Zimbabwe is a highly biodiverse country, with around 1500 plant species and 53% of its land area covered by forests and woodlands. A quarter of these ecosystems are within nature reserves and protected areas. However, agricultural and urban expansion, mining, tourism, water and air pollution, invasive alien species, unsustainable harvesting of natural resources, and the related impacts of climate change are putting the country’s biodiversity and associated ecosystems under threat.

The agricultural sector provides jobs for 60 to 70 percent of Zimbabwe’s population and contributes approximately 17 percent to gross domestic product (GDP). The Government of Zimbabwe recognizes agriculture as a priority sector in achieving sustainable economic growth and poverty reduction.

Where do we work?

The project is implemented in Makoni, Mt Darwin and Gokwe South districts.  

Agrobiodiversity

• 450 stakeholders engaged in national consultations by the Policy Development Thematic Working Group.
• Support the development and review of the National Agrobiodiversity Policy Framework and the Animal Genetic Resources strategy and action plans.
• Creation a coordination platform to bring the agricultural and environmental sectors together and discuss biodiversity related cross-sectorial issues.
• Developing a document to mainstream biodiversity into Provincial Agriculture Investment Plans (PAIPs) and Zimbabwe Agricultural Investment Plans (ZAIP).

Together, FAO and the Agronomy Research Institute, are working on six research outcomes:

• Analysis of the costs and benefits for smallholder farmers using ecosystem-based agriculture production practices.
• Impact of HHPs on livestock and link with antimicrobial resistance.
• Baseline study for the adoption of biopesticides, biofertilizers and other bio-agents.
• Impact assessment of pesticides on pollinators in Makoni, Mt Darwin and Gokwe districts.
• Assessment of curricula for agricultural colleges and universities to establish coverage of climate-smart, agroecological and organic farming issues (theory and practice).
• Assessment of problems and needs (sustainability standards practices and value chains) for the organic sector.

Highly Hazardous Pesticides

• Launching of a national survey report that identified the HHPs used in Zimbabwe and assessed the associated risks to human and environmental health.
• Highlights of the study:
• 44 HHPs are registered and used in Zimbabwe. An HHP mitigation and phase out plan is highly recommended.
• The pesticide regulation enforcement by the responsible authorities needs to be improved, and compliance on pesticide handling and management by retailers and farmers should be strengthened.
• It was recommended to carry out a national campaign to raise awareness and educate stakeholders on pesticide handling and its associated health and environmental risks.

Farmer Field Schools

• Promoting ecosystem-based agricultural production systems through FFSs experimentation with different agro-ecological practices.
• Elaboration of field days to share findings and recommendations on different practices tested.
• Evaluation of the status of rangeland conditions for each season and identify forage crops and grasses to be planted in the next growing season.
• 180 farmers trained on the use of ecosystem-based practices, including crop diversity, fall armyworm management, inter-cropping, water-use efficient techniques and fodder production.

What’s to come?

• Finalize, facilitate government approval and launch the National Agrobiodiversity Policy Framework and the Animal Genetic Resources Strategy and Action Plan.
• Complete the paper to mainstream biodiversity into the National and Provincial Agricultural Investment Plans.
• Develop of the HHP mitigation and phasing out plan.
• Build capacity for effective fertilizer registration, including the registration of bio-pesticides and bio-fertilizers.
• Support national preparations for CBD COP 15.
• Review and align the NBSAP to the post-2020 Global Biodiversity Framework.
• Prepare technical briefs on the basis of the thematic working groups findings.