Improving the water productivity of integrated crop-livestock systems in the semi-arid tropics of Zimbabwe [Elektronische Ressource] : an ex-ante analysis using simulation modeling / Patricia Masikati

Zentrum für Entwicklungsforschung _______________________________________________________________ Improving the water productivity of integrated crop-livestock systems in the semi-arid tropics of Zimbabwe: an ex-ante analysis using simulation modeling Inaugural-Dissertation zur Erlangung des Grades Doktor der Agrarwissenschaften (Dr. agr.) der Hohen Landwirtschaftlichen Fakultät der Rheinischen Friedrich-Wilhelms-Universität zu Bonn vorgelegt am 22.12.2010 von PATRICIA MASIKATI aus BULAWAYO, ZIMBABWE 1. Referent Prof. Dr. H. Goldbach 2. Referent Prof. Dr. P.L.G. Vlek 3. Referent Prof. Dr. K. Südekum Tag der Promotion: 10.03.2011 Erscheinungsjahr: 2011 Diese Dissertation ist auf dem Hochschulschriftenserver der ULB Bonn http://hss.ulb.uni-bonn.de/diss_online elektronisch publiziert ABSTRACT The semi-arid tropics of Zimbabwe are characterized by low economic activity, high incidence of land degradation and a high concentration of the rural poor. Water scarcity is also a principle constraint, and available water is used ineffectively as evidenced by low crop and livestock water productivity. Low crop productivity is partly attributed to inherent low soil fertility, and this is further exacerbated by continuous cropping without addition of adequate organic and inorganic fertilizers due to unavailability and high costs.