Online Reporter
Thupeyo Muleya, Beitbridge Bureau
The government, in partnership with the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP), is rolling out a new initiative that links irrigation schemes with private sector buyers, financiers, and technology providers, aiming to benefit at least 350 smallholder farmers across Zimbabwe.
Supported by the Green Climate Fund (GCF) and UNDP, this programme targets projects in Manicaland, Masvingo, and Matabeleland South provinces. It seeks to help farmers expand beyond local trade, increase incomes, and build climate resilience.
The initiative forms part of the seven-year Climate Resilience Livelihoods (CRL) project, which aids over 2.3 million people in adapting to climate change.
With irrigation as a key component of climate-smart agriculture, the programme incorporates private sector dialogues and farmer learning days to strengthen market linkages, showcase innovative technologies, and promote sustainable practices.
Mr Rungano Benza, CRL Project Manager, emphasized the importance of these dialogues.
“By linking production with profitable markets, we are ensuring that farmers can sustainably increase yields, incomes, and resilience,” he said.
He added, “The programme combines business-to-farmer dialogues, where buyers and financiers share opportunities for contract farming and value chain integration, with look-and-learn field days showcasing technologies such as solar-powered irrigation, drip systems, and soil and water conservation practices.”
Mr Benza also highlighted the programme’s focus on gender equity, ensuring women are empowered to benefit from emerging market opportunities.
The participants span the three provinces and include irrigation management committees, local leaders, extension officers, and private sector partners such as insurers, banks, microfinance institutions, input suppliers, off-takers, transporters, and climate-smart technology companies.
The UNDP Zimbabwe office said the initiative is expected to deliver wide-ranging benefits for farming communities.
“By strengthening links with buyers, financiers, and technology providers, smallholder farmers will gain access to profitable markets, improve their irrigation practices, and adopt climate-smart technologies.
This will boost yields, increase incomes, and enhance food and water security while ensuring women farmers are fully included in new opportunities,” the organisation said.
It further stressed that the programme will foster stronger value chain integration, create jobs, and establish long-term business partnerships contributing to resilient livelihoods and inclusive economic growth.
UNDP Zimbabwe noted that the initiative directly supports the country’s Vision 2030 and National Development Strategy 1 (NDS1) by enhancing agricultural productivity, building resilient livelihoods, and promoting inclusive growth.
Additionally, it advances progress toward several Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), particularly those focused on food security, gender equality, and climate action.
“By promoting sustainable irrigation, forging long-term business partnerships, and enhancing value chain integration, the programme underscores UNDP’s commitment to advancing climate-resilient development and ensuring that no one is left behind,” said UNDP Zimbabwe.
