Assessing the opportunities for agroecological transition in Zimbabwe: A review current policies

Chiduwa, M. S., Marenya, P. P., Ngoma, H., Nohayi., Ngowenani., & Chimonyo, V. G. P. (2023). Assessing the opportunities for agroecological transition in Zimbabwe: A review current policies. CGIAR.

The Zimbabwean economy depends on agriculture, which is at a crossroads with the environment, particularly under conventional agriculture practices. Transitioning to agroecology approaches has been identified as a means to transform food systems and address the challenges of climate change, biodiversity loss, environmental degradation, social inequities, and rising demand for food. While policies can support or hinder agroecological transitions, it appears that there is a dearth of knowledge on the extent to which the national policies contribute in Zimbabwe. We carried out an academic review and a desk review of policies in Zimbabwe and report on the outcomes in this report. We found that the literature on agroecology is consistent on the definitions of agroecology, but there is need for translating this into practice, and evaluating the practice which is characterized by transitions. There are many policies along the themes of agriculture, environment, natural resources and climate change that support agroecology, however, they are not well coordinated and thereby miss opportunities for synergies. There is a need to integrate the tools and design institutional arrangements that facilitate the implementation of the policies.