In the drought-prone districts of Southern Zimbabwe, farmers battle unpredictable rainfall and dwindling agricultural yields. Climate change has made traditional farming methods unreliable, forcing smallholder farmers to seek new solutions. For farmers like Chizivano Shava, innovation is not just an option, it’s a necessity.
Supported by the Government of Zimbabwe, the Green Climate Fund and UNDP, the project 'Building Climate Resilience of Vulnerable Agricultural Livelihoods in Southern Zimbabwe' (known locally as the Climate Resilient Livelihoods Project, or CRL) is equipping vulnerable farming communities, especially women, to withstand the harsh realities of climate change.
The project has established 230 Farmer Field Schools in its 15 operational districts. Farmers are using a portfolio of conservation agricultural practices, including intercropping and rainwater harvesting, easing the burden on households and reducing time spent fetching water. More than 54,000 hectares of rain-fed controlled by almost 70,000 farmers are exhibiting water harvesting and water management measures; and more than 82,000 households are benefitting from diversified, climate-resilient livelihoods options introduced by the project.