A new initiative funded by the Italian Agency for Development Cooperation (AICS) will transform agricultural trade between Zimbabwe and Mozambique. The Zimbabwe-Mozambique Agricultural Value Chain and Trade Development Project (Zim-Moza ATDP), with a budget of EUR 3.5 million, allocates EUR 1.166 million to Zimbabwe to enhance its agricultural sector. Implemented by the Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO) in partnership with Zimbabwe’s Ministry of Lands, Agriculture, Fisheries, Water and Rural Development (MLAFWRD), the project will strengthen agricultural supply chains by improving infrastructure, market access, and innovation. This project will allow farmers, traders, and businesses to engage in global markets, promoting economic growth and resilience.
At the Harare inception meeting, Patrice Talla, FAO Subregional Coordinator for Southern Africa, stated, “The Zim-Moza ATDP is a crucial step towards unlocking the immense potential of the agricultural sector in both Zimbabwe and Mozambique. By empowering smallholder farmers and fostering collaboration between public and private sector actors, we can create a more resilient and inclusive farming landscape.” The project supports Zimbabwe’s National Development Strategies, which prioritize productivity and sustainability, as noted by Obert Jiri, Permanent Secretary of the Ministry, in a statement by Gamuchirai Kapembeza.
The Zim-Moza ATDP project will educate farmers on production and marketing, expand biogenic access through improved information systems and training, support policies favorable to trade, and enhance horticulture, livestock, and grain supply chains to address constraints and drive efficiency. FAO reaffirmed its commitment to working with both governments to ensure success. By strengthening trade and ensuring food security, the project aims to inspire similar agricultural initiatives across Africa.
