By Maricho Reporter
Former UN Secretary-General Kofi Annan once observed that progress depends on cooperation between governments, the private sector, and farmers’ organisations.
His point is illustrated in Umguza district, Matabeleland North, where collaboration has transformed the Phaphamani Irrigation Scheme.
“Government and the private sector can and must form innovative partnerships with farmers’ organizations and smallholders, providing access to better seeds, sustainable farming techniques, and modern technologies,” according to Annan.
Here, a 50-hectare farm run by 12 villagers has become productive thanks to support from a partnership involving the AFC Land and Development Bank, the Food and Agriculture Organisation of the United Nations (FAO), the Ministry of Lands, Agriculture, Fisheries, Water and Rural Development, and the African Development Bank (AfDB) through the Seed Revolving Fund.
As a result, Phaphamani Irrigation scheme has become “a shining example of what good collaboration can deliver”,
according to AFC Land and Development Bank Managing Director, Priscilla Munyeza.
“AFC has assisted them with credit to allow them to pay their workers as well as pay for the inputs while FAO, as a co-implementing partner, contributed US$5,400 under the Seed Revolving Fund,” said Munyeza.
FAO has helped establish and manage an US$8.35 million Seed Revolving Fund. This mechanism is more than financial support—it is a sustainable system that reinvests repayments, ensuring continued access to quality inputs across seasons. Already, the fund has supported two summer maize and three winter wheat cycles, proving its value as a long-term financing model.
“This collaboration between the Government of Zimbabwe, FAO, AfDB, and AFC shows the power of partnership in achieving shared goals. By aligning resources, expertise, and innovation, we are delivering results that advance national policy objectives, the Country Programming Framework, and FAO’s global vision for sustainable agrifood systems,” Dr Patrice Talla, FAO Representative in Zimbabwe and Sub-regional Coordinator for Southern Africa said.
“As FAO marks its 80th anniversary, our theme “Hand in Hand for Better Food and a Better Future” resonates with this very work. It reflects our enduring commitment to partnership, innovation, and inclusivity, and aligns with this year’s World Food Day message of ensuring safe, nutritious, and affordable food for all, while safeguarding natural resources for generations to come,” added Dr Talla.
“Together with government and our partners, we will continue to expand and deepen these interventions so that Zimbabwe’s farmers, communities, and food systems are stronger, more resilient, and better prepared for the future.”
Abraham Mashumba, Director for Business Development in the Ministry of Lands, Agriculture, Fisheries, Water and Rural Development praised the partnership for the “amazing development at Phaphamani”.
“We continue to cherish and appreciate the support that we are getting from our development partners the FAO, our own internal financial institution, AFC coming into this partnership and the support that we are getting from AfDB and all other well-wishers even those that are coming in with support in terms of equipment, marketing and logistics. We consider them major partners in this initiative,” said Mashumba.
