ABSTRACT
Labour productivity and technical efficiency of farmers in tobacco and maize production in Zimbabwe were studied in Marondera District. Primary data were collected from 30 tobacco and maize A1 farmers selected using convenient sampling. Data analyses was done using the multiple linear regression and the Linear Programming approach to understanding resource allocation. Results showed that labour from hired and family source was mostly used in tobacco production and permanent labour in maize production. High R square values of is 0.819 and 0.918 were noted for maize and tobacco models respectively. The amount of labour allocated towards maize had a strong significant (p=0.000) effect on maize productivity but a negative (-1.454) relationship between labour allocation in maize and the associated productivity. Net worth of livestock had a negative (-0.961) and significant (p<0.01) effect on maize productivity. The total farm size also had a negative (-0.861) and significant (p<0.05) effect on the labour productivity with maize. Size of permanent labour force was a positive (1.688) and significant (p<0.01) factor in determining maize productivity at the farm. R square value for tobacco model is meaning that the independent variables included explains a large variation of the dependent variable. This is a good indicator of the goodness of fit of the model. Tobacco labour cost had a positive and significant (p<0.1) effect on productivity. The results shows that there is a negative (-0.466) and highly significant (p<0.01) relationship between labour allocation in tobacco and farm productivity. The parameter estimate for net worth of livestock of tobacco is negative (-1.236) and is also very significant (p=0.000). The number of permanent labour has a positive (1.791) relationship with tobacco labour productivity. This variable significantly (p<0.01) affect the productivity levels of tobacco. The coefficient for level of mechanization is negative (-0,707) and significant in relation to tobacco labour productivity. The output of the linear programme stated that out of the average 32 ha that was being “grown” by farmers of both tobacco and maize enterprises using only 25 employees, distributed among the enterprises is not appropriate and results in the profit decline. The results showed that using the current set of resources, in order for optimal productivity of both labour and farm land to be achieved, the farmer should only crop 2 hectares with a labour force of 25 employees so that a profit margin of $2150 can be attained. Farmers need to be trained on resource allocation through workshops and seminars. Motivation of workers through incentives can increase productivity across crop enterprises.

TABLE OF CONTENTS 

RELEASE FORM .... ii 

DECLARATION ..... iii 

LIST OF TABLES ... vi 

LIST OF FIGURES  vii 

DEDICATION ....... viii 

ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS  ix 

ABSTRACT ....x 

CHAPTER ONE 

INTRODUCTION .........1 

1.0 Background of study ........1 

1.1 Problem statement .2 

1.2 Justification 3 

1.3 Objectives ...3 

1.4 Questions ....3 

1.5 Assumptions ..........4 

CHAPTER TWO 

LITERATURE REVIEW ........5 

2.1 Introduction 5 

2.2 The labour planning models: Gaps and opportunities 6 

2.2.1 Factors affecting labour productivity ...7 

2.2.2 Resource and labour productivity .........8 

2.3 Types of labour .....9 

2.4 Labour use and rural production 9 

2.5 Conclusion 12 

CHAPTER THREE METHODOLOGY .13 

3.0 Introduction .........13 

3.1 Conceptual framework ...13 

3.2 Research design ...15 

3.3 Description of Study Area ........15 

3.4 Sample and sampling techniques ........15 

3.5 Data collection ....16 

3.6 Data analysis .......16 

3.6.1    Multiple Regression Analysis .........16 

3.6.2   Linear Programming ....17 

3.6.3 Measurement of Variables .......18 

3.7 Summary ..19 

CHAPTER FOUR RESULTS AND DISCUSSION .....20 

4.1 Introduction .........20 

4.2 Labour productivity models .....20 

4.3 Linear Programming ......24 

CHAPTER FIVE 

CONCLUSIONS AND RECOMMENDATIONS 26 

5.1 Introduction .........26 

5.2 Conclusions .........26 

5.3 Recommendations ..........26 

REFERENCES ........28 

APPENDICES .........30 

Appendix 1: Questionnaire ..30 

Appendix 2: Anova outputs .35 

Appendix 3: Labour Summary .......36     

LIST OF TABLES   

Table 1: Maize labour productivity model 20 

Table 2: Tobacco labour productivity model ....... 22 

Table 3: Solver linear programming output ......... 24     

LIST OF FIGURES  

Figure 1: The labour planning process........ 6 

Figure 2: Conceptual framework intertwining labour with other factors of production ...... 14