Peace, Leadership, and Conflict Transformation Publications

Permanent URI for this collection

http://localhost:4000/handle/123456789/54

Browse

Browsing Peace, Leadership, and Conflict Transformation Publications by Author "Ncube, M."

Now showing 1 - 2 of 2
  • Thumbnail Image
    Item
    The Effects of Artisanal Mining on Irrigation Farming The Case of Umzinyathini Irrigation Scheme in Umzingwane District, Southern Matabeleland, Zimbabwe
    (African Journal of Public Affairs, 2018-06) Moyo, F.; Ndlovu, T.; Francis, B.; Ncube, M.
    This article aims to show that competing demands on environmental resources have, more often than not, exacerbated vulnerability of poor rural agricultural communities. Artisanal and small-scale mining and irrigation-based farming are the main sources of rural livelihood used to cope with vulnerability in the drought-prone Mawabeni rural communities of Umzingwane District in Zimbabwe. Irrigation farming in Umzingwane District depends heavily on sustainable water supply and unpolluted land. Similarly, artisanal mining (ASM) depends on water for panning processes. Poor people’s vulnerability often increases when irrigation development demand and artisanal mining operations compete for resources such as time, labour and water. The article explores the effects of ASM activities on sustainable agriculture productivity with specific focus on the irrigation scheme in Umzingwane District of Southern Matabeleland. A qualitative descriptive survey design and purposive sampling technique were used to select the study area, participants and to analyse data. The article concludes that ASM has caused a radical shift of able-bodied labour from irrigation farming to ASM thereby decreasing the productive capacity of the irrigation scheme. Notwithstanding the presence of locally-based extension officers from the Ministry of Lands, Mechanisation and Extension Services and traditional leaders who are instrumental in the provision of institutional support and guidance as well as access to external support and attracting social networks with farming inputs, the ASM activities have impacted negatively on farming in Umzingwane District.
  • Thumbnail Image
    Item
    Systematic review of drivers of riverbank cultivation, human livelihoods and conservation in Southern Africa
    (2022-12) Denga, R.V.; Ncube, M.; Marambanyika, T.; Simwanda, M.; Vinya, R.
    Riverbank cultivation is an activity that has existed for decades in developing countries. Despite the threats it poses to riverine ecosystems against associated human livelihood benefits, the effectiveness of conservation strategies has been put to the test in different countries. Therefore, a continual understanding of the spatial and temporal dynamics of the nexus between drivers of streambank cultivation and human livelihood is key to formulating conservation strategies that promote sustainable development. The study’s main objective was to investigate the link between the drivers of riverbank cultivation, sustainable livelihoods and conservation strategies through a systematic review of literature for southern Africa, using a pre-determined criterion from 2010 to 2020. A total of 43 scientific publications were analyzed. The study used the theory of change, which is informed by the Environmental Kutznet Curve (EKC) Theory of environmental degradation, to analyse the nexus between the three variables. Direct drivers include; access to land use, environmental degradation, decline related to climate change/frequent drought, and unmatched demand for arable land. The indirect drivers include; unsustainable livelihoods, population pressures and lack of knowledge all work together to influence riverbank cultivation. The study concludes that protection of riverbanks can be achieved by implementing sustainable natural resource management, by strengthening existing policies.