EU GCCA+ In the news: Leading by example in Zimbabwe

Mr Bartholomew Chataika visited the site of the Climate Smart Technology project in Rushinga District in north-eastern Zimbabwe last year. “The area was dry and degraded due to lack of water. But the area is now flourishing with a thriving horticulture crop and fruit trees after seven boreholes were drilled.”

“The project is a true model of what people can learn and integrate about climate change. It is a clear demonstration that there was need and the people have the passion, especially after getting information that the European Union and the Southern Africa Development Community (SADC) are coming through with assistance” he said.

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Mr Bartholomew Chataika is the project manager of the EU GCCA+ project in Zimbabwe to harmonise the implementation of agricultural research and development in the region, implemented by Grow a Tree Foundation, with support from the Centre for Coordination of Agricultural research and Development for Southern Africa (CCARDESA).

The water from the boreholes is being used effectively in mitigating the effects of climate change and the villagers’ growing vegetables and fruit trees to address issues of hunger, income, and nutrition.“After we went in to assist, so many organisations came on board to also assist, like the banks, which came in by way of erecting a fence around the project and have also put the beneficiaries under life insurance. The model encourages other organisations to come through and assist since they found it credible and worthwhile as funds are paid directly to the service provider. One embassy is building a model village close to the project,” said Mr Chataika.

The Rushinga project is carried out on 3.5 hectares of land, with 1,5 hectares under drip irrigation. Vegetables from the project are sold in nearby schools, which have provided a ready market for the fresh produce. Beneficiaries have been trained in agronomy and financial literacy so that they better manage the project.

Read the article: 

• CCARDESA/GCCA project surpasses expectations in Zimbabwe