Ian Scoones

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Why livestock can be good for the environment

In places like Zimbabwe livestock production is integral to mixed farming systems and in the drier areas.

By Ian Scoones Jan. 24, 2023

Why livestock can be good for the environment

How some tractors, dead lions met in Harare: A new geopolitics in Africa?

In exchange, Zimbabwe received US$66m worth of agricultural equipment for the agricultural mechanisation programme, notably tractors made at the famous former Soviet plant in Belarus.

By Ian Scoones Feb. 12, 2023

How some tractors, dead lions met in Harare: A new geopolitics in Africa?

Feature: Phases of Zim’s land reform: A shifting political economy

The invasion and establishment phase emerged of course in part as a consequence of the constitutional referendum of 2000.

By Ian Scoones Mar. 21, 2023

Feature: Phases of Zim’s land reform: A shifting political economy

Robin Palmer: The original land campaigner and scholar activist

Robin travelled to what was then Southern Rhodesia in 1960 to pursue an undergraduate degree at University College of Rhodesia and Nyasaland.

By Ian Scoones Mar. 31, 2023

Robin Palmer: The original land campaigner and scholar activist

Zim’s land resettlement experience

With the end of the strictures imposed by Lancaster House Agreement in 1990, it was possible for the state to acquire land and the Land Acquisition Act was passed in 1992.

By Ian Scoones Apr. 6, 2023

The ‘hidden middle’: the transformation of agri-food systems in Africa

Tom Reardon, lead author of the AGRA and IFAD reports that have highlighted this phenomenon so effectively, argued at a launch event

By Ian Scoones Apr. 18, 2023

The ‘hidden middle’: the transformation of agri-food systems in Africa

Maize markets in Zim: A complex web of hidden activity

Maize is central to a complex web of small-scale businesses supporting production, transport, processing and marketing.

By Ian Scoones Apr. 30, 2023

Maize markets in Zim: A complex web of hidden activity

Rethinking African developement

Facing up to uncertainty is at the heart of all these challenges

By Ian Scoones Jun. 9, 2023

The poultry value web in Zim

Agrodealers and veterinary supplies merchants are vital for poultry production, as diseases are common, especially among the more highly bred varieties.

By Ian Scoones Jun. 23, 2023

Booming horticulture markets: A growing ‘hidden middle’

The large-scale, commercial horticulture sector took a knock as farms were redistributed, although some have persisted and maintained their markets.

By Ian Scoones Jul. 21, 2023

Booming horticulture markets: A growing ‘hidden middle’

Zimbabwe’s disputed election: why resource politics matter

Proof of rigging requires the cross-checking of the infamous V11 forms, but these have not yet all been provided.

By Ian Scoones Oct. 1, 2023

Zimbabwe’s disputed election: why resource politics matter

Appropriate agriculture machinery in Zimbabwe: the vital role of rural innovation and service hubs

In the past, the support for mechanisation was focused on big, high-tech and expensive machines – the classic tractors, combines or centre pivot irrigation systems.

By Ian Scoones Dec. 17, 2023

Appropriate agriculture machinery in Zimbabwe: the vital role of rural innovation and service hubs

Why financing agric in Zim needs a rethink

In Zimbabwe however, beyond a few small donor-led projects, micro-finance has not taken off to the same extent.

By Ian Scoones Jan. 19, 2024

Why financing agric in Zim needs a rethink

The changing remittance economy in Zim

Remittances also flow internally within the country, from people working in town in government jobs or in businesses of different sorts.

By Ian Scoones Feb. 4, 2024

Financing agric in Zim: What are the challenges, opportunities?

But remittances are not assured, as conditions change at migrant destinations, whether through Covid-19 restrictions, economic depression or xenophobic violence.

By Ian Scoones Feb. 16, 2024

Financing agric in Zim: What are the challenges, opportunities?

Land reform changed livelihoods

An important strand of work complements the studies of land-based agricultural livelihoods after land reform and focuses on the intersections of farming and artisanal mining.

By Ian Scoones Feb. 23, 2024

Changing ideas of belonging and identity in post-land reform Zim

They argue that “ethno-regionalism was inevitable in the small-scale A1 farms, since it mainly resettled peasants near their communal areas of origin.

By Ian Scoones Mar. 8, 2024

Changing ideas of belonging and identity in post-land reform Zim

The politics of Zim’s land reform: winners and losers

This had important echoes of what happened during the colonial land distribution process.

By Ian Scoones Mar. 31, 2024

The politics of Zim’s land reform: winners and losers

El Niño drought hits Zim hard

This year, through a very uneven season, farmers have tried and tried to get a crop.

By Ian Scoones Apr. 9, 2024

El Niño drought hits Zimbabwe hard

We have known that this was going to be an El Niño season for many months.

By Ian Scoones Apr. 21, 2024

Perspectives: Zimbabwe as the new carbon frontier: Dangers ahead

This came to light just before the global climate summit in Dubai, COP28, and supposedly showed how seriously the petrostate was taking the climate challenge.

By Ian Scoones Apr. 28, 2024

Perspectives: Zimbabwe as the new carbon frontier: Dangers ahead

The World Bank and land: Some questions

The report observes, “large farm establishment failed to create jobs and had little effect on smallholders’ access to technology or input and insurance markets while often competing for land.

By Ian Scoones Jun. 7, 2024

Will the UK election bring a new direction in Africa?

In collaboration with partners, the UK could once again become a leader in development thinking and practice, providing new approaches while reviving older ones.

By Ian Scoones Jul. 12, 2024

Will the UK election bring a new direction in Africa?

The UK election: new development priorities in Africa?

Although many are making comparisons with the big Labour majority of 1997 when Tony Blair swept to power, today is a very different context.

By Ian Scoones Jul. 14, 2024

The UK election: new development priorities in Africa?

Land tenure reform in Africa: Why customary systems are important

Despite the grand claims around tenure reform interventions involving land demarcation, registration and certification, the outcomes are more ambiguous.

By Ian Scoones Jul. 28, 2024