Sharon Chigeza
MUTARE – A transformative initiative that empowers smallholder farmers in Chipinge has been launched with the establishment of the Charurwa Agricultural Hub.
This project, a collaboration between We Effect, the Zimbabwe Association of Dairy Farmers (ZADF), the Zimbabwe Dairy Industries Trust (ZDIT), and Women and Land in Zimbabwe (WLZ), seeks to enhance agricultural production among smallholder farmers, particularly women and youth.
The Charurwa Agricultural Hub is part of the broader Inclusive, Market-Oriented Value Chains for Economic Development (iMoved) project, which is funded by the Embassy of Sweden with a budget of 40 million SEK (approximately US$4 million).
The four-year project will support 10,500 smallholder farmers across 13 districts in Zimbabwe by developing inclusive, market-oriented value chains in the dairy, soybean, and horticulture sectors.
One of the key features of the iMoved project is the establishment of 13 five-hectare gardens known as “Green Hubs.” Each participating farmer will have access to 0.2 hectares of land for cultivation. The hubs will be equipped with reliable water sources, solar-powered water abstraction systems, and infield drip irrigation systems to ensure sustainable farming practices.
The Charurwa Agricultural Hub has already empowered 57 smallholder farmers—comprising 47 adult women, eight young women, and two adult men. These farmers have secured five hectares of land for cooperative farming and have received essential enabling technologies, including milk tanks, a greenhouse, and oil pressing machines.
ZADF chief executive officer Paida Chadoka and WLZ national co-ordinator Thandiwe Chidavarume highlighted milestones and significant improvements in productivity and income for the farmers involved.
Chidavarume spoke passionately about the importance of land access for women, noting: “In terms of inclusivity in economic development, women are being left behind. They are often asked for collateral when seeking access to finances, which limits their capacity for agricultural production.”
Chidavarume further emphasised the need for mobilising rural women to form groups aimed at facilitating access to land.
“When women have access to land, they can engage in productive farming. Successful agricultural practices lead to income, enabling them to invest in capital assets such as dairy cows,” she said.
The project has already shown remarkable results. Since its inception, daily milk production has surged from 25 litres to an impressive 140 litres. Additionally, earnings from greenhouse tomato operations have exceeded US$4,000, while sunflower processing has generated over US$500. These achievements underscore the potential impact of the Charurwa Agricultural Hub in transforming the livelihoods of smallholder farmers in the region.
Currently, the project has deployed critical assets including a 500-liter bulk milk tank powered by a 10kVA solar system, a 1,000-square-meter greenhouse, and solar-powered boreholes. With these resources, farmers are now better equipped to maximise their production capabilities and meet market demands.
The Charurwa Agricultural Hub not only represents a significant step forward in promoting economic development in Chipinge but also serves as a model for future initiatives aimed at enhancing agricultural production, particularly among women and youth.
As the hub continues to grow, it stands to transform not only the local economy but also the lives of those engaged in farming, fostering a more inclusive and prosperous future for all.
