THE Swiss Agency for Development and Cooperation has launched a second phase of the Markets and Seeds Access Project (MASAP) to empower smallholder farmers in Zimbabwe and Zambia.
With a US$10 million budget, the MASAP II project will expand into two new Zimbabwean districts, directly supporting 60 000 households. It maintains a dedicated focus on women, who will constitute at least 60% of beneficiaries.
Implemented in partnership with development firm Niras, the Community Technology Development Organisation, and the Research Institute of Organic Agriculture, the project will run from 2025 to 2029.
In Zimbabwe, the programme is being implemented in close collaboration with the Ministry of Lands, Agriculture, Fisheries, Water, and Rural Development.
The new phase will broaden its reach from the initial districts of Tsholotsho and Mudzi to include two additional, yet-to-be-named districts.
Speaking at the launch, Stefano Berti, head of cooperation at the Embassy of Switzerland, highlighted the importance of the programme.
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“At the heart of a resilient agriculture sector is a simple, powerful thing: a quality seed placed in the hands of a farmer,” Berti said.
“With Phase 2 of MASAP, we are scaling up success – reaching 60 000 households, strengthening seed systems, and deepening inclusion.
“Our focus remains on climate-resilient and inclusive agriculture, supporting Zimbabwean farmers to build livelihoods that are both sustainable and resilient.”
Obert Jiri, permanent secretary in the Ministry of Lands, Agriculture, Fisheries, Water and Rural Development, said the project complements the government’s efforts to climate-proof agriculture and achieve food security.
“By promoting drought-tolerant crops, agroecology, and improved access to finance, the programme directly supports our policies aimed at empowering smallholder farmers and building resilient rural communities,” he said in a speech read on his behalf by Dumisani Kutywayo, chief director in the ministry.
The new phase will promote climate-resilient farming practices such as agroecology and crop insurance, while expanding value chains from sorghum and groundnuts to include millets and Bambara nuts, according to a statement released on Friday.
MASAP II will also strengthen farmers’ access to financial services, support processors and seed companies, and promote evidence-based policy engagement to ensure inclusive agricultural development that addresses the needs of women and other marginalised groups.
The first phase of the project benefitted farmers, with the embassy noting that over 31 000 smallholder farmers were connected to 30 market actors, improving access to inputs and market opportunities for small grains and legumes.
Eighty-one percent of participating Zimbabwean and 91% of Zambian farmers reported better availability of high-quality small grain and legume seeds.
It supported key seed policy reforms in Zimbabwe, including updates to the Seed Act, adoption of the regional Seed Harmonisation Protocol, and legal recognition of farmer varieties.
The statement said 78% of participating farmers were women, exceeding gender inclusion targets and advancing women’s leadership in agriculture.