+ Sustainable Agriculture and Animal Husbandry Program

 

What is Sustainable Agriculture & Animal Husbandry Program? (SAAHP)

 

Sustainable Agriculture & Animal Husbandry Program is an integral part of Zimunya Skills Training Center. It seeks to reach out into the surrounding community and help rural farmers realize their potential by providing them with necessary knowledge and resources. It is part of Compassionate Consultation Initiative Project – Zimbabwe’s grand policy of poverty reduction within the framework of rural development. SAAHP shall be managed by a special Task Force appointed by CCIP-Zimbabwe and a committee appointed by Mutare District of the United Methodist Church. The day to day activities of SAAHP shall be the responsibility of a full time Executive Officer employed by CCIP-Zimbabwe. It is believed that about 70% of Zimbabwe population live in the rural area and depend on agriculture for their livelihood. Investing in agriculture will reduce poverty and hunger faster than investing in any other industrial sector. Besides reducing poverty and hunger, demand for food is high in Africa, Zimbabwe needs to invest in agriculture so that it regains it breadbasket of Africa status. SAAHP’s  moto:  Sharing Caring and Daring!

 

What is the Goal for SAAHP?

 

The goal for SAAHP is to empower rural farmers by supporting their initiatives in sustainable agriculture and animal husbandry. This is achieved through training and extension work that includes:

 

1.    Training sessions at the Skills Training Center

 

2.    On-site individual farm supervision by an agriculture expert

 

3.    Provision of soft loans for farming supplies

 

4.    Provision of technical help by an agriculture expert

 

5.    Holding of area field days sponsored by the Skills Training Center

 

6.    Emotional and social support from fellow farmers

 

What are the benefits of SAAHP?

 

The benefits of SAAHP include the following:

 

1.    Promotes group interaction and participation

 

2.    Develops healthy copying skills

 

3.    Improves food security

 

4.    Improves decision making process

 

5.    Improves trusting others and becoming trustworthy

 

6.    Gives pride in responsibility and accomplishment

 

7.    Improves work ethics

 

8.    Improves understanding of socially acceptable boundaries

 

9.    Decreases self-harming behaviors

 

10.    Provides satisfaction of a job well done

 

Management of SAAHP:

 

SAAHP shall be managed by a special Task Force appointed by CCIP-Zimbabwe. The Task Force shall engage a qualified agriculture expert whose responsibilities shall include:

 

1.    Identifying and recruiting several farmers interested in joining this program

 

2.    Developing a scheme of training at the Center for interested farmers

 

3.    Developing a demonstration garden at the Center

 

4.    Supervising interested farmers in developing their own fields

 

5.    Managing a revolving fund for the benefit of interested farmers

 

6.    Operating farm supplies storage facility for the benefit of interested farmers

 

7.    Organizing field days for interested farmers and the surrounding community

 

8.    Reporting to a special Task Force and Zimunya Skills Training Center Committee