Takunda

Celebrating Impact: Takunda National Celebratory Meeting

Today in Harare, government, development partners, the private sector, civil society, and community representatives gathered for the Takunda National Celebratory Meeting to reflect on the programme’s impact and the journey under the theme: From Support to Self-Reliance.

Guest of Honour Professor Dr. Obert Jiri, Permanent Secretary in the Ministry of Lands, Agriculture, Fisheries, Water and Rural Development Zim, commended Takunda for translating government strategies into practical solutions that strengthen resilience. Reflecting on visits to Chivi and Buhera, he described Takunda-supported gardens as “green islands” even during the El Niño-induced drought and emphasized the need to move from subsistence to enterprise: “We don’t want to see gardens, we want to see businesses.”

The meeting highlighted key achievements, including 126 established gardens and of these 40 are now under insurance. Participants shared inspiring stories of transformation — from seed suppliers and diversified farmers to entrepreneurs creating jobs in their communities.

As the programme closes, partners reaffirmed the importance of government leadership, private sector engagement, and strong partnerships to sustain and scale Takunda’s results across Zimbabwe.




Ministry of Lands, Agriculture, Fisheries, Water and Rural Development Zim Glytime Foods Environment Africa Zimbabwe Nutrition Action Zimbabwe Bulawayo Projects Centre - BPC FHI 360 ICRISAT Food, Agriculture, and Natural Resources Policy Analysis Network

“With support from Takunda, I have been able to register my own fodder production company, called Mombeyamuka Fodder Production,” shares a proud Gandani Nhachi from Buhera Rural District. Fodder is essential for livestock survival, particularly in dryland districts like Buhera. Ensuring access to reliable fodder sources helps farmers maintain the health and productivity of their animals during periods of extreme feed scarcity.

Gandani is one of 41 400 farmers empowered by Takunda through hands-on training in soil and water conservation, fodder production, and how to grow more food while earning more money through the Farmer Field Business School (FFBS) and other sustainable farming practices. Today, he is not only growing his business but also giving back as a Lead Farmer, committed to passing on knowledge and best farming practices to his community long after the project ends.

We celebrate and express our gratitude to Gandani and all the dedicated farmers we have had the privilege to work with through Takunda, a Resilience Food Security Activity led by CARE Zimbabwe, with funding support from the United States Government (USG).

This Wednesday, we celebrate our Takunda Heroes

Meet Tendai Jacob Mukwada, a skilled local Master Craftsman from Ward 12 of Mutare Rural District. Through Takunda, he has trained young people in practical technical skills in welding, carpentry, and mechanics, empowering them to earn an income, support their families, and meet their own needs.

Some of the youths he trained have gone on to start their own businesses after receiving start-up capital through the United States Government-funded Takunda Project.

To date, the CARE Zimbabwe-led Takunda Project has capacitated 13 568 youths with technical, vocational and entrepreneurial competences and life-skills training.

Fondly known as Njake-Njake, Tendai is one of the 147 Local Master Craftspersons working with Takunda to transform young lives.

Thank you to all our Takunda Heroes for investing in youth.

For years, Village Savings and Loan Associations (VSLAs) have enabled women to lift themselves and their families out of poverty in developing countries.

In rural Zimbabwe, VSLAs are transforming lives—helping families save, access loans and build better futures. Chipo Madoda from Chivi Rural District has used her VSLA to buy goats and complete her home while her husband worked in South Africa. Her 16-member group keeps growing stronger through weekly savings, helping each household buy essentials like goats and cement and overcome past financial struggles.

Now, thanks to CARE Zimbabwe's United States Government (USG)-supported Takunda Project and the Ministry of Women Affairs Community Small and Medium Enterprises Development (MWACSMED), in collaboration with key government stakeholders, academia, the private sector and other NGOs, national VSLA Standard Operating Procedures (SOPs) have been adopted into key government policies. This milestone strengthens support for savings groups, aligns community-driven economic empowerment with national development priorities, and lays the foundation for sustainable, inclusive economic growth.