Changing Livelihoods and New Opportunities: Experiences of Resettled Farmers in Two Farms in Shamva District, Mashonaland Central Province, Zimbabwe

Abstract

This study set out to assess the impact of the land reform programme on two farms located in the Mashonaland Central Province of Zimbabwe, Tembo and Rutherdale, and to examine how the livelihoods of resettled farmers from this area evolved since relocation. Evidence through this study revealed that the land reform programme at the two farms largely benefited the beneficiaries of the scheme. The resettled farmers have grown in asset ownership due to access to land and have developed social networks to tackle their communities’ challenges. There is, however, a need for further government support and intervention with the intent to make the farmers more self-sufficient. The government could also come in as a facilitator to initiatives by the households themselves to solve their challenges.