Every morning, as irrigation pivots circle the 156-hectare fields of Pikinini Jawanda in Mwenezi, women like Eurita Mahove walk the rows with quiet pride. Just a few seasons ago, farming in this community meant uncertainty; waiting on erratic rains, producing only enough for survival, and struggling to make ends meet. Today, thanks to a new partnership with a seed company, farming means producing certified seed, supplying tonnes of produce, and planning for a future built on agribusiness.
For the 300 households depending on this 156-hectare scheme in Mwenezi, farming was a matter of survival. That changed this season when the community entered a groundbreaking contract with Seed Co Pvt Ltd. Thirty hectares were dedicated to producing sugar bean seed, with farmers expected to deliver 54 tonnes of certified seed.

The impact is tangible. Farmers now have access to certified seed, guaranteed markets, and expert guidance. For the first time, the smallholder farmers are part of a structured value chain that connects them to national and regional markets.
The transformation is visible in the fields and in the lives of farmers. “We now see farming as a business, not just survival,” said one farmer, smiling as she walked through the field of sugar beans, plucking weeds. For Eurita, a mother and active member of the scheme, the change has been life-altering: “With this partnership, I no longer worry about our next meal. I can plan for school fees, invest in our future, and I look forward to tomorrow with hope.”

“Working with communities like Pikinini Jawanda is a win–win,” said SeedCo Head of Agronomy, Mrs. Wendy Madzura. “Farmers gain access to high-quality seed markets and technical guidance, while we ensure a supply of certified seed that meets national and regional demand. It’s about creating a value chain that works for everyone.”
The government is pleased with this development. Professor Obert Jiri, Permanent Secretary in the Ministry of Lands, Agriculture, Fisheries, Water and Rural Development, said this is the model that should be adopted by other schemes. “To grow into a viable agribusiness, farmers need private sector partnerships, and we are hoping all our irrigation schemes can take up this model; this way our schemes will be able to even export produce to other countries.”
UNDP Resident Representative Dr. Ayodele Odusola called the model exemplary. “This model is a quick way to get people out of poverty and contribute to the nation’s development”. 

The scheme, which was completed just a year ago, is growing in leaps and bounds. T Last season alone, they harvested 19 tonnes of grain for household use and earned nearly USD 4,000 from sales, funds reinvested to strengthen the project. 
Looking to the future, scheme chairperson Mr. Chizivano Shava is optimistic, “This collaboration has proven we can go beyond subsistence farming. This is just the beginning; we want to become a major producer for Zimbabwe and beyond.”

The Pikinini Jawanda Irrigation Scheme was established under the Climate Resilient Livelihoods Project, supported by the Government of Zimbabwe, the Green Climate Fund (GCF), and the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP). The initiative was designed to help the scheme reach full productivity and operate as a sustainable agribusiness. Pikinini Jawanda is one of 21 irrigation schemes being climate-proofed under the project to strengthen adaptation and resilience in vulnerable communities.

With harvesting set for September, even greater opportunities lie ahead. Discussions are already underway to transform the scheme into a SeedCo distribution hub, expanding its role beyond production. Reflecting on this journey, Eurita shared, “Two seasons ago, I never dreamed this is where my life would be. Today I am a businesswoman, part of a partnership that is transforming my life and the lives of many in this community. We are ready for growth.”