In the drought-prone communities of Gutu District, Zimbabwe, 500 smallholder farmers are embarking on a transformative journey to strengthen food and nutrition security while building resilience to climate change through the newly launched Community-Led Climate-Resilient Agriculture and Advocacy for Food Security in Gutu District project.
Funded by Civil Society in Development (CISU) through UFF-Humana, the project will run from May 2026 to April 2028. Its overall objective is to increase awareness, participation, stakeholder engagement, visibility and community ownership of initiatives that improve food and nutrition security, strengthen climate resilience, promote financial inclusion, and enhance advocacy capacity among smallholder farmers in Gutu District
The project is being implemented through 10 Farmers’ Clubs, each comprising 50 smallholder farmers from Wards 8 and 9 of Gutu District, reaching a total of 500 direct beneficiaries. Women make up 60% of the participants, while men account for 40%. To promote inclusivity and equal opportunities, 25% of the beneficiaries are youth and 5% are persons with disabilities (PWDs).
A key component of the initiative is supporting farmers to organize into registered cooperatives, enabling them to improve access to financial services, markets and income-generating opportunities. Community Adaptation Centres will serve as hubs for learning, innovation, and knowledge sharing, where farmers can test, adapt, and adopt locally relevant climate adaptation solutions.
Currently, CISU, through UFF-Humana, is funding three projects in Zimbabwe: two Farmers’ Club initiatives in Gutu District and Chimanimani District, respectively and a Youth Economic Empowerment Project in Bindura District. Together, these projects are contributing to stronger, more resilient communities and sustainable livelihoods across Zimbabwe.