenous seasonal weather forecasts are ϐlowering and fruition of speciϐic trees. Based on travel cost analysis, which incorporates a multi‑purpose visit sce‑ nario, the study establishes the economic importance of indigenous seasonal weather forecasts with a consumer surplus of US$1,044 per year among the 290 farmers using the forecasts. There is therefore a need to integrate indigenous weather forecasts into national seasonal weather forecasting and disaster risk reduction systems to complement modern seasonal weather forecasts. Co‑production of seasonal weather forecasts with farmers is pro‑ posed in this regard. This further calls for the need to digitally document, visualize
Keywords
Indigenous seasonal weather, Maize farmers, Travel cost, Co‑production, Zimbabwe
Rsif Scholar Name
Joseph Manzvera
Thematic Area
Food security and Agribusiness
Africa Host University (AHU)
University of Ghana (UoG), Ghana
Funding Statement
This research was supported by the Partnership for Skills in Applied Sciences, Engineering and Technology‑ Regional Scholarship and Innovation Fund (PASET RSIF)
Recommended Citation
Manzvera, J., Anaman, K. A., Mensah-Bonsu, A., & Barimah, A. (2024). Economic benefits and uses of indigenous seasonal weather forecasts in Zimbabwe. Research on World Agricultural Economy, 162-176. https://doi.org/10.36956/RWAE.V5I4.1240