Learning from the past and current food security efforts and challenges in Zimbabwe: the years1430-2020

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, form about 1430 to 2020. The year 1430 marks 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 colonial periods were built around agricultural extension service and Grain Marketing Board strategies. The postcolonial period FS initiatives pivoted humanitarian and development programs. Zimbabwe's FS initiatives across the three historical periods remain susceptible to various challenges (drought, political antagonism, bureaucracy, partnership, corruption, incapacitation and weak support system). As such Zimbabwe's food insecurity levels remain far away from being a reality, unless the identified challenges are take 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 crux of FS-related initiatives. This could foster new partnership and encourage the ethic of working together and participation towards ensuring FS.