GOVERNMENT and the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) have launched a new 26.6 million United States dollar Green Climate Fund to strengthen climate change resilience among smallholder farmers in the southern parts of the country.
Launching the Green Climate Fund in Harare this Tuesday, a representative from the Ministry of Lands, Agriculture, Water and Rural Resettlement, Mr Bwenje Taderera said the shared resolve to build climate change resilience will benefit farmers in Manicaland, Masvingo and Matabeleland South provinces.
“The launch of a shared resolve to building climate resilience to agriculture livelihoods in Southern Zimbabwe (26 districts of Manicaland, Masvingo, Matebeleland South) in the face of increasing climate risks and impacts at an estimated budget ofUS$47 818 367.00– partly funded by the government (US$20,038,820.00), the Green Climate Fund (US$26,574,567.00) and UNDP (US$1,205, 000.00), he said, adding that the project has come at an opportune time where addressing climate change impacts requires significant financial and technical support,” he said.
UNDP Zimbabwe Deputy Resident Representative, Ms Madelena Monoja says the project is expected to contribute immensely towards the National Development Strategy and other government priority areas such strengthening water resources and irrigation in the face of climate change.
“This project is contributing immensely towards the government of Zimbabwe’s climate change priorities outlined in its national development strategy, Nationally Determined Contributions, National Climate Change policy including strengthening the management of water resources and irrigation, strengthening capacities to generate new forms of empirical knowledge, provision of technologies and agricultural support systems that are climate-smart,” she said.
The green climate fund scope targets to provide shock absorbers and build resilience in vulnerable communities in view of frequent drought, floods, emerging pests, diseases and the impact of multiple disasters such Cyclone Idai and COVID – 19.
