Zimbabwe: Agrarian Reform Programme Transforming Rural Education and Community Livelihoods

Story

In Mazowe District of Mashonaland Central Province, a quiet transformation is reshaping the lives of rural learners and their surrounding community. For Amanda Mupeti, a Form 3 student, Head Girl of Craigengower Secondary School, and Junior Councillor for Ward 32, this change is personal rooted in her home, her school, and her community’s struggle against climate change.

Like many rural areas in Zimbabwe, Craigengower has faced increasingly harsh climate impacts: low crop yields, drying water sources, and loss of biodiversity. These challenges threatened food security, deepened poverty, and narrowed opportunities for young people. But hope arrived through a bold intervention—a school‑based Agrarian Reform Programme under the Presidential Rural Development Programme. What began as a simple gardening initiative has grown into an educational, economic, and environmental lifeline for Craigengower Secondary School and its community.

A School Transformed by Agriculture and Innovation

Amanda explains that the programme introduced a robust agricultural system powered by solar‑driven boreholes, drip irrigation, and planned gardens. For a school surrounded by thick forests and known for fresh rural air, this development added a new dimension: resilience.

The installation included:

• 4 x 5000‑litre water tanks
• Solar panels for sustainable water pumping
• Drip irrigation systems
• Dedicated garden plots for tomatoes, cabbages, and other crops

Before this, fresh produce was scarce in the area. Many community members walked long distances to access basic vegetables. Students rarely had exposure to hands‑on agricultural training, and the school lacked income‑generating projects. Now, the school’s gardens flourish with vibrant crops, and the community can buy affordable produce locally saving time, money, and energy.

The Change: Skills, Food Security, and New Opportunities

The programme has sparked multiple layers of change, especially for students and women in the community.

Empowering Students with Practical Life Skills

Learners are now actively involved in planting, irrigation management, and garden planning. Some oversee sections of the project, gaining managerial and leadership experience at a young age.

Agriculture is no longer a theoretical subject, it is real, visible, and empowering.

Improved Food Access for the Community

Where villagers once travelled far for vegetables, they now access fresh, nutritious produce at affordable prices, right at the school. This has especially improved conditions for women, who shoulder the burden of feeding households.

A Sustainable, Climate-smart System

Drip irrigation ensures that every drop of water counts. The solarised borehole has reduced dependency on unreliable rainfall, addressing long‑standing water scarcity challenges.

Economic Empowerment

Profits from crop sales contribute to:

• School development
• Learning materials
• Maintenance of the irrigation system
• Support for community initiatives

The agrarian reform programme has become both an educational resource and a financial engine.

Amanda summarises the impact beautifully:
“The programme helped develop important life skills. The school benefits, the community benefits, and the future becomes brighter.”

How the Change Happened

This transformation was made possible through Zimbabwe’s Presidential Rural Development Programme, which aims to uplift schools, boost food security, and bring modern agricultural technology to rural areas.

The implementation included:

• Installing solar systems
• Setting up drip irrigation
• Training staff and students on sustainable farming
• Establishing garden plots for horticulture
• Introducing long‑term plans for market sales
• Integrating agriculture into the school’s learning model

Before the intervention, the school had no structured farming system. Now, it has a thriving agricultural hub, integrated into both the school curriculum and community life.

The programme represents continuity, sustainability, and thoughtful planning, giving Craigengower Secondary School the tools it needs to adapt to climate change.

Sustaining and Scaling Up the Change

To keep the programme alive and expand its reach, several strategies are underway:

1. Efficient Water Management

The solarised borehole provides reliable water even during dry seasons. Drip irrigation ensures minimal water waste.

2. Introduction of Aquaculture

Plans for fishponds will create a combined system of horticulture and fish‑farming, boosting food security and income.

3. Community Involvement

Engaging local leaders and households strengthens:

• Security
• Ownership
• Protection against vandalism
• Shared responsibility

4. Training and Innovation

Ongoing education will empower students and community members with modern agricultural and climate-smart practices.

5. Commercial Expansion

Selling produce will help generate revenue for:

• School development
• Community projects
• Maintenance of the agricultural infrastructure

6. Funding Opportunities

The school plans to seek support from local businesses and financial institutions to scale up operations and invest in long-term sustainability.

Together, these measures create a strong foundation for resilience.

Evidence of Change

The proof is visible across the school and community:

• Photos documenting solar installations, tanks, gardens, and irrigation systems
• Improved crop yields, especially tomatoes and cabbage
• Consistent water availability even in dry seasons
• Enhanced agricultural output supporting both school and community needs
• Testimonies from teachers, parents, and community members
• Better student engagement with practical agricultural education

The upgrade at Borehole 4 alone demonstrates a clear shift toward climate-resilient farming.

Voices from the Community

Mr. Vavariyai Revesai- We feel empowered and happy about the programme. It will be a gamechanger for community livelihoods.

Mrs. Jeniffer Yobe- As a woman, I feel honoured to be part of the beneficiaries of this programme.

Mrs. Makwara- Water is life. Now we can do anything that brings food to the table.

By: Amanda Mupeti