Research Challenges Diversification Advice for Rural Households in Zimbabwe

Doctoral research conducted at the University of Fort Hare examined rural households in Mashonaland East, Zimbabwe. The study found that while diversification is often advised for resilience, adding income-generating activities beyond a certain point can actually lead to households becoming poorer. The research was part of a broader concern regarding rural livelihoods across sub-Saharan Africa.

The findings challenge the conventional wisdom used in rural development policy, particularly regarding risk diversification. The study also questions the effectiveness of government input subsidies, noting that most evaluations only measure crop yields rather than the household’s wider livelihood strategy.