A transformative chapter in Zimbabwe’s rural agricultural development has drawn to a close with the successful completion of the Smallholder Horticulture Empowerment Programme (SHEP), a five-year initiative implemented by the Government of Zimbabwe in partnership with the Japanese International Cooperation Agency (JICA).
Launched to empower smallholder farmers with market-driven horticultural knowledge, the programme has positively impacted thousands across the country, equipping them with the tools and strategies needed to boost productivity, income, and food security.
The official closing ceremony, held on Wednesday in Harare, brought together senior government officials, development partners, and stakeholders from the agricultural sector. The event featured a signing ceremony that underscored the strong bilateral cooperation between Zimbabwe and Japan in advancing rural transformation.
Mr Shigeki Furuta, Resident Representative of JICA in Zimbabwe, expressed optimism about the legacy of SHEP in Zimbabwe.
“I am happy and upbeat that the implementation of the SHEP initiative has set a sustainable platform for smallholder farmers to transform their livelihoods. We have implemented this model in over 70 countries globally, and we are confident that its expansion across Zimbabwe will further enhance market access for horticultural produce,” said Furuta.
The SHEP model champions a shift from supply-driven to market-driven agriculture by helping smallholder farmers identify crops with high demand and align production accordingly. It combines technical training with market analysis, allowing farmers to make informed decisions that increase profitability and reduce post-harvest losses.
Professor Obert Jiri, Permanent Secretary in the Ministry of Lands, Agriculture, Fisheries, Water and Rural Development, praised the programme for creating lasting impact.
“The SHEP model is not just about numbers. It is about real impact—skills and knowledge transfer that has empowered our farmers to grow what the market demands. Many beneficiaries can now afford to send their children to school and improve their quality of life, all thanks to the market-driven approach facilitated by JICA,” he said.
Beyond skills transfer, SHEP has promoted a mindset shift in rural communities, encouraging entrepreneurial thinking among smallholder farmers and fostering deeper engagement with local and regional markets.
Stakeholders at the ceremony highlighted the need to integrate the Market-Driven Extension Approach into the national Food Security and Rural Transformation Strategy. They see it as a catalyst that could revolutionise Zimbabwe’s agriculture sector and reduce rural poverty.
As the SHEP initiative concludes, the Government and its development partners are already exploring pathways to build on its achievements. The hope is to scale up the model and replicate its successes in more districts, aligning with Vision 2030’s agenda of achieving an upper-middle-income economy through inclusive, sustainable development.
