Online Reporter
Sukulwenkosi Dube-Matutu [email protected]
The Climate Resilient Livelihoods (CRL) in Southern Zimbabwe project has incorporated over 70,000 farmers from 15 districts across the country into its farmer field school concept.
The project, implemented in Manicaland, Masvingo, and Matabeleland South, strengthens agricultural livelihoods for vulnerable communities—particularly women—against increasing climate risks. It enhances climate resilience by improving access to water, promoting climate-resilient agricultural practices, and advancing the use of climate information.
CRL project’s climate-smart agriculture expert, Dr Nelson Chanza, said the farmer field schools are collaborating with institutions such as Matopos Research Institution and Esigodini Agricultural College in Matabeleland South, Makoholi Research Institute and Chiredzi Research Institute in Masvingo, and Chisumbanje Research Institute in Manicaland.
“Under the farmer field school concept, we have 6,900 lead farmers with 69,000 followers, meaning the project has reached over 70,000 farmers. More farmers have also benefited indirectly. This covers both crop and livestock-based agriculture.
“The project has partnered with research centres and agricultural institutions in the country to act as innovation platforms to address barriers that farmers face in adapting their farming practices to climatic disturbances and other shocks,” he said.
He said the farmer field schools allow farmers to visit these institutions and gain practical skills and knowledge.
A farmer field school is a group-based learning process where farmers conduct experimental learning activities to understand the ecology of their farming practice. These activities include simple experiments, regular field observations, and group analysis.
The knowledge gained enables participants to make informed, locally specific decisions about farm management practices.
The CRL Project is supported by the Government of Zimbabwe, the Green Climate Fund, and the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP).
@DubeMatutu
