Developing an entrepreneurial framework for increasing beef production through small and medium enterprises (SMEs) in Zimbabwe

Abstract

Zimbabwe embarked on a Land Reform Program (FTLRP) to fast-track and correct the historical land ownership imbalances. Two models were enacted, the A1 and A2 model to redress the land disparity. The A1 was designed for resettlement of indigenous people in rural areas. The A2 model intened for commercial farming to replicate previously white owned large-scale commercial farms. The introduction of the land reform and indigenisation policies by the government of Zimbabwe was aimed at revamping the economy through black empowerment and social cohesion. In the agricultural sector, the strategy aimed at promoting Small and Medium Enterprises (SMEs) with a focus on agro-processing and agribusinesses in general. This study focused on beef cattle SMEs as a key driver to the agrarian economy. SMEs were the life blood of commercial agriculture in the pre-indigenisation policies, as such, the government introduced a policy to influence beef cattle production across the entire value chain. Despite the noble intention of the policy in Zimbabwe, the beef cattle SMEs have failed to achieve the expected levels of production and value addition in line with pre-land reform levels and standards. TO The contrary, the inception of the land reform and indigenous policies have led to the collapse of the beef cattle SMEs across the Zimbabwe and the situation has deteriorated compared to pre-policy levels and standards. In this study, the researchers used primary and secondary data to explore the challenges and strategies implemented by beef SMEs since the introduction of the A1 and A2 models. A sequential mixed method research design was followed. The collected data was analysed using an Exploratory Factor Analysis (EFA) method and Thematic Analysis method. Findings from the study revealed that Zimbabwe’s policy environment does not support the growth and development of beef cattle SMEs toward the achievement of high-level performances as was envisaged in the onset of the policy reform. Results also show that the government do not have a clear strategy to support beef SMEs to perform better when compared to the pre-colonial level. Furthermore, the study found that the programmes for capacity building; monitoring and evaluation; research and development as well as financial subsidies to beef SMEs are non-existent despite capacity building programmes being the blueprint for the policy reform introduced by the government. This led to the researchers in this study to develop a strategic entrepreneurial framework for beef cattle SMEs in Zimbabwe to enhance beef cattle SMEs production and performance.