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Hwange Villagers Embrace Nutrition Gardens To Mitigate The Effects Of Climate Change

Various nutrition gardens have become the hope to evade hunger and poverty. Image by The Citizen Bulletin


BY CALVIN MANIKA | @The_CBNews | This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. | JUN 25, 2021

Hwange which falls under the agro-ecological zone 4, characterised by high temperatures and low rainfall has been struggling in socio-economic development for the past few years, now nutritional gardens have come to the rescue.


HWANGE (The Citizen Bulletin) — The good rains received in the 2020/21 agricultural season cannot easily rehabilitate the social stress and economic damage caused by three successive years of climate change-induced droughts in the district.

A recent visit by The Citizen Bulletin to various nutrition gardens reveals that the gardens are fast becoming the hope of the communities to evade hunger and poverty. Nutrition gardens are being coordinated by villagers with technical support from the Agritex department and other supporting organisations.

Annual ZIMVAC Rural Livelihood Baseline Profiles notes that north-western Zimbabwe which includes Hwange district is a dry, remote and resource-poor area suffering from chronic food insecurity.

“Cultivation of maize, sorghum, millet and pulses is unreliable and wild foods are consumed during the lean season. Infertile soils, adverse weather conditions, foraging wild animals and poor input and output market access are the biggest constraints to crop production,” notes the 2020 report.


Hwange district is increasingly engaging in nutrition gardens. A notable scheme is the government-owned Lukosi irrigation nutrition garden which measures 29,2 hectares, accommodating 73 beneficiaries with the majority being women.


In filling the gap, World Vision, an international non-governmental organisation has facilitated the establishment of about 21 of these irrigation schemes across the Hwange district. Speaking to The Citizen Bulletin, Word Vision Hwange Area Manager Mr Lovemore Nyoni notes that, one of the root causes of rural poverty in Hwange is drought.

“Due to climate change, droughts have become more frequent and more severe leading to serious crop and livestock losses and therefore, food insecurity for many families. The objective is to strengthen the resilience of vulnerable households to drought and other disasters that threaten to disrupt the livelihoods of families in Hwange,” says Nyoni.

In a bid to uplift the lives of the indigenes’ World Vision adopts climate-smart agriculture techniques through solar-powered pumping systems, dams and irrigation systems which allow all year round farming and therefore, higher yields and more crop diversification.

“This leads to more food and income through vegetable sales for households. More income means families can better take care of their children. The end game is to ensure families have a better capacity to provide for their children. Moreover, the families sell some of the vegetables which improve family income. Better income means families can better take of other needs of children,” continues Nyoni.

Hwange Rural District Councillor of Lukosi ward Councillor Ishmael Kwidini says there are many benefits coming with nutrition gardens in the nutrition gardens and the Lukosi irrigation scheme.

“The government assists with inputs. The gardens are essential for food security from produce in the garden, they also give occupation to jobless villagers and create hope of development regardless of climate change,” says Kwidini.

In addition to the projects making a significant impact on the nutritional status of beneficiaries, they are also improving income. The Citizen Bulletin observed that the majority of vegetables such as onions, tomatoes, broccoli, pepper, butternuts, eggplant, carrots and maize being produced were not limited for home consumption and there were enough volumes for sale.  

Some of the beneficiaries who spoke to this publication say nutrition gardens are not limited to daily agriculture but are life-changing projects.


“For the past years, I have been farming in the irrigation scheme but I worked hard despite climate change effects. I now supply a local supermarket in Hwange with fresh produce. I have a contract. I have bought cattle; build a standard house and a motor vehicle I use for my errands.”
NaMapho, an irrigation farmer


In monitoring the Lukosi Irrigation project, Hwange District Agritex Officer Ms Zimhlope Ndlovu says the role of the agricultural extension worker is for training farmers on good horticultural practices. The District Chief Agritex Officer commented also on the state of the nutrition gardens in the district which have a few seasonal challenges.

For villagers, nutrition gardens have become life-changing projects. Image by The Citizen Bulletin


“They are in a good state during summer only and during any other time; they are in a bad state due to water challenges. Hwange has not been spared of climate change and has been affected to a greater extent,” says Ndlovu.

Few beneficiaries have managed to break even beyond the local market as their main market. Many villagers hardly interface with external buyers. Farmers say market orientation training and market analysis is required.

Less than 1000 households are benefitting from the nutrition gardens in the whole district despite that the Food Poverty Datum Line (FPDL) has continued to increase over time and remain higher than the average income. According to ZimStats Food Datum Line (FDL) for one person in May 2021 was $4139.00 while the Total Consumption Poverty Line (TCPL) for one person stood at $5771.00.  

Despite these challenges a few individuals are reaping rewards, “This initiative has made our lives enjoyable because we manage balanced diet food despite the state of the economy and surplus is sold to buy other things needed home including clothing and children’s school fees,” says Monica Sibanda.


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