With a strategic investment of $10.12 million channeled through the African Development Fund, Zimbabwe is set to undergo a major transformation in its agricultural sector. The Agricultural Value Chain Enhancement Project and Livelihoods (AVCLEP), to be implemented from 2025 to 2029, will directly benefit 49,000 producers — 7,000 livestock farmers and 42,000 smallholder crop farmers — and indirectly impact more than 90,000 people.
The project will be rolled out across three key provinces: Matabeleland South, Masvingo, and the metropolitan province of Bulawayo — areas marked by high climate vulnerability and strong reliance on livestock farming. It is expected to generate 200 full-time jobs and 2,800 seasonal employment opportunities along crop and livestock value chains, fostering new economic prospects in rural communities.
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Key components of the project include the rehabilitation of critical infrastructure such as cattle dip tanks and solar-powered boreholes. These efforts, combined with the introduction of climate-smart agricultural practices, aim to increase productivity and enhance water, food, and nutritional security in regions historically affected by droughts and extreme weather events.
The project’s economic projections are substantial: the average monthly household income of beneficiaries is expected to rise from $85 to $120. The initiative also promotes equitable participation, targeting 50% women and at least 20% youth involvement across production, marketing, and technical training activities.
AVCLEP represents a structured commitment to social inclusion, sustainable development, and the integration of small and medium-sized agricultural enterprises into resilient value chains. According to the African Development Bank, such interventions are critical to ensuring that rural economic growth translates into tangible improvements in quality of life, supported by measurable outcomes that strengthen long-term agricultural policy and planning.
