Rural poverty up

continued deepening of rural poverty and further increase in the rural–urban divide.

The survey was carried out in Hwange, Hurungwe, Mbire, Mazowe, Mutoko, Mutare, Chimanimani, Chiredzi, Gwanda, Gokwe and Kariba among other districts.

Presenting at the launch of the Book “Understanding Poverty, Promoting Well-being and Sustainable Development: A sample survey of 16 Districts of Zimbabwe”, Economic Planning and Investment Promotion permanent secretary Dr Desire Sibanda said the major problems facing the poor included unemployment, access to education, health facilities and decent housing.

“Empowerment of the poor and the marginalised is critical to ensure sustainable poverty reduction than subjecting them to dependency syndrome,” he said.
Dr Sibanda said the support for the agriculture sector, beneficiation and value addition of natural resources and promotion of the rural livelihood enhancement programme were some of the ways of dealing with poverty.

Institute of Environmental Studies (IES), deputy director, Dr Jeanette Manjengwa said 33 448 households and 81 percent of these lived below the Poverty Datum Line with 95 percent in rural areas.

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Dr Manjengwa said 63 percent of urban households interviewed were poor.
She said having more money through better jobs, increased productivity and better education could reduce poverty.

“Zimbabwe has the highest number of natural resources among them gold, diamonds, land and platinum and these can be used to reduce poverty,” he said.
“Zimbabweans are optimistic about the future.

“Most of the people interviewed said they expected a better life in the next five years unlike in Mozambique where during the same survey people expected to be where they were or to be in a worse situation in the coming years.”

University of Zimbabwe vice chancellor Levy Nyagura said while research was important it had to be relevant to the country and also include implementation.
“We should not forget about the informers because they may suggest interventions.

“Research should not end at the theatrical stage but should be put into action,” he said.