Restoring Degraded Ecosystems by Unlocking Organic Market Potential: Case Study from Mashonaland East Province, Zimbabwe.

Georgina McAllister

    Research output: Chapter in Book/Report/Conference proceedingChapterpeer-review

    3 Citations (Scopus)

    Abstract

    This case study presents organic agriculture (OA) within the context of trade and sustainable livelihoods in Zimbabwe. In a changing environment, depleted resources and declining biodiversity represent a significant threat to human survival and economic development. Thus, the intention of the initiative has been to explore the relative opportunities presented by organic production, certification, and market development. We propose that such a future, underpinned by sustainable growth, can foster greater public, private, and voluntary sector cooperation in a bid to protect and restore ecosystem functions. Information and data resulting from this initiative (2011–2015) continue to provide a strong indication of the viability and value of supporting organic production and market growth to effectively increase smallholder productivity, ecosystem stabilization, and localized and sustainable economic development. Perhaps now is the time to consider that a resurgence of Zimbabwe’s productive capacity, within which we include its capacity for adaptation in a changing climate, should be founded on an understanding of the limits of the country’s soils and finite resources, as well as the need to distribute its health and wealth for the benefit of all. When considering the preventative and rehabilitation requirements of healthcare, it is important to emphasize that childhood education’s earning and retention demand, good quality food, and nutrition play a vital role in building the physical and mental resilience of any nation. For Zimbabwe, this focus could also help boost the development of a sector that contributes to building environmental, social, and economic resilience in the face of seemingly overwhelming rural poverty and climate change.
    Original languageEnglish
    Title of host publicationLand Restoration
    Subtitle of host publicationReclaiming Landscapes for a Sustainable Future
    EditorsI Chabay, M Frick, J Helgeson
    PublisherElsevier
    Chapter4.7
    Pages349-359.
    Number of pages11
    ISBN (Print)978-0-12-801231-4
    DOIs
    Publication statusE-pub ahead of print - 16 Oct 2015

    Keywords

    • Organic agriculture (OA)ecosystem restorationstabilizationZimbabweMashonaland East (ME)smallholder farmersmarket developmentland tenure securityfarmer agencyrepresentationagrobiodiversityagroecologypermaculturenatural resource management

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