EVALUATION OF SOIL FERTILITY IN PERMANENT PLANTING STATIONS IN A NO-TILL MAIZE FARMING SYSTEM
PRACTICED BY SMALL FARM HOLDERS IN WESTERN CENTRAL ZIMBABWE
DANIEL PHILIP BLANK
MASTER OF SCIENCE
IN SUSTAINABLE AGRICULTURE AND INTEGRATED WATERSHED MANAGEMENT
THE GRADUATE SCHOOL CHIANG MAI UNIVERSITY
JUNE 2012
EVALUATION OF SOIL FERTILITY IN PERMANENT PLANTING STATIONS IN A NO-TILL MAIZE FARMING SYSTEM
PRACTICED BY SMALL FARM HOLDERS IN WESTERN CENTRAL ZIMBABWE
DANIEL PHILIP BLANK
A THESIS SUBMITTED TO THE GRADUATE SCHOOL IN PARTIAL FULFILLMENT OF THE REQUIREMENTS
FOR THE DEGREE OF MASTER OF SCIENCE IN SUSTAINABLE AGRICULTURE
AND INTEGRATED WATERSHED MANAGEMENT
THE GRADUATE SCHOOL CHIANG MAI UNIVERSITY
JUNE 2012
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ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS
Completing a research thesis is like being on a long journey. Most meaningful journeys take time and involve considerable support of others. This has been no exception. I want to thank specifically a number of individuals that without their support and aide, I would be a lot more battered and bruised by this process.
First, to my close friend and primary research assistant in Zimbabwe, Lance Edwards, thank you for the great help and privilege to work together again. To Sifiso Mpofu, your dedication and excellence in faith, daily life, and farming are most admirable. Zimbabwe is a better place because of you. To all the farmers who participated in the study—thank you for your time and contribution. To Jan Mühlena, what a blessing to have your generous assistance in the soil lab. I am grateful to now have you as a friend. To Dr. Holger Fischer, your continued savvy, timely, and wise input were invaluable. Your personable approach is deeply commendable. To the following organizations, please accept my sincere thanks—FfF, ECHO, OTC, Welthungerhilfe, Gulf Coast Citrus Growers Association, and Foundation Fiat Panis.
To the Schaller Family, your friendship and generous accommodations to my family made the journey so much more enjoyable and smoother. To family and friends back in the US, your support while at home and away made this possible! Finally, to my best friend and wonderful wife, Victoria, I thank you for your unfettered support and dedication in helping complete this chapter in our lives. And to our son, Simeon, your timely entrance into this world was the most significant event along this journey.
Daniel Philip Blank
