An evaluation of smallholder draught animal power systems was conducted in six study areas in Masvingo and Chivi districts of Masvingo province over two seasons 1999-2000 and 2000-2002. The objective was to investigate the effect of renovating animal-drawn ploughs and cultivators on field performance and on maize and cotton yields at smallholder level as well as to assess farmers’ attitudes and constraints in using draught animal power (DAP) and implements. Trials were conducted to test the hypothesis that implements in good condition make better use of DAP than implements in poor condition in terms of field performance, quality of tillage and crop yields. Focus group discussions and a survey of 100 households were conducted to investigate the resource base of smallholder farmers. Farmers were characterised into four wealth categories based on physical capital, as related to draught animal and implement ownership. Fifty-three ploughs and two cultivators owned by different households were tested, before and after renovation, with the participation of the respective households. An evaluation of the trials was conducted 14 months later to assess the benefits of implement renovation trials and the impact of training on attitudes of farmers towards operation, repair and maintenance of implements.