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

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.

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

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

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

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

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

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.

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

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.

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

Uncertainties are everywhere. But how can we navigate them successfully?