Uniting for Sustainability: FAO, UNDP and Irish Aid partner to strengthen resilience in Zimbabwe's Rural Districts

Kariba, Zimbabwe - In the face of increasing climate variability and dwindling natural resources, the Resilience Building in the Sebungwe Landscape Project is sowing the seeds of hope in Zimbabwe’s Sebungwe Landscape. 

Funded by the Embassy of Ireland through UNDP and implemented by the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO) in partnership with the Government of Zimbabwe, the Sebungwe Landscape project focuses on Improved natural resources management, utilization, and environmental protection to promote sustainable food systems, nutritious diets and functioning ecosystems for sustainable resilience to multiple shocks. 

“The Sebungwe landscape supports the livelihoods of local communities through tourism, fishing, and wildlife-related activities, while also providing a crucial habitat for various species, including endangered ones. As such there is an urgent need to have a comprehensive integrated landscape plan with community managed institutions which can safeguard the fragile ecosystems for sustainable management of natural resources,” said Assistant FAO Representative for Programmes, Tendai Munyokoveri. 

A recent stakeholder engagement meeting focusing on Integrated Landscape Planning in the Sebungwe landscape - in Nyaminyami Rural District Council (RDC)- marked a pivotal moment for the project, stakeholders identified challenges, fostered collaboration and charted a course towards sustainable community-based natural resource management and utilization in the Sebungwe landscape.

Unearthing the challenges

Nyaminyami RDC, like the other areas in the Sebungwe landscape, faces a complex web of challenges regarding natural resources. Over-exploitation driven by poverty and food insecurity looms large, with communities often trading long-term sustainability for immediate gains. Human-wildlife conflict, encroachment of invasive species, the escalating impacts of climate change, unsustainable agricultural practices, such as the use of harmful agrochemicals, and gaps in governance and policy further complicate the landscape. 

"We are seeing the direct impact of climate change on our community, with water sources drying up and increased human-wildlife conflict," explained Nyaminyami RDC Environment Officer, Henry Varandeni. "The pressure to survive often leads to unsustainable practices, making long-term planning difficult."

Finding solutions

A comprehensive SWOT analysis revealed both the strengths and weaknesses within the district's natural resource management framework. Nyaminyami boasts abundant flora and fauna, including the Matusadonha National Park, a dedicated RDC environmental department and existing CAMPFIRE programmes. Multiple partners, such as Carbon Green, Matusadonha Conservation Trust (MCT), Wildlife Conservation Action, and My Tree, add further capacity. These partnerships are further buttressed by government ministries, departments and agencies operating in Nyaminyami RDC.

The presence of Lake Kariba, partnerships with development partners, government support for wildlife conservation and emerging markets in eco-tourism and renewable energy offer fertile ground for innovation. Furthermore, growing demand for sustainability, advancements in agroecology, and the potential for climate change mitigation through carbon trading present promising avenues.

"The SWOT analysis gave us a clear picture of where we stand," stated Obert Maminimini, FAO, Crops and Extension Specialist. "It highlights both our vulnerabilities and our potential, allowing us to tailor our interventions for maximum impact," he added.

Building blocks: structuring for sustainability

The natural resource management framework in Nyaminyami RDC operates on three levels: the Full Council, the Natural Resources/Environment Committee, and the Ward Natural Resources Committees. The Full Council, led by the RDC Chairperson, serves as the legislative body, while the Natural Resources/Environment Committee focuses on environmental deliberations. Ward Committees, chaired by local councilors, enforce environmental by-laws at the community level.

" These committees are our frontline defenders of natural resources," emphasized a councilor. "Empowering them with knowledge and resources is crucial for addressing local challenges."

Looking ahead
Community-based committees are set to prioritize addressing key environmental issues such as veld fires, poaching, gold panning, illegal settlements, deforestation, and streambank cultivation. Collaboration will be essential, with support from the government, the private sector, local authorities, traditional leaders and civil society organizations
“We have a duty to use natural resources whilst ensuring they are available for future generations,” asserted Nyaminyami RDC Chairman.

For FAO, the resilience building efforts in the Sebungwe landscape project will serve as a precursor to the Zimbabwe Resilience Building Fund Phase 2 (ZRBF 2). “ZRBF 2 will build upon the lessons learned from the previous phase and other resilience-building initiatives, using evidence-based programming and a multi-sectoral approach to address economic, social, and environmental challenges,” said the FAO International Resilience Specialist, Alexander Carr. “This will further strengthen community resilience across seven districts in Zimbabwe: Kariba, Mbire, Binga, Hurungwe, Mwenezi, Chiredzi, and Beitbridge.”