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WHO WE ARE

We are a Regional Universities Forum for Capacity Building in Agriculture (RUFORUM). RUFORUM Community Action Research Programme PLUS (CARP+). Aimed to reduce poverty due to climate change. 

 

Reference: RU/MCF/CARP+/2017/02

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Project Title

Use of tied contour rain water harvesting (TC-RWH) system in small grain and legume production for improved household food security, nutrition and income in semi-arid smallholder farming areas of Zimbabwe

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WHAT WE DO

Executive Summary

Many smallholder farmers in Zimbabwe are located in semi-arid areas where rainfall is low, erratic and unreliable.  These areas are vulnerable to the impacts of climate change which has increased the duration of intra-seasonal dry spells. This has resulted in most smallholder farmers being food insecure and in poverty. The situation has been worsened by lack of proper agricultural skills and employment opportunities. To address these challenges, we will carry out and a community action research programme to promote the use of the tied contour water rain harvesting TC-RWH) system to improve crop production and increase crop yields, resulting in improved food security, nutrition and income in smallholder farming areas of Buhera and Mwenezi, Zimbabwe. We will carry-out on farm research to determine region specific crop performance and yield data for the various small grains and cereals under TC-RWH, integrated nutrient management and crop intensification. The research plots will also serve as demonstration and farmer learning sites, where farmers from other area can come and visit during field tours, and exchange visit) to promote uptake of the technology.  We will train farmers in improved agronomic practices, post-harvest management, value addition, and marketing and set up business incubation/value addition centers. This will improve the food security, nutrition and income of smallholder farmers, especially women and the youths. The project will also have multiplier effects which include skills development, registration of patents and trademarks, and employment creation thus, moving farmers out food insecurity and poverty.

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