An Analysis of the Contribution of Financed Socio-Economic Projects to the Food Security at Household Level: The Masvingo Case

Abstract

In most cases, food safety and security is measured at national level without much care given at grassroot level or at household level.  A country can be food secure at national level but at household level it would be insecure, South Africa is an example. This is a clear indication that food safety and security is measured through production of commercial farmers who contribute to the national granary and therefore results in food security and in most cases exports, whilst at household level people would be starving.  This research, aimed to analyse the contribution made at household level by financed socio-economic projects such as the dam constructions which results in irrigation schemes and or the rural electrification projects which results in electrically produced products in rural areas.  Such projects, changes people’s lives and in many cases there are no measurement techniques.  Thus, the objectives of this research were to analyse and evaluate the contributions of financed socio-economic projects to the food security at household level.  People active in socio-economic projects were interviewed and questionnaires were distributed to extension officers and data gathered was presented through tables and graphs.  The research findings were that most people active in socio-economic projects lives improved lives and they never lack in terms of food safety and they are food secure because of the money they generate from these projects.

The researcher recommended that, financed socio-economic projects should incorporate everybody, not to select some people in most cases along political divide, living others outside.  This creates different levels of lives in rural areas.

Key words: Socio-economic, food security