Informal cross border trade as a buffer against food insecurity. A case study of cross border traders in Sakubva, Mutare.
- Author
- Togara, Beauty
- Title
- Informal cross border trade as a buffer against food insecurity. A case study of cross border traders in Sakubva, Mutare.
- Abstract
-
This research sought to understand the role of informal cross-border trade (ICBT) in addressing household food insecurity in Sakubva, a high density suburb of Mutare, Zimbabwe. Amidst economic challenges and limited formal employment opportunities, many residents engage in ICBT, particularly with neighboring Mozambique and South Africa, to access essential food items and generate income. Employing a mixed-methods approach, the research combines quantitative data from 45 household surveys with qualitative insights from 12 in-depth interviews involving traders, local farmers, and policymakers.
Results of this research indicate that for poor families, ICBT is a major source of revenue that raises food affordability and availability. Traders, however, have major obstacles including constrained regulatory settings, limited access to credit, and security issues. Despite these challenges, encouraging policy measures like simplified customs processes under regional trade treaties have improved food access and trade efficiency. The study emphasizes the need of acknowledging and including ICBT into formal economic systems to protect vulnerable populations and support food security. Recommendations include providing financial services specifically customized for informal traders, policy changes to lower trade obstacles, and infrastructural growth to enable safe and effective trade practices. These initiatives are absolutely necessary for increasing the resilience of food systems and advancing sustainable livelihoods in border areas like Sakubva.
- Date
- June 2025
- Publisher
- BUSE
- Keywords
- informal cross-border trade
- Supervisor
- Mr. Gomo
- Item sets
- Department of Sustainable Development
- Media
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Beauty Togara .pdf