Kelvin Kasiwulaya/Thelma Wandayi
Gweru, Zimbabwe – In the heart of Gweru’s urban area, a transformative agricultural project sponsored by Welthungerhilfe (WHH) has set a remarkable precedent for urban resilience and poverty alleviation.
Anne Mangurenje and Chipo Tafireyi are just two of the six beneficiaries who bear firsthand witness to the life-changing impact of this initiative.
As low-income earners struggling to make ends meet, Mangurenje and Tafireyi’s lives were quickly transformed when they received an unforgettable opportunity from the city of Gweru.
They, along with four others, were granted a one-hectare farm at the prestigious Go Beer Farm, a once-desolate land that now teems with life and hope.
Mangurenje a woman from Gweru’s high density suburb of Mambo, recollects her struggles to put food on the table prior to the project “We lived from hand to mouth, never knowing if there would be enough food for the family,” she confesses. “But everything changed when the Welthungerhilfe project reached out to us.”
The sextet, accompanied by the guidance and resources generously provided by WHH, embarked on cultivating a variety of crops – cabbages, peas, and maize – with one overarching goal: to promote food security in the community.
“The project not only handed us the tools but also taught us modern farming techniques,” Tafireyi beams proudly. “We learned about farming systems that were previously alien to us, like drip irrigation and crop rotation.”
This newfound knowledge, coupled with their sheer determination, bore fruit.The once-barren land began to yield an astounding abundance of nutritious crops.
The weary faces of the beneficiaries were soon replaced with smiles of gratitude and amazement.
Through careful planning, innovative techniques, and Welthungerhilfe’s unwavering support, the sextet now produces surplus crops which they sell in the local markets.
The once desolate Go Beer Farm has become a hub of economic activity and community development, attracting buyers across the city.
“Thanks to this project, we not only eat every day, but we have also increased our income,” Mangurenje divulges as she gazes at her flourishing crop. “We are now able to support our children’s education, pay the bills, and save for a better future.”
The impact of this urban resilience building project extends beyond the core beneficiaries, empowering other community members as well.
Mangurenje and Tafireyi open-heartedly share their newfound knowledge with neighbors and have seen remarkable changes ripple through the community, bolstering their collective resilience.
An elated Tafireyi enthuses, “This project has ignited a spark in us to always aim higher. We have witnessed firsthand how hope, hard work, and support can transform lives.”
Welthungerhilfe, an organization renowned for its commitment to fighting global hunger, is reaping the rewards of its investment in the lives of these formerly downtrodden individuals. Their dedication to promoting food security and empowering low-income earners has set a shining example for other organizations and individuals striving to make a lasting impact.
Matthias Spaeth, the Welthungerhilfe Country Director, spoke highly of the urban resilience building project during a recent tour of Go beer farm . “Our organization’s task is to contribute to the improvement in nutritional and income base for the low-income populations of Zimbabwe,” he said.
Kudzai Mpangi, the communications officer for WHH, says the project taking place at Gweru City Council’s Go Beer Farm is a way to address the challenges faced by the community. WHH has invested $39,421 in agricultural infrastructure to support 32 beneficiaries in carrying out self-help projects.
Mpangi explained that, “The project is a response to various shocks and challenges such as climate change, drought, crop failures, floods, and the impact of Covid-19. In urban areas, this impact has led to loss of employment and livelihood opportunities as well as a faster pace of urbanization.
The United Nations Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO)emphasizes the importance of urban agriculture in addressing food insecurity, improving nutrition, and promoting sustainable urban development. According to their statistics, about 800 million people worldwide engage in urban agriculture, producing up to 15-20% of the global food supply.
Additionally, United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) highlights the role of urban farming in poverty reduction and improving livelihoods. It reports that urban agriculture can contribute significantly to income generation, food security, and employment opportunities, especially for vulnerable groups.
Also the World Bank recognizes urban agriculture as a key strategy to alleviate poverty and enhance urban resilience. They estimate that in Sub-Saharan Africa, urban farming contributes to the livelihoods of up to 40% of the urban population.In Africa, urban resilience farming has proven to be effective in various ways.
ABOUT WELTHUNGERHILFE
Welthungerhilfe (WHH) is one of the largest German non- governmental Organisations in development co-operation and emergency relief. Primarily in co-operation with local partner Organisations. Our task is to contribute to the improvement in nutritional and income base for the low- income populations in Africa, Asia, and Latin America. Welthungerhilfe has been implementing projects in Zimbabwe since 1980. Sector focus is on WASH, Food and Nutrition Security, Livelihoods and when necessary, Emergency response.
For over 20 years, WHH has been implementing resilience building and food security projects in rural and urban areas which include but not limited to: Midlands, Matabeleland North and Matabeleland South provinces: Gweru was selected as one of the domains where WHH is currently implementing an urban resilience building project in Gweru, Chegutu and Harare .