The contribution of greenhouse farming as a climate-smart agricultural practice in the production of perishable food products in Matabeleland south province, Zimbabwe = 짐바브웨 남부 마타벨란드 주에서 부패하기 쉬운 식품 생산에 있어 기후 스마트 농업 관행으로서의 온실 농업의 기여

다국어 초록 (Multilingual Abstract)

This study assesses the contribution of greenhouse farming as a vital Climate- Smart Agriculture (CSA) technique in the production of perishable food products in Matabeleland South Province, Zimbabwe. The region is characterized by severe arid conditions, which render traditional rain-fed agriculture unsustainable and highly vulnerable to escalating climate change impacts (erratic rainfall, extreme temperatures, and recurrent droughts). However, there is a critical implementation paradox. Although there is overwhelming farmers’ awareness of greenhouse farming's benefits (95.7%) and its technical superiority, the level of adoption remains critically low. This is an indicator of a fundamental breakdown between knowledge and practice, a gap that is driven by systemic barriers. This study was grounded on the CSA framework and employed a mixed- methods approach to collect data from 120 farmers and key institutional informants across the districts of Gwanda, Beitbridge, and Matobo. The findings confirmed greenhouse farming as an essential adaptation strategy that concomitantly addresses the three pillars of CSA (productivity, adaptation and mitigation) The study concludes that the slow rate of adoption is due to three dominant systemic barriers which are high initial setup costs (cited by 69.8% of respondents), a critical lack of technical knowledge and training (76.7% reported receiving no formal support), and persistent infrastructural deficiencies (limited access to reliable water sources) To address the identified obstacles and facilitate widespread adoption, the study urgently proposes targeted financial support (concessionary loans and subsidies), comprehensive capacity-building programs and dedicated water infrastructure development. Greenhouse farming is a practical and scalable CSA solution for sustainable agricultural transformation whose full potential can only be realized through strategic policy intervention.

목차 (Table of Contents)

• Abstract i
• Table of Contents iii
• List of Tables ix
• List of Figures x
• List of Acronyms xii
• Chapter 1- Introduction １
• 1.1 Introduction and background １
• 1.1.1 The imperative for Climate-Smart Agriculture (CSA) １
• 1.1.2 Focus on Matabeleland south province and the greenhouse solution ２
• 1.1.3 The status of greenhouse farming in Zimbabwe and Southern Africa ３
• 1.2 Statement of the problem ４
• 1.3 Purpose of the study ５
• 1.4 Research objectives ６
• 1.5 Research questions ７
• 1.6 Delimitations ７
• 1.7 Envisaged structure of the study ８
• 1.8 Chapter summary ９
• iv
• Chapter 2 Literature review １１
• 2.1 Chapter introduction １１
• 2.2 Climate-Smart Agriculture (CSA): the theoretical framework １１
• 2.2.1 The three pillars of CSA １２
• 2.3 CSA in Zimbabwe and main techniques １３
• 2.3.1 Zimbabwe's policy commitment １３
• 2.3.2 Main CSA techniques promoted １４
• 2.4 Greenhouse farming: definition, characteristics, and economic context . １５
• 2.4.1 Definition and technical characteristics １６
• 2.4.2 Economic and social aspects １８
• 2.5 Regional context: comparative studies in Southern Africa １８
• 2.6 Challenges and policy gaps hindering adoption ２０
• 2.6.1 Financial and economic barriers ２０
• 2.6.2 Technical and knowledge gaps ２０
• 2.6.3 Infrastructural and resource limitations ２０
• 2.6.4 Policy and institutional support ２１
• 2.7 Chapter summary ２１
• Chapter 3 – Methodology ２２
• 3.1 Chapter introduction ２２
• 3.2 Research approach and design ２２
• 3.2. 1 Research approach ２２
• v
• 3.2.2 Research design ２４
• 3.2.2 (a) Explanation of design ２４
• 3.2.3 Data integration strategy (Triangulation) ２５
• 3.3 Population and sampling ２６
• 3.3.1 The population and sample size determination ２６
• 3.3.1 (a) Total farmer population (Census data) ２６
• 3.3.1 (b) Calculation of sample size ２７
• 3.3.1 (c) Sample allocation ２８
• 3.3.2 The sampling procedure ２８
• 3.3.2 (a) Simple random sampling (quantitative strand) ２８
• 3.3.2 (b) Purposive sampling (qualitative strand) ２９
• 3.4 Data collection instruments ３０
• 3.4.1 Semi-structured questionnaires (quantitative strand). ３０
• 3.4.1 (a) Instrument design and structure ３１
• 3.4.1 (b) Administration and efficiency ３１
• 3.4.2 Interview guides ３２
• 3.4.1 (a) Instrument design and structure ３３
• 3.4.1 (b) Data depth and triangulation ３３
• 3.5 Data collection procedures ３４
• 3.5.1 Ethical considerations ３４
• 3.5.1. (a) Ethical protocols for quantitative data (farmer survey) ３５
• vi
• 3.5.1. (b) Ethical protocols for qualitative data (key informant interviews) .. ３５
• 3.5.2 Fieldwork and data collection ３６
• 3.5.2. (a) Quantitative collection (farmer survey) ３６
• 3.5.2. (b) Qualitative collection (key informant interviews) ３７
• 3.5.3 Validity and reliability ３７
• 3.6 Data presentation and analysis ３８
• 3.6.1 Quantitative data analysis ３８
• 3.6.1.(a) Data preparation and software ３８
• 3.6.1.(b) Analytical techniques ３８
• 3.6.1.(c) Data presentation ３９
• 3.6.2 Qualitative data analysis (thematic analysis) ３９
• 3.6.3 Data integration (thematic triangulation) ４１
• 3.7 Chapter summary ４１
• Chapter 4: Presentation and discussion of findings ４３
• 4. 1 Chapter introduction ４３
• 4.2 Presentation of findings ４３
• 4.2.1 Demographic characteristics of the population ４４
• 4.2.1 (a) Gender distribution of respondents ４４
• 4.2.1 (b) Age distribution of respondents ４４
• 4.2.1 (c) Education levels of respondents ４５
• 4.2.2 Awareness, adoption and comparison of farming systems ４６
• vii
• 4.2.2 (a) Farmers awareness of greenhouse farming technique ４６
• 4.2.2 (b) Sources of information on greenhouse farming ４６
• 4.2.3. Preferred farming technique for perishable foods/crops ４７
• 4.2.4. Farming systems of respondents (open-field vs. greenhouse farming) ４８
• 4.2.5 Comparison between greenhouse and open-field farming ４９
• 4.2.5 (a) Comparison on yield ５０
• 4.2.5 (b) Quality of produce ５１
• 4.2.8 Most recommended farming technique comparison ５２
• 4.2. 9 Perceptions and challenges ５４
• 4.2.9 (a) Contribution of greenhouse farming to food security ５４
• 4.2. 9 (b) Training and support for greenhouse farming ５５
• 4.2.9 (c) Challenges for the adoption of greenhouse farming technique ５５
• 4.2.10 Support needed to adopt and expand greenhouse farming ５６
• 4.3 Discussion of results and findings (thematic analysis) ５７
• 4.3.1 Theme 1: Overwhelming consensus on CSA success ５８
• 4.3.2 Theme 2: The dominant barrier is financial and systemic ５９
• 4.3.3 Theme 3: Support gaps and resource management issues ５９
• 4.4 Chapter summary ６０
• Chapter 5: Conclusions and recommendations ６２
• 5.1 Chapter introduction ６２
• 5.2 Conclusions on the contribution of greenhouse farming ６２
• viii
• 5.2.1 Conclusion on productivity. ６２
• 5.2.2 Conclusion on adaptation and resilience ６３
• 5.2.3 Conclusion on mitigation ６４
• 5.3 Conclusions on barriers to adoption and policy gaps ６４
• 5.3.1 Financial constraint ６４
• 5.3.2 Technical and training gap ６５
• 5.3.3 Infrastructural failure ６５
• 5.4 Recommendations ６５
• 5.4.1 Strategic financial support and subsidy mechanisms ６６
• 5.4.2 Comprehensive training and capacity building ６６
• 5.4.3 Water infrastructure development and management ６７
• 5.4.4Supportive policies and collaboration.６８
• 6. References ６９
• Korean abstract Error! Bookmark not defined.
• Acknowledgement ７７
• Dedication ７９
• 7. Appendix ８０
• <!-- Not Allowed Tag Filtered -->&lt;Appendix 1&gt; Interview Guide for Policymakers and Extension Officers
• ８０
• <!-- Not Allowed Tag Filtered -->&lt;Appendix 2&gt; Questionnaire for farmers ８３
• ix