ZIMBABWE has secured vital financial and technical support from the People’s Republic of China and the Food and Agriculture Organisation (FAO) for climate change adaptation and the sustainable management of soil and water resources.
The support comes under the newly launched Capacity Development of Sustainable Soil Management in the Global South and the National Water Management Roadmap, unveiled in Harare this Monday.
The two initiatives form part of the broader efforts to boost food security and environmental resilience in the face of growing climate pressures.
Speaking at the launch, Chinese Ambassador to Zimbabwe, His Excellency Zhou Ding, reaffirmed China’s commitment to agricultural cooperation with Zimbabwe, anchored on the outcomes of the 2024 Forum on China-Africa Cooperation (FOCAC).
“As we jointly implement the 10 partnership Action Plans for Modernisation, including ‘the Partnership Action for Agriculture and Livelihoods’ announced by H.E President Xi Jinping during last year’s FOCAC Beijing Summit, today’s launch of these two projects demonstrates our steadfast commitment to Zimbabwe’s agricultural transformation, industrial growth, and modernisation agenda. I am confident that the funds for these projects will be utilised effectively to deliver maximum impact, bringing tangible benefits to Zimbabwean communities and contributing meaningfully to the nation’s development goals,” he said.
FAO Sub-Regional Coordinator for Southern Africa, Dr Patrice Talla, called for inclusive collaboration across sectors to strengthen innovation and sustainability in soil and water use.
“FAO invites development partners and the private sector to co-invest in infrastructure, research, and innovation. FAO encourages academia to deepen research on indigenous and science-based soil-water practices,” he said.
The Government of Zimbabwe welcomed the launch of the two projects, describing them as strategic to fulfilling constitutional commitments on food sovereignty and water security.
Permanent Secretary in the Ministry of Lands, Agriculture, Fisheries, Water and Rural Development, Professor Obert Jiri, said the development was a clear demonstration of collective will and action.
“Today’s event is not merely a launch of the two projects; it is a declaration of our collective resolve, a tangible step towards fulfilling our Constitutional Mandate to food security and ensuring access to safe, clean, and potable water for all Zimbabweans,” he said.
The launch ceremony concluded with the official signing of a tripartite agreement to initiate project implementation.
The two initiatives are expected to enhance capacity in sustainable agricultural practices and strengthen Zimbabwe’s resilience to the adverse effects of climate change.
