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The European Union and the Food and Agriculture Organisation of the United Nations (FAO) have signed a new agreement aimed at improving food and livelihoods security and resilience of smallholder livestock farmers in Zimbabwe. This agreement comes at a time when crop and animal production prospects in Zimbabwe have been dampened by the El Niño weather phenomenon that has been characterised by low and poorly distributed rainfall and increased temperatures.

The expected reduced agricultural output in 2016 follows on last year’s disappointing season, which has already contributed to higher food prices and left almost a third of the population food insecure.

The 650 000 project directly responds to the drought situation in most parts of Zimbabwe and is set to benefit 300 000 individuals in the country’s southern districts of Masvingo and Mwenezi known for their dependence on livestock production.

Director of Operations at the European Commission’s Humanitarian and Civil Protection department (ECHO) Mr Jean-Louis de Brouwer, said the European Union is committed to assist the country through different projects towards food security.

“With the ongoing El Niño phenomenon gravely affecting tens of thousands of people in Southern Africa, and projections for 2016 showing that the worst is not over yet, the EU is committed to responding to the emergency needs of the people in affected countries.

“We are pleased to partner with FAO on this project which will directly benefit thousands of people and help them to deal with the effects of the harsh weather conditions, and protect their livestock,” he said.

FAO Sub regional Coordinator for Southern Africa and Representative in Zimbabwe, David Phiri lauded the partnership.

“Globally, the EU is FAO’s largest resource partner. In Zimbabwe, we are already partnering on various other initiatives, and this new timely action, in direct support to the FAO’s Drought Mitigation Programme, itself a response to the Government’s call for emergency support, further demonstrates a commitment to expand this collaboration for the benefit of Zimbabwe’s smallholder farmers.”

In particular, the project aims to control the spread of foot and mouth disease (FMD) and Anthrax through vaccinations and treatment.

This EU-FAO partnership is part of a larger initiative for the greater Southern Africa region, in which the EU allocated about €12 million (including €4,1 million for Zimbabwe alone) to respond to El Niño. – BH24.