The Board of Directors of the African Development Bank Group has approved a grant of $10.12 million from its African Development Fund to enhance sustainable agricultural production and strengthen rural resilience in drought-prone regions of Zimbabwe. This project is expected to directly benefit 7,000 livestock-keeping farmers and 42,000 smallholder crop farmers.
The African Development Fund serves as the group’s concessional lending arm, providing support to the continent’s most vulnerable countries. The Zimbabwe Agricultural Value Chain and Livelihoods Enhancement Project (AVCLEP) is designed to improve sustainable crop and livestock production, enhance market access for agricultural products, and strengthen value chain integration for micro, small, and medium-sized enterprises in Zimbabwe’s agricultural sector.
Implementation of the project will occur in three provinces: Matabeleland South, Masvingo, and Bulawayo Metropolitan Province. It will focus on areas with high livestock populations that are particularly vulnerable to harsh weather conditions.
Zimbabwe faces ongoing macroeconomic instability as well as the impacts of climate change, including floods, droughts, and tropical storms, which adversely affect the most vulnerable rural populations.
“This investment represents a critical intervention to build climate resilience and improve food security in the most vulnerable agricultural communities of Zimbabwe,” stated Moono Mupotola, the African Development Bank’s Deputy Director General for Southern Africa and Country Manager for Zimbabwe. “By rehabilitating existing infrastructure and introducing climate-smart agricultural practices, the project will transform livelihoods in areas that have historically suffered from drought and limited access to water resources.”
The project primarily focuses on enhancing climate-smart agricultural productivity and value chain integration. This includes rehabilitating dip tanks, developing solar-powered boreholes, and supporting crop-livestock value chains to improve food and nutrition security. It aims to build the livelihoods and resilience of rural communities in the face of climate change by supporting integrated land use planning, landscape restoration, and catchment management to enhance water security.
Additionally, the initiative will include capacity building, social inclusion, and knowledge management to develop technical skills, promote gender equality, and empower youth. Effective project management will ensure efficient implementation aligned with the rules and procedures of the African Development Bank.
In total, the project is expected to directly benefit 7,000 livestock-keeping farmers and 42,000 smallholder crop farmers, with a strong emphasis on including women (50%) and youth (20%). Moreover, 90,000 community members will indirectly benefit from improved water supply, veterinary services, and livelihood programs.
The project is anticipated to create 200 full-time and 2,800 seasonal jobs within the crop and livestock value chains, with average monthly household income projected to rise from $85 to $120. Implementation is scheduled to begin in June 2025, with completion expected by December 2029.
The African Development Bank has played a vital role in supporting Zimbabwe’s rural development by making ongoing investments that have contributed to reducing food insecurity and poverty.
“This project will enhance adaptive capacity, promote sustainable economic opportunities, and strengthen the resilience of rural communities to climate change within the target areas,” commented Martin Fregene, Director of the African Development Bank’s Agriculture and Agro-Industry Department. “We look forward to collaborating with all key stakeholders throughout the project’s implementation to drive impactful solutions in the areas most negatively affected by climate change.”
The AVCLEP project exemplifies the government’s commitment to improving agricultural productivity while addressing the effects of climate change. By implementing climate-smart practices and rehabilitating essential infrastructure, significant improvements in household incomes and food security are expected.
