Enhancing food security and livelihood of poor small-holder farmers in Zimbabwe

Takudzwa is only 21 years old. His mother passed away in 2012, and his father has been seriously ill since 2018, leaving him in the care of relatives.

To take care of his three younger siblings, aged 16, 12 and 11, Takudzwa dropped out to work as a casual labourer, earning a meagre wage (about HK$30) to support the family. The younger siblings also help with the gardening, but unfortunately, climate change has brought about a prolonged drought, and poor harvests have often left the family short of food. Whenever Takudzwa could not find work, the family went hungry all day. Food, living and school fees for a family of four put much pressure on Takudzwa.

The neighbours considered Takudzwa to be a reliable, hard-working, neighbourly young man who always tried his best to get the job done, so they agreed to the EFZ recipient screening and allowed his family to participate in the project, and receive agricultural training and a goat.

Takudzwa, who has never tried to own any livestock, is thrilled: ‘Everyone in the community knows I had nothing, but now my family, like the rest of my neighbours, can keep livestock. I’ve already built a goat pen, and it’s great to have a new goat pen for my family! This is my first goat, and it represents the future of many more goats that I will be able to sell to support my younger siblings and give them an education.’