MISSION STATEMENT:

Our aim is to support the development of the agricultural sector, environmental sustainability and reverse climate change.

FOCUS AREAS:

• Support empirical research in agriculture and land tenure in order to influence policy formulation in the Zimbabwean agrarian sector.

• Promote the use of alternative technologies (solar etc) that can help rural farmers to diversify energy sources in order to reverse land degradation.

• Promote policy dialogue among stakeholders (donors, farmers and policy makers) on the future of agriculture in Zimbabwe.

• Support research and training in environmental sustainability in both urban and rural areas of Zimbabwe.

• Influence environmental policy formulation and debates in the context of the global campaigns against climate change.

Land tenure in the face of Fast Track land Reform Programme (FTLRP)

The focus group aims to Zimbabwe develop a just and unambiguous agrarian tenure regime which will help to provide security to farmers. We also aim to support the undertaking of a land audit which will help to clarify land rights in a post land reform cleaning up exercise borrowing from other systems in world that are appropriate to our circumstances.

Infrastructure
We aim to participate in debates concerning the development of transparent support mechanisms for farmers and the provision of basic infrastructure like schools, roads, buses and clinics which are currently absent in many resettled areas (a key aspect in boosting productivity is to provide support in form of equipment, seed, fertilisers etc)

Environment
We aim to promote the provision of ecological and environmental education schemes based on empirical research, which are not premised on blaming rural farmers for damaging the environment but provide alternatives in terms of energy sources and income in face of unpredictable weather and economic circumstances. We also aim to investigate potential funding and collaborative schemes to support the development of alternative sources of energy.

Alternative livelihoods strategies
We aim to promote the diversification of the agricultural sector through research and training in order to reverse potential risks associated with agriculture. We believe that for livelihoods security purposes, small holder farmers should be encouraged to initiate small- scale projects for self reliance (poultry, piggeries etc) these can cushion them from economic shocks associated with agriculture (droughts, floods and fluctuations in prices of agricultural products).

Group facilitators:

Grasian Mkodzongi
Grasian is a Human Ecologist born in Gokwe. He attended a local rural secondary school before moving to Scotland where he trained as an Ecologist. He has extensive experience of working in the international development sector with specific focus on agriculture, ecology and livelihoods enhancement. He is currently a PhD candidate at the University of Edinburgh (Centre of African studies). His current research focuses on land reform and livelihoods enhancement in Zimbabwe. Apart from his PhD research, Grasian works for the Ethnic Minority Civic Congress (EMCC) a project that seeks to promote the democratic participation of ethnic minority communities in the Scottish political processes.
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Tendai Peter Zambuko
Tendai was born and educated in Zimbabwe. He is a Heavy Plant and Earth Moving Equipment Engineer. He moved to United Kingdom in 1999 where he works for Transport for London. Tendai is currently undertaking studies in Sustainable Agriculture and aims to contribute towards food security in Zimbabwe together other Diasporas who share the same commitment. Farming is Tendai’s a passion for farming and has direct interest in Zimbabwean agriculture.

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