Sustainable Intensification of Market Based Agriculture (SIMBA)
Project Period: Nov13-Nov17
The SIMBA (Sustainable Intensification of Market Based Agriculture) programme was a four year (2013-2017), European Union (EU) funded programme that was co-implemented in Gokwe South District by Welthungerhilfe (WHH) and the Agricultural Partnerships Trust (APT).
The overall objective of the SIMBA programme was to enable smallholder farmers to diversify and up-grade their diets to recommended levels and run part of their farming as a family business in cooperation with other value chain stakeholders, generating income.
APT was responsible for development of inclusive pro-poor business models that would link small scale farmer household groups with commodity-specific open and closed markets. Under this programme the following results were achieved:
- 4 475 farmers linked to markets including 1 228 to open market access and the balance though contract farming arrangements
- Inclusive and pro-poor business models for 8 value chains developed – fresh vegetables, chili, sesame, mung bean, cowpea seed, sorghum seed, flower seeds and maize
- Six non-horticultural businesses develop inclusive business models. Horticulture farmers sell over 100 tonnes fresh produce to ten new markets.
- Input markets supported including that for Quality Protein Maize (QPM) which becomes popular in the district.
The table below lists company partners and the commodities purchased from smallholders
| Company | Commodity |
| Amalubarina | Flower Seed |
| Better Agriculture | Bird’s Eye Chilli |
| Green Trade | Mung Bean |
| IETC | Sesame |
| Mukushi Seed | Quality Protein Maize |
| National Tested Seeds | Cowpea, sorghum, watermelon and butternut seed |