Assessing the effects of food deficit mitigation program to enhance food security in semi-arid regions of Zimbabwe: a case of Ruwangwe area in Nyanga District.

Abstract

Food insecurity remains a persistent problem in Zimbabwe’s semi-arid regions, where unreliable rainfall, infertile soils and recurrent droughts weaken agricultural productivity and household food access. This research assesses the effects of the Food Deficit Mitigation Program by the Grain Marketing Board on enhancing food security in the low-rainfall context of Ruwangwe area, Nyanga District. Using a mixed-methods approach, the study examines the design, implementation and outcomes of the grain distribution intervention. Quantitative data on Household Food Consumption Scores and dietary diversity were collected from 70 beneficiary homesteads, supplemented by qualitative interviews with beneficiaries, program facilitators and local leaders. Findings indicate that the mitigation program has improved short-term food accessibility and nutritional variety for participating homesteads. Nevertheless, sustainability is constrained by inadequate extension support, dependency on external inputs and limited access to agricultural loans as well as markets. The study also reveals that households merging program support with indigenous coping strategies like small livestock rearing and water harvesting shows higher resilience. In conclusion, while the food deficit mitigation program provides instant relief, its long-term impact on food security in Ruwangwe depends on joining them with conservation agriculture, trainings and market linkage activities. Recommendations include strengthen extension support, growing of drought-resistant crops and shifting to resilience-building approaches from aid dependency.