Mbire District Research Articles

Assessing the Human-Wildlife Conundrum in Zimbabwe: Implications for Social Work Practice

Human-wildlife conflict is a global crisis that has significantly impacted the local livelihoods of the rural populace of the world. This study aimed to examine the consequences and effects of human-wildlife conflict in Mbire District, Ward 1, Zimbabwe. This paper analysed a range of issues, including human-wildlife conflict, poaching, habitat loss, and socio-economic impacts, all of which intertwine to create a complex web of challenges with severe consequences for both humans and wildlife alike. The study was informed by the Musha/Nyumba and social conflict theories. The research used the qualitative method, where structured face-to-face interviews were conducted. Data was gathered from a sample of thirty participants and three key informants who were purposively selected to participate in the study. The study utilized a case-study research design. Data collected from the interviews were analysed to identify categories, emerging themes, and areas of agreement or disagreement in relation to the research questions. The study revealed that the consequences of human-wildlife conflicts include competition for resources, threats to human safety, crop and livestock damage, conservation concerns, and disruption of ecosystem balance. The paper concluded that human-wildlife conflict is a serious global threat to sustainable development, food security, wildlife conservation, and health, a concern that is negatively affecting people, wildlife, and the achievement of sustainable development goals. Evidence-based recommendations were provided to policymakers and stakeholders, including education initiatives, compensation and insurance schemes, land use planning, community engagement, and the development of early warning systems. This paper contributes to the ongoing debate on the economics of human-wildlife conflict and the contribution of wildlife to local livelihoods. Keywords: Human-Wildlife, Conflict, Wildlife, Zimbabwe

Why do riparian communities persist in disaster-prone areas? Empirical evidence from Mbire District, Zimbabwe

Why do riparian communities persist in disaster-prone areas? Empirical evidence from Mbire District, Zimbabwe

Selection of appropriate on-site household sanitation options for rural communities of Zimbabwe – case of Mbire district, Zimbabwe

ABSTRACT Selecting an appropriate sanitation option involves multiple stakeholders with often conflicting objectives. A multiple criteria decision analysis (MCDA) framework was developed to inform decision makers on selecting appropriate sanitation options for rural communities. Criteria established from literature were evaluated and weighted on-line by stakeholders. A performance matrix was developed by assigning weights to criteria and scoring alternatives. Selection of alternatives was based on a composite appropriateness index from a rank using the simple multi-attribute ranking technique. The framework was evaluated by verification, validation and sensitivity analysis. Five alternatives were evaluated on 14 decision criteria. The first preferred alternative was the urine diverting dry toilet (72.54) then the Blair ventilated improved pit latrine (67.10). The framework was commented as reasonable and robust. A simple and transparent MCDA framework was developed considering local conditions in a participatory manner to select appropriate alternatives for rural sanitation where a single option is encouraged.

Enhancing Resilience to Recurrent Droughts and Floods in Semi-Nomadic Communities: A Case of CMDRR amongst the Doma Community in Mbire District, Zimbabwe

Marginalized communities in Zimbabwe experience recurrent climate threats due to low-risk perception, lack of awareness, depletion of household assets, and marginalization from the mainstream economy. The Doma community has had their livelihoods undermined by recurrent droughts and floods perennially. The study analyzed the causes of vulnerability and evaluated approaches employed by CBO Focus in building community resilience to hazards in this community in Mbire district. A case study design was employed. Focus group discussions, interviews, and community hazard mapping were used as data collection tools during the assessment. Training, sports, theatre arts, and functional adult literacy approaches were used in building resilience to shocks. Village heads, community leaders and the ward councillor led the activities and discussions. The Doma community is reserved and rarely interacts with outsiders, thus ill-prepared for disasters. Risk perception is low, and they lack the literacy skills to process early warning alerts. Lack of household productive assets and poorly constructed dagga huts that are susceptible to floods increase their vulnerability. Their nomadic practices are limited by national parks and conservancies. This has led to a sedentary life with little agronomic skills. The community produced a draft disaster preparedness plan and has sought collaborations with stakeholders in addition to initiating resilience-building strategies. Scaling up agronomic training, accelerated non-farm economic activities and market linkages will improve resilience to hazards. The integration of traditional knowledge into CMDRR approaches will promote project sustainability and enhance community resilience. Government support through infrastructure development and drafting policies that will promote disaster preparedness is desirable.

Rural Development in the 21St Century. Case of Angwa Mbire District

Rural Development in the 21St Century. Case of Angwa Mbire District

Wetlands in drylands: Use and conflict dynamics at the human–wildlife interface in Mbire District, Zimbabwe

AbstractWetlands in drylands are important resources for agriculture and wildlife, but competition may result in human–wildlife conflict. We sought to understand conditions under which people and wildlife sharing wetlands in drylands may coexist. We applied track counts in riverine wetlands in the dry and wet season (n = 36 days) using belt transects, focus group discussions (n = 3), key informant interviews (n = 26), a household socio‐economic survey (n = 180) and secondary data analysis to study human–wildlife interactions in a community‐based wildlife management area in Zimbabwe. Twenty‐six wildlife species that used riverine wetlands were identified. High population density and riverine agriculture — with access to cattle and ploughs enabling cultivation of larger fields — limited wildlife access to wetlands. Seasonality, drought, water availability and soil fertility, aggravated by limited alternative livelihood opportunities and lack of political will to control cropping and settlement in wetlands, were drivers of conflict. Hence, models based on population pressure and resource availability are insufficient to inform human–wildlife conflict mitigation. Strategies that undercut rent‐seeking behaviour are needed to enable human–wildlife coexistence. Concerted action among stakeholders including linking wildlife conservation benefits to compliance with wetland‐use regulations, water‐user committees, water provisioning and labour‐saving technologies in uplands, livelihood diversification and incentivised production of drought‐tolerant crops are recommended.

Evaluating the Relevance of the CAMPFIRE Principles to Wildlife Utilization in Northern Zimbabwe

Problems of having poor, rural communities value, manage, and benefit from local natural resources has been an ongoing concern in the development literature. The Communal Areas Management Programme for Indigenous Resources (CAMPFIRE) is one attempt to deal with such problems. Our study evaluates the extent to which CAMPFIRE conforms to principles contained in the original CAMPFIRE Guidelines of 1991. These early principles were meant to guide the devolution of proprietorship over wildlife to Rural District Councils (RDCs) to manage wildlife with and on behalf of local communities. In so doing, these early principles are linked to the contemporary governance theory. Our evaluation is based on data collected in Chapoto Ward, Mbire District, in northern Zimbabwe, from January to March 2017 using in-depth interviews with heads of households, key informant interviews and a focus group discussion. These were complemented by document analysis. Our evaluation shows that the principles have not been fully followed because CAMPFIRE was implemented as a strategic compromise between communities and RDCs since devolved community rights were not legally supported at the time. We suggest that policy and legislation changes be made to redesign community-based natural resource management (CBNRM) into a more robust model that enhances the full devolution of rights over wildlife and benefits to promote democratic governance and ensure bottom-up accountability.

Socio-ecological Dynamics Within Rural Settlements: Evidence from Mbire District in Zimbabwe

Humans are a part, of and not separate from, nature, and as such policies that enhance the co-relationship of humans and nature while adaptive are a necessity now than before. This article investigates the socio-ecological dynamics within rural settlements in Mbire, Zimbabwe. It provides reasons for people’s migration to Mbire from some parts of Zimbabwe. It brings out the increase in school dropouts in Mbire and how teachers are understaffed. The study unravels the issues concerning black magic that was practised then, the school dropouts in Mbire, the history of people moving in search of salt, their communication with spirit mediums and cotton farming. Interviews and desktop research were used, with content analysis for data analysis and collection. The remedy for meeting challenges arising from socio-ecological changes is facilitating adaptive measures that meet the emerging needs of communities without compromising nature’s rights.

Drivers and barriers to sustained use of Blair ventilated improved pit latrine after nearly four decades in rural Zimbabwe.

BackgroundSome latrines remain unused even under conditions of high coverage in rural areas of low- and middle-income countries. Not much is known on household latrine use in the long term in the absence of an intervention. The current work assesses drivers and barriers to sustained use of a ventilated improved pit latrine (Blair VIP) design where it originated and how rural households adapt it to climate change.MethodsA mixed methods study was conducted from November 2020 to May 2021 among rural households of Mbire district, Zimbabwe. A cross sectional survey of 238 households with Blair ventilated improved pit (BVIP) latrines was conducted using a questionnaire and a latrine observation checklist. Data were analysed using logistic regression. Qualitative data were collected using six focus groups among house heads and analysed by thematic analysis.ResultThe latrine has perceived health, non-health and hygiene benefits for its sustained use. However, there are design, environmental and social barriers. The quantitative study indicated that determinants of latrine use were contextual (individual and household levels) and technology (individual level) factors. Focus groups indicated that latrine use was influenced by social, technology and contextual factors at multiple level factors. Interplay of factors influenced the intention to adapt the BVIP latrine to climate change. Local climate change adaptation strategies for the latrine were odour and erosion control, construction of the conventional latrine design and raised structures.ConclusionThe conventional BVIP latrine design is durable and relatively resilient to climate change with high local household use. High construction cost of the latrine causes households to build incomplete and poor quality designs which affect odour and fly control. These are barriers to sustained latrine use. The government should implement the new sanitation policy which considers alternative sanitation options and offer community support for adapting sanitation to climate change.

Indigenous local observations and experiences can give useful indicators of climate change in data-deficient regions

This study demonstrates that Indigenous local observations and experiences can enrich knowledge of climate change, particularly in data-deficient regions that are not adequately covered by weather stations. Paradoxically, these places host groups of Indigenous Peoples who have rich knowledge about their local climates from their many years of constant interactions with the environment. The study used group-based semi-structured interviews to collaborate with keystone elderly participants who had profound knowledge and lived experiences about observed changes in their local environment (n = 13). These participants were identified through theoretical sampling from four remote Indigenous villages of Mbire District in Zimbabwe. The purpose of the study was to identify indicators of climate change impacts from communities believed not to have been much influenced by the scientific construct of climate change. Results revealed that the locals have a keen interest to closely observe changes occurring in their environment, including finer accounts of experiences with climatic events, owing to their predominantly climate-sensitive livelihoods. These results corroborate existing evidence about a warmer and drier climate and the reported increase in the frequency and severity of drought as well as floods in the area, and add finer details to the changes in ecological, hydrological and human systems, which are not sufficiently reported in existing climate impact studies. We also flagged new observations in biological systems as pointers for further intensive investigation. Given the complexity associated with understanding impacts of climate change and the urgent need to refine knowledge about the same, we argued for perforation of the boundaries of climate science to accommodate enriching perceptions of Indigenous communities who have been religiously observing changes happening in their local environment, albeit being relegated.

The Impact of Performance Management on the Supervision of Educational Personnel in Secondary Schools in Mbire District

The Impact of Performance Management on the Supervision of Educational Personnel in Secondary Schools in Mbire District

Flood inundation mapping in data‐scarce areas: A case of Mbire District, Zimbabwe

AbstractFloods are one of the most devastating weather‐related hazards that are affecting millions of people over the world every year. In some poor resource areas such as Mbire District in Zimbabwe, the floods are difficult to anticipate and prepare for. Hence the need for spatial modelling of the past flood events for effective response and management. This study modelled the flood extent and depth based on data from household surveys, transect walks and a digital elevation model (DEM). A sample of 304 households was used, with 70% for calibration and 30% for validation of the flood extent. Twenty‐four flood depth measurements obtained from transect walks were used to validate the modelled flood depths based on a linear regression model. The flood depth of the worst most recent flood (January 2015) at each household was combined with altitude from the DEM using the sum function, and the inverse distance weighting was applied to model the worst flood depth. The flood extent was considered as those areas where flood depth was higher than the DEM. Approximately 24% of the area was covered by floods. The modelled flood extent agreed reasonably well with what was reported during the survey (probability of detection 0.93 and accuracy level about 0.8). Most of the areas in the wards experienced flood depths greater than 2 m, especially along the major rivers. Such areas are dangerous for people, animals and properties such as boreholes, houses, schools and clinics located on the floodplain. These results can be used for planning purposes in preparing and responding to stages of the flood management cycle. However, there is a need for further research to improve the performance and applicability of the methodology applied in this study in other settings.

An exploratory analysis of the spatial variation of malaria cases and associated household socio-economic factors in flood-prone areas of Mbire district, Zimbabwe

An exploratory analysis of the spatial variation of malaria cases and associated household socio-economic factors in flood-prone areas of Mbire district, Zimbabwe

Paradoxes surrounding carbon credits and local area development: the case of Mbire District, Zimbabwe

ABSTRACT Curbing deforestation, through carbon rights, has become a top priority in many countries in the face of climate change and global warming. This article is based on a study that investigated the promotion of clean environments in Zimbabwe. It seeks to question and investigate the effectiveness and efficiency of carbon credits in promoting development in Mbire District. Using documentary analysis, secondary data guided by the Reducing Emissions from Deforestation and Forest Degradation (REDD+) concepts as the main framework; the article questions the feasibility of the initiative in the context of Mbire District. Are carbon credits enhancing development or slowing down development? The research discovered that promoting clean development in Mbire is a success as the district is earning much income from carbon credits. However, there are limitations noted to have arisen due to several internal and external factors both in Mbire District and within the government. Development in Mbire is occurring at a marginal level as people in Mbire are g depending on carbon projects for income yet the selling of carbon credits is not yet fully conceptualised and fully accepted by many local companies. The article reveals that there is a need to re-visualise the issue of the environmental market with environmental spectacles and look at the carbon credits and their impacts through social-cultural lances. Zimbabwe needs more technical knowledge and to design procedures in promoting carbon projects in a way that suits the way of life of the communities of Mbire District.

Nutritional profile of the wild harvested armoured cricket (Acanthoplus discoidalis) (Orthoptera:Tettigoniidae) in northern region of Zimbabwe

Armoured crickets are an important food source in some parts of Zimbabwe. These insects are abundant in some regions but however, they are under utilised and not much is known about their nutritional value. The aim of this study was to determine the nutritional profile of the armoured cricket (Acanthoplus discoidalis). Armoured crickets were collected from a structured sampling framework in Mbire district Mashonaland Central province of Zimbabwe. Removal of the head and thorax, degutting and boiling were done. A proximate analysis was carried out followed by mineral, amino acid and fatty acid profiling of the prepared insects. Analyses were done on a dry basis.A. discoidalis contained 69.2% protein, 16.8% fat, 8.6% ash, 1.2% carbohydrate, 4.2% chitin and 454.3 Kcal/100 g energy. A 100 g dry weight quantity of insect contains 11.48 mg iron which is enough to meet the required daily intake of 10.0-20 mg/day for an adult. The zinc (4.37 mg/100 g dry weight) and phosphorus (491.4 mg/100 g dry weight) content inA. discoidalis almost meets the reference nutrient intake for adults. Essential amino acids, leucine (60.7 mg/g protein) had the highest concentration followed by phenylalanine+tyrosine (59.3 mg/g protein), valine (48.4 mg/g protein), lysine (46.7 mg/g protein), threonine (37.4 mg/g protein), isoleucine (26.4 mg/g protein), methionine+cysteine (20.9 mg/g protein) and histidine (16.5 mg/g protein) the least concentration. In total, 9 saturated fatty acids were determined of which stearic acid and palmitic acid had the highest concentrations of 2,034.5 mg/100 g and 2,005.3 mg/100 g respectively. Four mono unsaturated fatty acids were determined of which oleic acid and palmitoleic acid had the highest concentrations of 361.4 mg/100 g and 305.2 mg/100 g respectively. Four poly-unsaturated fatty acids were determined of which eicosapentaenoic and α-linolenic acid had the highest concentrations of 1,598.0 mg/100 g and 185.6 mg/100 g respectively.A. discoidalis is good source of protein, the minerals iron, zinc and phosphorus, some essential amino acids and poly-unsaturated fatty acids.

Cash Assistance in an Inflationary Environment - best practices in Zimbabwe: The case of Mbire district.

Cash Assistance in an Inflationary Environment - best practices in Zimbabwe: The case of Mbire district.

Adaptation Strategies and Farmer-led Agricultural Innovations to Climate Change in Mbire Districtof Zimbabwe

This study explores adaptation and farmer-led agricultural innovation strategies of smallholder farmers in Mbire District of Zimbabwe. Guided by explanatory sequential mixed methods design, 201 smallholder farmers were selected through multistage probability sampling technique and 18 participants were purposively selected. The instruments for the study included questionnaire and interview, which were analysed through basic descriptive and thematic analysis, respectively. The results show that smallholder farmers have adapted to climate change through multiple strategies including planting improved and drought resistant crops, cultivating fewer plots, mixed cropping, keeping more livestock, applying agrochemicals and local ecological knowledge as well as livelihood diversification, which are influenced by gender, education and farm size of respondents. The respondents have diversified their livelihood by engaging in brick moulding, sales of livestock, petty trade and dependence on remittance and social safety net as well as reduction in size and number of diets. The study identified financial, technological, social, institutional and information barriers to farmers’ adaptation. Farmer-led innovations identified by this study included planting Kanongo open pollinated variety of maize, pen fattening, over mulching, cassava cultivation and staggered planting. The implications of the results are teased out and policy recommendations are suggested.

Supervision of Homework Activities in Mbire District Primary Schools

Supervision of Homework Activities in Mbire District Primary Schools

The spatio-temporal soil moisture variation along the major tributaries of Zambezi River in the Mbire District, Zimbabwe

This study uses the Surface Energy Balance System (SEBS) and the TOPographic driven MODEL (TOPMODEL) in estimating soil moisture for Mbire district in Zimbabwe and validates these estimates with ground based gravimetric measurements baseded on fifty-four soil moisture sampling sites. Five atmospherically corrected MODIS images for the period 2013were processed and used to estimate evapotransiration. The result of the relative evaporation from the SEBS algorithm was multiplied by the average of the porosity and the field capacity to get the spatial and temporal soil moisture estimates. The TOPMODEL rainfall-runoff model whose land surface inputs were obtained from remote sensing was calibrated with runoff data for the period ranging 2008−2013. After successful calibration the model was used to to simulate spatial and temporal soil moisture estimates and compare with insitu-measured soil moisture from the fifty-two sampling sites. An upscaling procedure to improve the comparison between soil moisture retrieval point measurements, remote sensing and TOPMODEL outputs was accomplished by the use of geostatistical tools. Land suitability analysis for flood recession farming was performed using soil moisture maps, distance from stream network, vertical channel distance, and land use/cover datasets. The model performance indicators for TOPMODEL simulations show an acceptable match with measured discharge, (NSE = 0.765 and 0.812 and PBIAS= -6.04 % and -10.5 % for Manyame and Angwa sub catchments respectively). Results show that the SEBS approach show spatial and temporal soil moisture variability across the Mbire district simulated. There is a strong relationship (R2 = 0.796) between upscaled insitu-based soil moisture measurements and SEBS based techniques for the period of March to July 2013. The study further revealed that there is a fair relationship (R2 = 0.60) between upscaled ground soil moisture measurements and hydrological modelling (TOPMODEL) for the same period. TOPMODEL soil moisture increases towards the Angwa and Manyame river tributaries. Results also show that approximately 22800 ha of Mbire district has suitable to moderately suitable flood recession farming area. The study concludes that the use of geostatistical approaches, remote sensing and hydrologic models is promising in planning and management of soil moisture and water resources in data scarce and water limited environments.

An assessment of riparian communities’ preparedness to flood risk: the case of Mbire communities in Zimbabwe

Flood preparedness involves building capacities of communities for effective disaster response and recovery. Communities that effectively prepare for disasters can save life and minimise injuries, property damage and any psychological pain/stress associated with hazards. In view of this, the present study assessed the preparedness of riparian communities living in Mbire district, Zimbabwe and identified their capacity building needs. It used a weighted 5-point Likert Scale to quantify 11 preparedness indicators: resource availability; emergency and evacuation plans; early warning systems; flood knowledge/awareness/education, and proofing information; post-flood recovery; risk communication and social capital. Using a mixed approach, data came from a questionnaire survey involving 304 respondents who were selected through cluster sampling, and five focus group discussions that were purposively selected among the riparian communities. Descriptive statistics were used to analyse quantitative data and determine the level of community preparedness on each variable and indicator. A factor analysis was also conducted to identify the underlying factors that either hindered or promoted flood preparedness. Results show that riparian communities are unprepared for flood disasters. They need capacity building in terms of resource mobilisation, evacuation plans, early warnings, flood education/training/awareness, flood proofing information, post flood recovery and risk communication. A huge majority of about 82% of the indicators showed incipient levels of development. Likewise, about 71% of the variables were at or below incipient level of development. Poverty, flood awareness, social capital and contigency planning emerged as the major drivers of flood preparedness. The study concludes that measuring flood preparedness of riparian communities require context-specific variables. These findings are useful to national and sub-national governments with the mandate to formulate and implement appropriate flood disaster policies and plans where floods are a problem.