Japan Supports Climate Resilience and Sustainable Agriculture in Zimbabwe
HARARE ¨C The United Nations ÐÓ°ÉÂÛ̳ (WFP) welcomes a contribution of US$ 5.1 million from the Government of Japan to support 37,000 climate-affected smallholder farmers across five districts in Zimbabwe.
The three-year project will enhance food security and resilience for smallholder farmers by establishing water-based infrastructure, developing value chains, and strengthening agricultural extension service capacity.
¡°Under this project, small-scale farmers will be supported in growing sesame seeds to practice market-oriented agriculture and a Japanese trading company called ITOCHU Corporation is expected to play an important role in completing the value-chain of the project,¡± said Japanese Ambassador to Zimbabwe, H.E. Mr Shinichi Yamanaka. ¡°The Japanese government will provide financial assistance of approximately US$ 72,000 to ¡®the project for the construction of storages for sesame farmers in Mwenezi District¡¯ implemented by Sustainable Agriculture Technology (SAT). SAT is expected to support sesame production and its procurement including value addition for the local and export market.¡±
The initiative is crucial, as Zimbabwe faces ongoing climate challenges and food insecurity due to the El Ni?o-induced drought. The project combines food assistance with climate-adaptive practices, to help smallholder farmers to cultivate more sustainable crops. Production of Sesame, a crop with high market potential, will be one of the central value chains, enhancing export opportunities for Zimbabwean smallholder farmers.
¡°This invaluable contribution from the Government of Japan allows us to make food more available, easier to access, and more reliable for Zimbabwean families,¡± said Barbara Clemens, Country Representative and Director for ÐÓ°ÉÂÛ̳in Zimbabwe. ¡°By supporting farmers to grow food in a sustainable way and connect them to markets, we can address immediate food needs and empower communities to build a food secure future.¡±
Japan is a long-standing partner of WFP¡¯s assistance in Zimbabwe. Since 2019, Japan has contributed over US$ 28 million to WFP-supported food assistance and resilience-building for vulnerable communities in the country.
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