Publications

A capability statement concerning our work on Agriculture in Africa which focuses on equity and growth for smallholders.

Although they do not receive much recognition, agro-dealers are major economic drives in rural areas. This case describes SNV’s experiences with the Rural Agriculture Revitalisation Programme (RARP). The programme is designed with other partners to encourage wholesalers to avail inputs to smallholder farmers by placing inputs in agro-dealer stores close to rural farmers. The programme is operating in all eight rural provinces of Zimbabwe.

La présente note thématique est basée sur les expériences de la SNV en matière d’appui aux pasteurs en Afrique, en vue d’améliorer leurs moyens d’existence. Elle se fonde sur une large gamme d’études de cas qui, à travers le continent, mettent en évidence un certain nombre de traits communs aux
pratiques des pasteurs. La collaboration avec les pasteurs nous a appris qu’ils ne sont pas les traditionalistes que l’on décrit souvent. Ils s’adaptent au changement rapide comme tout autre groupe en Afrique. La présente note met en exergue l’éventail de stratégies d’adaptation, d’options de commercialisation et de mécanismes institutionnels qui ont cours à l’heure actuelle au sein de ces communautés. Ces expériences démontrent que le travail de la SNV a permis d’apporter des améliorations  tangibles aux moyens d’existence des éleveurs, tout en augmentant leur contribution au développement écon omique dans certains des milieux les plus difficiles en Afrique aujourd’hui.

This manual was written for primary school pupils and primary school leavers in the banana growing valleys of Zimbabwe. It is designed to equip the pupil or school leaver with basic skills and knowledge needed to grow bananas commercially.

This manual was written for primary school pupils and primary school leavers in the banana growing valleys of Zimbabwe. It is designed to equip the pupil or school leaver with basic skills and knowledge needed to grow bananas commercially. It gives suggestions on how to grow bananas, and recommendations on how to make a business out of growing and selling them.

Over 70% of secondary school pupils fail to obtain a full certificate and do not have relevant skills to provide for a reasonable livelihood within local conditions. This module has been developed on the assumption that people in certain areas of Zimbabwe make a living on the farming of fruits such as bananas, and it therefore hopes to fill a gap by providing relevant education to learners in banana growing localities.

This framework can be used by primary schools to practically teach children new methods and skills in banana growing. In the area where this framework was developed, new agronomic practices in banana farming were introduced to farmers. Their children were however not included in this transfer of knowledge and skills, even though many will be the farmers of tomorrow. Learning these methods and inputs can increase production and improve the quality of produce.

This framework can be used by schools to practically teach children new methods and skills in banana growing. In the area where this framework was developed, new agronomic practices in banana farming were introduced to farmers. Their children were however not included in this transfer of knowledge and skills, even though many will be the farmers of tomorrow. Learning these methods and inputs can increase production and improve the quality of produce.

This teaching guide outlines the tools that are recommended for use in the teaching of banana lessons in schools. These are the banana demonstration plot and calendar. The deliveries of banana lessons need to have a direct link with these two teaching resources so as to make them as practical and beneficial as possible.

Livestock is the most promising source of livelihoods in the South Western parts of Zimbabwe. Farmers face however acute animal feed shortages during the dry season. The case highlights how SNV aided farmers in storing the surplus foliage material that is available during the rainy season, as well as crop residues. This was done through establishing a multi-stakeholder platforms and teaching farmers through farmer field schools.

In June 2010 SNV, together with IFAD, organised a conference on ‘brokering knowledge for upscaling best practices in Inclusive Markets Access in East & Southern Africa’, which brought together over 70 participants from 11 African countries from donor, public and private sector to share experiences. This report summarizes the main issues discussed during the conference, of which the main focus was seeking to bring about systemic change for larger-scale sustainable inclusive markets with a wider significance.

School-Community Based planning is helping communities in more than 50 schools in Zimbabwe build strong relationships that contribute to school development.

This publication has been produced as part of a series under the Building Advisory Practice (BAP) initiative of SNV East Africa; conceptualized and supported by a team of SNV staff and advisers. Lead consultant for the BAP initiative is Rob Sinclair.

Traditionally, contract farming has been the domain of commercial farmers due to the perceived high risks associated with doing business with smallholder farmers. Land re-distribution however drastically reduced commercial farming, and many companies therefore had to look for other alternatives which presented an opportunity for small holder farmers. The case describes how Agriseeds Ltd, a relatively small Zimbabwean seed company, wanted to diversify its outgrower base. They therefore collaborated with SNV; Agriseeds provided intensive agronomic extension, input provision and a stable market, whereas SNV provided training in business skills and group formation to farmers.

This annual report provides more detail of the strategic position choices SNV made in East and Southern Africa in 2007 and illustrates our approach with case studies from our practice.

Energy in Africa capability statement