Harare, (New Ziana) – The European Union (EU) and the Zimbabwe government on Thursday launched the US$4 million Agroecological Transitions for Horticulture in Arid Zones (ATHAZ) programme to be implemented arid and semi-arid zones in the country.
The programme will also be implemented in Botswana and Zambia, supporting the transition towards more resilient and productive horticulture through the identification and testing of solutions suited to local farming conditions.
In each participating country, ATHAZ will establish three agro-ecological Innovation Hubs where farmers and local partners will work together to test, adapt and share practical solutions.
Speaking at the launch of the programme in Harare, Ministry of Agriculture, Mechanisation and Water Resources Development permanent secretary Dr Obert Jiri said the initiative would complement the government’s Six-Pillar Drought Plan as the country prepares for the effects of the anticipated El Niño.
He said this in a speech read on his behalf by the Ministry’s director for Strategic Planning, Monitoring and Evaluation, Mildred Mapani.
“As Government, we are very grateful for this injection towards the project as it shows the EU’s commitment to agricultural transformation in the country. Zimbabwe stands at a pivotal moment in its agricultural history and this journey with ATHAZ will mark the redefining of horticulture production in our region,” he said.
Dr Jiri said guided by the Agriculture Food Systems and Rural Transformation Strategy-2 (AFSRTS-2), the Zimbabwe government was pursuing an ambitious programme to grow the agriculture sector from US$10.3 billion in 2025 to US$15.8 billion by 2030.
“This strategy serves as our sector implementation plan and as a vehicle to achieve the targets of Vision 2030. The current weather outlook reinforces the importance of accelerated climate-smart production and farmers should use available rainfall to harvest and conserve water, continue land preparation, secure livestock, and protect harvested grain, while avoiding the temptation to rush into planting before effective planting rains are established,” he said.
In Zimbabwe, ATHAZ will build on existing structures and investments under the International Fund for Agricultural Development (IFAD)-financed Horticulture Enterprise Enhancement Project (HEEP).
These include Village Business Units (VBUs), Agricultural Producer Groups and existing irrigation infrastructure, with the programme linking farmer-led experimentation to market development and value-chain actors in communities already supported by HEEP.
EU head of cooperation to Zimbabwe Anna Cichoka said ATHAZ would bring research and innovation closer to farmers, markets and investment, while using evidence and practical knowledge to strengthen the country’s agricultural sector.
“ATHAZ comes to Zimbabwe through the EU’s programme for research and innovation in agriculture. The idea behind DeSIRA is simple: agricultural transformation needs evidence, and innovation has to respond to real conditions on the ground. Research is most useful when it helps farmers, businesses and public institutions solve practical problems and when successful solutions can be taken to scale,” she said.
Cichoka said ATHAZ formed part of the EU’s broader partnership with Zimbabwe in agriculture, while building on IFAD’s longstanding engagement and investments in the country.
“Through HEEP, IFAD and the Government of Zimbabwe have already invested in irrigation infrastructure, farmer organisation and market-oriented horticulture. ATHAZ can build on this foundation, bringing an additional research and innovation dimension rather than creating parallel structures,” she said.
IFAD country director Francesco Rispoli said ATHAZ would complement HEEP by promoting and scaling innovative technologies and solutions aimed at improving agricultural production and productivity.
He said the programme would focus on the sustainable and efficient use of fertilisers, water and crop-protection products, alongside improved weed and pest management.
New Ziana
