An analysis on the impacts of land distribution process on food security in Zimbabwe. the case of Mashonaland East.

Abstract

The whites had large and fertile portion of land while the blacks had small and unfertile piece of land and this created room for land distribution process as a way of equality, fairness and justice. The blacks wanted to enhance their food security and in an effort to improve their food security; the government implemented land reform program where they attained their land from the colonizers (whites). However after the action their food security became worse. The main objective of the study is to investigate the impacts of land distribution process on food security in Mashonaland East. Data was collected using an in-depth interview, focus group discussions and documentary review. The first objective was to analyse the reasons why land reform was conducted in Mashonaland East. The results show that politics was crucial reason for the implementation of land reform program. Some factors have also played a role for example attaining its economic independence and fighting imperialism. The second objective was to investigate the impacts of land reform program on food security in Mashonaland East. The results show that the implementation of land reform program paved way for food insecurity. The third objective was to evaluate the challenges faced by the new farmers in Mashonaland East. The results show that most of the farmers had inadequate knowledge about the farming business and this affected their food security. The fourth objective was to proffer some recommendations in improving food security in Zimbabwe. The results show that full cycle training should be done to equip farmers with knowledge.