Livelihood contributions and gender empowerment from Marula projects in Matobo District in Zimbabwe.

Abstract

The study investigated the livelihoods contributions and gender empowerment from Marula project in Matobo District in Zimbabwe. Marula projects are amongst a broad spectrum of Non-Wood Forest Products (NWFPs), and they constitute a vital component of human survival as they provide an alternative to livelihood sources. The study therefore sought to establish how the projects were contributing to the livelihoods and gender empowerment of local communities within the District. The study adopted a mixed research design which took the form of a triangulation approach. The study was carried out in Ward 16 which was purposively sampled from the 25 Wards that constitute Matobo District. Ward 16 was preferred because it had a dense population of Marula tree species compared to other wards. Within the Ward, the study purposively sampled three villages namely: Silozwane, Tombo and Shazhabukwa, because of their active involvement in Marula projects. Data was collected through focus group discussions, key informant interviews and participant observation. Collected data was analysed using a side by side approach, which is a method for analysing data for mixed design studies. The findings were presented on an objective by objective basis. The findings from the first objective indicated that communities in Matobo District did not have a core livelihood strategy since their livelihoods were diversified and seasonally based. Findings from the second objective affirmed the effectiveness of Marula projects as a livelihood strategy in Matobo District. The findings indicated that Marula projects were compatible to other livelihoods within the district. Furthermore, the findings indicated that Marula projects positively contributed to household income and well-being of the participating household farmers. Findings from the third objective established a correlation between Marula projects and gender empowerment. The findings indicated that Marula project have redefined the breadwinner concept as women who have traditionally depended on their husbands for livelihood were now economically empowered to put bread and butter on the table. This is a land mark finding which chronicles the significance of Marula projects on gender empowerment. Findings from the fourth objective indicated that although the Marula projects were effective as a livelihood strategy and also as a gender empowerment tool, the projects faced a plethora of challenges which needed to be redressed in order for the projects to be sustainable. Suggested solutions to the identified challenges were proffered. The study winded up by provoking future researchers to establish the feasibility of NWFPs in creating lasting opportunities for rural livelihood enhancement.