You only have to look at the news each day to realise that we are living in an age of uncertainty. Whether it’s imposing tariffs, interfering in sovereign countries or threatening to annex areas to get access to critical minerals, … Continue reading → …
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ZimbabweLand
Changes in livelihood success: comparing communal areas and smallholder land reform areas in Zimbabwe
As discussed in the previous blog, we carried out repeat ‘success rankings’ in three of our communal area sites, which are all nearby our A1 smallholder land reform sites, where we have undertaken research over the past years. By matching … Continue reading → …
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Livelihood opportunities in Zimbabwe’s communal areas: too poor to succeed?
As part of our analysis of the story of land reform over 25 years, we have also been looking at communal areas that are nearby our A1 sites. These are where many people who invaded the farms and were granted … Continue reading → …
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The future of ‘development’ – and IDS@60
This year is the 60th anniversary of the Institute of Development Studies based at the University of Sussex. IDS has been an independent institute linked to the university since June 1966, so the birthday party is not due quite yet. … Continue reading → …
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Welcome to the international year of rangelands and pastoralists, 2026
This year is the United Nations International Year of Rangelands and Pastoralists. This is an important moment to celebrate the role of pastoralists across the world, recognising their unique contributions to sustainable livelihoods and environmental integrity. It is also a … Continue reading → …
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Zimbabweland’s festive top 20: a review of the year
It has been a busy year with our research on 25 years after land reform in Zimbabwe. Biographical interviews have been undertaken with around 100 people from our long-term sample, exploring changes over time, and the 2025 survey was undertaken … Continue reading → …
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Two new booklets: young people and small towns in Zimbabwe’s land reform areas
To complement this ongoing blog and the various academic outputs we produce from the research, we always try and produce some colour booklets on themes emerging from our research for wide sharing. The booklets draw from our blogs, and have … Continue reading → …
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Joint ventures in land reform areas: a solution to failing medium-scale farms in Zimbabwe?
As noted in the previous blog, there are a number of new land arrangements emerging on A2 farms under the (very) broad label of ‘joint ventures’. Some 2500 joint ventures have been formally registered across the country to date. This … Continue reading → …
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New forms of commercial agriculture on A2 land reform farms in Mvurwi, Zimbabwe
The high potential areas of Mvurwi in Mazowe district should be the focus for significant commercial agricultural success on the A2 farms as envisaged in the government’s land reform strategy. There is reliable rainfall, good soils, excellent connections to markets, … Continue reading → …
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Medium-scale resettlement farms in Masvingo and Gutu districts in Zimbabwe: what has happened since 2000?
Our sample of 50 A2 farms across Gutu and Masvingo districts range from the ‘highveld’ grazing areas to the north of Gutu to the peri-urban areas of Mpandawana and Masvingo. There is huge diversity and no simple story. As in … Continue reading → …
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