Original Research

Fish farming as an innovative strategy for promoting food security in drought risk regions of Zimbabwe

Elvin Shava, Constance Gunhidzirai
Jàmbá: Journal of Disaster Risk Studies | Vol 9, No 1 | a491 | DOI: https://doi.org/10.4102/jamba.v9i1.491 | © 2017 Elvin Shava, Constance Gunhidzirai | This work is licensed under CC Attribution 4.0
Submitted: 04 May 2017 | Published: 28 November 2017

About the author(s)

Elvin Shava, Department of Public Administration, University of Fort Hare, South Africa
Constance Gunhidzirai, Department of Social Work and Social Development, University of Fort Hare, South Africa

Abstract

This article examines the implementation of fish farming as an innovative and economic strategy for promoting food security and dietary diversities among vulnerable households in drought risk areas of Zimbabwe. The declining climatic conditions and lack of economic opportunities in Mwenezi district of Zimbabwe attracted the attention of three nongovernmental organisations (NGOs) to implement fish farming as an innovative mechanism to stimulate food security and generate employment in the district. The article used a qualitative research approach that includes semi-structured interviews and secondary data. The purposive sampling technique was adopted to interview participants in Mwenezi district who were involved in fish farming to assess and explore the experiences and benefits they derive from such development projects. Results for the article revealed that fish farming was well embraced by local communities as it led to improvements in food security, household income and employment regeneration. The local government including traditional leadership (Chiefs and Headmen’s) supported the NGO activities as they benefited local communities. The article concludes that although fish farming was instrumental in regenerating employment, some participants still fail to participate because of laziness and desire to maintain dependency syndrome. The article recommends the NGOs to launch awareness campaigns in rural communities and increase networking with the donor community which is fundamental in attracting sustainable funding. The government can also promote fish farming in vulnerable rural communities by providing funding and capacity building programmes.

Keywords

fish farming; innovation; food security; sustainable development; Mwenezi District

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