Wildlife based Land Reform and its Impact on Household Food Security-A Case from Zimbabwe

Abstract

The study was conducted to evaluate the Wildlife Based Land Reform Programme and its impact on household food security in Matetsi Intensive Conservation Area A1 resettlement villages. Twenty questionnaires were distributed to households in Woodlands village to gather quantitative data to assess the level of household food security in the study area. In addition, a focus group discussion was done with three village heads, the ward councillor and three members of the Village Development Committee to examine the challenges faced by the resettled farmers in the wildlife venture and assess the level of stakeholder support. Key informant interviews were done with representatives of some selected government departments to examine their roles and responsibilities in the programme. The results of the study revealed that the programme had a significant contribution towards household food security. Access to more productive land resulted in significant improvements in cereal production. The additional income from hunting dividends helped beneficiaries to purchase agricultural inputs and more non-staple foods resulting in families living on a diversified diet. The study concludes that the Wildlife Based Land Reform Programme achieved its main goal of improving household food security. The study recommends that the few challenges faced by the farmers such as lack of wildlife management knowledge and resource constraints should be priority interventions to ensure the sustainability of the livelihoods in the study area.