Online Reporter
Rutendo Nyeve, Zimpapers Writer
THE Environmental Management Agency (EMA) has significantly advanced sustainable land management practices within the Drylands Sustainable Landscapes Impact Programme. To date, the agency has established an impressive 600 farmer field schools and four vital community seed banks across the Midlands and Masvingo provinces. These initiatives aim to bolster agricultural resilience and biodiversity within these key dryland regions.
Funded by the Global Environment Facility (GEF) and implemented by EMA in collaboration with the United Nations Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO), the programme aims to strengthen ecosystems, climate resilience, and livelihoods in drought-prone areas. Operating in 11 countries, including Zimbabwe, the initiative focuses on the restoration of dryland areas within the Save and Runde catchments.
In a recent interview with Zimpapers, National Projects Co-ordinator, Mrs Precious Magwaza stated that the programme targets eight districts: Shurugwi (Midlands), Masvingo, Chivi, Bikita, Chipinge, Chimanimani, and Buhera. She explained that the project spans 44 wards, addressing land degradation and food insecurity through community-led solutions.
“This project in Zimbabwe is focused on improving the status of the land and natural resources, particularly in the dryland regions of the Save and Runde catchments. It operates in eight districts and across 44 wards. The project is funded through the seven cycles of the Global Environment Facility (GEF), with FAO serving as the implementing agency. The Environmental Management Agency (EMA), under the Ministry of Environment, is executing the project and managing its day-to-day operations,” said Mrs Magwaza.
Mrs Magwaza said that the initiative is being delivered through four implementing partners, with the Community Technology Development Organisation (CTDO) being the lead.
“CTDO is focused on mainstreaming sustainable land management in crop-land farming. This involves building community capacity to improve both land conditions and agricultural yields. Under this component, we have established 600 farmer field schools, supported by Agritex. The focus is on providing equipment to improve agricultural practices, alongside general training,” she said.
The farmer field schools provide training to villagers on sustainable land management, forest management, intensification and intercropping, soil and water conservation, integrated crop and livestock production and conservation farming.
“We are supporting climate-resilient seeds. Under CTDO, we are also establishing community seed banks aimed at boosting community resilience to climate change by managing these seeds. We have set up seed banks in Zaka, Buhera, Chipinge and Chivi. One seed bank has already been completed and commissioned, while two others are currently under construction,” said Mrs Magwaza.
She highlighted that EMA is also playing a vital role in catchment management, while the Forestry Commission is actively involved in sustainable forest management within the same project.
“The Forestry Commission’s focus is on improving land cover through woodland management, tree planting and other activities. They are also building community capacity to care for forests and benefit sustainably from them,” said Mrs Magwaza.
She also noted that World Vision is a key partner in a component of the project focused on strengthening community livelihoods through business development.
“World Vision is leading this component, which centres on non-timber forest products and traditional green enterprises. We are encouraging communities to benefit from their natural resources in a sustainable manner,” she said. — @nyeve14
