Martin Muleya
Zimunda-Masasi Holistic Land and Livestock Management (ZMHLLM) is a pioneering initiative located in the Chimanimani district of Zimbabwe, showcasing a unique approach to sustainable land use and livestock management.
This innovative project demonstrates a harmonious balance between environmental stewardship, social responsibility, and economic viability, serving as a model for regenerative practices in the region.
The Zimunda-Masasi project employs holistic management techniques that prioritize soil health, biodiversity, and efficient water use, resulting in improved pasture productivity and increased livestock yields.
By integrating livestock grazing with conservation practices, the project enhances ecosystem services while supporting the livelihoods of local communities.
Through training and capacity-building programs, Zimunda-Masasi empowers farmers and herders to adopt sustainable land management practices, promoting a culture of environmental awareness and community-led conservation.
This integrated approach not only contributes to the preservation of Zimbabwe’s natural heritage but also fosters a more resilient and food-secure future for generations to come.
Brian Mambeu, the Zimunda-Masasi Holistic Land and Livestock Management cluster committee chairperson, explained to visiting farmers that the cluster comprises two villages, Masasi and Zimunda.
“The program currently has 41 participating farmers, including 10 who do not own cattle, and 3 women,” he said.
Mambeu highlighted the program’s main objectives are to maintain the cattle herd and regenerate pastures.
Despite initial resistance, the farmers have now brought all their cattle into the program after the installation of a water tank at the dip tank.
Thulani Maposah, the project manager for Holistic Land and Livestock Management at Towards Sustainable Use of Resources Organisation (TSURO), stated that the program was inherited from partners working to address climate change in the Chimanimani district, particularly in the Lowveld areas.
Maposah explained that the “bunching and moving together” concept helps concentrate rainfall infiltration during the rainy season, recharging water bodies and improving soil organic matter.
The organization is also mindful of gender roles and aims to avoid causing additional burdens for women.
Overall, the Zimunda-Masasi Holistic Land and Livestock Management initiative serves as a model of sustainable agriculture, where environmental, social, and economic factors are harmonized to create a more resilient and food-secure future for the local community.
