Cicada's Conservation Farming Initiatives Expand Across Zimbabwe!

Cicada Agriculture is happy to share the progress made in our Small Scale Conservation Farming program, aimed at restoring ecosystems and empowering rural communities. With a focus on three key areas – Honde Valley, Hurungwe, and Gairezi – we're making strides in combating deforestation, improving soil health, and enhancing agricultural practices.

Since its inception, the program has grown from a pilot of 90 farmers to over 270 in the past year. We're scaling up to reach 800 farmers by the end of 2024. These efforts are already yielding positive results, with farmers adopting sustainable practices and improving their livelihoods.?

In an effort to build a strong foundation and maximise our impact, Cicada has established two training centers – one in Honde Valley at Katiyo Estate and another located at Rydings School, Karoi. These centers will serve as hubs for training farmers in climate-smart conservation farming practices. Additionally, our dedicated team of trainers is providing on-the-ground support in the Gairezi Valley.

The regions in which we currently operate are strategically located along major river systems – Kariba, Zambezi, and Pungwe – which have been significantly impacted by deforestation and siltation. By focusing on these areas, we can directly address environmental challenges with the help of My Trees Trust, and improve the livelihoods of local communities.

Our Conservation Farming program goes beyond training; it's about building partnerships with farmers. Through regular visits, our field officers provide mentorship and support, ensuring farmers implement best practices. Cicada has also introduced a value chain economy model, which provides farmers with access to inputs through a financing scheme that they repay from the produce harvested. As part of the program, farmers are inducted through farming row crops such as maize in the first year and graduate to high value crops including coffee and avocado as they progress. Cicada also plans to integrate farmers who meet qualifying criteria into our export value chain for avocado production. This approach empowers farmers, incentivizes success, and creates opportunities for participation in high-value agricultural markets.

While demand for our program far exceeds current capacity, Cicada is committed to scaling up our efforts. We are actively seeking funding and expanding our trainer pool to accommodate the growing interest in conservation farming. Our goal is to make these transformative agricultural practices accessible to a wider range of farmers across Zimbabwe and build a more sustainable and resilient future for all.

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