The Communal to Commercial project in Chiredzi with Plan International in Southern Zimbabwe was an innovative project to rehabilitate large scale irrigation schemes for small scale farmers. The farmers from the first scheme rehabilitated and expanded repaid the direct cost of the scheme upgrade from the income gained from the cultivation of commercial crops. The funds were then resued to finance the 2nd and subsequently a 3rd schemes from the funds repaid. Due to drought followed by flooding and the disastrous economic situation in Zimbabwe, the funds were only revolved once within the project period, achiving two large schemes in operation at the end of the project period. Despite achieving less than the projected outcome, the model has inspired several other models for revolving funds returned when the assistance results in significant ability to generate income. In the end it means that the communities see the infrastructure as theirs, they have paid for it, and therefore take ownership and ensure sustainability of the intervention.
Implementation 2015-2017
Visited 28 February 2017
