Story by Wellington Makonese
OVER 15 000 farmers in Shurugwi are benefiting from organic farming and large-scale poultry projects, courtesy of financial support from the Japanese Government.
For a community that has largely relied on subsistence farming, climate change has posed a threat to survival in Chitora area of Shurugwi, prompting a shift towards organic and climate smart practices.
Adaptation has birthed the Chitora Climate Learning Centre for smart organic farming practices, where around 15 000 farmers, 60 percent of them women, are involved in horticulture and poultry production enough to supply the provincial market.
“Ours is a dry region wherr agriculture has been worsened by climatic changes. We have however improved as a result of the help from the Japanese Embassy,” said a beneficiary of the project.
Another said, “The projects have transformed my life as a woman, having to fend for my famil and pay boarding fees.
The projects feed into rural development 8.0 anchored on establishment of rural business units as explained by Chitora Climate Learning Centre field officer, Mr Christopher Maforimbo.
“The transformation of this area cannot be over emphasised. We have established this centre that looks into the value addition chain, making fences, and feed,” he said.
“We support families through infrastructure and skills to fight the El Nino induced challenges, we started getting support from the Government of Japan in 2015, and we are looking into innovation countrywide. The new business units are being created to improve livelihoods,” noted Local Initiative Development Agency executive director, Dr Pascal Manyakaidze.
Zimbabwe and Japan have long standing ties that have seen the Japanese government extending support in various sectors that include sport, education and infrastructure development.
