ZIMBABWE received US$16 million in emergency food assistance from China last year in response to the devastating effects of the El Niño-induced drought.
Chinese ambassador to Zimbabwe, Zhou Ding, said the intervention in support of Zimbabwe’s Food Deficit Mitigation Programme significantly alleviated the hardships of the affected communities.
Zhou was speaking during the commissioning of the China-Zimbabwe Agricultural Co-operation Demonstration Village, located in Zindi village, Shamva district.
The village is equipped with critical infrastructure, including solar-powered boreholes and water access points, enabling efficient farmland irrigation and securing reliable water supply for the residents.
Zhou emphasised the importance of the project, citing China’s remarkable journey of development and poverty alleviation.
“Over the past four decades, China has achieved an extraordinary feat by lifting 800 million people out of poverty, accounting for over 70% of the global poverty reduction accomplishments,” the Chinese ambassador said.
“We fully recognise that with over 60% of Zimbabwe’s population living in rural areas, it is essential to support the rural residents, especially those from marginalised or disadvantaged communities, in breaking the chains of poverty and unlocking their full potential.”
Zhou introduced the Juncao technology, a ground-breaking Chinese innovation that can be used to cultivate edible mushrooms, produce high-quality animal feed and help to restore the ecological environment.
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The village is part of China’s global development initiative, aimed at strengthening co-operation in poverty alleviation, food security and climate change mitigation.
The project has already shown impressive results, with local farmers achieving an average maize yield of five tonnes per hectare.
“To further support the demonstration village’s development, the Chinese government is proud to provide US$100 000 worth of additional agricultural equipment, including hatching machines, incubators, solar panels and other specialised gear, all aimed at enhancing agricultural productivity,” Zhou said.
Agriculture deputy minister Vangelis Haritatos said the project would ensure food security and lift many communities out of poverty.
“... we must take this initiative and also ensure that all the villages in Zimbabwe follow this similar kind of concept, which is already under our village business units,” Haritatos said.
“The goal is to reverse urban migration by developing rural industries that add value to local produce, creating economic opportunities and growth in rural regions.”
