ICRISAT Archival Report 2006 - The seedlings of success in the ...

2.2.4 Contribution to the overall DMP project goal and objectives
This technology contributes directly to capacity building of the stakeholders (Output 3) and participation of
stakeholders in project implementation (Output 7).
2.2.5 Projected potential impact
This technology has a great potential in building the capacity of the local communities thereby empowering them to
better manage their natural resources.
D. Zimbabwe
1. The context
The DMP project is being implemented in the three provinces of Matebeleland North (Tsholotsho district),
Matebeleland South (Matobo district) and Masvingo (Chivi district) that occupy some of the driest areas in the
country. The project is striving to impart a human–natural resource interaction, while providing for the livelihood of
the rural communities ensuring restoration and sustainable management of the natural resource base and a rich biodiversity.
A wide range of institutions and organizations that are concerned with sustainable land productivity and
improved livelihoods have participated in the design of the Zimbabwean project and are currently involved in its
implementation.
The characterization processes (Phase 1) culminated in priority lists of challenges and opportunities for each site.
Through participatory and consultative approaches, different stakeholders and partners in all the three sites used
these priority lists to design interventions for implementation. Participants were also accorded the opportunity to
compare emerging issues among the three sites at this formative stage. The consolidated list of challenges and
opportunities shown in Table 5 consists of those selected for intervention.
Table 5. Zimbabwe: The problem context and rationales.
Key problem Key manifestations Effects
Bio-physical:
Land
degradation
Loss of bio-diversity: Key species of trees, grasses & animals no
longer available. Vast areas are deforested due to frequent bush
fires, massive tree cutting for curios, firewood and opening for
arable plots. Land pressure has resulted in households settling in
grazing areas further reducing grazing areas.
Soil erosion & gully formation: Deforestation and vast areas of
bare land have resulted in serious soil losses and gully formation
especially in the grazing areas and valley sides where
unprotected arable plots were opened. The result has been the
development of deep gullies and siltation of rivers, dams and
wetlands.
Poor rangeland productivity: Land degradation has resulted in
poor rangeland productivity, and reduced grazing land has also
caused overgrazing as livestock are kept on small pieces of land
over long periods of time. This has added to land degradation
through soil loss and the formation of gullies through
continuous trampling. Due to reduced rangelands, livestock
graze along rivers, valleys, wetlands and fallow arable plots.
These areas are continuously reducing in productivity due to
bush encroachment and proliferation of hard and unpalatable
grasses.
Current: Low diversification within
fauna and flora, increased erosion of
biodiversity and reduced livelihood
options from natural bio-resources.
Future: Continued degradation
expected if nothing is done to reverse
these processes.
Current: Massive losses of soil and
nutrients have reduced productive
capacity of environs.
Future: Increased poverty and food
insecurity if nothing is done.
Current: Lack of dry season feed
resources, leading to poor animal
health, productivity and high
mortality. This has overall negative
effects on household incomes and
reduces potential for food production
through lack of draft power in the
cropping season as animals will tend
to be weak.
Future: Increased poverty and
hunger.
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