Initiative:

Diversification in East and Southern Africa

During 2023, Ukama Ustawi (UU) initiated a comprehensive set of trials, including mother, baby, and innovation trials across various communities, to evaluate different Climate-Smart Agriculture (CSA) strategies in Zimbabwe. Concurrently, forage testing demonstrations were carried out, aimed at improving fodder production, with plans to expand these demonstrations in the following season. UU also enhanced access to mechanization by setting up service providers, with plans to extend support to additional baby trial farmers in the upcoming season.

In 2024, UU is set to significantly advance its agricultural and policy initiatives in Zimbabwe, focusing on enhancing irrigation, promoting nutritional foods, and facilitating national agricultural dialogues. A primary focus will be the installation of new irrigation systems in Masvingo, aiming to improve water management and agricultural productivity in the region. Additionally, UU will expand its forage testing demonstrations and increase its network of baby trial farmers by adding 300 participants in two communities, enhancing research and development in farming techniques.

UU will ramp up the promotion of biofortified foods in local communities to combat malnutrition and ensure food security. A national policy dialogue is also scheduled for 2024 to address key agricultural issues and foster collaborative strategies among stakeholders. UU will also organize more seed and mechanization fairs, which will facilitate access to modern farming tools and high-quality seeds for farmers. Complementing these activities, surveys will be conducted to explore new opportunities in mechanization and livestock, aligned with the Grandchildren trials. The continuation of the CGIAR Food Systems Accelerator (CFSA) second cohort will further support innovative agricultural practices. UU is also committed to providing customized matchmaking services to ensure successful partnerships by considering specific cohort needs, geography, sector, and size.

Partnerships

  • Pan African Bean Research Alliance (PABRA)
  • African Conservation Tillage Network (ACTN)
  • Ministry of Lands, Agriculture, Fisheries,
  • Water and Rural Development Zimbabwe
  • Total Landcare
  • University of Zimbabwe (UZ)
  • Swiss Agency for Development and
  • Cooperation (SDC)
  • Worlf Food Programme (WFP)
  • United States Agency for International
  • Development (USAID)
  • Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO)
  • Zonful Energy

Expanding the Gender Action Learning System (GALS) to engage with youth and reach up to 4,000 households is another critical component in 2024. UU aims to integrate gender considerations and youth involvement more deeply into agricultural practices. Additionally, participatory screening of single innovations and bundles will be conducted for socioeconomic outcomes and climate risk using Integrated Analysis Tool (IAT) bio-economic modeling. UU will also publish a peer-reviewed journal article on mechanization, highlighting its research and findings on improving agricultural efficiency in Zimbabwe. These comprehensive efforts reflect UU’s commitment to fostering sustainable, inclusive, and technologically advanced agriculture in Zimbabwe.

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