Publication Type
Journal Article
Publication Date (Issue Year)
2024
Journal Name
Journal of Infrastructure, Policy and Development
Abstract
Weather and climate services are essential tools that help farmers make informed choices, such as choosing appropriate crop varieties. These services depend considerably on the availability of adequate investments in infrastructure related to weather forecasting, which are often provided by the State in most countries. Zimbabwean farmers generally have limited access to modern weather and climate services. While extensive attempts have been made to investigate farmers’ socioeconomic factors that influence access to and use of weather and climate services, comparative political economy analysis of weather and climate service production and use is limited. To address this knowledge gap, this study examines the production, dissemination, and usage of modern seasonal weather services through a political economy analysis perspective. The findings of this study highlight considerable discrepancies in access and use of seasonal weather forecasts between male and female farmers, those who practise African Traditional Religions versus Christians, and the minority group (Ndau tribe) and the majority group (Manyika tribe). This result suggested the presence of social marginalization. For example, minority Ndau members living in remote areas with limited radio signals and a weak mobile network have limited access to modern seasonal weather forecasts, forcing them to rely much more on indigenous weather forecasts. Further, due to unequal power relations, a greater proportion of male farmers participated in agricultural policy formation processes than their female counterparts. To promote inclusive development and implementation, deliberate efforts need to be made by State authorities to incorporate adherents of African traditional religions, members of minority tribes and female farmers in agricultural policymaking processes, including seasonal weather forecast delivery policies. Further, the study suggests the relaxation or elimination of international sanctions on Zimbabwe by the European Union, United Kingdom and the United States of America, given that they are considerably affecting marginalized groups of farmers in their climate change adaptation practices, including the use of modern weather and climate services. The vast majority of these marginalized farmers never benefitted from the land reform programme and were also not responsible for the design and implementation of this programme which triggered these sanctions.
Keywords
climate services, marginalization, social exclusion, weather forecasts, Zimbabwe
Rsif Scholar Name
Joseph Manzvera
Thematic Area
Food security and Agribusiness
Africa Host University (AHU)
University of Ghana (UoG), Ghana
Funding Statement
This research was funded by the Partnership for Skills in Applied Sciences, Engineering and Technology-Regional Scholarship and Innovation Fund (PASET RSIF) PhD Scholarship and the Carnegie Corporation of New York.
Recommended Citation
Manzvera, J., & Anaman, K. A. (2024). Political economy analysis of the dissemination and use of seasonal weather forecasts and services in Zimbabwe. Journal of Infrastructure, Policy and Development, 8 (14), 8098. https://doi.org/10.24294/JIPD8098