Given this context, FPC will target and prioritize the rights of vulnerable and marginalized groups especially young women (70%), men (30%), and other groups such as people with disabilities. This is in line with Trócaire’s prioritization and targeting criteria. The targets are the rural smallholder farmers who continuously face environmental and climate change challenges that threaten biodiversity, ecosystems, and food security.  The target group have limited livelihood options as they rely on small-scale agriculture and livestock rearing. They also have limited skills and knowledge on agroecology concepts which are a potential panacea to their perennial challenges through landscape and systems redesign. Agroecology will be implemented to enhance soil health and resilience

The targeting, selection, and verification process of the beneficiaries has always been deliberate. The beneficiaries are the same as those targeted by core partners. This means that a referral method will be used where core partners play this selection role. Fambidzanai Permaculture Centre will work closely with selected lead farmers, government agriculture extension staff, and local leaders within the project targeted framework by core partners operating in each district.

This has been coupled with unsustainable land use practices, such as monoculture and poor crop rotation, contributing to land degradation and loss of biodiversity.

Water scarcity is another challenge faced by farmers in Bikita, Gutu, Insiza and Matobo districts. Water scarcity is a significant challenge for farmers, impacting agricultural productivity and food security. This has been caused by erratic and insufficient rainfall, often below 450 mm annually, leading to crop water stress and reduced yields. Additionally few and unreliable water sources, such as rivers, dams, and boreholes, constrain irrigation and livestock production. Inefficient irrigation practices by farmers and lack of water harvesting methods have exacerbated water scarcity. On the other hand, smallholder farmers often lack access to extension services, training, and resources to adopt sustainable agricultural practices.

To address these challenges, the project is championing initiatives like agroecology that promotes community seed banks and conservation agriculture, and environmental management to promote sustainable agriculture, improve food security and environmental management.

Intermediate Outcome 2.1.1 People living in poverty, particularly rural women, and youth, have adopted Agro-ecological approaches at household and community levels.

·        Immediate Outcome 2.1.1.1 FHH and MHH are applying agroecological practices in crop production.

·        Immediate Outcome 2.1.1.2 Farmers, particularly women and youth have knowledge and skills in farmer managed seed systems and seed banks.

·        Immediate Outcome 2.1.1.3 Farmers have access to food preservation, storage and energy access support.

Intermediate Outcome 2.1.2: Communities, through EMCs are actively engaged in protecting and enhancing biodiversity/natural resources and the environment at an ecosystem level.

 Ø  Immediate Outcome 2.1.2.3: Women and men have improved knowledge of natural resource mapping and monitoring and are participating in CMDRM initiatives.

Intermediate Outcome 2.1.4 People living in poverty, particularly rural women and youth in their households, user groups, and communities are collaborating in advocacy initiatives for their rights (e.g. for seed, food, budgetary, markets engagement, services – financial, education, technical, information) and rights related to the sustainable management and governance of natural resources). 

The adoption of agroecological practices is voluntary for farmers and other food system actors. Thus, it is relevant to understand adoption hurdles and enabling factors that can be used to largely increase the uptake of agroecological practices. The overall aim of transformation to agroecological practices is to reduce negative external effects in environmental, economic, and social dimensions implied by currently dominating conventional agricultural practices.

The project therefore seeks to empower smallholder farmers to be champions in food security and environmental conservation and management issues. The following strategies will be adopted in 2026:

Immediate Outcome 2.1.1.1 FHH and MHH are applying agroecological practices in crop production.

Introduction to agroecology workshop (Musasa Women’s group)

The ICSP project values integration of goal areas. FPC will build the capacity of women under Musasa Project goal 3 in Bikita District of Masvingo Province to grow their own food, using agroecology-based technique, while housed at Musasa Women’s shelter. GBV survivors often face economic vulnerability, social stigma, emotional trauma, and reduced access to opportunities. Agroecology offers a restorative, inclusive, and empowering pathway that helps survivors rebuild their confidence, stability, and independence while contributing to food security and community resilience. Income from vegetables, seeds, small livestock, or value addition strengthens autonomy and reduces reliance on abusers or unsafe environments.  The capacity building will also cover the farmers and officers working in the new wards under Caritas Mutare who have not been capacitated on agroecology aspects of soil health and natural pest and disease management concepts in their work towards protecting and enhancing biodiversity. This will provide them with a strong foundation and footing as they work to catch up with other capacitated farmers from across the different project areas. A total of 2 separate trainings will be delivered with a target of 25 farmers under Musasa goal 3 component and 30 lead farmers under Caritas Mutare. Of the 30 lead farmers to be trained, they are expected to cascade to at least a target of 10 farmers each while the GBV survivors are expected to roll out the training at their respective households.  

Chatbot

Chatbots are becoming valuable digital tools in the agriculture sector, helping farmers access timely information, improve decision-making, and enhance productivity. Their benefits are particularly significant in rural settings where extension officers are few, information is delayed, or support systems are weak. FPC introduced a chatbot and will maintain its smooth flow and to date a total of 852 users have accessed the chatbot since its launch and courtesy of modules in vernacular, that is, Shona and Ndebele.  The chatbot is targeting to reach out to at least 250 farmers from each of the 4 districts making a total target of 1000 farmers.

Key Action

ü  Updating the chatbot with latest information

ü  General upgrading of the chatbot

 Best farmer agroecology household design competition

A best agroecology homestead design competition can inspire innovative, sustainable, and resilient homestead designs that promote agroecological practices, enhancing food security and livelihoods the four district of operation. The activity encourages farmers in the program to adopt improved, sustainable, and well-organised homestead practices that support food security, nutrition, climate resilience, and overall livelihood improvement. The competition promotes learning, innovation, and positive behaviour change among farmers by showcasing practical examples of well-designed and productive agroecology homesteads. A total of 3 best farmers with good demonstration of the agroecology concept in each of the 4 districts will be supported to get a prize, thus making a total of 12 winners of the prize.

 Key activities

ü  Judging farmer homesteads

ü  Prize giving at the farmer symposium

 Soil Analysis Support

Sustained investment in soil analysis for smallholder farmers is critically justified as a cost-effective, foundational strategy to ensure long-term agricultural viability and ultimately contribute to food security. By enabling farmers to move from guesswork to precise soil health management, it increases yields and profitability while strengthening the agroecology practices.  This serves as a proactive soil health monitoring approach, which is essential for empowering farmers with knowledge that further transforms them into stewards of their land. A target of at least 75 farmers from each of the 4 districts are targeted making a total target of 300 samples to be analysed and supported with technical details to improve management. In addition a collective total of 100 more samples will be drawn from the trained GBV survivors and farmers from Caritas Mutare and thus making a grand total of 400 samples.

Key activities

ü  Soil analysis support.

Research on Neglected and Underutilized Crop Species (NUS)

This research seeks to address the critical gap in the systematic characterization and documentation of Neglected and Underutilized Crop Species (NUS). These resilient, nutritionally dense, and locally adapted crops represent an under-explored reservoir of genetic, ecological, and socio-economic value. The proposed study will establish a comprehensive, multidisciplinary profiling framework that integrates agronomic traits (e.g., stress tolerance, yield under low-input conditions), nutritional and phytochemical composition, post-harvest properties, and socio-economic potential (including market chains, gender roles, and cultural significance). By employing a combination of field evaluations and participatory research with farming communities, the project aims to generate robust, accessible profiles for different species. The target is to profile at least 10 NUS crops from each of the 2 regions, that is, Masvingo and Matabeleland.

Key Action

ü  Conduct research on Neglected and Underutilized Crop Species (NUS)

Biofertilizers

The planned research and development of biofertilizer aims to create sustainable agricultural solutions to enhance soil fertility and crop yields. This initiative includes investigating the efficacy of various microbial strains and organic materials, conducting controlled experiments to evaluate different biofertilizer formulations in diverse soil types, and systematically collecting data on growth parameters and soil nutrient levels. Collaborations with academic institutions and agricultural organizations will leverage expertise and resources towards the production of at least 3 products or prototypes of improved biofertilizer by end of 2026.

 Key actions

ü  Conduct research on bio fertiliser formulation and effectiveness.

ü  Develop techniques and measures to improve biofertilizer quality among smallholder farmers practices.

ü  Technical advisory services on biofertilizer production and application.

 Immediate Outcome 2.1.1.2 Farmers, particularly women and youth have knowledge and skills in farmer managed seed systems and seed banks.

A robust network takes development much further and faster than you could ever go alone. For every obstacle encountered in projects, there is the likelihood that someone within the network has the tools, resources, or connections to solve it. Or perhaps you’re in a unique position to solve a challenge someone else is facing. Networking is effective in letting others know about products and services associated with the project. The simple formula for networking is that the more people know about your product and services, the more they’re likely to buy it. FPC aims to reach out to at least 150 farmers with agroecology extension information during the Farmer symposium and at least 250 at the Good Food Festival. As part of the networking efforts, one of the project team members will attend an international conference related to agroecology to acquire new skills and approaches.

 Key activities

ü  Participating at The Good seed and food festival

ü  Attending Agroecology conferences

ü  Participating at the farmer symposium

Intermediate Outcome 2.1.2: Communities, through EMCs are actively engaged in protecting and enhancing biodiversity/natural resources and the environment at an ecosystem level.

 Immediate Outcome 2.1.2.3: Women and men have improved knowledge of natural resource mapping and monitoring and are participating in CMDRM initiatives.

 GIS (Geographic Information System) mapping of agroecology practices.

The general concept is to create an inventory of existing agroecology practices across the project landscape, identify potential land for conversion; analyse the impact of agroecology on soil health or biodiversity. The mapping will be done using GIS tools and analysis thereof. This therefore helps the core partners, FPC, and government to visualize where agroecology actors, practices, resources, and knowledge hubs are located within the project landscape. This strengthens coordination, learning and evidence-based decision-making. A target of 500 households from each of the 4 districts is earmarked for profiling in the mapping process which will be assisted by the staff members from the core partners during the routine M&E Visits. The FPC team will have a verification exercise on the ground with the core partners to validate the spatial data collected from different sources.

 Key actions

ü  Partner support for GIS community mapping.

Capacity enhancement

ü  Training on value addition (ORAP)

Lead farmers under the auspice of ORAP did not go through value addition capacity building sessions, an important aspect which aid to the food security pillars.  Value addition refers to the methods and techniques used to convert raw agricultural products into forms that are safe, nutritious, durable, marketable, and convenient for consumption. It includes simple traditional practices such as drying and fermentation, as well as modern techniques like pasteurisation, canning, and packaging. Value addition and Food processing skills plays a critical role in strengthening food systems, supporting livelihoods, and improving national food security. A total of 30 led farmers from different wards of Matopo will be capacitated over a 5-day intense training program with each targeted to cascade the training to 10 other farmers.

 Key actions

ü  Value addition on wild fruits, vegetables, confectionaries and detergents

ü  Solar dryer construction

 Intermediate Outcome 2.1.4 People living in poverty, particularly rural women and youth in their households, user groups, and communities are collaborating in advocacy initiatives for their rights (e.g. for seed, food, budgetary, markets engagement, services – financial, education, technical, information) and rights related to the sustainable management and governance of natural resources).

 Agroecology policy implementation at district level

Implementing agroecology policy at the district level is critical for translating national commitments into practical action that benefits farmers, rural communities, and local ecosystems. District structures are closest to farmers and therefore play a key role in operationalizing sustainable agriculture, climate resilience, and food system transformation. Gutu and Bikita districts if engaged into agroecology policy implementation, this would allow for tailored approaches to address local challenges and opportunities. At the same time involving local communities in policy design and implementation ensuring that their needs and priorities are addressed. A total of 30 stakeholders from each of the 2 districts are targeted to participate in promoting the localisation of the agriculture and food systems transformation strategy and the domestication of the agroecology policy at grassroots level. This therefore makes a total target of 60 stakeholders.

 Key Activity

Ø  Bringing the following actors to the platform:

ü  Farmers

ü  Traditional leaders

ü  NGOs and CSOs

ü  Extension officers

ü  Local authorities

 Documentation of farmer best practices: Documentation of farmer best practices is an essential element for the organisation and project because it ensures that information, experience, and learning are captured, organised, shared, and used to improve performance, accountability, and sustainability. They prevent loss of institutional memory, strengthen decision-making, and enable teams and partners to work more effectively. Funding partners, communities, and stakeholders require evidence of results. Well-documented processes of case studies demonstrate responsible management and support audits, evaluations, and reporting requirements. 3 most significant change stories will be targeted from each of Bikita and Gutu districts. The documentation and capturing will be coupled with the assessment for the best agroecology practicing household.

Key Action

ü  Documentation of farmer best practices