Quarterly Report #1 FY2019: Feed the Future Zimbabwe Livestock Development Program

The program focuses on commercializing low-income and food-insecure households in agro-ecological regions III, IV, and V by promoting and adopting good agricultural and animal husbandry practices, marketing, hygiene, and nutritional practices. The program also aims to increase the institutional and organizational capacity of local organizations working with the program. The program is implemented by Fintrac Inc. in collaboration with local private companies, non-governmental organizations (NGOs), the Division of Livestock Production and Development (DLPD), the Department of Agricultural Technical and Extension Services (AGRITEX), the Department of Veterinary Services (DVS), and other government departments involved in the beef and dairy value chains. Local NGOs and commercial companies work with the program as development partners to co-fund purchases of essential inputs and new technologies for demonstration purposes on a cost-recovery basis. The program provides technical assistance to reduce poverty and increase food security among 1,800 beef and 1,200 dairy smallholder households in the districts of Chipinge, Chirumhanzu, Gokwe South, Gweru, Kwekwe, and Umzingwane. The program focuses on reducing the prevalence of poverty; increasing incomes and agricultural production and productivity; and improving household nutritional and water, sanitation, and hygiene (WASH) status. In addition, the program is building the capacity of local organizations to implement agricultural development programs. During the quarter, program activities focused on providing training and technical assistance to beneficiaries, including farmer training programs, infrastructure development, and market linkage facilitation. The program is building demand for smallholder-produced beef and dairy products by focusing on quality, continuity of supply, and cost competitiveness. The Feed the Future Zimbabwe Livestock Development program also collaborates with the Feed the Future Zimbabwe Crop Development program and other donor programs to provide specialized technical support to produce nutritious crops that sustainably increase the availability of these foods among beneficiary households. The program is implemented in collaboration with local private companies, NGOs, DLPD, AGRITEX, DVS, and other government departments involved in the beef and dairy value chains. Local NGOs and commercial companies work with the program as development partners to co-fund purchases of essential inputs and new technologies for demonstration purposes on a cost-recovery basis. The program directly contributes to food availability and access by concurrently increasing production and raising incomes of rural households in selected areas. The program is implemented by Fintrac Inc. in collaboration with local private companies, NGOs, DLPD, AGRITEX, DVS, and other government departments involved in the beef and dairy value chains. Local NGOs and commercial companies work with the program as development partners to co-fund purchases of essential inputs and new technologies for demonstration purposes on a cost-recovery basis. The program directly contributes to food availability