Harare — The Food and Agriculture Organisation of the United Nations (FAO), working with the Government of Zimbabwe and with funding from the French Government, has rolled out an agricultural voucher system aimed at improving food security while reinforcing protection against sexual exploitation and abuse in drought-affected communities, according to APO Group.
The intervention forms part of the Nourish and Thrive: Inclusive and Sustainable Nutrition and Livelihoods Initiative Project, which is targeting rural households in Masvingo and Mwenezi districts—areas severely impacted by the El Niño-induced drought. Through the coordinated voucher system, eligible households are receiving subsidised access to high-quality agricultural inputs, including drought-tolerant seed varieties, to help stabilise food production and build resilience against climate shocks.
FAO said the initiative responds to urgent nutrition and livelihood challenges by enabling farmers to source essential inputs from approved agro-dealers, rather than relying solely on direct handouts. The approach is designed to strengthen local markets, support small businesses, and improve household recovery prospects while laying the groundwork for sustainable agrifood systems.
The programme is expected to benefit 4,000 households across selected wards in Masvingo and Mwenezi, ensuring timely planting of nutritious crops and helping communities withstand prolonged dry conditions. Voucher distribution events brought together local leaders, agro-dealers and beneficiaries, marking a milestone in the drive toward inclusive and climate-resilient agriculture.
Beyond productivity gains, FAO placed strong emphasis on Protection from Sexual Exploitation and Abuse (PSEA), integrating safeguarding measures into all stages of implementation. Community members and partners received training and awareness sessions on identifying, preventing and reporting abuse, reinforcing a culture of accountability across humanitarian and development activities.
“A stitch in time saves nine. It is important that we share the information we learnt with our colleagues and teams and create awareness to prevent exploitation and abuse,” said Ruramai Sibiya of World Vision Zimbabwe, underscoring the importance of early and widespread awareness.
As part of operational capacity building, FAO trained Voucher Redeeming Suppliers on its Identification, Delivery and Empowerment Application (IDEA) platform. The digital system supports beneficiary data protection, transparent voucher redemption and efficient aid delivery through cash and voucher modalities. Training covered system use, troubleshooting and customer service standards, while local leadership engagement and on-site monitoring were used to enhance oversight.
Agro-dealers participating in the programme welcomed the initiative. “The training on Prevention of Sexual Exploitation and Abuse was very educative, and I followed it properly. I thank the FAO team for this opportunity,” said Dumisani Simango, an agro-dealer based in Masvingo.
FAO’s PSEA Focal Person, Leticia Njowola, said the programme reflects the organisation’s zero-tolerance policy on sexual exploitation and abuse, which applies to all UN staff, implementing partners and service providers.
“Preventing and protecting against sexual exploitation and abuse is a priority in the humanitarian and development sector. Any form of exploitation or abuse violates people’s rights and undermines programme sustainability and impact,” Njowola said. She added that embedding PSEA measures strengthens institutional accountability, improves governance and builds trust between communities and development partners—key pillars for inclusive and rights-based agrifood systems transformation.
FAO said initiatives such as Nourish and Thrive demonstrate its commitment to helping communities recover from climate-related shocks while ensuring that assistance is delivered in safe, inclusive and dignified environments.
