Deforestation and Livelihoods in Rural Zimbabwe Tyler Marshall, Global Resource Systems, Iowa State University Introduction Zimbabwe is suffering from environmental degradation and economic failure. Both of these problems have had a negative effect on the livelihoods of people living in rural sectors of the country, such as lower living standards, decreased overall health, economic oppression, and misinformation on the state of the agricultural industry and the environment throughout the country. In addition, there is evidence to suggest that the economy of Zimbabwe is dominated by tobacco production. Materials and Methods Extensive research about the history of deforestation in Zimbabwe has been done, as well as research on agriculture and tobacco industries. • Research consisted mostly of articles and books found at Parks Library • Separate research on Zimbabwe’s tobacco industry • Finding the relationship between tobacco and deforestation • I have had personal experience with an agricultural organization in suburban Zimbabwe, outside of the capital city of Harare • Direct contact with members of a small village in rural Zimbabwe • This community is made up of villagers that are new to farming, so are even more uninformed on agricultural production • Some interview questions were sent to members of a rural community in the town of Chinhoyi • Some of those interviewed own small-scale farms Findings and Results After researching more on the state of living in rural Zimbabwe, it is clear that livelihoods have been negatively affected by deforestation and tobacco production. • Since tobacco is so widely produced in Zimbabwe, many people rely on this for their source of income • It takes 16kg of wood to cure 1kg of tobacco • Most Zimbabweans have no thoughts on nature and its effect on their lives • Agricultural production has been halted in the country, which means high exports and high costs The real problem is poverty, and a poor natural environment across the country adds to it • Results and analysis of interviews are not complete, so should not be paid much attention until finished Acknowledgements: Drs. Ted MacDonald, Dorothy Masinde, Richard Schultz, and Gail Nonnecke at Iowa State University, Ms. Manatt, Mr. and Mrs. Kolschosky, and Michael Sulc. Chart of Worldwide Deforestation List of countries most impacted by tobacco curing Graphs of Deforestation Statistics in Zimbabwe Deforestation Photos of forests wiped out in rural Zimbabwe Conclusions and Recommendations There are practical programs in place to help rural farmers become more aware of the importance of the environment to their lives. • In general, there is a lack of understanding on the presence of the natural environment in the lives of rural farmers, so the most important steps that can be taken are to inform the public about the environmental impacts of agriculture: • Classroom-setting meetings/conferences have shown success • Training and learning in the field are practical • Implementing agroforestry emphasizes importance of integrating trees with agriculture Literature Cited Zimbabwe – Forest Area [Internet]. 2012. IndexMundi; [cited 2015 October 8]. Available from: indexmundi.com. Geist HJ. 1999. Global Assessment of Deforestation Related to Tobacco Farming. BMJ [Internet]. Neuss, (Germany); [cite 2015 October 8]. 8(1):18-28. Available from: http://tobaccocontrol.bmj.com/content/8/1/18.short. Forested land, sq. km Forested land, percentage of total land Research Goal The goal of this research is to find and analyze the connection between deforestation and rural poverty, and how Zimbabwe’s view of nature has a direct impact on its economic downturn over the last 35 years.

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Deforestation and Livelihoods in Rural ZimbabweTyler Marshall, Global Resource Systems, Iowa State University

IntroductionZimbabwe is suffering from environmental degradation and economic failure. Both of these problems have had a negative effect on the livelihoods of people living in rural sectors of the country, such as lower living standards, decreased overall health, economic oppression, and misinformation on the state of the agricultural industry and the environment throughout the country. In addition, there is evidence to suggest that the economy of Zimbabwe is dominated by tobacco production.

Materials and MethodsExtensive research about the history of deforestation in Zimbabwe has been done, as well as research on agriculture and tobacco industries.• Research consisted mostly of articles and books

found at Parks Library• Separate research on Zimbabwe’s tobacco industry• Finding the relationship between tobacco and

deforestation• I have had personal experience with an agricultural

organization in suburban Zimbabwe, outside of the capital city of Harare

• Direct contact with members of a small village in rural Zimbabwe

• This community is made up of villagers that are new to farming, so are even more uninformed on agricultural production

• Some interview questions were sent to members of a rural community in the town of Chinhoyi

• Some of those interviewed own small-scale farms

Findings and ResultsAfter researching more on the state of living in rural Zimbabwe, it is clear that livelihoods have been negatively affected by deforestation and tobacco production.• Since tobacco is so widely produced in Zimbabwe, many

people rely on this for their source of income• It takes 16kg of wood to cure 1kg of tobacco• Most Zimbabweans have no thoughts on nature and its

effect on their lives• Agricultural production has been halted in the country,

which means high exports and high costs The real problem is poverty, and a poor natural environment across the country adds to it

• Results and analysis of interviews are not complete, so should not be paid much attention until finished

Acknowledgements: Drs. Ted MacDonald, Dorothy Masinde, Richard Schultz, and Gail Nonnecke at Iowa State University, Ms. Manatt, Mr. and Mrs. Kolschosky, and Michael Sulc.

Chart of Worldwide Deforestation

List of countries most impacted by tobacco curing

Graphs of Deforestation Statistics in Zimbabwe

Deforestation

Photos of forests wiped out in rural Zimbabwe

Conclusions and RecommendationsThere are practical programs in place to help rural farmers become more aware of the importance of the environment to their lives.• In general, there is a lack of understanding on the

presence of the natural environment in the lives of rural farmers, so the most important steps that can be taken are to inform the public about the environmental impacts of agriculture:

• Classroom-setting meetings/conferences have shown success

• Training and learning in the field are practical• Implementing agroforestry emphasizes importance of

integrating trees with agriculture

Literature CitedZimbabwe – Forest Area [Internet]. 2012. IndexMundi; [cited 2015 October 8]. Available from: indexmundi.com.Geist HJ. 1999. Global Assessment of Deforestation Related to Tobacco Farming. BMJ [Internet]. Neuss, (Germany); [cite 2015 October 8]. 8(1):18-28. Available from: http://tobaccocontrol.bmj.com/content/8/1/18.short.

Forested land, sq. km Forested land, percentage of total land

Research GoalThe goal of this research is to find and analyze the connection between deforestation and rural poverty, and how Zimbabwe’s view of nature has a direct impact on its economic downturn over the last 35 years.