October 21, 2011
USAID Market Study Awarded to Advance Food Security in Zimbabwe
Study To Examine Market Constraints, Opportunities
USAID recently awarded the ACDI/VOCA-led Support for Food Security Activities (SFSA) team the “Market Mechanisms to Achieve Food Security” study to advance food security in Zimbabwe.
The $90,000, 10-week contract is part of USAID’s Feed the Future initiative, which aims to fight hunger and poverty in eastern and southern African countries that suffer from chronic food insecurity.
Systemic Approach to Fight Hunger
Zimbabwe has confronted a series of humanitarian emergencies over the past decade that required large food aid distributions. While the distribution of aid addressed immediate hunger needs, it often distorted the market for food and undermined local suppliers.
Through the “Market Mechanisms to Achieve Food Security” study, ACDI/VOCA and Catholic Relief Services (CRS) experts will provide technical expertise in trade and commodity-specific analysis. The team will look at the underlying food and agricultural systems in Zimbabwe to better understand market constraints and identify opportunities to create clearer market signals.
The research will inform program staff’s designs to restore local markets and stimulate food production.
Zimbabwe Faces Major Hurdles
As a result of the country’s recent economic, political and social shocks, people have lost their livelihoods and become dislocated, and national poverty levels rising. According to the World Bank, 72 percent of Zimbabwe’s population lives below the poverty line and the average life expectancy is 48 years old.
As a result, the country likely will not reach any of its Millennium Development Goals by 2015, with the exception of gender equity.
Study To Yield Practical Actions
The SFSA study results will inform recommendations for future programs to increase market functions in Zimbabwe.
The study will benefit both market actors and consumers, including those in food-deficit areas. It will combine quantitative and qualitative analysis in four integrated components:
- Review and update sector data
- Assess consumer demand and livelihoods
- Analyze market mechanisms
- Identify opportunities for improvement
For more information on ACDI/VOCA’s work in Zimbabwe.
