AfDB approves US$10million for agricultural value chains

In a decisive move to bolster agricultural productivity and fortify the resilience of the rural economy, the African Development Bank (AfDB), has approved a US$10,12 million grant for Zimbabwe’s Agricultural Value Chain and Livelihoods Enhancement Project (AVCLEP).

The programme, which kicks off in June this year and runs through December 2029, aims to cover 7 000 livestock farmers and 42 000 smallholder crop producers across Matabeleland South, Masvingo and Bulawayo Metropolitan provinces, regions often vulnerable to drought and erratic weather pattens.

The disbursement was granted through the bank’s concessional lending arm, the African Development Fund.
“This is a critical intervention to build climate resilience and improve food security in Zimbabwe’s most vulnerable agricultural communities,” affirmed Moono Mupotola, AfDB deputy director general for Southern Africa and country manager for Zimbabwe.

She emphasised that “Rehabilitating dip tanks and establishing solar-powered boreholes would transform livelihoods in areas thathave historically suffered from water scarcity and limited infrastructure.”

At the heart of AVCLEP lies a two-pronged strategy of climate-smart productivity and value chain integration.
In practical terms, the grant is meant to finance the rehabilitation of existing water points, crucial for both livestock and irrigation, while supporting the roll-out of drought-tolerant seed varieties and animal breeds.

The project will also strengthen market linkages for rural micro, small and medium enterprises, ensuring that surpluses reach buyers swiftly and profitably.

Economist, Gladys Shumbambiri-Mutsopots, applauded the AfDB’s focus on both production and markets.
“Too often, grants stop at boosting yields,” she noted, “but without reliable market access, farmers can’t translate production gains into sustainable income growth.

“AVCLEP’s emphasis on value-chain integration is a game-changer for rural livelihoods.”
Another core element of the initiative is social inclusion, as 50 percent of direct beneficiaries will be women and 20 percent the youth. Beyond infrastructure, AVCLEP allocates resources for capacity building, including training in climate-resilient agronomy, financial literacy and small business management.

Through fostering technical skills and supporting women’s co-operatives, project leaders anticipate a ripple effect on household nutrition and community welfare.

Agronomist Pamela Macheka, who worked extensively in Matabeleland South Province for seven years, underlined the potential impact.

“When women farmers gain access not only to water, but also agronomic training, they diversify production, introducing legumes and horticultural crops that improve soil health and boost family nutrition.

This holistic approach is exactly what our rural communities need.”AVCLEP is projected to generate 200 full-time and 2 800 seasonal jobs along the crop and livestock value chains.

Average household incomes,estimated at US$85 per month, are expected to rise to US$120, a 41 percent increase that could lift many families above the poverty line.

Indirectly, 90 000 community members will benefit from improved water supplies,veterinary services and livelihood programmes.

Martin Fregene, director of the AfDB’s Agriculture and Agro-Industry Department, remarked, “This project will enhance adaptive capacity, promote sustainable economic opportunities and strengthen resilience to climate change.

We look forward to working with government agencies, local authorities and farming co-operatives to deliver tangible results.”

On the ground, the first priority is rehabilitation of diptanks, vital for controlling livestock diseases and the drilling of solar-powered boreholes.

These interventions not only secure drinking water for animals and people, but also support small-scale irrigation schemes.

In Masvingo Province, where groundwater levels have fallen by up to 25 percent in dry seasons, reliable solar pumps could revolutionise crop calendars and diminish reliance on erratic rains.

Ms Shumbambiri-Mutsopotsi added a cautionary note,“Successful implementation hinges on transparent governance and local ownership.

If communities manage borehole maintenance and dip tank operations themselves, we will see lasting benefits long after the project wraps up.”

To ensure equitable participation, AVCLEP includes dedicated grants for women’s groups and youth agribusiness incubators.

Training in post-harvest handling, packaging and co-operative governance aims to reduce losses, currently reaching 30 percent in some crops and open doors to urban and regional markets.

Ms Macheka explained this vision, “Youth in rural areas are often disengaged, seeing agriculture as backward. By equipping them with modern agri-tech skills, drip irrigation and mobile-based market information platforms, we can make farming a desirable and profitable career.”

The local agricultural sector has endured years of macroeconomic volatility and climate shocks, from Cyclone Idai in 2019 to widespread droughts.

The AVCLEP grant represents not just a cash infusion buta strategic investment in rural resilience and economic diversification.

Through marrying infrastructure upgrades to capacity building and market access, the project offers a blueprint for sustainable growth.

Ms Mupotola succinctly noted, “Our goal is not merely to rehabilitate, it is to transform. We want farmers to emerge from these drought-prone regions with the tools, skills and markets to thrive, today and for generations to come.”

With implementation slated to begin this coming June and wrap up by the end of 2029, stakeholders are gearing up for what could be a watershed moment in Zimbabwe’s rural development journey, one where climate-smart agriculture and inclusive growth go hand in hand.-herald