ReliefWeb

Project code: OSRO/ZIM/701/USA
Resource partner: United States of America
Contribution: USD 2 191 288
Implementation: 23/08/2017–30/11/2018
Target areas: Bulilima, Chivi, Gwanda, Insiza, Mberengwa, Mwenezi,
Tsholotsho, Umzingwane and Zvishavane districts

Objective: To improve the livelihoods, food security and nutrition of smallholder farmers.

Key partners: Ministry of Lands, Agriculture, Water, Climate and Rural Resettlement, and Nongovernmental Organizations.

Beneficiaries reached: 10 197 drought-affected smallholder farmers.

Activities implemented:

• Procured agricultural and livestock inputs to be delivered to Agricultural Development Associations (ADAs) to sell to farmers: ADAs sold 2 300 tonnes of feed to 4 070 households and 41.15 tonnes of cowpea seeds to 7 097 households, generating USD 251 889 to be reinvested into the communities.

• Delivered 5 000 single layered hermetic bags to 1 800 farmers.

• Provided 7 218 cattle with access to feed, improving their nutritional status and survival prospects.

• Trained 279 extension staff and 6 131 farmers on good agricultural practices focused on cowpea production, and post-harvest and handling methods.

• Trained ADA members on leadership skills, logistics, and financial, project and warehouse management to build their capacity to manage the sale of inputs.

• Trained 5 479 farmers and 277 extension officers on animal health and livestock production, including feed-lotting, pen fattening and meat grading, to enhance farmers’ awareness and the capacity of extension officers to provide support.

• Conducted post-distribution and pre-harvest assessments, and participated in key national agriculture and food security assessments, to determine the impact of the project and assess the food security and nutrition status in project areas.

• Facilitated one national level end of project review meeting and nine district level meetings to disseminate good practices and lessons learned from the project to key stakeholders, including farmers.

Results:

• Increased farmers’ access to cropping and livestock inputs, specifically feed, seed and hermetic bags.

• Strengthened agriculture and food security and nutrition early warning and information systems.

• Enhanced the capacity of ADAs to conduct managerial functions.

• Enhanced the capacity of extension officers and farmers to maximise the use of agricultural inputs.

• Build farmers’ awareness of the proper way of maintaining and managing animals.