Agriculture Reference
In-Depth Information
Their views of UA are categorized by the author as either positive or negative.
Interestingly, some of the results were not as anticipated.
The most predominant issues identified were included in the matrix.
Those in Quadrant 1 are considered by all parties to be the positive
contributions of UA. Quadrant 2 represents issues that the policy makers
consider to be good, while practitioners view them as unconstructive and
negatively affecting UA. Issues that are seen as harmful and negative by policy
makers while they are viewed as helpful by the practitioners are given in
Quadrant 3. Quadrant 4 represents issues identified by all parties as the
problems of UA that negatively affect society, the environment or the planning
process.
Quadrants 1 and 3 of Figure 4.2 represent issues that both groups agree
upon, which can represent the basis for dialogue that seeks to ensure common
agreement on UA. Quadrants 2 and 4 are boxes of conflict, divergent views
and issues that need to be resolved. It is in these boxes where there is tension
between the practitioners and the metropolitan and central government policy
makers. If issues in these areas are resolved, there could be a more peaceful
coexistence between the two parties. Policy should aim to lessen the rift and
stand-off in these two quadrants by increasing dialogue.
From the above analysis, it can be concluded that most of the existing
policies and legislation address the negatives listed in Quadrant 3, but not as
many issues from Quadrants 1, 2 and 4 are being addressed. For example, for
optimum management of land where investment is needed for such things as
conservation works, people need land titles and security of tenure. While full
tenure is unlikely to be feasible in the short term, one possible solution would
be to provide secure yet informal tenure - such as by issuing temporary
permits.
The Grain Marketing Board (GMB), which collects surplus grain from
farmers for redistribution, was able to purchase more than 60 per cent of the
annual national maize production in the early 1980s (Figure 4.3). This marks
an improvement, because the GMB only managed to procure an average of 34
per cent per year during the 1970s. However, since 2000, the GMB was only
able to collect 18 per cent of the total national production of maize per annum
because of lack of surplus.
This poses a challenge regarding how to redistribute grain from surplus
areas to urban centres. The situation necessitates the development of an
integrated strategy of urban and rural development. Food security in
Zimbabwe is achievable through a combination of urban production and
improvements in the infrastructure for food distribution from rural areas.
Respectively, 62 and 42 per cent of respondents cited shortages of inputs
as well as high costs as problems. This suggests the need for support for
production inputs. For example, the city government can play an important
role in providing enough market stalls from which to sell their crops. The
imposition of generic and restrictive policies on UA has not succeeded. Harare
City Council needs to replace these with policies that actively regulate and
guide UA. If such policies were implemented, producers would be able to fully
