Water and Soil in Holy Matrimony

A smallholder farmer�s innovative agricultural practices for adapting to climate in rural Zimbabwe

Munyaradzi Mabeza

• Publisher: Langaa RPCIG
• Year: 2017
• Print ISBN: 9789956764518
• eBook ISBN: 9789956764051
• Edition: 1
• Topic: Social Sciences
• Subtopic: Cultural & Social Anthropology
• Index: Social Sciences

This book is a biography based on a qualitative ethnographic study of adaptation to climate by Mr Zephaniah Phiri Maseko, an award-winning smallholder farmer from Zvishavane, rural Zimbabwe. Ethnographic data provides insight and lessons of Mr Phiri Maseko and other farmers practices for rethinking existing strategies for adaptation to climate change. The concept of adaptation is probed in relationship to the closely related concepts of vulnerability, resilience and innovation. This study also explores the concept of conviviality and argues that Mr Phiri Masekos adaptation to climate hinges on mediating barriers between local and exogenous knowledge systems. The book argues that Mr Phiri Maseko offered tangible adaptive climate strategies through his innovations that marry water and soil so that it wont elope and run-off but raise a family on his plot. His agricultural practices are anchored on the Shona concept ofhurudza(an exceptionally productive farmer). This book explores the concept and practices ofuhurudza, to suggest that the latter-dayhurudza(commercial farmer)as embodied by Mr Phiri Maseko offers an important set of resources for the development of climate adaptation strategies in the region. This study of smallholder farmers adoption of innovations to climate highlights the complex interplay of multiple factors that act as barriers to uptake. Such interplay of multiple stressors increases the vulnerability of smallholders. The study concludes by arguing that in as much as the skewed colonial land policy impoverished the smallholder farmers, Mr Phiri Maseko nonetheless redefined himself as a latter-dayhurudzaand thus breaks free from the poverty cycle by conjuring ingenious ways of reducing vulnerability to climate. The book does not suggest that Mr Phiri Masekos innovations offer a silver bullet solution to the insecure rural livelihoods of smallholder farmers; nevertheless, they are a source of hope in an environment of uncertainty. His steely tenacity in the face of a multi-stressor environment is to be treasured.

Table of contents

• Cover
• Title page
• Copyright page
• Dedication
• Contents
• List of Illustrations
• List of acronyms
• Acknowledgements
• Foreword
• Introduction
• Chapter 1 - Full of sound and fury? The climate change discourse
• Chapter 2 - Thou shalt not only survive but thrive, if…: Hurudza and mediator
• Chapter 3 - ‘New tricks’: Managing rainfall variability
• Chapter 4 - Rhyming with an audience
• Conclusion - Good news makers stand and be counted
• Appendix 1 - A tribute to the late Mr Phiri Maseko*. For whom the bell tolls
• List of references
• Glossary
• Back cover