Desmond Manatsa

Abstract

The purpose of this research study was to determine the geospatial and temporal characteristics of the drought years in Zimbabwe for the period between 1940 and 1999. Using time series analysis, spatial analysis and the Kruskal‑Wallistest, the study established that there has been a gradual increase in the frequency of ’drought years’ in the recent past, suggesting that some parts of the country might be experiencing climate change. The study concludes that the nature of government initiated intervention strategies for improving agriculture in arid areas may now have to be considered foradoption in areas normally conceived as moist.

Keywords: Agriculture, Drought, Food security, Geospatial analysis, Rural livelihoods, Time series analysis, Zimbabwe

Geoffrey Mukwada, University of the Free State Department of Geography Private Bag X13, 9866 Phuthaditjhaba: South Africa
Desmond Manatsa, Bindura University of Science Education Department of Geography Private Bag 1020, Bindura: Zimbabwe