By Abbas Nazil
The African Development Bank Group has approved a $10.12 million grant through its concessional lending arm, the African Development Fund, to support sustainable agriculture and strengthen climate resilience in Zimbabwe.
The newly launched Zimbabwe Agricultural Value Chain and Livelihoods Enhancement Project (AVCLEP) is designed to benefit over 49,000 farmers directly and improve livelihoods in the country’s most drought-affected rural areas.
The grant targets Matabeleland South, Masvingo, and Bulawayo Metropolitan Province—regions that host large livestock populations and are frequently impacted by climate-induced challenges such as droughts, floods, and tropical storms.
This major intervention is expected to directly benefit 7,000 livestock-keeping farmers and 42,000 smallholder crop farmers.
It places a strong emphasis on inclusive development, with 50 percent of beneficiaries being women and 20 percent youth.
In addition, an estimated 90,000 community members will indirectly benefit through enhanced access to veterinary services, reliable water supply, and diversified livelihood programs.
Implementation of the AVCLEP is scheduled to begin in June 2025, with the project expected to be completed by December 2029.
The project is centered on enhancing climate-smart agricultural productivity and value chain development.
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Planned activities include the rehabilitation of dip tanks, development of solar-powered boreholes, and support for integrated crop-livestock value chains to boost food and nutrition security.
The project will also strengthen water resource management through integrated land-use planning, landscape restoration, and catchment management to improve long-term water availability.
In addition to infrastructure and agricultural support, the project will focus on capacity building, social inclusion, and technical training.
It aims to empower farmers with practical skills, promote gender equality, and create employment opportunities.
The AVCLEP is projected to generate 200 full-time jobs and 2,800 seasonal jobs, contributing to broader economic growth in the affected regions.
The average household income among beneficiaries is expected to increase from $85 to $120 monthly.
Moono Mupotola, Deputy Director General for Southern Africa and Country Manager for Zimbabwe at the African Development Bank, stated that the investment marks a vital step toward building climate resilience and improving food security in vulnerable communities.
Martin Fregene, Director of the Bank’s Agriculture and Agro-Industry Department, added that the project will enhance adaptive capacity and promote sustainable economic opportunities through collaborative implementation with stakeholders.
The AVCLEP underscores Zimbabwe’s commitment to combating the adverse effects of climate change while improving agricultural productivity and rural livelihoods.
It builds on the Bank’s sustained investments in the country’s rural development sector, which have significantly contributed to reducing poverty and food insecurity.
