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This article examines the persistence of hunger in food surplus Zimbabwe during the 1990s. It combines a discussion of the literature an hunger with an analysis of the Zimbabwean structural adjustment programme using the `entitlements' theory of famine as the point of departure to examine `persistent starvation'. The article questions the extent to which the structural adjustment programme and increased food production have contributed to food security and welfare. It notes that destitution resulting from structural adjustment polices have increased food insecurity by eroding the purchasing power of large sections of the population. The article further argues that in addition to economic causes, destitution is exacerbated by the effective lack of accountability on the part of the key decision-makers.
Introduction
Harare was rocked by violent food riots for three days in January 1998 (The Economist, 1998). Until then Harare was considered one of Africa's most tranquil capitals and Zimbabwe thought to be one of the success stories of African agriculture. Except for the drought of 1991-1992, Zimbabwe has been largely self sufficient in the production of staples. Furthermore, during the drought the government was able to prevent a potentially disastrous famine. Not only was the expansion in Zimbabwean agriculture meant to provide national food security, but until South Africa's admission to the group, Zimbabwe served as the Southern African Development Community (SADC's) granary. SADC's agricultural policies have been successful enough to turn the region into one of food surplus (Haarlov, 1997). So what explains discontent and destitution in the midst of food surpluses? Zimbabwe appears to be suffering from a food security paradox (Salih, 1994) food surpluses (supply factors) are insufficient to ensure food security. Demand driven factors are equally important. While recognising Zimbabwe's achievements in agriculture, this article seeks to analyse why Zimbabwe's structural adjustment programme has rendered food security such an elusive goal for so many Zimbabweans.
The Framework for Analysis
The analysis of starvation in policy circles is centred largely on Malthusian or neo Malthusian approaches. These postulate that starvation results from a decline in aggregate food availability. The key flaw in this approach is the view that as long as food output grows as fast as population, starvation will not be a problem. Yet the Zimbabwean case demonstrates this premise...