Backing two horses: interaction of agricultural and non-agricultural household activities in a Zimbabwean communal area

Abstract

This paper examines the interaction of agricultural and nonagricultural activities in Mutoko communal area, Mashonaland East Province, Zimbabwe. It looks at three particular issues arising from the interaction of farming households' agricultural and nonagricultural activities. First, how do farm households value different kinds of activities and what dilemmas do they face when choosing occupations? Second, how do historical and cultural institutions and values affect the economic behaviour of farm households in communal areas? Third, how does household income diversification influence productivity? The paper looks especially at aspects of agricultural productivity. By relating present household food insecurity and poverty in communal areas to the national goal of increasing agricultural exports, the author hopes that the answers to these questions may offer insights into microlevel and macrolevel costs and the benefits of household income diversification.