TY  - WP
ED  - Ministry of Lands, Agriculture, Fisheries, Water and Rural Development
ED  - Mbire Rural District Council (Mbire RDC)
ED  - Agricultural Partnerships Trust (APT)
ED  - CIMMYT
TI  - Mbire district agroecology transitioning strategy version 1
PY  - 2025///
CY  - [Zimbabwe]
PB  - CIMMYT, CGIAR
KW  - Agroecology
KW  - AGROVOC
KW  - Sustainable agriculture
KW  - Food systems
KW  - Marketing
KW  - Gender
N1  - Open Access
N2  - The Mbire Agroecology Transition Strategy (ATS) represents a decisive and locally grounded framework for transforming Mbire District’s agriculture and food systems toward sustainability, resilience, and inclusivity. Developed through a participatory and evidence driven process, the strategy aligns district priorities with national frameworks such as the Agriculture and Food Systems and Rural Transformation Strategy, Vision 2030, and the National Development Strategy 1 (NDS1). It also resonates with international commitments under the SDGs, CAADP (Maputo and Malabo Declarations), and the WTO Agreements, situating Mbire as a model district for agroecological transformation in semiarid Zimbabwe. Mbire’s landscape is defined by climatic volatility, fragile ecosystems, and a largely smallholder-based economy. Rainfed agriculture, recurrent droughts, and land degradation have eroded productivity and resilience. The ATS thus provides an integrated pathway to restore ecosystems, diversify livelihoods, and strengthen local governance while addressing gender, youth, and social equity as central pillars of transformation. Strategic Vision and Goals The vision of the Mbire ATS is to create climate-resilient and sustainable livelihoods through diversified, environmentally sound, and socially inclusive food systems. Its goal is to facilitate the transformation of food and livelihood systems toward sustainability and resilience by embedding agroecological principles in production, resource management, and governance. This is achieved through ten interlinked strategic pillars, each addressing specific challenges and opportunities across the district’s ecological and socio-economic spectrum. Key Pillars and Strategic Directions 1. Sustainable Agricultural Production -Promotes regenerative and nature positive solutions to restore soil fertility, improve water-use efficiency, and enhance biodiversity. 2. Traditional Grains and Indigenous Food Systems - Revitalizes small grains and indigenous foods as foundations for food sovereignty. 3. Research, Co-creation, and Knowledge Sharing - Institutionalizes participatory research through multistakeholder platforms (MSPs) and Farmer Research Networks (FRNs). 4. Education, Training, and Awareness -Integrates agroecology into educational curricula and extension systems. 5. Marketing, Value Addition, and Finance - Builds inclusive markets, promotes value addition, and expands access to finance. 6. Youth, Women, and Persons with Disabilities -Ensures social inclusion and equitable participation. 7. Biodiversity Conservation and Wildlife Coexistence -Restores ecosystems and promotes coexistence between people, livestock, and wildlife. 8. Governance, Coordination, and Institutional Strengthening - Establishes strong multi-level governance and coordination mechanisms. 9. Communication, Advocacy, and Partnerships - Strengthens information sharing, advocacy, and collaboration across actors. Governance and Implementation Framework The ATS is operationalized through a multi-level governance structure spanning national, district, and community levels. National oversight rests with the Ministry of Lands, Agriculture, Fisheries, Water and Rural Development. District implementation is coordinated by the Natural Resources and Agriculture (NRA) Committee from which the the respective ministries take over mandate after this., integrating agroecology into district planning. At community level, Ward and Village Development Committees, together with ALLs, serve as innovation and decision-making platforms. This model embodies decentralization, accountability, and inclusivity. Monitoring, Evaluation, and Learning (MEL) A robust MEL framework underpins the strategy, emphasizing participatory monitoring, evidence based decision making, and adaptive management. Key components include results based indicators, participatory evaluation through community scorecards and review forums, and integration into government reporting systems. Through the MEL system, agroecology becomes a learning driven process continually refined through farmer experience and institutional reflection. Strategic Call to Action and Recommendations The Mbire ATS positions agroecology not only as a technical shift but as a transformative agenda for inclusive, climate smart, and equitable rural development. Short-Term (2025–2027): • Establish coordination committees and pilot interventions in soil fertility and traditional grains. • Develop the District Agroecology Communication Strategy and establish knowledge hubs. • Integrate agroecology indicators into district plans and budgets. Medium-Term (2027–2030): • Scale up successful pilots across wards. • Establish aggregation and value addition centers. • Expand microfinance and reforestation programs. • Mainstream agroecology in education and policy dialogues. Long-Term (2030–2040): • Achieve full agroecological transformation across Mbire. • Institutionalize Mbire as a regional hub for dryland agroecology. • Embed agroecology in national frameworks and green value chains. • Restore ecosystem functionality and biodiversity corridors. Conclusion The Mbire Agroecology Transition Strategy is both a blueprint and a call for collective action. It seeks to transform livelihoods, landscapes, and governance systems through locally owned, knowledge-driven, and ecologically sound interventions. By fostering resilience, inclusion, and innovation, Mbire District is positioning itself as a model of agroecological transformation where policy, science, and community action converge to secure food sovereignty, restore ecosystems, and build a sustainable future for generations to come
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