The Effectiveness of disaster risk reduction strategies against drought in rural areas: a case study of ward 4, Masvingo district
- Author
- Komboni, Fadzai
- Title
- The Effectiveness of disaster risk reduction strategies against drought in rural areas: a case study of ward 4, Masvingo district
- Abstract
- This study investigates the effectiveness of drought disaster risk reduction (DRR) strategies in rural Zimbabwe, with a specific focus on Ward 4 of Masvingo District—a region frequently affected by recurrent droughts that undermine agriculture, water availability, and food security. The research employs a qualitative approach, drawing on focus group discussions, key informant interviews, and field observations to evaluate how local communities and authorities respond to drought risks. Findings reveal that while several strategies are in place—such as the use of drought-resilient crops, crop diversification, and indigenous forecasting methods—conservation agriculture (Pfumvudza) emerged as the most impactful, improving yield stability and reducing food insecurity for a majority of households. However, the effectiveness of these interventions is often limited by climate unpredictability, insufficient funding, lack of technical training, and inconsistent government support. Community participation, access to timely climate information, and integration of traditional and scientific knowledge were identified as critical enablers of successful DRR outcomes. The study concludes that enhancing collaboration between local communities, extension services, and government institutions is essential for improving resilience to drought. It recommends targeted policy reforms, increased investment in adaptive farming practices, and capacity building to strengthen rural drought preparedness and response systems. These insights also point to the need for further research on scaling localized DRR strategies in similar semiarid contexts.
- Date
- June 2025
- Publisher
- BUSE
- Keywords
- Drought
- Rural Areas
- Disaster Risk Reduction Strategies
- Supervisor
- Dr. Maponga
- Item sets
- Department of Disaster Risk Reduction
- Media
-
Komboni, Fadzai.pdf