Revival of Indigenous Food Security Strategies at the Village Level: The Human Factor Implications

Abstract

This article reports findings of an evaluation of the Zunde raMambo practice as a survival strategy in selected rural districts in Zimbabwe. The assumption made when the Zunde was being revived was that its revival would go a long way in minimizing food stress in some rural areas. The revival of the Zunde raMambo practice was started in 1996 by members of the Chief’s Council of Zimbabwe, in collaboration with the Nutrition Unit of the Ministry of Health and Child Welfare. The main objective was to revive the Zunde as a sustainable community project, in line with what was once a known Shona traditional practice. In attempting to revive this traditional practice, there was a need to assess variables such as the nature of existing social and economic structures, leadership, and the availability of resources such as land and agricultural inputs and implements. The article also reflects on policy issues surrounding rural development and survival strategies used by rural people. The article also suggests that the human factor approach offers the best way to the understanding of peoples’ needs, problems and how problems can be tackled. Data used in this article was collected between November and December 1999.