Newsletter Zimbabwe 2Nd Trimester | 2017

newsletter Zimbabwe 2nd Trimester | 2017

The emergence of the highly pathogenic Avian influenza can spread through avian influenza (HPAI) in Zimbabwe direct contact between susceptible Concerted regional early this year, has far-reaching animal and infected birds, or contact with approach from Southern health, food and nutritional security their secretions and excretions such Africa required to manage it and socio-economic impacts for the as respiratory discharges or faeces. country. Potential losses due to the The disease can also spread through Responding to the avian influenza devastating nature of the disease can contaminated feed, equipment, clothing outbreak requires national authorities have negative impacts on trade in and footwear. It attacks both free- to be better prepared and entails poultry are a further blow to a region range family poultry and intensively strengthening the existing information that is struggling to recuperate from reared birds on large-scale commercial and surveillance systems. The region the effects of consecutive droughts production sites with the same lethal can borrow heavily from good and other emerging high impact results. international practices that have transboundary crop pests and animal successfully contained the bird flu. One diseases such as the fall armyworm The outbreak of the avian influenza way of doing this is to strengthen HPAI and foot and mouth disease. Poultry was predictable after some countries surveillance in domestic poultry and is relatively cheap, easily accessible in North, West and Eastern Africa wild bird populations at the country and and high quality source of protein and confirmed its presence earlier this year, regional levels. This could be achieved poultry production presents livelihoods as well as the global increase in cases of by further capacitating existing national opportunities, particularly for rural the disease. In an emergency regional structures, based on contingency plans women and youth. conference on emerging transboundary that were developed many years ago animal and crop pests and diseases, in response to the pandemic HPAI and Avian influenza is a virus that occurs convened by FAO, SADC and OIE in are modelled along response plans naturally among wild birds worldwide February 2017, experts and delegates that have been effective in monitoring and it affects domestic poultry and were warned of this likelihood. The and containing transboundary pests other birds and animal species. The meeting was alerted to a scenario of and diseases. Furthermore, it is also virus of birds causes illness and death migratory birds, the most likely carrier important for all countries in the not only in domesticated birds, but also of the virus, following their usual Subregion to have Early Warning or in wild birds. When an outbreak occurs, migratory paths through southern Alert systems that are fully functional. it becomes difficult to contain as it Africa and exposing domestic poultry These systems enable policy makers to spreads rapidly through poultry flocks. to the disease. take quick action and to trigger timely and appropriate responses, based on accurate and timely information.

Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations 2nd Trimester2nd Quarter | 2017 Newsletter | 2017

INSIDE THIS ISSUE

COVER STORY Highly pathogenic avian influenza emerges in Zimbabwe PAGE 3 cover © FAO Strengthening capacity of communities to handle veld fires through community based fire management

PAGE 4 Unlocking the potential of smallholder irrigation to give a life-line to small holder farmers in Zimbabwe 03 © FAO PAGE 6 Capacitating livestock Extension support services for improved livestock production

PAGE 7 Crossman finds lustre in agriculture 04 © FAO PAGE 8 Zimbabwe launches National AMR Action Plan (photos)

PAGE 9

FAO promotes Agenda 2030 at the Harare Agriculture © FAO show (pictures) 06 PAGE 10 High level meeting discusses how to integrate nutrition in agriculture policy and processes

PAGE 11 LFSP continues sharing experiences 07 © FAO

Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations 02 08 © FAO 2nd Quarter Newsletter | 2017

CONTINUATION FROM COVER PAGE 1

Region meets to assess preparedness and response

Following the outbreak of the highly pathogenic Avian Influenza (HPAI) H5N8 virus in the region, the Southern Africa Development Community (SADC) secretariat, in © FAO collaboration with FAO organized a technical meeting to assess the preparedness, response capacities and actions of member states to the recent outbreaks of HPAI in the sub region. The meeting which was held in Johannesburg reviewed contingency plans and served as © FAO a platform to improve regional coordination in management of similar outbreaks. © FAO © FAO Everyone (including consumers) should be aware of the potential of avian influenza virus to cause disease Strengthening capacity of and death in domestic poultry, as well as how it can be transmitted. © FAO Some strains of the Avian Influenza communities to handle virus have the potential to become infectious to humans although veld fires through community the H5N8 Virus currently reported in Southern Africa has not been based fire management known to affect human health. It is of paramount importance to always adhere to the advice, instructions and Veld fires, an annual menace that to help communities appreciate © FAO precautions issued by the competent leaves a trail of destruction, are forests and understand how their authorities. a threat to the bio-physical and livelihoods can benefit greatly from socio-economic environment of any them. Speaking at the launch of the community. Rural communities are 2017 fire season held in Lupane the most affected by vegetation district under the theme Veld Fires fires as they have limited resources destroy the environment, life and to respond timely to fire incidents. property – Prevent them; FAO head Most veld fires are caused, either of Operations Jean–Claude Urvoy intentionally or unintentionally, said protecting the environment from by people within the affected veld fire damage was one of FAO’s communities. As such, involving global mandates. “This is so because © FAO communities in fire management communities can benefit greatly from becomes a logical approach to forests and natural resources,” he fighting veld fires. added.

FAO has been implementing a Through an EU funded Forest community based approach to fire FORCES project, FAO has been management in Zimbabwe since helping communities reap benefits 2008. Part of the community based from forests through timber out- approach to fire management is grower schemes and value addition

to non- timber forest products as bee-keeping practices. Thanks to the project, Lupane district has recorded a huge reduction in total area lost to veld fires from 93 000ha in 2015 to about 18 000ha in 2016. This evidently shows that natural resources conservation happens unintentionally for the benefit of all where communities are deriving benefits from forests.

Urvoy also noted, in his speech that, incidence of veld fires had decreased in areas where beekeeping was being practiced. “It is therefore important to incentivize natural resources management through promotion of interventions that would bring benefits to communities,” he added. The project also capacitated beneficiary communities with firefighting equipment which was officially handed over to the Lupane © FAO community by the EU programme manager for natural resource management Andrea Janoha, during the 2017 fire season launch in July. Unlocking the potential of Janoha congratulated the Lupane smallholder irrigation to give community for successfully reducing fire incidents and encouraged them to continue protecting their forests a life-line to small holder and natural resources from veld fires as the 2017 Fire season kicks off. farmers in Zimbabwe About the Forest FORCES As we approach Gudyanga irrigation crops receive enough water for a Project scheme in Zimbabwe’s Manicaland decent harvest, as well as guarantee more than a single annual harvest. Forest Forces is a 4 year EU- funded province, the relentless April sun We are told that since the project to improve food security bears witness to the need for a establishment of the scheme in 1997, and incomes of vulnerable rural functional irrigation system. The the irrigation system has suffered communities through participatory women at the scheme ululate to numerous breakdowns, leading to sustainable forest management welcome us and we soon settle its near total collapse. This had left (SFM) and valorization of forest down either on floor mats or wooden Gudyanga residents vulnerable to products, diversified livelihoods benches for what would turn out to the vagaries of weather, as they had strategies and enhanced capacity be a very candid discussion. no choice than to depend on rain-fed to deal with shocks. The project is farming over the past few years. also the development of the first Gudyanga is one of the schemes official Forest Policy for Zimbabwe (a that have been rehabilitated under “We heard from the Ministry of draft of which has been validated by a FAO smallholder irrigation project Agriculture that FAO and the stakeholders), which is going to guide (SIP) funded by the European Union. European Union were looking for the development of the Forest sector The area lies in Zimbabwe’s natural irrigation schemes to rehabilitate in the country. The project is being region 4, which is characterized in the province and we applied,” implemented in 8 districts across 4 by low rainfall (less than 650 mm explains the chairman of the provinces in Zimbabwe. annually), severe dry spells during the rainy season, and frequent irrigation committee. “We were very seasonal droughts. In such areas, excited to be informed about our irrigation is essential in ensuring that selection to benefit from this project. 04 2nd Quarter Newsletter | 2017

This year, we are happy to tell you, we have produced more yields than the scheme had ever produced since its establishment 20 years ago”.

Other farmers in the scheme also proudly share testimonials of increased production. “I used to produce four scotch carts, this season I have harvested double that,” says an elderly lady with excitement, “there is surplus food for my family this season, something that I am not used to having,” she adds gleefully. An average scotch cart transports approximately 300 kilograms of grain.

The rest of the community seem eager to share their stories; it seems like every farmer at the scheme has a success story of their own. The rehabilitated irrigation has not only provided food security for a community reeling from two consecutive years of drought but also © FAO securing income for farmers as they sell their surplus maize following a bumper harvest. FAO for supporting the scheme and and leave us here.” The dedication promises to send a big fish as a token of these two farmers mirrors the Smallholder irrigation plays a vital of appreciation. commitment of the majority of role in the sustenance of rural farmers that are benefitting under livelihoods and is one of the most At this scheme the farmers boast the project’s varied interventions in reliable ways resource-poor farmers of a tomato crop whose size in the province. can improve their livelihoods and hectarage and in harvest surpasses ensure sustainable food security all others in Zimbabwe. The scheme When project deadlines pass and during dry periods. What is more has been cultivating tomatoes since funds disappear, all too often results pleasing is how farmers under the its establishment; however sourcing begin to dissipate. An important SIP have firmly grasped the concept a reliable bulk market for their facet of the SIP is on ensuring of farming as a business. Under the tomatoes had become a problem. sustainability beyond the project project, the farmers have been linked With the onset of the SIP, the farmers lifespan. to credit agreements with banks and explain to me how they are hopeful markets to sell their crops. They are that this year when harvest comes, The mountainous province of now looking at farming beyond their they will have ready buyers for their Manicaland may be known for its subsistence needs to seeing it as a impressive tomato crop. scenic landscape and red soils. viable business capable of raking in Beyond the beauty of the terrain, considerable profit. We also visit Tonhorai irrigation however, are unexplored stories scheme where we also had the of promising tomato producers, At Maunganidze Irrigation Scheme, opportunity to witness and energetic farmers defying climate the farmers entertain us with a participate in a prize-giving event imposed limitations and even chipipi short play that depicts an old spirit for farmers who are being rewarded ngonono inspiring communities medium dubbed chipipi ngonono (an for their hard work. “No one works to work hard. These stories prove old guiding spirit who is believed to as hard as we do,” the number one beyond doubt that projects such hail from the Zimbabwe’s Save River). farmer and his wife say to me as we as the EU-funded SIP go a long way Chipipi ngonono, covered from head walk towards their peanut crop. The in contributing to the long-term to toe to depict sacredness, narrates two farmers proudly show me their agricultural and macroeconomic the story of the irrigation scheme exceptional crop that is almost ready development of the communities. since its establishment. The spirit for harvest. “We are in the field before satirically expresses its gratitude to everyone else, they find us here

Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations 05 2nd Trimester | 2017

Capacitating livestock The Veterinary extension workers have been key in teaching farmers to cattle breeding, dipping, vaccination, Extension support services for surveillance. They also monitor compliance by farmers to dose or improved livestock production dip their cattle. “Compliance is a problem, Raison says, farmers need Born in a rural set up, Raison Mukuze With this unenviable position, it to be further educated on the need always had an interest in livestock. To seemed gloomy for Raison and his to regularly dip their animals, Nine him livestock is wealth. Raison owns workmates, until the intervention dip tanks have been rehabilitated, 12 cattle of his own and works as a through the Making A Living out of with 70 000 cattle utilizing it. The veterinary worker. He has dreams of Livestock, made a sea change. The DVLS works to prevent diseases, rising up the ladder and becoming a project has provided Raison’s work control outbreaks through trainings, master at his trade. However, working station – the animal health center - vaccination, prevention of anthrax as a veterinary officer was not always with a refrigerator to keep vaccines. and FMD. The project also provided easyin past few years. The nightmarish experience of how vaccines that were crucial in to keep the vaccines has become an containing outbreaks. Raison is stationed at an animal enjoyable reality. Additionally the health center that is 90km from project has facilitated the provision About the Making a living Lupane town center – the furthest in of computers and electricity supply from Livestock Project the district. Like most of the animal through a solar system. health centers in the district, this one As an economic asset, livestock had no electricity, or refrigerators Agricultural extension plays a crucial makes a vital contribution to food to keep vaccines in good condition. role in promoting productivity, security and to achieving Zero Hunger “The office is very remote, as such especially amongst communal for all. In 2013, the European Union keeping of vaccines was chaotic, farmers who have limited access to (EU), FAO and the Government of we had to preserve vaccines at the information and technical knowledge Zimbabwe launched a programme to local shops where we would pay for and resources. However support for assist more than 40 000 Zimbabwean this service. Sometimes, the shop livestock extension services is not smallholder farmers to increase their assistants would forget to change the always prioritized as often as crops household food, income and nutrition ice-packs and the vaccines would go extension services. The project has security through commercialization bad,” said Raison. been strengthening the capacity of an integrated and sustainable of livestock extension workers like smallholder livestock sector. Raison Mukuze by providing him with Targeting predominantly communal access to information and trainings farmers who practice mixed crop- as well as a motorcycle for ease of livestock production, the project has mobility in executing his duties. implemented actions to assist farmers to boost their livestock productivity Food and Agriculture Organization and engage in commercial agriculture. 06 of the United Nations “Our parents never used animal medicines, and we lost some beasts to diseases. In our case, we now know how to quickly spot an ailing beast and also the importance of using the right medicines for the animal. In addition, we also know the importance of consistent vaccination,” says added.

Crossman is also a committee member of the Bulilima Agriculture Development Association, an organization that works with farmers to ensure that assets and infrastructure acquired under such project are maintained. This ensures sustainability of development projects long after they end. Crossman says the project had made a difference to many farmers in the district. Crossman with fellow farmers following a presentation by one of the lead farmers from the community from Livestock Project © FAO “The difference is very clear. I really admire the cattle each morning when I go to the pen to tend to them,” says Crossman finds Crossman. He, however, bemoaned the attitude of some middle men who are bent on keeping cattle prices lustre in agriculture low for their commercial gain. He is however confident that working Crossman Ndlovu, a young farmer this drought prone region with gusto. through the Bulilima Agriculture from Thekwani Village, in Bulilima “I also have a thriving garden, where Development Association, they will District in Matabeleland South I grow a variety of vegetables. We be able to negotiate collectively for Province, is an unusual sight in consume the vegetables and sell the better cattle prices. this part of the country. Most of surplus,” he adds. Crossman’s peers left the country The 2015 – 2016 Agricultural season “Our challenge is that some cattle for neighbouring South Africa in was plagued by an intense drought buyers still want to pay less for the search for jobs. A quick glance across driven by one of the strongest El cattle. They refuse to recognize that the village reveals that most of the Niño events ever recorded. Across our cattle are no longer those sick farmers are twice Crossman’s age large swathes of Zimbabwe, crops looking beasts to which they were and some could even pass for his failed and animals either died or were used. We are grateful that with the grandparents. This raises questions left in poor condition leaving millions knowledge that we got through the why the 34-year-old farmer has of people in need of life-saving project, we are already working as remained behind. humanitarian assistance. Crossman an association, on how to get better was one of the beneficiaries of a prices,” said Crossman. Crossman says he tried following USAID-funded project implemented the trail to South Africa, but it did by FAO working with LEAD Trust and It is estimated that 11 million young not work. Despite hitherto glowing the Government of Zimbabwe. This people will enter Africa’s labour assurances of guaranteed quick riches project was part of a broad response market, each year for the next decade. from his friends who had preceded by various agencies responding to the The continent will need to take him to the “land of plenty’, he was devastating drought. advantage of this huge demographic unable to get stable employment and dividend to reduce human capacity lived in squalor. After a few months “We have gained a lot of knowledge drain through migration to developed of uncertainty, he then decided to from this project. We now know countries. Crossman story shows come back home and concentrate on how to feed our cattle properly, that agriculture has a lustre to attract farming. especially during droughts. Now they young people back to the farm. are healthy and we get higher prices With just under a hectare to grow at the market. Before the project, we various crops and raise livestock (10 just let them roam around without cattle and 15 goats), Crossman has giving supplementary feeds,” said taken on the challenge of farming in Crossman. 07 2nd Trimester | 2017

Zimbabwe launches National AMR Action Plan

The AMR National Action Plan was launched on Thursday 28 August at the Rainbow Towers in Harare, Zimbabwe. The plan was jointly developed by the Government of Zimbabwe and the Food and Agriculture Organization working with the World Health Organization. © FAO

Food and Agriculture Organization 08 of the United Nations FAO promotes Agenda 2030 at the Harare Agriculture show

Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations 09 2nd Trimester | 2017

High level meeting discusses how to integrate nutrition in agriculture policy and processes

Nutrition integration vital outcomes. “A conscious approach to to increase the effectiveness of food impacting nutrition is needed across and agricultural systems in improving in war against stunting all our departments and this can only nutrition across the life cycle for their come through increased awareness populations in collaboration with Governments play a critical role in of the nutrition issues and improved various partners,” said Phiri. Phiri said creating an enabling environment nutrition coordination,” said Chitsiko. the latest report of the Global Panel that that promotes nutrition security. on agriculture and Food Systems Nutrition sensitive agricultural The permanent secretary added that for Nutrition (BloPan) had shown policies, for example, can play a key Zimbabwe was committed to ending that current food systems were too role in addressing food and nutrition child stunting and bringing stunting focused on quantity and not enough security of vulnerable populations. prevalence to 10 percent. This is in quality. Additionally, Phiri said, It against this backdrop that a high line with targets and international malnutrition associated with diets not level meeting to discuss nutrition declarations to which the country nutritious or safe represent number integration in agriculture planning has signed and participated in. “While one risk factor in global burden of processes was held in Zimbabwe. progress has been made in developing disease. and institutionalising policy and The meeting, the first of its kind to strategic documents, we still have FAO and UNICEF are jointly be held in the country, was hosted to do much to oeprationalise these implementing the Accelerated by FAO, brought senior officials national documents and translate Community Actions for Reducing from the Ministry of Agriculture, commitments into key actions that Stunting in Zimbabwe which aims Mechanisation and Irrigation impact positively on women and to improve maternal and child diets Development, Ministry of Health children in poor communities.” through more effective nutrition and Child Care, Food and Nutrition governance. This contributes towards Council and UNICEF. This meeting Looking beyond food improved food and nutrition security was held under the auspices of the and increased household resilience three year European Union funded quantity to include good to repeated shocks in Zimbabwe. Accelerated Community Actions for quality A number of nutrition governance Stunting Reduction in Zimbabwe. activities will be undertaken at national FAO Subregional Coordinator for level. Additionally, this programme Permanent Secretary in the Ministry Southern Africa, David Phiri, said supports the establishment of a of Agriculture, Ringson Chitsiko, it was important to deliberate community driven stunting reduction conceded that efforts were directed on strengthening the role of programme in four selected districts at ensuring food security and agriculture as a sector in nutrition. of Mutasa, Chipinge, Chiredzi and increase incomes for farmers with “FAO supports member nations – Mwenezi. little done to improve nutrition including Zimbabwe, in their efforts

Food and Agriculture Organization 10 of the United Nations First was the Nutrition Learning Event, which brought together key nutrition stakeholders to discuss nutrition sensitive agriculture as a key component of the Scaling up Nutrition (SUN) movement in the country.

The Extension Advisory Services (EAS) Learning Event was held in Gokwe, bringing together various stakeholders from the eight districts where LFSP is implemented (Gokwe, Kwekwe, Shurugwi, Mount Darwin, Guruve, Mutare, Mutasa and Makoni). The learning event showed how LFSP was delivering extension services to farmers through pluralistic extension approaches.

© FAO The Rural Finance Learning Event, held in Harare, brought the private sector players, including financial institutions, commodity buyers as well as government officials. LFSP continues sharing The two day Rural Finance Learning Event was an opportunity to share experiences experiences with some the farmers.

LFSP, working with Oxfam, also had a Gender Learning Event, where the experiences regarding mainstreaming gender in the implementation of LFSP were shared and discussed.

LFSP, working with Indaba Agricultural Policy Research Institute (IAPRI), organised a policy dialogue, bringing together government, private sector and the academia, to discuss financing of agriculture and market development. Additionally, LFSP and IAPRI organised public seminars on Professor Megatrends Shaping African Agriculture, presented by © FAO Thomas Jayne, and Breaking New Grounds in Agricultural Finance in Zimbabwe .

The Livelihoods and Food Security © FAO Programme (LFSP) continues to engage various stakeholders to share lessons learnt so far. LFSP has used various platforms which include learning events, policy dialogues and public lectures.

The main objective of the learning events was to share experiences and lessons learned from implementing the LFSP. Participants included policy and technical officers from Government, civil society organisations, development partners – including donors and other UN agencies (UNICEF, WFP and WHO), all LFSP partners, academia and research institutions. Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations 11 © FAO 2017 © FAO, I7844EN//1/10.17

Produced by FAO Zimbabwe for further information contact Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO).Representation in Zimbabwe, Block 1 Tendeseka Office Park, Cnr Samora, Machel Ave and Renfrew Rd , Eastlea, Harare, Telephone: +263 4 25202, Fax : +263 4 700724, E-mail: [email protected]; www.fao.org/africa/en/