Exploring the nexus of land use transitions and community livelihoods: a causal loop perspective

This study examines the water-energy-food nexus (WEFN) at the household level in rural Zimbabwe, focusing on how sugarcane farming affects local communities’ access to and management of essential resources. The research addresses a critical knowledge gap in understanding household-level WEFN dynamics in developing countries, where resource interdependencies are particularly pronounced and vulnerable populations face multiple livelihood challenges. A mixed methods approach was employed, involving quantitative household surveys (n = 143) in six selected villages to assess resource access and livelihood outcomes. It included 12 key informant interviews with local leaders, agricultural extension officers, non-governmental organizations (NGO) representatives, and academic experts. Four gender-segregated focus group discussions captured community perspectives on WEFN dynamics. Participatory ranking exercises allowed households to prioritize key factors influencing their resource security. Causal loop diagrams (CLDs) were utilized to visualize feedback mechanisms and interactions within household WEFN systems. The study found significant differentiated impacts between sugarcane-participating and non-participating households. While sugarcane farming enhanced food security and energy access for participating households through improved income generation and infrastructure development, non-participating households experienced trade-offs, including reduced access to grazing land, increased distances for firewood collection, and environmental degradation. Biofuel processing increased river contamination, particularly affecting downstream communities. CLDs identified key feedback loops, showing that longer firewood collection distances limit time for agricultural activities, thus impacting household income and food production. The study recommends context-specific interventions, such as revitalizing community granaries and integrating solar-powered irrigation and aquaculture projects to improve households’ WEFN. The research emphasizes the importance of systems thinking to understand resource interdependencies and create inclusive interventions for both beneficiaries and affected communities of land use changes. The study contributes to evidence-based policies for sustainable agriculture and equitable resource governance in developing countries.