Zimbabwe

KEY FACTS

• Population: 12.7 million

• GDP per capita: US$ 550

• Population below poverty line: 70%

• Labour force by occupation: agriculture 66%, industry 10%, services 24%

• Total land area: 390 580 sq km, bordering Botswana, Mozambique, South Africa and Zambia

• Total arable land: 8.32%

• Life expectancy: male: 40 years; female: 38 years

• Literacy rate: male: 94.2%; female: 87.2%

• Human Development Index: 147/177

FAO IN ZIMBABWE

The goal of FAO's emergency response in Zimbabwe and other crisis-affected countries in southern Africa is improved food and nutrition security of vulnerable farming families. This ensures self-reliance through increased production and access to food, thus reducing dependency on food aid. The interventions preserve and strengthen livelihoods, taking into account the impacts of poverty and HIV/AIDS.

Background

A potential bread basket for surrounding countries, Zimbabwe is presently facing threats to livelihoods common to several countries in Southern Africa, in particular HIV/AIDS, food insecurity and declining capacity for basic social service provision. HIV/AIDS continues to cause the death of 3 000 Zimbabweans per week. The pandemic has fuelled a rapid growth in the number of orphans and vulnerable children, which has now reached over 1.3 million.

The economic situation, with high inflation, high fuel prices, shortages in foreign exchange, high unemployment and negative growth, adds to the vulnerability and suffering of the population. Formal unemployment is estimated at over 80 percent and increasing, as many businesses in the formal sector have had to lay-off staff because of declining business opportunities, increased operational costs and declining consumer purchasing power. Hundreds of thousands of Zimbabweans, including much-needed professionals, have emigrated.

The nationalization of commercial farms has led to sharp falls in production and threatens the agriculture-based economy. Furthermore, a Government operation targeting illegal housing structures and informal businesses has directly affected 650 000-700 000 people through the loss of shelter and/or livelihoods.

Needs analysis: Food security and agriculture sectors

The combined effects of natural disasters, the reduced production capacity and its impacts on the economy led to critical food shortages during 2002, 2003 and 2004. The Zimbabwe Vulnerability Assessment Committee Report of 2005 estimates that 2.9 million people representing 36 percent of the rural population will not be able to meet their food requirements in the current marketing season. A shortage of agricultural inputs (seeds, fertilizers and tillage) is aggravated by a monthly inflation rate of over 350 percent. Although seeds, particularly maize, are generally available, they are priced beyond the reach of most communal farmers. The price of maize seed, for example, has increased by more than 270 percent from last season’s levels. In light of the above context, the country may not be able to effectively make good use of the forecasted favourable season.

Livestock production is one of the major sources of livelihoods in Zimbabwe, a traditionally beef exporting country. Recently, however, exports to the European Community remain suspended because of the outbreak of Foot and Mouth Disease. The control of the disease has been difficult with the numerous movements of cattle throughout the country following the fast track land reform.

A baseline livestock study commissioned by FAO in Zimbabwe in 2005 indicated that poultry was the most populous livestock in rural areas, with up to 97 percent of households owning poultry. Since 2001, the country has had Newcastle Disease outbreaks and in 2005 the disease has spread to all provinces. The outbreak has already claimed thousands of chickens nationwide impacting negatively on the livelihoods of many people.

Agricultural assistance programmes will be focused on preventing further deterioration in livelihoods, primarily as a consequence of the macro policy environment. A multi-pronged strategy will be adopted focusing on strengthening community and household livelihoods through inter-agency and multi-disciplinary collaboration as well as through establishment of marketing linkages with the private sector; improving food security and increasing agricultural productivity through bridging short-term relief activities and medium-term community based projects; developing standardized assessment, monitoring and evaluation tools. HIV/AIDS is a cross-cutting issue which will be given high priority.

PROPOSALS

FAO RELIEF AND REHABILITATION ASSISTANCE
Funding required: US$ 33 238 700

Issues addressed: Decreased food production and incomes. Increased dependence on food imports. Lack of access to agricultural inputs.

Objectives: Increased productivity of smallholder farmers through input provision and promotion of improved crop management practices.

Activities: Identification, verification and registration of beneficiaries. Sourcing and timely procurement of inputs, preferably from within the region. Delivery and distribution of inputs according the needs (e.g. sorghum for relatively dry areas, maize for higher rainfall areas) enabling farmers to plant up to one hectare.

Beneficiaries: 250 000 smallholder communal farming households.

Implementing partners: Ministry of Agriculture (AREX), Farmers Unions, Rural District Councils, NGOs.

Duration: January 2006 - December 2006.

Funds requested: US$ 31 295 000.

Issues addressed: Following periodic outbreaks of FMD since 2001, veterinary authorities have not been able to eradicate the disease due to budgetary constraints and in particular an acute shortage of foreign exchange.

Objectives: Enhance household food security through asset protection by controlling FMD in areas where livestock constitutes the major form of livelihood.

Activities: Procurement of vaccines and vaccination. Training in surveillance and animal movement. Collection of reports and samples. Laboratory tests. Analysis and production of reports and maps.

Beneficiaries: 40 000 households (500 000 animals).

Implementing partners: Department of Veterinary Services, Ministry of Agriculture.

Duration: January 2006 - December 2006.

Funds requested: US$ 918 500.

Issues addressed: Poor nutrition, low income among HIV/AIDS affected households.

Objectives: To improve the nutrition and livelihoods of HIV/AIDS affected households through improved productivity and diversity of homestead production.

Activities: Procurement of vegetable kits and garden tools. Training in vegetable production, food hygiene, preservation and preparation. Nutrition education, particularly in relation to HIV/AIDS, e.g. use of herbs and medicinal plants.

Beneficiaries: 1 000 HIV/AIDS affected households, particularly female headed households.

Implementing partners: Ministry of Agriculture (AREX), Rural District Councils, NGOs.

Duration: January 2006 - December 2006.

Funds requested: US$ 231 000.

Issues addressed: Poor nutrition, low incomes in Matabeleland South province.

Objectives: Improving food and livelihood security through provision of goats to vulnerable households.

Activities: Identification and prioritization of beneficiary households. Training of beneficiary households in basic goat husbandry. Sourcing and purchasing of goats. Treating and transporting of goats from areas of source to target districts.

Beneficiaries: 1 500 resource poor rural households.

Implementing partners: Department of Livestock Production and Development Ministry of Agriculture, NGO Partners.

Duration: January 2006 - December 2006.

Funds requested: US$ 330 000.

Issues addressed: Newcastle Disease is a limiting factor in the productivity of village poultry, with estimated mortalities between 50 and 100 percent.

Objectives: Asset protection through control of Newcastle Disease in communal areas of Zimbabwe.

Activities: Sourcing and procurement of vaccines for disease control. Mass vaccinations of chickens in districts where the disease has had outbreaks. Monitoring and evaluation during and after vaccination campaigns.

Beneficiaries: 900 000 poor small holder households (about 11 million birds).

Implementing partner: Department of Veterinary Services, Ministry of Agriculture, NGO Partners.

Duration: January 2006 - December 2006.

Funds requested: US$ 297 000.

Issues addressed: To establish a capacity for early detection of the disease a preparedness plan must be elaborated, improving public awareness and increasing surveillance.

Objectives: Reduce human health risks by increased protection through improved surveillance, preparedness and public awareness so as to minimize risks from Avian Influenza spreading in Zimbabwe.

Activities: Carry out public awareness campaigns for the disease. Improve bio-security on poultry farms. Carry out targeted surveillance in determined wetlands that support wild migratory waterfowl. Initiate surveillance of other wild birds and of ostrich flocks raised outdoors. Monitor and investigate large numbers of deaths in poultry and birds (wild and domestic) for the presence of avian influenza. Increase diagnostics and testing capacity. Strengthen linkages with laboratories in the Region.

Beneficiaries: Human health risks of total population reduced. Protect food security status of poultry owning households.

Implementing partners: Division of Livestock and Veterinary Services, Ministry of Agriculture, NGO Partners.

Duration: January 2006 - December 2006.

Funds requested: US$ 167 200.