An assessment of the impact of cash transfers on food security: a mixed-methods study of local market dynamics and household access to food in Mangwe district.

Abstract

This research examines the influence of cash transfer programmes on household food security in Mangwe District, Zimbabwe, employing a mixed-methods approach to generate a nuanced understanding of the intervention's impacts. Quantitative data were collected through structured questionnaires that utilised validated indicators such as the Household Food Insecurity Access Scale (HFIAS), Dietary Diversity Score (DDS), and Food Consumption Score (FCS), enabling statistical analysis of changes in food access, availability, and nutritional diversity. Concurrently, qualitative insights were obtained via semi-structured interviews with beneficiaries, local officials, and programme administrators, providing contextual understanding of household experiences, challenges, and perceptions. The theoretical foundation integrates Amartya Sen’s Entitlement Approach, which conceptualises food security in terms of access and resource entitlements, with the Sustainable Livelihoods Framework, which assesses how households leverage various assets to build resilience and diversify livelihoods amidst shocks. The findings indicate that cash transfers, mainly unconditional, have contributed significantly to improving household food access, dietary diversity, and local market activity, thus reducing food insecurity levels among beneficiaries. However, systemic challenges persist, including infrastructural deficits, inflationary pressures, irregular disbursement schedules, and limited financial literacy, which hinder the realisation of optimal outcomes. The study highlights the importance of strengthening disbursement mechanisms, advocating for digital platforms such as mobile money—to ensure timely and transparent transfers. Additionally, it recommends targeted investments in rural infrastructure, including roads and market facilities, to improve market access and food availability. Expanding coverage and transfer amounts is necessary to cope with rising costs and inflation, while financial literacy and asset-building initiatives are vital for fostering long-term resilience. The research underscores that cash transfer programmes should be embedded within broader socio-economic development strategies, including income diversification and social protection policies, to achieve sustainable food security in rural Zimbabwe. The study provides valuable empirical evidence to inform policymakers, development agencies, and stakeholders and advocates for a holistic, context-specific approach to social protection that addresses both immediate needs and systemic constraints. Ultimately, it demonstrates that well-designed and integrated cash transfer schemes can serve as effective catalysts for enhancing food security, reducing vulnerability, and promoting sustainable livelihoods in marginalised rural communities.