Smallholder farmers in rural Gwanda, a region in Zimbabwe that borders South Africa, have been impacted by a double shock – a combination of heat, droughts, and floods caused by climate change, and water contamination and damaged land caused by illegal, small-scale mining.
Droughts in Gwanda have significantly affected rural farmers and have been on the rise over the past 40 years. This has led to many families facing poverty as their harvests fail. The illegal, small-scale mining for gold in Zimbabwe has resulted in deforestation, land degradation, water pollution, and loss of biodiversity in the area, exacerbating the issue.
Not all small-scale mining in Zimbabwe is illegal. Some artisanal miners have valid mining claims, licenses to engage in mining activities on allocated land, and pay taxes to local authorities and the government. However, there are an estimated 400,000 illegal, small-scale miners in Zimbabwe who operate without permits.
The combined impacts of increased droughts and illegal mining present a complex set of challenges for rural farmers. As a researcher and development practitioner focusing on communities’ adaptation to climate change, my PhD thesis explored how these issues have affected farmers in Gwanda over 40 years, and how they have adapted to both stressors simultaneously.
Through group discussions, surveys of 80 farmers, and interviews with long-time residents, my research discovered that rural farmers in Gwanda have limited capacity to adapt to climate-related and illegal small-scale mining shocks. Poor governance of the natural environment in Gwanda is leading to food scarcity, water, and land damage, jeopardizing development progress in the region.
The problem
Families in Gwanda primarily rely on smallholder farming during the rainy season when crops can be grown. In the dry season, households resort to migrating for work, receiving remittances, food aid, and engaging in vending.
They also depend on small businesses, harvesting mopane worms, homestead gardening, and planting drought-resistant crops. Some farmers have invested in smaller livestock like goats that can withstand high temperatures and droughts.
However, illegal small-scale mining has negatively impacted these livelihood opportunities. Farmers reported waking up to find their farmland and foraging areas dug up by miners, causing livestock deaths and injuries to locals.
One farmer shared:
“My farm was encroached by artisanal miners looking for gold. My farmland was dug up, leaving me with no land for crop production. I now rely on farming on others’ land for sustenance.”
Past research in Ghana has shown similar pitfalls of artisanal mining, including livestock deaths from polluted water and unattended pits. Illegal mining activities also damaged roads, leading to increased transport costs for farmers in Gwanda.
Women bear the brunt of these consequences, with illegal mining disrupting their traditional income sources like harvesting mopane worms for sale. Many women are left behind when men migrate for work, and they lack opportunities within the mining industry.
Solutions
Artisanal mining can be a viable alternative to failing agriculture, but it must be legal and well-managed. Governance systems in Gwanda need strengthening, with better enforcement of mining regulations and prevention of illegal mining activities.
Agricultural climate change mitigation programs should be implemented, with input from rural farmers and traditional leaders. These initiatives should not be dictated top-down by experts; rather, they should engage local stakeholders for sustainable solutions.
This article is republished from The Conversation. Read the original article.