1Department of Agronomy and Horticulture, Faculty of Agriculture, Environment and Natural Resources Management, Midlands State University, P. Bag 9055, Gweru, Zimbabwe
2Department of Horticulture, Faculty of Pant and Animal Sciences and Technology, Marondera University of Agricultural Sciences and Technology, Box 35, Marondera, Zimbabwe
*Corresponding Author: Moses Mutetwa, Department of Agronomy and Horticulture, Faculty of Agriculture, Environment and Natural Resources Management, Midlands State University, P. Bag 9055, Gweru, Zimbabwe, Email: mosleymtetwa@gmail.com
As agriculture intensifies and traditional varieties are neglected, agrobiodiversity is declining. This subsequently threatens global food security and reduces farming systems’ ability to meet future challenges. Therefore, this study aimed to analyze the socio-cultural, production and diversity characteristics of local horned melon landraces in Mutoko district of Zimbabwe’s Mashonaland East Province.
Utilizing a mixed-methods design, it gathered quantitative and qualitative data through interviews, observations and semi-structured questionnaires from 135 randomly selected smallholder farmers, with quantitative data analyzed using SPSS.
The majority of horned melon farmers are male (53.4%), married (69.5%) and aged 35-44, primarily relying on traditional knowledge. Agriculture serves as their main occupation (78.0%) and principal income source (85.6%). Horned melon is cultivated for both consumption (94.1%) and income generation (100%), with farmer preferences driven by traits such as sweetness, pulp color and taste. Cultivar selection criteria encompass both qualitative aspects (e.g., shape, color, thorniness) and quantitative traits, notably fruit weight (94.1%) and days to harvest (69.5%), reflecting priorities for yield and early maturity. Farmers exclusively use organic practices (100%) and widely employ intercropping (85.6%), relying primarily on phenotypic selection. Despite these practices, a significant majority (81.4%) cultivate only one local landrace and formal conservation systems are absent. The limited adoption of grading and fertilizers may also constrain yields and market access. The study thus emphasizes the critical need to integrate traditional practices with scientific approaches to enhance productivity and conserve genetic diversity.
Agrobiodiversity, Landrace, Production dynamics, Socio-economics, Traditional knowledge, Underutilized species
