The effects of a land reform program on smallholder farmers’ livelihoods and availability of edible insects for food and nutrition security : the case of the Zvimba and Mhondoro districts of Zimbabwe

Abstract: Edible insects are an important source of nutrition for rural populations in many parts of the world, including Zimbabwe. This research examines the contribution of edible insects to the livelihoods, food and nutrition security, and the strategies and mechanisms that can be implemented to ensure the preservation and better management of the environment and edible insects in Zvimba and Mhondoro districts. Case study analysis was incorporated into the study's mixed-method approach. 43% of the respondents who eat insects, do so because they enjoy the flavor, while 33% cite the insects' nutritional value, and 24% eat them for the novelty factor. More than half of all respondents in both districts said they liked eating insects as a relish, snack, or in combination with other relishes; another 20% said they liked eating insects as a relish and in combination with other relish dishes, and 22.2% said they liked eating insects only as a relish. Most respondents perceived a decline in edible insects’ availability. Despite this, both communities have developed sophisticated processing and preservation methods to make them accessible even outside of the peak insect-harvesting season. Both A1 (farmers with fields which are up to 37ha) and communal farmers have seen a decline in edible insects over the past few years, with 13% of that decline attributable to agricultural pest control and veld fires. The findings of the research can help lay a foundation for engaging different stakeholders, including communities, in developing solutions for sustainable edible insect management in support of food and nutritional security.