Deep in the arid regions of Zimbabwe, farmers like Gertrude Siduna and Muchaneta Mutowa are demonstrating how climate-smart farming practices are being adopted to adapt to harsh environmental conditions. Through trainings funded by the United States Agency for International Development (USAID), these farmers have been exposed to crops and technologies that are adapted to Zimbabwe’s changing climate.
At 49, Gertrude Siduna from Chipinge District has made the switch to growing chillies instead of traditional maize. The transition has transformed her life. “I simply harvest my chillies from the fields and bring them to Cargill’s processing centre near my home. It’s simple, I get my money, which I then use to buy maize flour… Chilli is much better than maize,” she explains. With her first harvest, Siduna generated an income of about $400, providing financial stability in a region where drought often threatens traditional crops.
Muchaneta Mutowa has also benefited from these initiatives, including access to solar water technology. The innovation has brought reliable water sources to her village, reducing the need to fetch water from remote, dry riverbeds. “The solar technology has been very helpful,” she says. “We now have easy access to reliable water flowing from the taps. We don’t pay for the sun… but it has become a real asset.”
In the Chiredzi region, another farmer, Kenias Chikamhi, finds traditional maize farming increasingly unsustainable, often calling it a “risky bet” due to recurring droughts. Crops like millet have become viable alternatives for farmers under USAID-supported programs.
Across Zimbabwe, community gardens with solar irrigation are producing essential crops like onions, leafy vegetables, and beans. These gardens not only feed families, but also help fund basic needs, such as school fees, through the sale of vegetables.
However, as the need for food assistance grows, USAID and other aid agencies are looking to improve their approach to global food security. Following an evaluation by the U.S. Government Accountability Office (GAO), USAID has taken steps to better measure the results of its programs. The final recommendations are expected to be resolved in October, with the release of the latest implementation plan for the Global Food Security Strategy.
In Zimbabwe’s changing agricultural landscape, USAID initiatives are truly transforming farmers’ livelihoods while ensuring sustainable food security for vulnerable communities. On the path to increased resilience in the face of climate change, these smart agricultural practices are opening new opportunities for a more secure and prosperous food future in Zimbabwe.