Trade-Offs and Synergies by Smallholder Farmers in the Food-Water-Energy Nexus in Zimbabwe: Realities and Lessons from Mashonaland West Province

The study which has culminated into this research output has critically explored the intractable interlinkages that exist among food, water and energy (FWE) systems and how these affect smallholder farmers in Mashonaland West Province, Zimbabwe. Its main aim is to develop a strategic management model that will enable stakeholders to identify and optimise trade-offs and build synergies in resource use, thereby enhancing resilience and sustainability. The research was necessitated by the incessant challenges of climate variability, water scarcity, energy poverty and low productivity that undermine food security among smallholder farmers in rural Zimbabwe spatial situatedness. Despite the FWE nexus being proposed as a framework for integrated resource management in agriculture, its implementation among smallholder farmers remains glaringly limited. The study was significantly grounded by the following theoretical optics: the systems theory, strategic management theory and the resilience theory. It, therefore, adopted a pragmatic philosophy and employed the mixed methods design. Data were collected through household surveys, FGDs and semi-structured interviews. The study utilised three districts in Mashonaland West Province, namely, Zvimba, Chegutu and Mhondoro. A total of 100 smallholder farmers and 12 key informants participated in the study. Qualitative data were coded thematically using NVivo, whilst quantitative data were analysed using Excel and SPSS. Findings bring to the fore the fact that farmers are operating within interdependent but resource- constrained systems which have significant trade-offs and limited institutional coordination. Smallholder farmers in the districts over-rely on rain-fed agriculture and firewood for energy. This results in exacerbated environmental degradation thus reducing productivity. However, emerging innovations like solar-powered irrigation, conservation and integrated agriculture and the use of biogas demonstrate promising synergies across the nexus. Statistical analysis established positive correlations that exist among access to reliable energy, improved irrigation and crop yields. Nonetheless, barriers exist and these include affordability, policy fragmentation and limited technical capacity. These have been an impediment in the implementation of integrated resource management systems. The study concludes that there is need for a strategic framework that integrates local level innovations, cross sectoral policy coordination and inclusive governance for effective management of FWE systems. It proposes a framework that emphasises on participatory planning, adaptive capacity building and the assimilation of renewable energy technologies into agricultural systems. These findings enabled the designing of a context-specific model for sustainable smallholder agricultural development. It also aligns with national and international urgencies on zero hunger, clean water and affordable energy. This emphasises the significance of nexus-based planning for the achievement of both the NDS1 and SDGs