Farmer-to-farmer programme launches in Zimbabwe

The five-year USAID-funded Farmer-to-Farmer Programme (2018-2023) has been launched. The programme aims to generate sustainable, broad-based economic growth in the agricultural sector and increase understanding of international development issues and U.S. development programs through people-to-people diplomacy.

31 May 2019

Image Supplied.

The USAID-funded John Ogonowski and Doug Bereuter Farmer-to-Farmer Programme provides technical assistance by qualified American volunteers to farmers, farmer groups, agribusinesses, and other agriculture sector institutions in developing and transitional countries.

In Zimbabwe, the Farmer-to-Farmer Programme will focus on horticulture, legumes and livestock/dairy value chains due to their potential to benefit many farmers and earn high returns on investment.

Through 84 volunteer assignments, the program will catalyse the development of commercially viable and sustainable businesses along these value chains.

The volunteers will support the efforts of current U.S. Government-funded agricultural programs working with farmers, aggregators, processors, and marketers. Training and support provided through Farmer-to-Farmer will focus on improved production and processing technologies, strengthening organisational and marketing capacity of agribusinesses, and promoting the use of conservation agriculture.

Over the course of the five-year programme, volunteers will train thousands of smallholder farmers to increase sales and learn how to farm as a business in order to increase household incomes, strengthen livelihoods, and build community resilience.