Overview

This project increases food security and generates income for rural farmers through quality production of vegetables. This project enables communities to have access to appropriate germplasm and involves them in the production, post-harvest handling and commercialization of high value produce to diversify their incomes. Growers are introduced to and trained in greenhouse tunnel construction and systems to produce vegetables in open field and under controlled greenhouse conditions. Access to information is an important component of this project. Farmers are trained not only in production and commercialization of fresh produce but also on business skill development. This project impacts 100 farmers (55% women) from the communities in the Livingstone region to produce 100 metric tons of vegetables valued of $125,000. This project uses a market-first science based approach involving private sector buyers including the Zambezi Sun, Royal Sun, Spar and Shoprite supermarkets, David Livingstone Hotel, Chrismar Hotel and lodges in Livingstone.