The Promoting Recovery in Zimbabwe project offers intensive training that Maposa and the other local community members have benefitted from.
“Before we got training and irrigation equipment from PRIZE we used to grow one crop. Now we plant butternut, cabbage, rape, carrots, paprika and onions. We are earning a lot of money which previously we could not make because of erratic rainfall and shortage of water in the area,” said Maposa.
Cash crop
Maposa said the farmers’ fortunes were transformed by the tomato hybrid variety that they were introduced to under the PRIZE project.
“I am selling a 40kg box of tomatoes for $20 and my target market is mainly local families and schools. A lot of people now visit our garden to buy these tomatoes, which they say have a longer shelf life,” he said.
Supported by USAID and Food For Peace and funded to the tune of $60 million, the PRIZE project focuses mainly on food security of vulnerable households by creating productive livelihood assets, improving vulnerable farmers’ skills and enhancing their access to markets.
The PRIZE project started in 2010 under its consortium, which includes CARE, ACDI/VOCA, Community Technology Development organization and Organisations of Rural Associations for Progress.
It is being implemented in eight districts: Beitbridge, Bulilima, Gwanda, Mangwe, Matobo, Mberengwa, Mudzi and Rushinga which all lie in the agro-ecological regions 1V and V characterised by high temperatures and erratic rainfall.
“Through a variety of interventions, the PRIZE programme has improved the food security of 137,000 beneficiaries,” said Melisa Williams the USAID’s mission director.
Safety in numbers
Care PRIZE Programmes Manager, Patrick Ndungu, said a total of 14,400 clients have been urged to form groups.
“In the three Care operational areas, over 7,360 clients have received training in village savings and landing methodology,” said Ndungu.
Ndungu said the success of the programme in Matabeleland South was mainly achieved in livestock activities.
“Outside the dip tanks, cattle sales pens and paddocks established in CARE districts, we have seen some organised livestock sales drawing participation from Rural District councils, buyers and the livestock farmers,” said Ndungu.
“I now know how to prepare nutritious feed for my cattle. The introduction of the community–based village Animal Health Worker model is also one of the celebrated achievements which has improved animal health and is addressing the gap of inadequate veterinary services,” said Samkelo Moyo.
Post published in: News