Antelope Park’s wildlife conservation brings benefits to communities

By Byron Mutingwende   The wildlife conservation project being spearheaded by the Antelope Park is bringing numerous benefits to participating local communities and the environment.   Tourists from the United Kingdom who were on a tour of the country prior, during and after the Sanganai Hlanganani Tourism Expo, courtesy of the Zimbabwe Tourism Authority, had…

Read More

UZ Research Unmasks Fake Crop Chemicals

By Wisdom Mumera A University of Zimbabwe (UZ) research into crop preservation methods has released results questioning the effectiveness of most commercial chemicals as the country seeks to safeguard its food security. The exercise led by Professor Brighton Mvumi from the Department of Soil Science at UZ revealed that most of the commercial medicines and…

Read More

Nine types of agricultural-related entrepreneurs in developing countries

By Charles Dhewa eMKambo has invested time and effort in understanding and classifying different archetypes of entrepreneurs in developing countries. While this effort has focused mainly on agriculture-related entrepreneurship, it has also embraced diverse socio-economic sectors. Unless, development actors, policy makers and financial institutions characterise economic actors in line with their different roles, it will…

Read More

The character-building role of African ‘informal’ economies

By Charles Dhewa People who co-exist with Kombi drivers in Zimbabwe, Matatu drivers in Nairobi’s traffic jammed roads, boda-boda motorcyclists in Kampala and similar situations in African cities have always wondered if those drivers are from the same mother. This is due to their character which is exactly the same. ‘Informal’ traders and MSMEs also…

Read More

MSF offers SRHR at Harare Agricultural Show

During the Harare Agricultural Show (Monday 27 August to Saturday, 1 September, 2018) Medecins Sans Frontieres/ Doctors Without Borders (MSF) will be providing free sexual and reproductive health (SRH) services with specific focus on people aged between 10 to 24 years. MSF will partner with the National AIDS Council (NAC), Young Peoples’ Network on Sexual…

Read More

Nudging universities in developing countries to harness community based inquiry

By Charles Dhewa Contrary to prevailing formal approaches, knowledge sharing in most rural African communities is embedded in the way people work. For instance, knowledge sharing happens as farmers select seed or choose livestock breeds.  It also happens as they milk cows, plant crops, weed, harvest, store and market.  They do not stop and say,…

Read More

Asking and answering fundamental questions through informal markets

By Charles Dhewa Street markets or roadside food markets have remained a permanent feature in most developing countries. The fact that these markets continue to flourish alongside emerging shopping malls shows they occupy a unique position in commercial activities.  Informal markets were previously designed for disadvantaged, low income households with ad hoc incomes who were…

Read More

The merits of an effective marketplace for agricultural evidence

By Charles Dhewa Discovering and maintaining agricultural commodities markets is not enough for developing countries. They have to build a culture of synthesising and sharing evidence in real-time. Absence of a culture of synthesising information and knowledge from diverse sources remains a big challenge among farmers, economic actors, consumers and policy makers in the majority…

Read More

US$32, 4 million USAID project to address severe water challenges

The United States Agency for International Development (USAID) has announced the Resilient Waters, a five-year, $32.4 million project to address severe water challenges facing the Limpopo River Basin and Okavango River Basin communities.   The US Embassy in Harare said in a statement that the Resilient Waters will increase access to safe drinking water and sanitation services for…

Read More

Good Care Pre-school, David Mascott Country School Pacesetters in education

By Byron Mutingwende   While many infant and junior schools emphasise on academic education, Good Care Pre-school and David Mascott country School have a different approaching in moulding children.   A fortnight ago, the David Mascott Sports and Wellness Tournament opened the eyes of many parents on the importance of preparing children in co-curricular activities…

Read More

“Leave No-one Behind”: SDGs take ground in Matabeleland North

By Sirak Gebrehiwot (UN Communications Specialist) The UN team, led by the United Nations Resident Coordinator, Mr. Bishow Parajuli, comprising of UNICEF Representative, Dr. Mohamed Ag Ayoya; IOM Chief of Mission, Ms. Lily Sanya; WFP Representative and Country Director, Mr. Eddie Rowe; and UNDP Country Director Mr. Georges van Montfort concluded a three-day field visit,…

Read More

Kenneth Musanhi taking Bindura North to Canaan

By Byron Mutingwende   In a typical fashion reminiscent of the Exodus of Israelites from the oppressive Egypt to Canaan, Kenneth Shupikai Musanhi, the Member of the House of Assembly for Bindura North Constituency has embarked on a number of projects to uplift the lives of the people in the area.   Born on the…

Read More

Remigious Matangira spearheads development in Bindura South Constituency

By Byron Mutingwende   In 2008, the Bindura South Constituency resembled a cemetery due to the grinding poverty brought about by hyperinflation. It is that time when Remigious Matangira, the current Member of the House of Assembly for the area began his philanthropic work by spearheading development initiatives.   “Bindura became my permanent home in…

Read More

UN Strategic Framework lauded for catalysing development results in Zimbabwe

28 June 2018, Harare – Today the Government and the United Nations together with development partners convened high level review meeting to validate and take stock of development results delivered, mid-way of the programme cycle, under 2016-2020 Zimbabwe UN Development Assistance Framework (ZUNDAF) contributing to national development priorities.   The high-level meeting co-chaired by the…

Read More

Avoid Green House Gas emission-intensive investments: Agricultural expert

There should be a deliberate move to avoid Green House Gas emission-intensive investments through economically viable low-emission development options, a senior Food and Agriculture Organisation (FAO) official has said. Gabriele Ranieri, the Officer in Charge of the FAO Subregional Office for Southern Africa made the remarks at the Sustainable Land Management and Climate-Smart Agro-ecology in…

Read More

Community knowledge is greater than expert knowledge

By Charles Dhewa While it is true that community knowledge is broader and deeper, most African farming communities hesitate to make decisions without consulting an extension officer.  The need to cross-check and verify facts through an extension officer can be counter-productive if it causes farmers to stop experimenting and learning from their innovations. Surveys by eMKambo over…

Read More

Reliable water availability ensures development: President Mnangagwa

By Byron Mutingwende   Improving water resources infrastructure and availability has the potential to unlock the vast opportunities for Zimbabwe’s socio-economic development, President Emmerson Mnangagwa has said.   He made the remarks on the occasion of the water infrastructure investment conference and the launch of the national climate policy at the Harare International Conference Centre…

Read More

Improve technology and logistics to reduce food wasting

By Nevson Mpofu Mbare, Zimbabwe’s largest horticultural market receives 80% of farm produce a day. These sundry foodstuffs are in form of field crops, cereals, legumes, pulses, fruits and all types of horticultural produce from around the country’s 56 districts. Tomatoes pour on a daily basis in hundreds of tonnes every day and so do…

Read More

PAP/FAO alliance to end hunger in Africa

The Pan African Parliament (PAP) and the Food and Agriculture Organisation (FAO) of the United Nations partnership is working tirelessly to address food security and nutrition challenges on the continent. During the ongoing sixth ordinary session of the fourth parliament in Midrand, South Africa, various stakeholders, including Members of the Pan-African Parliamentary Alliance for Food…

Read More

SACAU hosts Annual Conference on trade as a driver for agricultural transformation

THE Southern African Confederation of Agricultural Unions’ (SACAU) will hold its Annual Conference and AGM at the Kingdom Hotel in Victoria Falls, Zimbabwe from the 14th to 15th of May 2018. The Conference and AGM will be co-hosted by SACAU’s two members in Zimbabwe, the Zimbabwe Farmers’ Union (ZFU) and Commercial Farmers’ Union (CFU). Held under the theme, Trade…

Read More

Sweden, We Effect seek to improve lives of rural women

By Joyce Mukucha To ensure the continuation of the Enterprise and Business Development Programme (EBDP) on improving livelihoods of rural women, the Government of Swedish has partnered We Effect and signed a SEK 30 million (US$ 3,6 million) agreement. Speaking during the signing ceremony on the 8th of May 2018 in Harare, Sofia Calltorp, the…

Read More

WFP seeks to eradicate hunger in Zimbabwe

By Joyce Mukucha The World Food Programme (WFP) is maintaining strong humanitarian assistance capacity through its Country Strategic Plan (CSP) which focuses on supporting long-term national social protection and resilience building efforts to achieve Zero-hunger in Zimbabwe. It is estimated that by 2050, both the risk of hunger and child malnutrition could increase by 20…

Read More

Give one of Mugabe’s 21 farms to Tsvangirai family: ZEFF

The Zimbabwe Economic Freedom Fighters (EFF) has applauded President Emmerson Mnangagwa for assigning Lands Minister Perence Shiri to identify a farm to give to the late former Prime Minister Morgan Tsvangirai’s family. “We as a party which stands for economic freedom and for landless people believe that these are correct steps by the new government…

Read More

Collaboration reducing stunting and addressing nutritional challenges in Mutasa

By Byron Mutingwende   “My weight had reduced to 31kg but I am now at 50kg and improving daily. I am HIV positive and was susceptible to multiple infections. Thanks to the feeding programme at Sakupwanya Clinic here in Mutasa District, I look forward to living longer since my adherence to anti-retroviral therapy and TB…

Read More

Multi-sectoral response to food and nutrition security bears positive outcomes in Mutasa

By Byron Mutingwende   Judith Mafunga Chikono, a member of the Neverlate Horticulture group in Ward 18 of Mutasa District recounts how she has benefitted from the Improved Nutrition and Sustainable Production for Increased Resilience and Economic Growth (INSPIRE) project.   “Through INSPIRE, I received theoretical and practical training on good agricultural practices of horticultural…

Read More

Malnutrition blamed for fuelling poverty

By Byron Mutingwende   Malnutrition is impeding economic growth and development and contributing to poverty by increasing mortality, increasing susceptibility to disease, impairing cognitive development and educational achievement and reducing work capacity and productivity in adulthood, a senior government official has said.   In his official address at the Food and Nutrition Security Technical Committee…

Read More

Stakeholders urged to create employment opportunities

By Byron Mutingwende   Stakeholders have been urged to engage in employment creation for improved standards of living of the citizenry.   Petronella Kagonye, the Minister of Labour and Social Welfare made the remarks at the dialogue on employment creation held in Harare on 4 April 2018. The minister alluded to President Emmerson Mnangagwa’s call…

Read More

World urged to keep climate change in check

By Nevson Mpofu and Byron Mutingwende Yes, there is necessity to stay below 1,5 degrees of warming. This is done for the betterment of human livelihoods and for survival sake. To ensure environmental and agricultural sustainability, health and wellbeing, and being free from natural and human induced catastrophes, climate change effects should be kept in…

Read More

Zimbabwe launches research and academia platform for scaling up nutrition

By Byron Mutingwende   Zimbabwe has launched a research and academia platform for scaling up nutrition in order to accelerate the achievement of national social and economic development aspirations.   In his address while officially launching the platform in Harare on 16 March 2018, Albert Chikondo, the Senior Principal Director in the Office of the…

Read More

2017 Zimbabwe Human Development Report focuses on climate resilience building

By Byron Mutingwende   Building a climate resilient nation is among the country’s aspirations and the focus of the 2017 Zimbabwe Human Development Report (ZHDR) on this theme resonates with this trajectory.   In her remarks at the launch of the report at Meikles Hotel on 16 March 2018, Oppah Muchinguri-Kashiri, the minister of environment,…

Read More

Review working model – CAMPFIRE implementers urged

The Communal Areas Management Programme for Indigenous Resources (CAMPFIRE) has been urged to review its working model to meet modern trends that improve performance. Amabasador Grace Mutandiro, the Permanent secretary in the Ministry of Environment, Water and Climate said the CAMPFIRE framework needed to be updated in line with the new thinking and approaches after…

Read More

Norton celebrates International Women’s Day

By Joyce Mukucha The Norton constituents joined other progressive elements of society in celebrating the International Women’s Day as a sign of respect and special treatment to women since they are pillars of strength, peacemakers and conduits for development of the country. The International Women’s Day was signed by United Nations in 1975 to be…

Read More

FAO partners with PAP to engage African youth in the ‘Zero Hunger’ campaign

The Food and Agricultural Organisation (FAO) will further enhance its partnership with the Pan African Parliament in a bid to ensure that significant numbers of youths on the continent are engaged in efforts to achieve ‘zero hunger.’  In July 2017, (FAO) launched its Global Internship, Volunteers and Fellows Programmes (IVF) to mobilize youth to achieve…

Read More

Miners indiscriminately destroying the environment

By Byron Mutingwende   The Marange Development Trust has bemoaned the indiscriminate destruction of the environment by miners in the diamond area of Manicaland.   “Before the discovery of diamond, families used to depend on crop cultivation, breeding goats, cattle and chickens, selling wild fruit, charcoal and gardening. However with mining, there is widespread water…

Read More

School feeding programme an essential tool for development: Mohadi

By Byron Mutingwende   School feeding is an essential tool for development since it fosters food and nutrition security, Vice President Kembo Mohadi has said.   Vice President Mohadi made the remarks on the occasion of the third edition of the African Day of School Feeding that was officially opened on 1 March 2018 in…

Read More

World Bank presents nutrition feedback to help Zim reduce stunting growth

In trying to reduce the stunting growth of children and understand the current nutrition context in Zimbabwe that would lay the future advocacy, resource mobilisation and analytical work under the Trust Fund, the World Bank has presented the feedback of the research it carried out. For the past five years, World Bank has been moving…

Read More

Nutritionists call for increase in budget allocation for health

By Byron Mutingwende   Nutritionists are calling for the National Budget to allocate the threshold prescribed in the Abuja Declaration to the health sector if the country is to realise positive economic development outcomes.   “The National Budget should allocate at least 15% to healthcare in line with the Abuja Declaration target. Empirical evidence has…

Read More

Securing land tenure policies a key to economic development

By Joyce Mukucha Land in Zimbabwe is viewed as the basis of wealth and its allocation and security determines the development of the country and quality to human life pace of development. Given the opportunity that there is a huge commitment to resources by both government and international partners, there would be reimbursement for attained…

Read More

Communities benefit from Zimbabwe Resilience Building Fund

By Byron Mutingwende   The Zimbabwe Resilience Building Fund (ZRBF) is increasing the capacities of communities to protect development gains and achieve improved well-being outcomes in the face of shocks and stresses enabling them to contribute to the economic growth of Zimbabwe.   Speaking during the signing ceremony of the £21.5m contribution by the United…

Read More