Dates: 2010-2012

The LIFIN Project is an initiative of the French NGO “Action Contre la Faim” (ACF – Action Against Hunger) in the Chipinge district of Zimbabwe. The RP-PCP platform has partnered with ACF to contribute to the project in terms of backup research on (1) the socio-economic context of the area, (2) conservation agriculture, (3) small livestock production and (4) market access for small-scale farmers.

Three MPhil students, co-supervised by CIRAD and the University of Zimbabwe, are presently implementing field activities on items 2, 3 and 4 and should present their results by the end of 2012.

Overall objective

To enhance sustainable livelihoods through a coherent range of Food Security, Water, Sanitation Hygiene and Nutrition focused interventions for food insecure vulnerable households living in the communal areas of Chipinge district.

Specific objective

To increase and diversify food intake and utilization whilst reducing related diseases and improving  child feeding and care practices.

Implementation

By adopting a comprehensive integrated approach, this project will support efforts to increase levels of household’s food production and incomes as well as access to water, sanitation and better child care practices thereby improving the levels of food security and nutrition for the target populations.

Through detailed scientific research and with the assistance of CIRAD and the University of Zimbabwe, the project will help to support and identify suitable development pathways for improving sustainable agriculture in the  communal areas of agro-ecological zones iv and v in Zimbabwe and similar environments in the region.

 Main LIFIN activities for RP-PCP

1. Promotion of Conservation Farming and agro-ecological sustainable management
2. Improvement of small livestock production
3. Technical and scientific support