Zimbabwe Launches Major Soil Management Project with China, FAO Support

Zimbabwe has launched a transformative initiative to boost agricultural resilience and sustainable soil management through the “Capacity Development on Sustainable Soil Management in the Global South” project. Spearheaded by the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO), in collaboration with the Government of Zimbabwe and supported by the People’s Republic of China under the South-South Cooperation framework, the project aims to tackle longstanding challenges in soil degradation, particularly the under-addressed issue of red soils in Zimbabwe.

This ambitious effort marks a significant step forward in the country’s drive to modernize its agricultural systems and enhance food security amid mounting pressures from climate change, land degradation, and unsustainable farming practices.

High-Level Launch and Inception Meeting Set Roadmap in Motion

Following a successful high-level project launch earlier in the week, a two-day inception meeting was convened to define a strategic and technical roadmap. This session served as the formal starting point for project implementation, setting the tone for a collaborative and scientifically rigorous approach.

“This meeting provided a critical platform to align our shared vision and technical priorities,” said Patrice Talla, FAO Subregional Coordinator for Southern Africa and Representative to Zimbabwe. “It allowed us to present the strategic foundations of the project, define synergies among national institutions and key stakeholders, while collectively endorsing a clear roadmap for implementation.”

The session brought together a multi-disciplinary team from national ministries, academic institutions, and international partners. Participating entities included:

• Ministry of Lands, Agriculture, Fisheries, Water and Rural Development (MLAFWRD)

• Agricultural Research, Innovation and Specialist Services (ARISS)

• Chemistry and Soil Research Institute (CSRI)

• Agricultural Technical and Extension Services (AGRITEX)

• Marondera University of Agricultural Sciences and Technology (MUAST)

• Chinese Academy of Agricultural Sciences (CAAS)

Setting the Technical Foundation

The meeting featured a blend of technical presentations and participatory sessions, strategically designed to align scientific understanding with national development priorities. Experts presented on:

• The distribution and characteristics of red soils in Zimbabwe

• The state of national soil laboratories and data systems

• Comparative practices from China’s soil management frameworks

These discussions laid the groundwork for crafting evidence-based interventions, while also highlighting gaps in Zimbabwe’s soil data infrastructure.

“The structure of the meeting strategically contributed to the project’s overall objectives, clarifying roles, and setting a clear, actionable roadmap for effective implementation,” noted Emmanuel Chikwari, Head of the CSRI.

Three Strategic Pillars for Implementation

The implementation phase of the project focuses on three strategic priority areas:

1. Upgrading national soil laboratories and developing digital soil maps

   • Enhancing Zimbabwe’s technical capacity to assess, monitor, and manage soil health.

2. Field trials and training on sustainable soil and fertilizer management

   • Conducting hands-on demonstrations and extension programs to teach farmers best practices.

3. Facilitating international knowledge exchange and technical cooperation

   • Hosting workshops and joint projects to share experiences with other countries in the Global South.

These pillars reflect a strong commitment to scientific collaboration, inclusive planning, and long-term sustainability.

“The inception meeting has set a clear, co-owned and co-created direction for implementation… and will drive lasting impact,” said Sibongile Mangena-Chikore, Chief Agronomist at AGRITEX.

The Role of South-South Cooperation and Local Expertise

The project exemplifies the strength of South-South Cooperation as a vehicle for innovation and shared learning. By drawing on China’s expertise in managing similar soil challenges and integrating Zimbabwean academic and research institutions, the initiative builds a truly collaborative ecosystem for sustainable development.

“Marondera University is proud to contribute through research, training, and evidence-based learning,” said Esther Masvaya, a representative from MUAST.

“This project is a game changer, especially in the management of red soils in Zimbabwe, which have not received much attention in the past,” said Obert Maminimini, FAO Project Coordinator.

Building a Soil-Smart Agricultural Future

Zimbabwe’s red soils—prevalent in the southern and eastern parts of the country—have historically been under-researched, despite their low fertility, high acidity, and vulnerability to erosion. This project offers an opportunity to reverse decades of neglect, restore productivity, and enable smallholder farmers to adopt climate-smart agricultural practices.

Through platforms such as the Global Soil Doctor Programme, farmers will gain access to customized training, empowering them to become stewards of the land and agents of change in their communities.

FAO and its partners will support regular monitoring, knowledge dissemination, and adaptive management strategies throughout the project’s lifecycle, ensuring that lessons learned inform broader policy and practice.

A Model for the Global South

As Zimbabwe begins implementation, the project also aims to serve as a regional model for sustainable soil management, contributing insights and data to other Global South nations facing similar challenges. This mutual exchange underscores the power of solidarity and shared purpose in achieving the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs)—especially SDG 2 (Zero Hunger) and SDG 15 (Life on Land).

In conclusion, Zimbabwe’s commitment to restoring its soils represents a bold stride toward environmental sustainability, agricultural resilience, and national food security. With science, collaboration, and political will aligned, the nation is well-positioned to lead a new era in soil stewardship across Africa.