Beating Hunger, the Chivi Experience

The aim of the project was participatory technology development: to extend the range of soil-and-water conserving farming techniques available, and to help evaluate and disseminate these and farmers' own traditional techniques so as to improve the returns from the land. Attention was paid to strengthening existing institutions to ensure the continuity of activities after the departure of the project. Agritex, the government agricultural extension service, was involved from the start of the project, which meant that the approach demonstrated in Chivi District is now being taught to extension workers and adopted throughout the service.