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Impacts of Tropical Cyclone Idai on Cash Crops Agriculture in Zimbabwe

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Cyclones in Southern Africa

Part of the book series: Sustainable Development Goals Series ((SDGS))

Abstract

There has been a notable increase in the frequency and impacts of tropical cyclones hitting Zimbabwe. In particular, the southeastern parts of the country are more vulnerable to tropical cyclones. The high winds and excessive rainfall that accompany tropical cyclones as well as the resulting floods have had significant impacts on commercial agricultural production. In Zimbabwe, agriculture is the mainstay of the economy. Production of cash crops employs thousands and earns the country foreign currency. This chapter assesses the impact of tropical cyclone Idai on the production of cash crops like bananas, tea, macadamia nuts, passion fruits, avocados, peaches, flowers and sugarcane. This chapter uses document analysis, in-depth interviews with key informants and direct field observations in the collection of data. Results show a setback in cash crop production due to the cyclone. Crops ready for the market were destroyed, irrigation and storage infrastructure were damaged as well as disruptions to market access for produce. The most impacted were small-scale cash crop producers without access to insurance and credit. Lessons from this chapter help to inform the best ways in which the sector can become resilient to future shocks and building back better from the crisis.

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Author information

Authors and Affiliations

  1. Institute for Corporate Citizenship, University of South Africa, Pretoria, South Africa

    David Chikodzi & Godwell Nhamo

  2. Ministry of Primary and Secondary Education, Lydia Chimonyo Girls High School, Nhedziwa, Zimbabwe

    Joshua Chibvuma

Authors
  1. David Chikodzi
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  2. Godwell Nhamo
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  3. Joshua Chibvuma
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Correspondence to David Chikodzi .

Editor information

Editors and Affiliations

  1. Institute for Corporate Citizenship, University of South Africa, Pretoria, South Africa

    Godwell Nhamo

  2. Institute for Corporate Citizenship, University of South Africa, Pretoria, South Africa

    David Chikodzi

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Chikodzi, D., Nhamo, G., Chibvuma, J. (2021). Impacts of Tropical Cyclone Idai on Cash Crops Agriculture in Zimbabwe. In: Nhamo, G., Chikodzi, D. (eds) Cyclones in Southern Africa. Sustainable Development Goals Series. Springer, Cham. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-030-74303-1_2

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