Bio-diversity

The Shakashe Ostrich project lies in the Mshagashe smallscale commercial farming area in Masvingo District. The project is run by the Shakashe Farmers Club. It resulted from the need to have a more sustainable land use than the current subsistence farming. The project offered a solution to addressing environmental problems in the area such as deforestration and associated loss of biodiversity , soil erosion and overgrazing. The project aims to : 1. conserve biodiversity and reduce land degradation by cultivation of a smaller piece of land . 2. support community initiatives aimed at protecting the environment and achieve sustainable development . 3. reduce soil erosion and deforestration . 4. enhance the community`s livelihood through ostrich farming. The projects activities include: 1. fencing ostrich paddocks. 2. installing incubator hatchery and generator. 3. planting mulberry and leucaena trees. 4. breeding ostriches. The project participants and or beneficiaries are the 12 small scale farming households and these will be involved in implementing and managing the project , with assistance from the local vet and Agritex officers. The anticipated results of project are : -conservation of biodiversity through reforestation and ostrich species protection. - increased income and improved standard of living among the beneficiary household. -ecollogically sound land use system other than the traditional crop husbandary. -the combating of siltation , deforestration and soil erosion. -increased knowledge on environmentally sound land use. The success of the project would create employment and reduce environmental degradation.

Zimbabwe