The Paradox of Survival: The Adverse Impacts of Livelihood Strategies on Household Food Security in Muzarabani District, Zimbabwe

Muzarabani district of Zimbabwe is plagued by chronic food insecurity, where households resort to various livelihood strategies to cope with economic adversity. This study examines the paradoxical nature of these strategies, as they can have both positive and negative impacts on household food security. The research explores how the context, shocks, assets, institutions, activities and strategies of rural households in Muzarabani interact to shape their well-being and food security. Qualitative methods were employed to uncover the complex interplay of factors that drive households to adopt certain livelihood strategies, which may ultimately undermine their long-term food security. The findings reveal that poor households often engage in environmentally hazardous activities, such as illegal mining, sand poaching and unsustainable farming practices, as a means of securing their livelihoods. However, these strategies come at a cost, as they can deplete natural resources and exacerbate food insecurity. The study highlights the need for policymakers to address the broader socioeconomic and environmental challenges facing rural households in order to promote sustainable livelihoods and enhance food security in the Muzarabani district. In the pursuit of survival, households adopt various livelihood strategies to secure their well-being. Paradoxically, these strategies, designed to enhance resilience, often contribute to the erosion of food security. This paper explores how certain livelihood activities while offering short-term economic relief undermine long-term food availability, access and sustainability.