DROUGHT COPING STRATEGIES IN CHIPINGE RURAL DISTRICT By Matanga Tafadzwa (B1335741) A Dissertation Submitted in partial fulfillment for the requirements of the Bachelor of Science Honors Degree in Peace and Governance. Faculty of Social Sciences and Humanities Supervisor: DR Jeffrey Kurebwa Bindura, Zimbabwe 2017 1 Declaration I, Tafadzwa Matanga (B1335741) hereby declare that this dissertation for the partial fulfillment for the requirements of the Bachelor of Science Honors Degree in Peace and Governance is my own original work and that to the best of my knowledge this piece of work has not been previously submitted for assessment. Signature………………………. Tafadzwa Matanga Date…………………………. i Approval Form The undersigned certifies that he has read and recommends to Bindura University of Science Education for acceptance, a dissertation entitled: DROUGHT COPING STRATEGIES IN CHIPINGE RURAL DISTRICT Submitted by: MATANGA TAFADZWA(B1335741) in partial fulfilment of the requirements of Bachelor of Science Honors Degree in Peace and Governance. SUPERVISOR: DR JEFFREY KUREBWA Signed……………………………. Date………………………. ii Dedication This piece of work is dedicated to the memory of my late father Mr. Spencer Joseph Matanga who died during the early stages of my studies. May his soul rest in peace. iii Acknowledgements This piece of work owes vast contributions from a lot of people whose support academically, financially and personally immensely contributed to the success of my studies. My first acknowledgement goes to my mother who struggled hard to give me all necessary support as far as my academic study is concerned. My greatest indebtedness goes to my Project Supervisor Dr Jeffrey Kurebwa for his exceptional theoretical and empirical guidance during my research supervision. His quick response to my project and supervision to my dissertation enabled me to start on the right track. His professional guidance and encouragement is greatly appreciated. The study would not have been successful without you Dr, thank you once again. I greatly appreciate the institution, Bindura University of Science Education for giving me the opportunity to do my honors degree at the institution. I also want to express my gratitude to all the staff members of Bindura University of Science Education for their support and encouragement during my study. Special mention goes to my brothers Gift, Mudiwa, Farai, Mr E. Mafanire and my sisters Childs, Tanya, for financial support. I am indebted to my colleagues Rudo, Benedict, Gwarada, Willard, Hazel, Leonard Chitiyo and others who are too numerous to mention for your moral support. Thank you guys for the good ideas we exchanged. Your contribution, advice and support to this piece of work are invaluable. May God bless you all. iv Abbreviations and Acronyms AGRITEX Agricultural Technical and Extension Services AIDS ACQUIRED immune Deficiency Syndrome DA District Administrator DCPPC District Civil Protection and Planning Committee FAO Food and Agriculture Organisation GMB Grain Marketing Board HIV Human Immune Virus NDMC National Disaster Management Center NGO Non-Governmental Organisation SLF Sustainable Livelihood Framework ZIMVAC Zimbabwe Vulnerability Assessment Committee v Table of Contents Declaration…………………………………………………………………………………………i Approval form……………….…………………………………………………………………... ii Dedication………………………………………………………………………………………...iii Acknowledgements……………………………………………………………….………………iv Abbreviations and Acronyms………………………………………………………………. …. v Table of contents………………………………………………………………………………....vi List of tables…………………………………………………………………………………. ….x List of figures…………………………………………………………………………………. xii Abstract……………………………………………………………………………………...…. xiii CHAPTER 1 1.0 Introduction……….……………………………………………………………………..........1 1.1 Background of the study……………………………………………………...........................1 1.2 Statement of the problem………………………………………………………………………2 1.3 Purpose of the Study…………………………………………………………………………...3 1.4 Objective of the Study………………………………………………………………………....3 1.5 Research questions……………………………………………………………….....................3 1.6Assumptions………………………………………………………………………………........4 1.7 Significance of the Study…………………………………………………….…......................4 1.8 Delimitations of the Study…………………………………………………...……………….5 1.9 Limitations of the Study……………………………………………………………………….5 1.1.0 Definition of key terms………………………………………………………......................5 vi 1.1.1 Proposed chapter outline……………………………………………………........................6 CHAPTER TWO 2.0 Literature Review and Theoretical Framework…………………………………............…....7 2.1 Introduction………...…………………………………………………………........................7 2.2 Theoretical Framework……...…………………………………………………………….......7 2.2 .1 Sustainable Livelihood Framework………………………………………………………...8 2.3 Droughts…………………………………………………………………………...................10 2.4 Classification of droughts…………………………………………………………………….11 2.5 Causes of droughts…………………………………………………………………………...12 2.6 Impacts of droughts………………………………………………………………………….14 2.7 Drought coping strategies…………………………………………………………………....16 2.8Conclusion…………………………………………………………………………................21 CHAPTER THREE 3.0 Research design and methodology 3.1 Introduction…………………………………………………………………….…………….21 3.2 Research design……………………………………………………………………...............21 3.3 Research methodology……………………………………………………....................... … 22 3.4 Population and sampling………………………………………………………......................24 3.5 Sampling techniques………………………………………………………………………...24 3.6 Simple random sampling……………………………………………………………………24 3.7 Purposive Sampling………………………………………………………………………….25 3.8 Data collection methods…………………………………………………..............................26 3.9 Primary data collection methods……………………………………………………………26 vii 3.1.0 Key informant interviews…………………………………………………………………27 3.1.1 Semi-structured interviews……………………………………………………………….27 3.1.2 Sample size……………………………………………………………………. …………28 3.1.3 Validity and reliability…………………………………………………….........................39 3.1.4 Data presentation and analysis…………………………………………………………….30 3.1.5 Ethical considerations…………………………………………………………………….31 3.1.6 Conclusion………………………………………………………………………………….31 CHAPTER FOUR 4.0 Data presentation, analysis and discussion of findings……………………………………….32 4.1 Introduction………………………………………………………………………………….32 4.1 SECTION A: Biographical data of respondents…………………………………………….32 4.1 Gender……………………………………………………………………………………….32 4.2 Marital status………………………………………………………………………………....33 4.3 Age……………………………………………………………………………………...........34 4.4 Level of education…………………………………………………………….……………...35 4.5 Employment status………………………………………………………………..................36 4.6 SECTION B: Understanding of drought…………………………………………………....37 4.7 Causes of drought……………………………………………………………….……………37 4.8 Drought coping strategies…………………………………………………………………….38 4.9 Challenges faced in drought mitigation……………………………………………………....42 4.1.0 Conclusion………………………………………………………………………….............44 CHAPTER FIVE 5.0 Summary, Conclusions, Recommendations and Areas for Further Research……………….45 viii 5.1 Summary…………………………………………………………………………………….45 5.2 Conclusions………………………………………………………………………..................46 5.3 Recommendations…………………………………………………………………................48 5.4 Areas for further research…………………………………………………………………...48 Reference list……………………………………………………………………………………49 Annexures…………………………………………………………………………………….…. i Letter from the department………………………………………………………………………iii Appendix A………………………………………………………………………………………iv Appendix B………………………………………………………………………………………. v ix List of Figures Figure 2.1 Sustainable Livelihood Framework…………………………………………………...10 Figure 4.1 Marital status…………………………………………………………………………35 Figure 4.2 Age…………………………………………………………………...……………….36 Figure 4.3 Level of education……………………………………………………………………37 Figure 4.4 Employment status…………………………………………………………………...38 Figure 4.5 Drought coping strategies…………………………………………………………....40 Figure 4.6 Challenges faced in drought mitigation……….……………………………………...45 x List of Tables Table 2.6.1 Impacts of Droughts………………………………………………………………….15 Table 3.7 Sample Size…………………………………………………………………………...29 Table 4.1 Gender…………………………………………………………………………………34 xi ABSTRACT The main focus of this research was to understand the drought coping strategies employed by communities in Chipinge Rural District to cope with drought. The research focused on Chipinge district’s ward 22 and 23 which are naturally drought prone areas in the district. The research was also aimed at understanding the causes of drought and it was also aimed at assessing the impacts of droughts in the district. The research has found out that climate change, lack of precipitation and human factors such as gold panning, land degradation, deforestation, overgrazing among others are the most human activities leading to drought as a result it led to desertification which in turn resulted to dry seasons in Chipinge Rural District. The study found out that most communities in Chipinge are situated in inaccessible remote areas where there is poor road communication which makes the donor agencies difficult to reach the areas, hence the communities are likely to be poor and more vulnerable to the adverse impacts of droughts. Of all the drought coping strategies employed by communities in Chipinge Rural District, aid has proven to be the major coping strategy acknowledged by all households and this is mainly provided by donor agencies such as Christian care, Plan International among others. A recommendation that have been given include that income diversification should be promoted by organizations