Sidumisile Mabena
Thupeyo Muleya Beitbridge Bureau
The Government working with the Green Climate Fund (GCF) and the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) has introduced a new programme that is helping 230 rural women farmers to access labour-saving technologies to strengthen climate resilience.
In a statement on Monday, UNDP Zimbabwe said the initiative, covering mostly southern districts, was introduced through the Climate Resilient Livelihoods Project.
“The initiative is supporting 230 Farmer Field Schools with earth augers, multi-crop threshers and grinder-choppers designed to reduce the physical burden of agricultural labour, improve productivity and strengthen resilience to climate change,” reads part of the statement.
The organisation said for generations, women have shouldered farming and household duties, spending long hours digging planting basins and processing grain by hand. The new technologies are changing that.
“The introduction of labour-saving technologies is helping women reclaim valuable time, reduce physical strain and participate more actively in income-generating activities, community leadership and climate-resilient farming practices,” UNDP said.
It said in Kichini Village, Buhera district, women were now using earth augers to prepare planting basins quickly, enabling timely planting during short rainy seasons.
“Digging basins manually was exhausting. The auger brought real relief. We now finish plots fast and plant on time,” said Mrs Christine Mudzingwa from Buhera.
“There’s balance now. I can tend my garden and spend time with my family.”
The UNDP added that in Gwanda district, threshers and grinder-choppers have reduced the time needed to process grain and prepare livestock feed.
“Preparing feed used to take a whole day. Now the grinder-chopper does the heavy work. The machines help us care for livestock during droughts, and women are no longer exhausted,” said Miss Precious Hobane of Nsimbi Village.
The organisation said the ability to efficiently process and preserve livestock feed is critical in areas vulnerable to recurrent droughts, where livestock survival depends on adequate fodder preparation and storage.
Beyond easing labour, the UNDP said Farmer Field Schools are hiring out the equipment to neighbours to generate revenue for machine maintenance, inputs and other household needs.
Online Reporter