Developing an implementation model to address food shortages in Matabeleland South Province, Zimbabwe.

Abstract

Matabeleland South Province has since 1980 to date been experiencing acute food shortages. Currently, it is the province with the highest number of food insecure people. The study recommends a bottom up approach, that is beyond ZimASSET, that addresses food shortages in Matabeleland South Province. The purpose of this study is to develop an Implementation Model to address food shortages in the Matabeleland South Province of Zimbabwe. The study employed the Grounded Theory approach utilizing a purely qualitative design. Purposive sampling of 200 stakeholders, that is expert and typical case sampling was the primary method of research. As the study was unfolding, a theoretical sampling was later employed. A confirmatory retrospective document review of food security documents from the Zimbabwe Vulnerability Assessment Committee and the Famine Early Warning systems Network was done. The Entitlement Theory by Sen Amartya, and the Systems Theory by Von Bertalanffy were utilised as the theoretical point of departure for the study. The study utilised Key Informant Interviews, Focus Group Discussion and Document Analysis to mine data. Data was analysed using the thematic approach. Major findings and results showed a disjuncture and dissonance within the Provincial Food and Nutrition Security Task Force approaches used to address the food insecurity situation in the province of Matabeleland South. The findings showed that, there is an implementation gap in need to be filled, and all stakeholders must apply a bottom up approach in addressing the problem of food shortages. The developed Implementation Model was validated by the stakeholders who participated in the data collection phase and endorsed the bottom up approach, which as intended, conveyed the community’s views. The Food Security Implementation Model is forwarding the community development aspirations to a new level that leaves footprints on the development terrain with a pragmatist component of coming up with home grown solutions to the problem of food insecurity.