Online Reporter
Elita Chikwati
A TRANSFORMATIVE initiative, the Integrated Rural Resilience Building Programme (IRRB), supported by the government of Japan and the World Food Programme (WFP), is taking root in Zimbabwe.
It marks a significant step towards enhancing livelihoods and ensuring sustainable development in areas often ravaged by climate change.
At the recent launch of the IRRB, stakeholders gathered to discuss a vision that hinges on partnerships among Government entities, development partners and the private sector. WFP Country director Mrs Barbara Clemens set the tone for the event by emphasising the critical role of collaboration in tackling food insecurity.
“What we seek to do is develop partnerships with traditional donors, the private sector and the Government of Zimbabwe for the purpose of taking raw materials for growing, adding value, and trading,” she said.
The IRRB is designed to span three years and focuses on smallholder farmers across several districts, including Chipinge, Mt Darwin, Mwenezi, Chiredzi and Rushinga.
These communities are particularly vulnerable to frequent droughts, which threaten food security and livelihoods.
Mrs Clemens underscored the initiative’s comprehensive approach, which includes strengthening climate-smart agricultural practices, improving market access, establishing water-based infrastructure and enhancing agricultural extension service capacity.
The goal is to foster long-term sustainability in food systems and build resilience among farming communities.
Mrs Clemens highlighted the importance of aligning WFP projects with national development goals, including Zimbabwe’s Vision 2030 and Rural Development 8.0.
“Whatever we are doing seeks to strengthen what Government is already doing. We should also align with our beneficiaries.
“We need to include beneficiaries to ensure sustainability of the interventions,” she said.
In a country where agriculture is a lifeline for many, the establishment of village business units is a game-changer.
These local economic hubs bring services and value addition closer to farmers.
Through these units, farmers can access essential resources and training, enabling them to thrive in a competitive market.
The focus on specific value chains, particularly sesame and groundnuts, is particularly promising. These crops not only offer commercial potential, but are also better suited to withstand Zimbabwe’s shifting climate realities.
Added Mrs Clemens: “Together with the Ministry and our partners, we identified priority value chains that not only offer commercial potential but are also better suited to withstand Zimbabwe’s shifting climate realities.”
The collaboration between WFP and the Ministry of Lands, Agriculture, Fisheries, Water and Rural Development is crucial.
Mr Sibangilizwe Dlodlo, the director for training at the Ministry of Agriculture, shared insights on the ongoing efforts to empower rural farmers.
“WFP has worked with Government in capacity strengthening through extension approaches. “There are ongoing efforts to strengthen the capacity of extension officers and smallholder horticulture farmers.
“This empowers farmers to grow for a market, rather than to grow and sell and also to grow for profit, rather than simply for the purposes of subsistence,” he said.
This shift from subsistence farming to market-oriented agriculture represents a significant paradigm change for many rural communities. Farmers are now equipped with the skills and knowledge needed to thrive in a market-driven economy.
The support from the Japanese government has been instrumental in this endeavour.
A representative of Japan, Mr Tetsuya Murakami, highlighted the nation’s commitment to aiding Zimbabwean farmers.
Over the past five years, Japan has provided food assistance to the World Food Programme worth US$11 million, benefiting approximately 210 000 people, including those affected by the Covid-19 pandemic.
“In addition to food aid, the government of Japan contributes to the projects of WFP to strengthen the capacity of smallholder farmers in Zimbabwe,” he said.
The emphasis on growing sesame seeds for market-oriented agriculture illustrates a forward-thinking approach to rural development.
Mr Murakami added: “Most of these sesame seeds will be processed into sesame oil and different products like sesame oil and sesame seeds.”
As the IRRB programme unfolds, it stands as a testament to the power of partnerships in fostering sustainable rural development.
With a collaborative spirit at its core, the initiative addresses immediate needs and lays the groundwork for a resilient agricultural future in Zimbabwe.
In a world where climate challenges loom large, the IRRB offers hope and a blueprint for sustainable development.
By uniting Government, private sector, and community efforts, Zimbabwe is taking significant strides towards a food-secure future. This effort proves that through collaboration, anything is possible.
