Zimbabwe is intensifying its efforts to promote climate-smart and low-carbon agriculture through the Building Equitable Climate-Resilient African Bean and Insect Sectors initiative, which spans 15 sub-Saharan African countries.
The project, led locally by the Directorate of Research and Specialist Services, focuses on empowering women and youth farmers through innovation and enterprise development. It aims to strengthen value chains for beans, fruit trees such as mango and avocado, and insects including black soldier flies and bees over a five-year period from 2025 to 2030.
Permanent Secretary in the Ministry of Lands, Agriculture, Fisheries, Water and Rural Development, Dr. Obert Jiri, said the initiative demonstrates Zimbabwe’s commitment to advancing sustainable agricultural development.
“This initiative is a step towards a resilient, climate-smart agricultural future that leaves no one behind,” said Dr. Jiri.
“We are deliberately focusing on empowering women and youth because they are the backbone of our rural economies and key drivers of innovation.”
He added that the BRAINS project is designed to create productive and environmentally sustainable value chains that enhance food security and promote income generation for smallholder farmers.
“By integrating beans, insects, and fruit trees, we are promoting diversification, improved nutrition, and stronger rural economies,” he said.
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Dr. Jiri said project sites have been established in Murehwa, Mutoko, Mutasa, Nyanga, Chimanimani, and Chipinge districts, where key value chain actors have already been identified.
He noted that barriers faced by women and youth across production, processing, and marketing segments had been documented, and that focus group discussions were conducted to identify preferred, gender-responsive, climate-smart technologies.
“We have made great progress in mapping stakeholders and strengthening multi-stakeholder platforms to foster collaboration and commercialization,” he said.
“This participatory approach ensures that local communities take ownership of the project and drive sustainable growth.”
The Alliance of Bioversity International and CIAT, part of CGIAR, a global research partnership for a food-secure future, described the initiative as one of sub-Saharan Africa’s most innovative agricultural transformations.
“What began as an unlikely combination of beans, beneficial insects, and fruit trees is now blossoming into one of sub-Saharan Africa’s most innovative agricultural transformations — a powerful reminder that small beginnings can seed monumental change,” the Alliance said.
Dr. Jiri emphasised that the BRAINS project goes beyond research, focusing on transforming livelihoods and promoting inclusive growth.
“This project will empower communities, strengthen value chains, and build climate-resilient economies,” he said.
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