Outline of the Project

Project Name

Project for Zimbabwe Smallholder Horticulture Empowerment and Promotion (ZIM-SHEP)

Country

Zimbabwe

Date R/D Signed

Oct. 18, 2018

Project Site

8 provinces (Mashonaland Central, Midlands, Mashonaland East, Manicaland, Masvingo, Mashonaland West, Matabeleland North, Matabeleland South)

Term of Cooperation

From Mar. 12, 2019 to Mar 11, 2025

Implementing Organization

Ministry of Lands, Agriculture, Fisheries, Water and Rural Development

Background

The government of Zimbabwe supports small-scale farmers with irrigated land to increase the production of cereals and horticultural crops. However, the government is facing various issues, such as price drops which are responsible for the excessive amount of production caused by non-diversification of cultivation crops and failure of finding appropriate markets. Since the "market-oriented agriculture promotion (SHEP approach)" has gradually taken off and become successful under the leadership of JICA ex-trainees despite the situation, the government is calling for a wider spread of the SHEP approach within the country. This project contributes to improving the autonomy of farmers and the capacity of extension workers, guiding small-holder farmers to practice market-oriented agriculture and increase their income.

The Overall Goal

The number of farmers who receive the extension services based on the ZIM-SHEP Package is increased.

Project Purpose

Target farmers of the project feel their horticulture income is increased.

Output

1. Implementing system for the ZIM-SHEP Package is established.
2. The ZIM-SHEP Package is developed.
3. Extension activities based on SHEP approach is practised at target irrigation schemes by AGRITEX officials, and replication to other targets is promoted by the project.

Project Activities

Output 1

1-1	Select target Provinces by JCC.
1-2	Select target irrigation schemes in each districts within a province based on information from Provincial AGRITEX.
1-3	Build the consensus about the roles & responsibilities among selected irrigation schemes in a district.
1-4	Monitor and supervise the activities of Output 3 according to the above roles & responsibilities.
1-5	Share the progress, achievements and issues of the activities of Output 3 with regular reporting system.
1-6	Implement workshops with the Province AGRITEX and the Districts to disseminate the ZIM-SHEP Package to other districts.
1-7	Incorporate the ZIM-SHEP Package to Strategic Plan of AGRITEX.

Output 2

2-1	Review the process, achievements and challenges of the pilot activities.
2-2	Review the activities, achievements and challenges of other market-oriented agriculture programmes implemented by AGIRTEX and other development partners.
2-3	Develop the ZIM-SHEP Package based on the activities above (Activity 2-1 and 2-2) and the activities of Output 3.

Output 3

3-1	Conduct the ZIM-SHEP Package training to Provinces Districts, and the extension staff of the target sites.
3-2	Provinces and Districts of the target sites make an On Site Plan.
3-3	The extension staff of the target sites conduct training for the target farmers on the ZIM-SHEP Package.
3-4	After the 1st cycle, the project promotes provinces to select at least one other irrigation scheme or farmer group that meets selection criteria per district, and conduct training on the ZIM-SHEP Package.
3-5	The extension staff monitor and advise target farmers.

Inputs

[Japanese side]

1. Dispatch of Japanese Experts

• Chief Advisor / SHEP Approach
• Project Coordinator
• Horticulture production
• Gender

Other experts if necessary.

2. Training for Counterpart Personnel (in Japan, in a third country)
3. Activity Cost
4.Provision of necessary equipment for the project

Inputs

[Zimbabwe side]

1. Assignment of Counterparts

• The Project Director
• The project Manager
• SHEP Team

2. Office space for Japanese experts
3. Activity Cost
4. Allowance for business trip, salary