A review of the class and gender basis of Agricultural Extension Services in Zimbabwe's communal areas

This survey and review of literature was undertaken in order to lay the foundation for the conceptualisation of the extension study and formulation of hypotheses. It has also guided the selection of areas of in-depth case studies which should add more knowledge to the national extension study. In the review, the study problem is conceptualised at the broad theoretical level and from an analysis of the Zimbabwean reality. A thorough historical examination of how rural social classes and gender developed in Zimbabwe was undertaken in the course of the literature review in an effort to obtain a better understanding of the nature of extension alliances among the rural farmers.