Bio-diversity

The project is located next to the Tumbwi river in the Mhondoro communal areas. The Mhondoro region suffers from the problem of desertification largely as a result of widespread soil erosion due to deforestation, uncontrolled cultivation and overgrazing of rangelands.Rivers have silted up and productivity levels from both arable lands and the veld have dropped to levels where the slightest shift in rainfall patterns result in serious livestock losses and food shortages. The objectives of the project are to : - increase the availability of water -increase production of livestock from properly managed rangelands. -introduce a wider variety of indigenous vegetation species. -increase productivity per unit and therefore increase income income per family. The project consists mainly of three basic components ,namely water provision,rangeland management and arable land rehabilitation.Major activities to be embarked upon in the project include: -planting of grasses in grazing areas -tree planting and conservation -soil conservation measures -conservation competitions. Project participants -The residents in VIDCO 8 Ward 3 and VIDCO 7 Ward 4 of the Chegutu rural district council are the participants and beneficiaries .These will work together with the technical assistance from agritex and Natural resource extension staff. Anticipated project results -increased supply of water -through increased tree planting activities a broader range of tree species -increased productivity of rangelands -reduced soil erosion and higher crop production -capacity building through training programmes and project competitions.

Zimbabwe