Background

Since 1999, Zimbabwe has experienced an unprecedented economic decline. Spiralling inflation, deteriorating physical infrastructure, the public sector’s inability to deliver basic social services and the continued effects of the HIV and AIDS pandemic have led to increased vulnerability among urban and rural populations. Traditional safety nets, such as employment in the informal sector (street vending and open-air markets), have eroded. The humanitarian community is increasingly concerned about the deterioration of livelihoods, rising food insecurity and malnutrition and the possibility of disease outbreaks. An estimated 1.6 million orphans and vulnerable children are at greatest risk.  

The country is also experiencing more frequent naturally-induced disasters, such as droughts, floods and pest infestations. The socio-economic hardships being suffered by much of the population are exacerbated by these crises. In addition to causing extensive crop failures, chronic dry spells are resulting in livestock deaths, which is detrimental to longer-term agricultural development as livestock production is a key livelihood activity in Zimbabwe’s communal areas and animals are difficult and expensive to replace.

Challenges facing food security and livelihoods

Since the start of the land reform programme in 2000, the productivity of the agriculture sector has declined sharply. Agricultural patterns in the country have shifted from developed technological systems to more subsistence farming methods. This growing dependence on external factors, such as rain, is increasing the risk of recurring food insecurities. In 2007, a combination of factors, including adverse weather, insufficient agricultural inputs, deteriorating farming infrastructure, the disincentive effect of controlled producer prices and the impact of HIV and AIDS, led to a poor cereal harvest.

The FAO/WFP Crop and Food Supply Assessment Mission (CFSAM), conducted in April and May 2007, found that the decline in national food production was also due to the newly-settled farmers’ inability to utilize all the arable land allocated to them. This was a result of shortages of tractor or draught power and fertilizers, lack of secure tenure, under-investment in infrastructure and improvements, funding constraints and a lack of incentives because of price controls.

For the 2007/2008 season, the issues of availability and affordability of major agricultural inputs (such as seeds and fertilizers) are a key cause for concern. While the country should produce 35 000 tonnes of maize seed, many remote areas may be unable to source it because of poor transport infrastructure or fuel shortages. Failure to address the needs of the agriculture sector will lead to a further erosion of livelihoods and greater vulnerability to food insecurity, particularly among the rural poor.

FAO’s response

FAO is seeking US$38 110 000 for emergency and rehabilitation assistance in Zimbabwe in 2008. Interventions in the agriculture sector will aim to improve household food security for vulnerable populations, through increased productivity, and ensure resources are used in a cost-effective manner in order to reduce reliance on, and identify alternatives to, external food aid.

FAO’s planned support in 2008 will focus on enabling communal farmers to produce sufficient food to meet their family consumption needs and sell any surplus to generate income. Hands-on extension support will be provided to improve farming practices among smallholder farmers.

In terms of livestock support, FAO intends to work with farmers’ unions, the Livestock Production and Department of Veterinary Services and NGOs to improve the provision of dipping services for livestock in communal areas, combat foot-and-mouth disease and ensure the elimination of Newcastle disease in rural areas of Zimbabwe.

In order to strengthen local communities’ capacity to respond to the nutrition challenges posed by HIV and AIDS, FAO will seek to improve household dietary diversity through the provision of seeds, such as butternut and sugar bean. Support will also be provided to integrate nutrition education through the Healthy Harvest manual, which aims to train community workers in good nutrition and growing, preparing and processing healthy food.