Contribution of Smallholder Tobacco Contract Farming to Economic and Human Development of Rural Communities in Zimbabwe: A Case of Igava Community, Marondera District

Abstract

COVID-19 pandemic is impacting institutions around the world. Its scope and economic dimensions pinpoint that it poses a major threat to achieving the UN Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). The main objective of this research is to discuss how the coronavirus pandemic may influence the SDGs and affect their implementation. The methods used entail an analysis of literature, observations and an assessment of current world trends and applied UNDP method to Arab countries. Methodology/approach—The motivation behind this research is to assess the impacts of the COVID-19 pandemic. To do so, as a first step, we conduct an initial factual analysis to identify the patterns of how the COVID-19 pandemic has impacted the SDGs and has emphasized the interconnectedness of the SDGs. This target is achieved by conducting the methodology of the United Nations Development Program, with the aid of Pardee Center at the University of Denver by using the impact of three different scenarios of COVID-19 on the Sustainable Development Goals, while capturing the multidimensional impacts of the pandemic over the coming decades. The main finding of this research is showing how governments can make choices today that have the greatest potential to advance progress in the future, within planetary boundaries. This type of analysis can enable governments to turn COVID-19 from a short-term crisis into an opportunity to shift to sustainable development in the long term.