Project Brief
In partnership with Feed The Hungry, Games 4 Good aims to strengthen nutrition and livelihoods in rural Zimbabwe by empowering women farmers and promoting sustainable agricultural practices. Through the planting of fruit trees and the introduction of beekeeping, Feed The Hungry will help create steady income streams and diversify local diets, crucial for communities heavily impacted by drought and reliant on subsistence farming.
Location: Zimbabwe
Funds Needed: $6,820
The Need
Rural communities in Zimbabwe face significant challenges. Homes are often built from wattle, mud, and tin, lacking basic amenities like indoor plumbing and electricity. Clean water access requires families to walk up to 5 kilometers to reach boreholes, and subsistence farming provides their main food supply, with staple crops such as millet, peanuts, cassava, beans, and bananas. However, severe droughts over the past year have led to critical food shortages, putting children at higher risk of malnutrition and disease.
With many men and young adults migrating to urban areas for better job opportunities, women and the elderly primarily manage the households. Despite women farmers’ efforts, drought has drastically impacted crop yields. Introducing drought-resistant crops and income-generating activities is essential for building resilience and supporting these communities year-round.
The Solution
FTH’s regenerative farming initiative will empower women farmers by establishing a local women’s cooperative focused on fruit tree planting and beekeeping. These sustainable practices will improve family nutrition and provide products for market sales, creating essential income opportunities. The cooperative model has proven highly effective in other parts of Africa for fostering long-term rural development.
Each Agri Trading Centre will support approximately 600 families, providing tools, training, and resources to establish fruit trees and manage beehives. This collaborative approach ensures the success of the program and enables its replication across Zimbabwe and neighbouring countries like Zambia and Malawi.
The Opportunity
By supporting this initiative, donors can help secure a sustainable future for rural Zimbabwean communities. Each Agri Trading Centre will serve 600 families, offering resources such as fruit trees, beehives, and essential training to improve agricultural practices. This program will boost food security while creating economic opportunities that empower women farmers to lift themselves and their families out of poverty.
