293
The partnership is mutually beneficial. Organisational theorists have demonstrated that member organisations are most likely to survive if they are able to
mobilise resources and demonstrate legitimacy, both of which ZFU achieved
through this partnership (Walker and McCarthy 2010). As a member-based organisation which farmers subscribe to, ZFU relies on membership fees for continuity.
Before the EcoFarmer Combo was introduced, these were collected manually (i.e.,
at the district level by ZFU employees and then remitted to ZFU central via a bank
deposit), a process that was laborious, inefficient and ineffective. The EcoFarmer
Combo package includes the ZFU membership fee and is bought by mobile payment, thereby resolving the issue for ZFU. The partnership also enables ZFU to
demonstrate relevance to members through the delivery of tangible, valuable services at a relatively low cost, and reduces cost thanks to their discounted telecom
rates from Econet Wireless.
The key benefit for Econet Wireless is that working with ZFU opens up a new
clientele of smallholder farmers to which they can market their services, including
their insurance products and ICT subscription services. Both organisations profit
financially from farmer subscriptions to the EcoFarmer Combo, which ensures that
ZFU can exist and that Econet Wireless achieve their commercial goals, both of
which are key outcomes for the continuity for the partnership.
The public sector (specifically the Ministry of Agriculture) has also helped facilitate the scale-up of CSA innovations in Zimbabwe. Specifically, farmer recruitment
to the ZFU EcoFarmer Combo within Municipal Wards (the smallest political
demarcation of a district in Zimbabwe) is supported by local government extension
staff. By providing skeptical members of the general public and local (political)
leaders with project information, they have played a vital role in validating and
legitimising the work of the partnership.
25.3.2 Multilateral Partnership Model: Zambia
In Zambia a multilateral partnership comprised of Zambia Open University, Musika
Development Initiatives (Musika) and the Professional Insurance Company of
Zambia (PICZ) works in collaboration with officers and field workers from the
Ministry of Agriculture and Livestock to reduce the vulnerability of smallholder
farmers. Specifically, the partnership is working to increase farmers’ resilience
through diversified, adaptive, climate resilient production systems. Each partner has
equal influence in the implementation of the project, achieved through joint regular
meetings, field implementation and monitoring. Zambia Open University, by leading the consortium, has ensured government engagement in the project.
Musika previously implemented the DFID-funded project Vuna to promote
different aspects of CSA through the creation of a supportive policy environment. They trained farmers and agro-dealers to understand changes in the agricultural landscape, the benefits of using climate smart practices, and the use of
pesticides, herbicides and post-harvest technology in an altered environment.
25 Innovative Partnerships to Scale Up Climate-Smart Agriculture for Smallholder…
The partnership is mutually beneficial. Organisational theorists have demonstrated that member organisations are most likely to survive if they are able to
mobilise resources and demonstrate legitimacy, both of which ZFU achieved
through this partnership (Walker and McCarthy 2010). As a member-based organisation which farmers subscribe to, ZFU relies on membership fees for continuity.
Before the EcoFarmer Combo was introduced, these were collected manually (i.e.,
at the district level by ZFU employees and then remitted to ZFU central via a bank
deposit), a process that was laborious, inefficient and ineffective. The EcoFarmer
Combo package includes the ZFU membership fee and is bought by mobile payment, thereby resolving the issue for ZFU. The partnership also enables ZFU to
demonstrate relevance to members through the delivery of tangible, valuable services at a relatively low cost, and reduces cost thanks to their discounted telecom
rates from Econet Wireless.
The key benefit for Econet Wireless is that working with ZFU opens up a new
clientele of smallholder farmers to which they can market their services, including
their insurance products and ICT subscription services. Both organisations profit
financially from farmer subscriptions to the EcoFarmer Combo, which ensures that
ZFU can exist and that Econet Wireless achieve their commercial goals, both of
which are key outcomes for the continuity for the partnership.
The public sector (specifically the Ministry of Agriculture) has also helped facilitate the scale-up of CSA innovations in Zimbabwe. Specifically, farmer recruitment
to the ZFU EcoFarmer Combo within Municipal Wards (the smallest political
demarcation of a district in Zimbabwe) is supported by local government extension
staff. By providing skeptical members of the general public and local (political)
leaders with project information, they have played a vital role in validating and
legitimising the work of the partnership.
25.3.2 Multilateral Partnership Model: Zambia
In Zambia a multilateral partnership comprised of Zambia Open University, Musika
Development Initiatives (Musika) and the Professional Insurance Company of
Zambia (PICZ) works in collaboration with officers and field workers from the
Ministry of Agriculture and Livestock to reduce the vulnerability of smallholder
farmers. Specifically, the partnership is working to increase farmers’ resilience
through diversified, adaptive, climate resilient production systems. Each partner has
equal influence in the implementation of the project, achieved through joint regular
meetings, field implementation and monitoring. Zambia Open University, by leading the consortium, has ensured government engagement in the project.
Musika previously implemented the DFID-funded project Vuna to promote
different aspects of CSA through the creation of a supportive policy environment. They trained farmers and agro-dealers to understand changes in the agricultural landscape, the benefits of using climate smart practices, and the use of
pesticides, herbicides and post-harvest technology in an altered environment.
25 Innovative Partnerships to Scale Up Climate-Smart Agriculture for Smallholder…