The Chairman of Manicaland State University of Applied Sciences (MSUAS) Council, Dr. Blessing Mudavanhu, the Vice Chancellor, Professor. Albert Chawanda, Council, Senate, Staff and Students warmly congratulates Doctor. Rebecca Matangaidze Chimbera for attaining her PHD degrees in the year 2021. The hard work and everything you have done has led to this great qualification.
Dr. Rebecca Matangaidze Chimbera is a seasoned researcher in Agricultural Economics, Agriculture Development, Agricultural Marketing and Agribusiness Management. Dr Matangaidze Chimbera holds a BSc and an MSc honours degree in Agricultural Economics from the University of Zimbabwe. She joined the Women’s University in Africa for PhD studies having worked in the agricultural development and agribusiness sectors of the economy for 28 years. She is a Council Member for MSUAS where she sits in the Resource Mobilization Committee, Research Board and Infrastructure Development Committees.
Her thesis is entitled “The Impact of Cooperatives Institutional Arrangements on Production and Marketing Capacities of Small-Scale Dairy Farmers in Zimbabwe”.
Dr. Rebecca Matangaidze Chimbera
The study investigated cooperatives institutional factors and how they affect production and marketing capacities of small-scale dairy farmers. The study critically analysed institutional and governance factors in five selected dairy cooperatives, Milk Collection Centres (MCCs) in different natural regions of the country. Cooperative structure, conduct, performance was analysed to determine impact on production capacities of smallholder dairy farmers. Farm milk production, volume of milk marketed (intensity of marketing) and farmer incomes were proxies used to measure production capacities and study results show that institutional and governance factors impact farmer performance. From the five selected MCCs, only one was shown to perform well with the other four struggling with institutional and governance issues in particular poor and uncoordinated marketing that failed to motivate members leading to low milk deliveries. Poor managerial competencies of boards and management committees was the major factor causing poor MCC performance leading to member discontentment, inactive participation and eventually side marketing of milk. In light of the above the study recommends adoption of a business-oriented cooperative model that allows private investment for efficient management and sustainability of MCCs. Such strategies will require a reorientation of the cooperative regulatory framework to improve compliance to legislature and constitutional provisions. It also calls on clearly spelt out selection criteria of board and management committee members to ensure MCC success.
