Learning from past and current food security efforts and challenges in Zimbabwe: The years 1430–2020

Abstract

Zimbabwe has been experiencing food insecurity for many centuries. This study sought to explore and learn from Zimbabwe’s past and current food security (FS) efforts and challenges, through three historical periods, namely the precolonial, colonial and postcolonial, from about 1430 to 2020. The year 1430 marks the establishment of the Monomotapa state, one of the starting points for Zimbabwe’s own national reconstruction. Adopting a qualitative paradigm, data were obtained using document review and interviewing 85 purposively selected key informants, some of whom were found using snowballing. The study found that the adopted FS strategies during the precolonial, colonial and postcolonial periods were dynamic and mainly derived by new political agendas and crises. The food production and storage aspects of the colonial period were built around agricultural extension services and Grain Marketing Board strategies. The postcolonial period FS initiatives pivoted on humanitarian and development programs. Zimbabwe’s FS initiatives across the three historical periods remain susceptible to various challenges (droughts, political antagonism, bureaucracy, partisanship, corruption, incapacitation and weak support systems). As such, Zimbabwe’s food insecurity levels remain far away from being a reality, unless the identified challenges are taken head-on by all stakeholders. Therefore, the study recommends that informed local wisdom be given space in finding a lasting solution to food insecurity. Meanwhile, multistakeholder inclusivity, knowledge development and management should be made the crux of FS-related initiatives. This could foster new partnerships and encourage the ethic of working together and participation towards ensuring FS.

Evolution of Agricultural Extension in Zimbabwe: Emerging Technologies, Training Needs and Future Possibilities

“…Farmer Training (MFT) program was then formed in 1935 to offer agricultural courses to farmers (Zvavanyange, 2014;Ngwenya et al, 2022). Several institutions were set up in Zimbabwe to train nationals as agricultural demonstrators who later joined the Department of Native Affairs (Zvavanyange, 2014).…”

An Analysis of Correlations between Institutional Governance and Economic Development in Zimbabwe

“…Strategy (ZEDS), the Short Term Emergency Recovery Programme (STERP I), the Short Term Emergency Programme (STERP II), the Medium Term Plan (MTP) to the Transitional Stabilisation Programme (TSP). According to Ngwenya (2022), the early years of independence were marked by policies aimed at redressing colonial era imbalances by assimilating previously marginalised people into the mainstream economy. The government had to assist these people through land resettlement, free education, health care, and job creation.…”

An overview of Volume 14, No 1 (2022)

“…These articles demonstrate the necessity of close relationships, trust and solidarity between all stakeholders concerned with disaster risk management, across scales and geographies. This would help to resolve persistent problems – such as food insecurity – felt at the local level by underserved and isolated communities (Matunhu, Mago & Matunhu 2022 ; Ngwenya, Lunga & Van Eeden 2022 ).…”