This international team aims to increase food security and increase income for rural farmers through quality production of vegetables. Activities enables communities to access appropriate germplasm and involve them in the production, postharvest handling and commercialization of high-value produce to diversify their incomes. Growers are introduced to and trained in greenhouse tunnel construction and systems to produce vegetables in open field and under controlled greenhouse conditions.
Access to information is an important component of this project. Farmers are trained not only in production and commercialization of fresh produce, but also on business skill development. This project impacts 100 farmers (55% women) from the communities in the Livingstone region to produce 100 metric tons of vegetables valued of $125,000. This project uses a market-first, science-based approach involving private sector buyers including the Zambezi Sun, Royal Sun, Spar and Shoprite supermarkets, David Livingstone Hotel, Chrismar Hotel and lodges in Livingstone.