2022

CHIREDZI
District
Food and Nutrition Security Profile
 Contents
Page

Contents Page 2 7. Livestock Information 32

List Of Tables 3 7.1 Main Livestock Diseases 33
List Of Figures 3 7.2 Dipping Facilities and
Foreword 4 Animal Health Centres 33
Acknowledgements 5 7.3 Livestock Holdings 33
7.4 Other Livestock Establishments 35
Acronyms & Abbreviations 6
7.5 Challenges Faced by Livestock Farmers 36
1 General Characteristics of the District
8. Markets Information 36
1.1 Location
8.1 Crop Markets 36
1.2 Administrative Information 7
8.2 Labour Markets 38
1.3 Chiefs and Headmen Information. 7
8.3 Livestock Markets 38
1.4 Population Information 8
8.4 Market Calendar 38
1.5 Settlement Types 9
8.5 Market Challenges 38
1.6 Vegetation Characteristics 9
1.7 Soil Characteristics 9
9. Common Hazards 39
1.8 Land Degradation 10
9.1 Hazard Profiling and Mapping
2 Development Indicators 10
10. Nutrition and Health Information 41
2.1 Main Business Centers 10
10.1 Child Nutrition Status 41
2.2 Major Businesses 11
10.2 Feeding Practices for
2.3 Education Information 11
Children Below 2 Years 41
2.3.1 School Ownership 12
10.3 Food Consumption For Women
2.3.2 Education Challenges 13
and in the Household 41
2.4 Health Facilities Information 13
10.4 Top Ten Common Diseases 41
2.5 Police Services 14
10.5 Mortality in Women 42
2.6 Water and Sanitation Services 14
10.6 Top Five Causes of Mortality 42
2.7 Sanitation Facilities 16
2.8 Transport and Communication 17
11. Food Security 43
2.9 Network Access – Telecommunication 18
11.1 Food Security Trends 43
11.2 Food Consumption Score 43
3. Livelihoods Information 19
11.3 Visible Vulnerabilities for
3.1 Livelihoods Zones 19
Socio-economic Groups 44
3.2 Livelihoods Strategies 21
11.4 Coping Strategies 45
3.3 Main Livelihoods Options 21
11.5 Ranking of Wards According
3.4 Other Livelihoods Activities 22
to Food Insecurity 46
3.5 Economic Zones 22
11.6 Food Aid Trends 46
11.7 Governemnt Supported Food Aid 47
4. Poverty Levels 23
11.8 Characteristics of Poor and
Food Insecure Households 48
5. Agriculture Information 24
5.1 Natural Regions and Climate 24
12. Seasonal Calendar 48
5.2 Mean Annual Rainfall 24
5.3 Drought Prone Areas 25
13. District Development Priorities 49
5.4 Flood Prone Areas 27
5.5 Hydro-geological Conditions 28
14. Development Partners Profiling 49
6. Crop Information 28
15. Summary by Ward 51
6.1 Farming Sectors 29z
6.2 Cash Crop Production 30
Annex 1: District Profiling Team 53
6.3 Cropping Calender 30
6.4 Irrigation Schemes 31
6.5 Cropping Challenges 32

Chiredzi | 2
 List Of
Tables

Table 1: Chief Distribution by Area Table 36: Food Consumption By Women

of Jurisdiction 8 And In The Household 41
Table 2: 2021 Chiredzi District Population Table 37: Top Ten OPD Diseases 42
Projections by ward 8 Table 38: Top Five Causes of Mortality 42
Table 3: Settlement Types in Chiredzi 9 Table 39: Vulnerability By
Table 4: Names of Business Centres i Socio-Economic Group 44
in Chiredzi: 10 Table 40: Coping Strategies by Ward Level 45
Table 5: Number of Schools by Ward 12 Table 41: Ranking Of Wards By
Table 6: Schools by Type of Ownership 13 Food Insecurity Levels. 46
Table 7: Health Facilities by Type 13 Table 43: Government Supported Food
Table 8: Police Posts and their Assistance: 2021/22
Catchment Areas 14 Consumption Year 47
Table 9: Distribution of Water Points by Ward 15 Table 44: Slp Calendar For A Typical Year 48
Table 10: Toilet Access by Wards 16 Table 45: District Development Priorities
Table 11: Type and Condition of Road by ward 17 and Targeted wards 49
Table 12: Network Coverage by Table 46: A summary of NGOs Operating
Service Provider 18 in the District by Ward and Areas
Table 13: Livelihoods Zones Description 19 of Focus 49
Table 13: Other livelihoods activities Summary By Ward 51
in Chiredzi 22 Annex : Chiredzi District
Table 14: Summary of Economic Zones 23 Profiling Team 53
Table 15: Food Poverty levels by Ward 23
Table 16: Summary of Natural Regions
by Ward 24
Table 17: Drought Prone Wards and Risk Scale 26
Table 18:
Table 19:
Distribution of Small dams by ward 28
Farming Sectors And Crops
List Of
Grown By Wards 29 Figures
Table 20: Main Farming Sectors in the District 30
Table 21: Cropping Calendar 30 Figure 1: Chiredzi District Map 7
Table 22: Distribution of Irrigation Figure 2: Masvingo Soil ph Level by Ward 10
Schemes by Wards 31 Figure 3: Chiredzi Livelihood Zone map 19
Table 23: Average Livestock Holding Per Ward 32 Figure 4: Chiredzi Mean Rainfall Map 24
Table 24: Main Livestock diseases Figure 5: Chiredzi Annual Rainfall
and wards Mostly Affected 33 Trends From 2016 To 2021 25
Table 25: Animal Health Centres 33 Figure 6: Mean Annual Rainfall, Temperature
Table 26: Livestock Ownership And Evapotransipiration
By Wealth Group 33 For Chiredzi District 25
Table 27: Distribution of Herd Size 35 Figure 7: Chiredzi Drought Risk
Table 28: Other Livestock Establishments 35 Clasiification Map 27
Table 28: Crop Produce Markets 36 Figure 8: Chiredzi Floods Prone Map 27
Table 29: Commodity Availability And Prices Figure 9: Map Showing Distribution Of
Per Ward As Of November 2021 37 Water Bodies In Chiredzi District 28
Table 30: Labour Markets 38 Figure 10: Mortality Trends 42
Table 31: Livestock Markets 38 Figure 11: Chiredzi Food Insecurity Trends 43
Table 32: Periodic And Chronic Hazards 39 Figure 12: Chiredzi Household Consumption 43
Table 33: Summary Hazard Profile And Mapping 40 Figure 13: Coping Strategy Index
Table 34: Malnutrition, HIV and TB 41 for Chiredzi, ZimVac 2021 45
Table 35: Feeding Practices In Indicators For Figure 14: Food Aid Beneficiaries in
Children Under 2 Years Of Age 41 District from 2016, DSW 47

3 | Chiredzi
 Foreword

The Government of Zimbabwe aims to meet national targets under the National Development Strategy 1,
Sustainable Development Goals, including Zero Hunger by 2030, with the support of the United Nations
World Food Programme and other development partners. Evidence and knowledge are the starting point
to ending hunger and improving nutrition. Hence policies and programmes need to be based on accurate
and reliable data and information to make a difference in people’s lives. In view of the above, the District
Profiles were developed to provide the evidence-based information for programming by the Government,
UN and development partners. This process was led and hosted by the Food and Nutrition Council (FNC),
supported by WFP and with the participation of Government Ministries and NGOs through a multistakeholder
consultative process.

The country has continued to experience climatic and economic shocks. While recurring droughts, erratic
rainfall and poor harvests have been the drivers of food insecurity in rural areas, economic challenges remain
as one of the major drivers to food inaccessibility in urban areas. From, these existing challenges were further
compounded by the effects of COVID-19 and the lockdown measures which were put in place to curb its
spread. To understand the evolving changes, it was necessary to update all the 60 rural District Profiles to
more accurately identify and address the humanitarian and programmatic needs in Zimbabwe. The 2016
District Profiles had reached their full life span of five years.

The District Profiles were compiled using other existing information products such as the ZimVAC Livelihoods
Assessment Reports, national Intergrated Context Analysis (ICA), the Seasonal Livelihood Programming (SLP)
and community action plans, among other key reference documents. The district profiles provide ward-level
analysis as well as insights for programmatic needs at sub district level. These are developed as a public
good to support Government, UN and developmental partners in the design, targeting and implementation
of humanitarian, resilience and development programmes.

These risk profiles provide a comprehensive sub district level overview focusing on infrastructure, water
and sanitation, communication, livelihoods, poverty, climate, crops, livestock, markets, hazards and shocks,
development indicators and priorities, food and nutrition security conditions and recommendations.
It is my greatest hope that all stakeholders will find this updated information useful in further refining their
programmes and targeting criteria for the development of Zimbabwe.

Chiredzi | 4
 Acknowledgements

The Food and Nutrition Council (FNC) would like to appreciate the support provided by the World Food
Programme who worked tirelessly to ensure the successful completion of the district profiles.

Special thanks go to the various Government line ministries and departments, UN agencies, donors, and
NGOs for sharing of information, technical support, facilitation, and collaboration.

Sincere appreciation goes to the Provincial Coordinators, District Food and Nutrition Security Committee and
District Drought Relief Committee members for participating in the drafting of the profiles and the valuable
information provided.

Our sincere gratitude goes to WFP Zimbabwe and the Government of Zimbabwe for funding for the activity.

Disclaimer
Standard copyright clause: This District profile is owned by the Government of Zimbabwe and the World
Food Programme. All rights reserved. Reproduction and dissemination of material in this information product
for educational or other non-commercial uses are authorized without any prior written permission from the
copyright holders provided the source is fully acknowledged. Reproduction of material in this information
product for resale or other commercial purposes is prohibited without written permission. Applications for
such permission should be addressed to the Government of Zimbabwe through the Food and Nutrition
Council © FNC [2022].

5 | Chiredzi
 Acronyms &
Abbreviations

AARDS Agricultural Advisory Rural Development Services

AIDS Acquired Immune Deficiency Syndrome

CA Communal Area

CAMPFIRE Community Areas Management Programme for Indigenous Resources

DDC District development coordinators office

DDF District Development Fund

DFID Department for International Development

DOI Department of Irrigation

EHO Environmental Health Officer

EMA Environmental Management Authority

FEWSNET Famine Early Warning Systems Network

GAM Global Acute Malnutrition

GMB Grain Marketing Board

Ha Hectare

HH Household

LSCA Large-Scale Commercial Area

MDTC Mwenezi Development Training Center

MOA Ministry of Agriculture, Mechanisation and Irrigation Development

MOHCC Ministry of Health and Child Care

NGO Non-Governmental Organisation

NR New Resettlement

RDC Rural District Council

RWIMS Rural Wash Information Management System

SAM Severe Acute Malnutrition

SSCA Small Scale Commercial Area

UNDP United Nations Development Fund

UNESCO United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization

UNICEF United Nations Children’s Fund

USAID United States Agency for International Development

USD United States Dollar

WFP World Food Programme

ZAR South African Rand

ZimVAC Zimbabwe Vulnerability Assessment Committee

Chiredzi | 6
1. General Characteristics of the District
1.1. Location
Chiredzi District is located in the South-eastern part of Zimbabwe in Masvingo Province. It shares international
boundaries with South Africa and Mozambique in the South and South-eastern parts respectively. It also
shares provincial boundaries with Manicaland to the East along Save River and and Matabeleland South
Province in the South-west. Chiredzi shares district boundaries with Mwenezi in the West, Bikita in the North-
east, Masvingo in the North-west, Zaka in the North, Beitbridge in the South-west and Chipinge in the East.
The urban district (Chiredzi) is located nearthe Runde River, which has a tributary called the ‘Chiredzi’.

24

Faversham Nyangambe
23

Mkwasine 1
Estate Porepore
20
26
17 21
St Joseph
Chipiwa Mkwasine

Muteyo
28 25

Chizvirizvi
29 3
Triangle
Rapanguwana
16 32
Mufakose NRZ
Chiredzi
ZRPTsovani
Triangle ZSA 4
18 19
T/Goss Hippo Valley

Chitsa
5
Mutirikwi 27 30

31

Chilonga
Chilonga
Chambuta
6

7
Damarakanaka Chibwedziva
Chimbwedziva
8

Old Boli Chingele

Makambe
10
Mukai 9

Chomopani Mahlanguleni

11

Chikombedzi 22

Chikombedzi Mission Chikombedzi 12

13
Pahlela

Hurungwe

Mbire
Centenary

Mt Darwin
Kariba
Guruve Rushinga
Kariba Urban
Makonde
Malipati UMP Mudzi
Karoi Urban Mazowe Shamva
Gezani Bindura
Zvimba
Binga Gokwe North Chinhoyi Mutoko
Bindura Urban
Gezani Rutandare
Urban
Malipati Goromonzi
Murehwa Nyanga
15 Harare Urban
Victoria Sanyati
Chegutu Ruwa Makoni
Falls Gokwe South Marondera
Norton Epworth
Gokwe Chegutu Urban Marondera
Dumisa Hwange South Chitungwiza
Urban
Hwange Urban Urban Kadoma Urban Mutasa
Seke
Mhondoro-Ngezi
Lupane Nkayi
Kwekwe Chikomba Hwedza Rusape Urban
Dumisa Mission Dumisa Mutare
14 Samu Kwekwe Urban
Redcliff
Chirumhanzu

Gweru Mutare Urban

Tsholotsho Bubi Buhera

Davata Gweru Urban Gutu

Chimanimani
Umguza Shurugwi
Urban Shurugwi

Insiza Masvingo Masvingo Bikita

Bulilima Bulawayo
Umzingwane Zvishavane Urban Chipinge
Zvishavane Zaka Chipinge
Urban Urban
Chivi
Plumtree
Mberengwa
Matobo Chiredzi
Mangwe

Gwanda Urban Chiredzi

Gwanda Mwenezi Urban

Beitbridge

Beitbridge
Urban

Figure 1: Chiredzi District Map

1.2. Administrative Information

Chiredzi District is the largest district in the province occupying 14 340 square kilometers. The district is
subdivided into 40 administrative wards (32 rural and 8 urban). There are two administrative councils which
are Chiredzi Rural District and Chiredzi urban,.located near the Runde River, which has a tributary called the
‘Chiredzi’. Chiredzi Rural District Council (CRDC) was established in 1967 andboth administrative offices for
both CRDC and Chiredzi Urban council are found in Chiredzi town.

1.3. Chiefs and Headmen Information

There are seven paramount chiefs in the district namely; Tshovani, Gudo, Neromwe, Chilonga, Mpapa, Gezani
and Sengwe. Chief Chilonga, Mpapa and Gezani were upgraded from the headman status in 2021. Neromwe
chieftainship was resuscitated in 2020. Ngwenyeni, Samu, Chitsa and Masivamele are the four Headmen in the
district. The district has 287 substantive village heads found in all the 32 rural wards.

7 | Chiredzi
Table 1: Chief Distribution by Area of Jurisdiction
Chief Location (ward) Number of Headmen Wards of Jurisdiction
Chief Tshovani 22 1 25, 3, 4, 5, 22, 32, 21, 19, 30 and 31
Chief Gudo 1 0 1, 2 and 24
Chief Neromwe 17 0 26, 29, 17, 16, 18, 27, 28 and 20
Chief Sengwe 14 3 6, 8, 14 and 15
Chief Mpapa 7 0 7, 9, 10 and 11
Chief Gezani 13 0 13
Chief Chilonga 7 0 7

1.4. Population Information

According to Zimstat 2022 population projection, both Chiredzi rural and urban districts have a combined total
populationn of total population of 443 861 people (403,418 rural and 40,443 urban) with males constituting
48% of the total population.

Table 2: 2021 Chiredzi District Population Projections By Ward

Ward Ward Name 2012 2021 HH 2021 Projected Proportion of
Population Population Population
Rural Population
1 Dikitiki 4178 2701 5590 1.6
2 Mareya 4016 2580 5373 1.5
3 Tshovani 3668 1363 4908 1.4
4 Mupinga 5660 3594 7573 2.1
5 Chitsa 4057 1911 5419 1.5
6 Dzinzela 7564 3724 10121 2.8
7 Chichingwe 7783 2288 10414 2.9
8 Chibwedziva 7918 3596 10594 3.0
9 Twananani 3634 1456 4863 1.4
10 Batanai 9991 3577 8828 2.5
11 Chikombedzi 11603 3007 15525 4.3
12 Gonakudzingwa 465 1304 622 0.2
13 Xibhavahlengwe 4103 2281 5490 1.5
14 Sengwe 8531 1534 11414 3.2
15 Xini 8391 2261 11227 3.1
16 Nuanetsi 20482 8988 27405 7.6
17 Samba/Crown 18842 4598 25210 7.0
Ranch
18 Triangle 13183 3794 17639 4.9
19 Hippo Valley 12172 3502 10726 3.0
20 Ruware 18576 4733 24854 6.9
21 Mkwasine 10439 3040 13967 3.9
22 Chizvirizvi 6340 1580 8483 2.4
23 Nyangambe 5397 1768 7221 2.0
24 Humani 22279 6217 29809 8.3
25 Muteo 3111 1304 4162 1.2
26 Mungwezi 3016 828 4035 1.1
27 Section 63 Triangle 6636 970 8879 2.5
28 Section 3 Triangle 14472 1199 19363 5.4
29 Buffalo Range 5748 1768 7691 2.1
30 Mleme 8839 2829 11827 3.3
31 Gozonya 8471 2753 11335 3.2
32 Nandi 6194 1881 8287 2.3
72598 397122 100

Chiredzi | 8
Chiredzi Urban
Ward Name 2012 2012 HH 2021 Projected Proportion of
Population Population Population
1 Ward 1 1144 238 1495 3.9
2 Ward 2 2468 622 3181 8.3
3 Ward 3 4703 1298 5925 15.5
4 Ward 4 6726 2047 8404 22.0
5 Ward 5 4940 1471 5843 15.3
6 Ward 6 3078 867 3909 10.2
7 Ward 7 3140 839 4076 10.7
8 Ward 8 4249 1082 5435 14.2
Total 72598 397122 100
For updated population figures, refer to Zimstat Census report (https://www.zimstat.co.zw)
(Source: ZimVAC)

1.5. Settlement Types

Chiredzi has several land use zones, ranging from communal areas to commercial estate farms. It is also
subdivided into urban and rural districts. There is one growth point in Chiredzi district known as Chikombedzi
Growth Point, which is found in Ward 11 (a communal ward). Commercial estates are found in Wards 18, 19,
21, 30 and 31.

Table 3: Settlement Types in Chiredzi

Settlement Type Number Of Wards In 2016 Number Of Wards In 2022
Urban 8 8
Growth point 1 1
Resettlement area 11 11
Communal 15 15
Estate farms 5 5

1.6. Vegetation Characteristics

Mopane and Acacia are the dominant trees which are sparsely distributed in the district. C shrubs are isolated
in regions 5Va and 5Vb. Chiredzi’s vegetation cover comprises of annual grasses with scattered shrubs and
stunted trees whose density decrease southwards in sympathy with the rainfall distribution of the district.
(Unganai L, 2011). Generally, the vegetation structure in the district is moderately degraded. However woody
vegetation appears to be intact. The tree species have an overall density of ~0.03 stands/m2. Mopane tree
species are the most dominant with a stand density of 0.02m2. Approximately 90 percent of the land cover
is sparse vegetation, 5 percent bare ground and 5 percent dense vegetation for all the wards combined.
Invasive weed species such as witch weed are also observed in the fields.

1.7. Soil Characteristics

Most of the soils in Chiredzi district are heavy clays, 2:1 clay lattice (mountmorillonite), that requiredemand a
lot of water before they can release any water for plant growth. The soils form seals when wet and as rainfall
comes in heavy short duration storms, most of the rain-water flowsruns away as run-off water, making most
of the rainfall unavailable for crop use. The soils are very difficult to work on when wet as they become sticky
and slippery. If farmers aim to utilize all the water that falls on their land, they have to prepare their fields
before the onset of the rains (Unganai L, 2011). However, the dominant vertisols, are well suited for irrigation
and are rich in soil nutrients and can support crop and pasture production with minimal addition of external
fertilizers. The soils in Chiredzi have a pH value ranging from 6.0 (mildly acidity to 7.9 (alkaline), which does
not require lime for most crops grown in the district (Figure: 2)

9 | Chiredzi
Figure 2: Masvingo Soil pH Level by Ward

1.8 Land Degradation

The dominant form of physical soil degradation is sheet erosion, evidenced by siltation of streams and small
pools mostly in wards 1-15. Very little or no land degradation is observed in wards 12 (small scale commercial
farming area), 18, 19, 21, 30 and 31 (large scale commercial farming areas which emphasize soil and vegetation
conservation). Truncation of the landscape by gullies is low, attributed to a number factors, including the flat
terrain, which reduces water velocity and therefore soil erosion.

2. Development Indicators
2.1. Main Business Centers
Chiredzi District has one major business centre, which is Chiredzi town. The district has one growth point which
is Chikombedzi Growth Point. There are several other businesses and service centres dotted around in the
district which includes Triangle, Mkwasine, Rupangwana, Chilonga, Chibwedziva, Chingele, Muhlanguleni,
Mupakati, Malipati, Gezani, Davata, Old Boli, Malisanga, Chizirizvi, Muteyo, Masekesa, Ndali, Uswaushava,
Nyangambe and Chambuta, Pahlela Chompani, Chizvirizvi, Chitsa, St Joseph and Dombo. Various services
are found on these rural service centers.

Table 4: Names of Business Centres in Chiredzi

Ward Business Centres
1 Zungudza & Dombo
2 Mutapurwa, Mareya & St Joseph
3 Masekesa
4 Rupangwana, Machoka & Mupinga
5 Ndali, Chaichai & Chitsatseni
6 Chambuta, Mutomani & Chikovo
7 Chilonga, Golden Centre, Malisanga & Gwaseche
8 Chibwedziva, Masivaimele & Chipinda

Chiredzi | 10
9 Chingele, Chiteya & Machindu
10 Muhlanguleni, Old boli, Makambe, Majijimba,
Damarakanaka & Madzingira
11 Mpakati, chikombedzi, Chomupani, Gurungweni,
Chan’ienga & Pfumari
12 No service centres they get service from ward 10 & 11
13 Masukwe, Pahlela, Makanani, Gezani, Chilugwi & Dafi
14 Bondela, Puzani, Davata, Gwaivhi & Pukupela
15 Malipati, Rutandare, Maose, chishinya, Samu, Dumisa,
Mugiviza, Muhlekwani, Chilothlela, Chomunanga &
Chigalo
16 Chisase, Uswaushava, Zvemombe, Mafodya, Zesa,
Gwerima & Masimbiti
17 Crown range,makondo, samba, Faversham, bongo
18 Dullies, Rufaro, PaChiwa
19 Chishamiso
20 Ruware, Chikwirire & Judea
21 Mkwasine Admin & R Shop
22 Chizvirizvi & Benzi,
23 Nyangambe
24 Matedzi & Mukazi
25 Muteyo & Chisambinji
26 Detoi
27 Mutirikwi & Muzembi
28 Gain & Mufakose
29 Buffalo range
30 -
31 Section 8
32 -
Source: Chiredzi RDC

2.2. Major Businesses

Major business in Chiredzi includes commercial sugar production and citrus production which is done by
Tongaat Hullets (Hippo Valley and Triangle Limited) and outgrower farmers. Chisambiji Coal Mine is the only
major mine in the district located in the eastern parts of the district. The district has two abattoirs namely
Sabie and Koala Park.

A total of seven banks are operational in Chiredzi urban and Triangle. These are CBZ, First Capital, ZB,
Agribank, CABS, POSB and BancABC. Major wholesalers in Chiredzi town are N. Richards and Metro Peech.
There are also a number of chain stores in the district that include OK, Pick n Pay, Electrosales, Gain and
Chingwanga supermarkets.

2.3. Education Information

Chiredzi District has a total of 190 schools, with school ownership ranging from mission to private schools as
shown on table 5 below. The district has only two boarding private schools, South-Eastern College (Secondary)
in ward 32 and Mary Mac Primary in ward 18. Secondary schools are few compared to number of children
requiring places for Ordinary and Advanced level places. Some parents secure places for their children in
boarding schools outside Chiredzi District. In Chiredzi urban, enrollment at schools is high, leading to an
unbalanced teacher to pupil ratio of 1:60 for both secondary and primary levels. In the rural areas, children
often travel long distances to access secondary schools. This challenge coupled with lack of disposable
income and money for school fees often results in school dropouts in the area.

11 | Chiredzi
Table 5: Number of Schools by Ward
Ward Primary School Secondary Schools Total Schools
1 5 1 6
2 4 1 5
3 1 0 1
4 3 1 4
5 3 1 4
6 4 1 5
7 3 1 4
8 4 1 5
9 3 1 4
10 5 3 8
11 5 2 7
12 1 0 1
13 6 1 7
14 6 1 7
15 9 3 12
16 14 3 17
17 5 4 9
18 3 1 4
19 4 1 5
20 8 1 9
21 4 1 5
22 4 1 5
23 1 1 2
24 9 1 10
25 2 1 3
26 2 0 2
27 2 1 3
28 3 1 4
29 5 1 6
30 6 1 7
31 3 0 3
32 4 2 6
1 Urban 2 0 2
2 Urban 1 0 1
3 Urban 1 0 1
4 Urban 0 2 2
5 Urban 0 1 1
6 Urban 1 0 1
7 Urban 0 1 1
8 Urban 1 0 1
Total 147 43 190
Source: MOPSE, Chiredzi District

2.3.1. School Ownership

Schools in the district are under different ownership with council owning 77.9% (148) of all the schools in the
district (Table 6).

Chiredzi | 12
Table 6: Schools by Type of Ownership
Primary Secondary Total
Mission 5 6 11
Government 1 2 3
Council 120 28 148
Private 2 7 2

2.3.2. Education Challenges

The 2021 Zimvac Survey report for Masvingo reported that the top two reasons why children are not attending
schools are:
• Exorbitant school fees
• Children not interested in school

Additionally, schools’ infrastructure is not adequate particularly in new resettlement areas where most schools
are operating as satellite schools. The schools that are already established however are dilapidating due to
inadequate resources to maintain them.

2.4. Health Facilities Information

Chiredzi has a total of 41 health facilities that are complimented by six private surgeries which are found in
Chiredzi Urban. Health facilities are well distributed particularly in the southern parts of the district with the
majority of wards having at least one health center. Distances travelled to access health centers by people
residing in those wards are within the acceptable 10km radius except in ward 12 where there is no health
facility. However, the situation is different in the northern parts of the district where the most populace wards
are found. Of particular note is the absence of health facilities in wards: 16, 28, 26, 3, 20, 24 and 32. People
residing in these wards travel long distances to access health services in Chiredzi Town and other nearby
districts, namely Bikita, Zaka and Masvingo to be specific.

Table 7: Health Facilities by Type

No Name of Health Centre Ward Authority
1 Davata 14 Government
2 Gezani 13 Government
3 Rutandare 15 RDC
4 Malipati 15 Government
5 Samu 15 Government
6 Dumisa 15 RDC
7 Pahlela 13 RDC
8 Chikombedzi 11 Mission
9 Chompani 11 RDC
10 Muhlanguleni 10 Government
11 Makambe 10 Mission
12 OldBoli 10 Government
13 Damarakanaka 10 Mission
14 Chingele 9 Mission
15 Chibwedziva 8 RDC
16 Chambuta 6 Government
17 Chilonga 7 Government
18 Chitsa 5 RDC
19 Rupangwana 4 RDC
20 Muteyo 25 Government
21 ST Joseph 2 RDC
22 Gudo 1 RDC
23 Chizvirizvi 22 Government
24 Mkwasine 21 RDC
25 Chipiwa 21 RDC

13 | Chiredzi
Table 7: Health Facilities by Type (Continued)
No Name of Health Centre Ward Authority
26 Porepore 21 RDC
27 Nyangambe 23 Government
28 Faversham 17 RDC
29 Chiredzi Polyclinic 6 Town Council
30 Chiredzi Hospital 2 Government
31 ZRP Clinic 2 Government
32 ZPCS Clinic 29 Government
33 Collin Saunders Hospital 18 Private
34 Hippo Valley Medical Centre 19 Private
35 NRZ 18 Private
36 Sango Clinic 15 Government
37 Mpapa Clinic
27 Private
38 Mtilikwi Clinic 27 Private
39 Gozonya Clinic 31 Private
40 Premier Hospital 3 Private
41 Emmanuel Hospital 2 Private
42 Surgeries: Dr Ngere, Dr Tarumbwa, Dr 3, 5, 1 Private
Dhlandhlara, Dr Dube, Dr Magovanyika,
Dr Maluleke
Source: MOHCC, Chiredzi District

2.5. Police Services

There are several police stations, posts and bases in the district servicing various catchment areas around the
district.

Table 8: Police Posts and their Catchment Areas

Police Post Catchment Area (ward)
Chiredzi District Police Station District wide
Chikombedzi 11, 12, 13, 14, 15 and 10
Ndali 5, 22, 4, 3, 25, 2 and 1
Triangle Police station 18, 27, 28, 16, 17 and 29
Puzani 14
Gezani 13
Muteyo 25
Malipati 15
Dumisa 15
Chambuta 6, 7, 8 & 9
Makambe 10
Mkwasine 21, 23, 24, 20 and 32
Hippo Valley Post 19, 30 and 31
St Joseph Post 1 and 2
Rupangwana 4
Sango Post 22
Source: ZRP Chiredzi District

2.6. Water and Sanitation Information

According to the ZIMVAC, 31% of households in Chiredzi are using unimproved water sources, with 57% of
households having access to basic services. Approximately 75% of households in Chiredzi travel a distance
of less than 1 km to access water for domestic uses. Females above the age of 15 are the ones mostly tasked
with fetching water. Five wards in the district have access to piped water schemes. The main sources of

Chiredzi | 14
water are boreholes.; However, this is supplemented by individual wells, dams, rivers and canals. Wards in the
estates mainly use piped water for domestic uses. Raw water is also provided for activities like washing and
watering gardens. The RWIMS report for January 2022 reports that Chiredzi had 796 boreholes with a total
of 54 890 households in the district using water form boreholes (Table 9). Average number of households
that use water from each borehole was reported to be 69 (RWIMS, 2022). In addition to borehole and dotted
piped water schemes, the households in the district also rely on deep wells, springs and shallow wells.

Table 9: Distribution of Water Points by Ward

Ward main water Total Access Functional Non- Reasons for non
sources boreholes to piped Boreholes functional functionality
per ward Water boreholes
1 Borehole 15 No 9 6 Lack of parts/ Collapsed
2 Borehole 9 No 8 1 Lack of parts/ Collapsed
3 Borehole 12 Yes 7 5 Lack of parts/ Collapsed
4 Borehole 29 Yes 17 12 Lack of parts/ Collapsed
5 Borehole 31 No 20 11 Lack of parts/ Collapsed
6 Borehole 56 No 20 36 Lack of parts/ Collapsed
7 Borehole 44 No 28 16 Lack of parts/ Collapsed
8 Borehole 68 Yes 21 47 Lack of parts/ Collapsed
9 Borehole 52 No 31 21 Lack of parts/ Collapsed
10 Borehole 77 No 16 61 Lack of parts/ Collapsed
11 Borehole 49 No 5 44 Lack of parts/ Collapsed
12 Protected 18 Wells No Lack of parts/ Collapsed
wells
13 Borehole 66 No 34 32 Lack of parts/ Collapsed
14 Borehole 37 No 31 6 Lack of parts/ Collapsed
15 Borehole 57 No 33 24 Lack of parts/ Collapsed
16 Borehole 18 Yes 16 2 Lack of parts/ Collapsed
17 Borehole 26 Yes 25 1 Lack of parts/ Collapsed
18 Piped into Yes Estate Estate Estate Areas
public tap Areas Areas
19 Piped into Yes Estate Estate Estate Areas
public tap Areas Areas
20 Borehole 16 No 15 1 Lack of parts/ Collapsed
21 Piped into Yes Estate Estate Estate Areas
public tap Areas Areas
22 Borehole 40 Yes 12 28 Lack of parts/ Collapsed
23 Borehole 6 No 5 1 Lack of parts/ Collapsed
24 Borehole 32 No 27 5 Lack of parts/ Collapsed
25 Borehole 8 No 7 1 Lack of parts/ Collapsed
26 Borehole 1 No 1 0 Lack of parts/ Collapsed
27 Borehole 15 No 14 1 Lack of parts/ Collapsed
28 Borehole 10 No 6 4 Lack of parts/ Collapsed
29 Borehole 9 No 6 3 Lack of parts/ Collapsed
30 Piped into Estate Yes Estate Estate Estate Areas
public tap Areas Areas Areas
31 Piped into Estate Yes Estate Estate Estate Areas
public tap Areas Areas Areas
32 Borehole 13 Yes 12 1 Lack of parts/ Collapsed
Total 814 426 370

2.7. Sanitation Facilities

The ZIMVAC report for 2020 reported that 40% of rural households practice open defecation and that 27% of
households have access to unimproved sanitation facilities. More than 80% of households had no sanitation

15 | Chiredzi
enabling facilities. However, the situation has slightly changed due to the Covid 19 awareness campaigns that
emphasized the need to build sanitation enhancing facilities. Proportion of households with access to any
type of toilet in the district is approximately 23% (RWIMS, 2021) compared to 21% in December 2016 (table
10). Estate areas have constructed common flush toilets and individual household flush toilets for workers
hence the sanitation situation in the wards is significantly better compared to communal and resettlement
areas.

Table 10: Toilet Access by Wards

Ward Proportion Of Hhs Any Type Of Toilet (%) Proportion With Safe Type Of Toilet (%)
1 37 31
2 16 6
3 25 13
4 20 16
5 30 24
6 10 7
7 27 9
8 13 7
9 19 4
10 20 13
11 20 3
12 No data No data
13 10 0
14 6 3
15 18 13
16 12 5
17 31 24
18 Estate area Estate area
19 Estate area Estate area
20 24 10
21 Estate area Estate area
22 28 Estate area
23 33 24
24 17 5
25 16 16
26 20 17
27 9 6
28 30 16
29 21 12
30 Estate area Estate area
31 Estate area Estate area
32 27 3

2.8. Transport and Communication

The district is served by three major roads, namely Ngundu - Tanganda Road, Chiredzi – Zaka Road and
Chiredzi – Sango Border Road. There are many smaller roads that lead into most communities, though they
are in a bad state; however they provide accessibility to most communities in the district. The district has two
railway lines, namely, Chiredzi – Rutenga Railway and Sango Border - Rutenga Railway. Chiredzi also has one
international airport, Buffalo Ranch and several air strips that accommodate light crafts. Private transport
(cars and trucks) is the main mode of transport used by the majority of households for their household and
business needs to link up with the outside world. Gravel roads are in poor state, and they also link clinics,
schools and business centres across the district. This is used as justification by traders to charge high prices
for various commodities.

Chiredzi | 16
Table 11: Type and Condition of Road by ward
Ward Type Of Road Condition Of The Road Availability Major
Road Authority Of Train Markets
Services Accessible
Throughout
The Year
1 Gravel DDF Very poor No No
2 Gravel DDF Very poor No No
3 Tarmac MoR Fair No Yes
4 Tarmac MoR Fair No Yes
5 Gravel DDF Very poor No Yes
6 Gravel DDF Poor & inaccessible during No No
the rainy season
7 Gravel DDF Poor & inaccessible during No No
the rainy season
8 Gravel DOR Poor & inaccessible during No No
the rainy season
9 Gravel DOR Poor & inaccessible during No No
the rainy season
10 Gravel DOR Poor & inaccessible during Yes No
the rainy season
11 Gravel DOR Poor & inaccessible during Yes No
the rainy season
12 Gravel RDC Poor & inaccessible during No No
the rainy season
13 Gravel DOR Poor & inaccessible during No No
the rainy season
14 Gravel DOR Poor & inaccessible during No No
the rainy season
15 Gravel DOR Poor & inaccessible during No No
the rainy season
16 Tarmac DOR Fair No Yes
17 Tarmac DOR Fair No Yes
18 Tarmac DOR Fair Yes Yes
19 Tarmac DOR Fair Yes Yes
20 Gravel RDC Very poor No No
21 Tarmac DOR Fair Yes Yes
22 Tarmac DOR Fair No Yes
23 Gravel RDC Very poor No No
24 Gravel RDC Very poor No No
25 Gravel DDF Very poor No No
26 Tarmac DOR Fair No Yes
27 Gravel DOR Fair Yes Yes
28 Gravel RDC Very poor No No
29 Tarmac MoR Fair No Yes
30 Gravel RDC Very poor No Yes
31 Gravel RDC Very poor No Yes
32 Tarmac MoR Fair No Yes

2.9. Network Access – Telecommunication

The district has a ZBC transmitter which is no longer functional at Ruware for radio and television
communication. Almost all wards in the district have access to mobile phone network services. Transmission
boosters for Econet are situated at Save, Mkwasine, Muhlanguleni, Chikombedzi, Malipati, Makanani, Fair
range, Chisase, and several in Chiredzi Urban, Hippo Valley Estate and Triangle Estate. Netone and Telecel

17 | Chiredzi
networks are also accessible in the district in addition to TelOne landlines mostly used by private businesses
and government institutions and departments. Ward 14 is not accessible through any local mobile network,
but relies on MTN from South Africa and Movie TEL from Mozambique.

Table 12: Network Coverage by Service Provider

Ward Network Coverage By Service
Provider
Netone Econet
1 Good Good
2 Fair Good
3 Fair Good
4 Fair Good
5 Fair Good
6 Fair Good
7 Fair Good
8 Fair Good
9 Fair Good
10 Fair Good
11 Good Good
12 Good Good
13 Good Very Poor
14 Not Available Not Available
15 Fair Fair
16 Poor Fair
17 Poor Fair
18 Good Good
19 Good Good
20 Poor Fair
21 Fair Good
22 Fair Good
23 Fair Poor
24 Poor Poor
25 Fair Fair
26 Poor Fair
27 Good Good
28 Good Good
29 Good Good
30 Good Good
31 Good Good
32 Good Good
Urban Wards Good Good

Chiredzi | 18
3. Livelihoods Information
3.1. Livelihood Zones
Chiredzi’s rural district is divided into four livelihood zones as shown on the map below.

3. Livelihoods Information
Figure 3: Chiredzi District Livelihood Zone map
Table 13: Livelihoods Zones Description
Livelihood Description Wards
Zone Name
Irrigated The zone is an arid region categorized as Natural Region 5b and is dominated 18, 19, 21,
Commercial by mopane trees and short grasses locally known as mbavani grass. The 27, 28, 29,
Sugar soils are loamy sands and sandy loams which are reddish brown in colour 30, 31 and
and Fruit and are generally fertile with moderate production potential for cotton and 32
Farming small grains. The zone includes Hippo Valley and Triangle Sugar Estates
which provide some employment opportunities for households in the zone.
Livelihoods in the zone are based on wage employment at the estates. There
are four wealth groups in the zone which covers both resettled farmers and
traditional estates. The labour market is supplied from within the zone and
from areas such as Chipinge, Zaka, Chibi and Mwenezi. Labourers migrate
from the mentioned areas and reside in the zone during the peak agriculture
demand periods.
Sugar cane production is dependent on irrigation; and as can be seen,
irrigation is done all year round. General labourers are employed on seasonal
basis and the activities they conduct include planting, weeding, cutting and
trashing of cane. There are four wealth groups identified in the zone namely
very poor 13%, poor– 42%, middle– 23% and the better off– 13%. The main
determinant of wealth is skill level, position within the commercial estates and
the commensurate wages. Coping strategies in the zone include remittances
from outside the zone and petty trading. Droughts are the main chronic
hazard in the district and affect water levels in the reservoirs such as Mutirikwi
Dam, Lake Kyle, Bangala and Siye Dams which supply water for irrigation.

19 | Chiredzi
Table 13: Livelihoods Zones Description (Continued)
Livelihood Description Wards
Zone Name
Save River The zone is located in south-eastern Zimbabwe, covering parts of Chipinge, 1, 2, 3, 4,
Valley & Chiredzi and Bikita districts in Manicaland and Masvingo provinces. The zone 5, 25, 6, 7,
Ndowoyo lies in flat Lowveld areas with some areas lying in the Save river valley and 8, 9, 10, 11,
Lowveld stretches to the hilly traces in Bikita. It is categorized as Natural Region IV 12 and 22
Communal and V characterized by low erratic rainfall. Soils are relatively rich riverine and
black vertisol with some parts having red clay soils that are prone to erosion.
The limiting factor to agriculture is not soils but rainfall. Throughout the
zone, average rainfall is only 450-600mm per year. The zone is bordered by
wildlife conservancies to the north and Gonarezhou national park in the south
and borders with Mozambique to the east. Notwithstanding low and erratic
rainfall, the zone is dependent on crop production and livestock production to
sustain local livelihoods. Households mainly grow small grain cereals (sorghum,
finger millet and pearl millet) as well as maize and groundnuts. There is also
limited cash crop production of cotton Cereal cropping is supplemented by
remittances, earnings from local employment and livestock sales (in particular
goat sales). The main cereals are marketed through private buyers and
companies, the Grain Marketing Board (GMB), breweries and millers. Cotton
(although limited in production) is sold through private cotton companies such
as Cottco and Terafin that set up buying points during the marketing season.
Livestock is sold both to local and outside private buyers directly or through
the marketing days organized by Rural District Council for cattle auctions
for buyers coming from outside the zone. During lean seasons, main coping
strategies are increased livestock sales, labour sales, collection and sale of
firewood and migration to South Africa.
Low rainfall, high HIV new infections, quela birds and livestock theft are
the main chronic hazards whereas cholera outbreaks, floods, crop pests
and livestock diseases are some of the periodic hazards experienced by
households in the zone.

Beitbridge This lowveld zone is a long strip of communal lands along the South- western 13, 14
and South- part of the country on the border with South Africa and Botswana covering and 15
Western the southern parts of Beitbridge, Gwanda, Matobo, Mangwe, and Chiredzi
Lowveld districts in Matebeleland South and Masvingo province respectively with a
Communal population of 285,562 people. It is predominantly located in natural region V
(BSWLC) characterized by very low annual rainfall averaging less than 475mm. This is an
agro-pastoral zone although employment is also a key source of food and cash
income. The majority of households own some animals, and these are a key
safety net. Crop production in this zone is low due to the poor soils and low
and poorly distributed rainfall. However, crops remain an important source of
income in the zone. Proximity to southern commercial estates and job markets
around the border with South Africa and Botswana opens up significant
employment opportunities. The main cropping season is the rain fed which
starts in November to March. The main crops grown for consumption include
millet, sorghum, maize, cowpeas, watermelons and groundnuts. The main
livestock kept are cattle, donkeys, goats, and chicken which are reared in the
free communal grazing areas or designated cattle posts. All wealth groups
earn income through livestock sales. It is the main income source for poor,
middle and better off households constituting 55%-86% of their total annual
income. During the lean season the following are the main coping strategies:
increased livestock sales, consumption of wild fruits and labour migration
to neighboring countries (especially South Africa and Botswana). High HIV/
AIDS incidences, erratic and low rainfall and quela birds are the main chronic
hazards affecting livelihoods in the zone. Livestock diseases are problems that
occur every four to seven years out of ten. Periodic floods
also occur as the zone is low lying.

Chiredzi | 20
Table 13: Livelihoods Zones Description (Continued)
Livelihood Description Wards
Zone Name
Southern This large livelihood zone covers a vast area across southern and central 16, 17, 20,
Cereal Zimbabwe. In the north-east, annual rainfall averages a relatively high 650 to 23, 24
and Cattle 800mm. The south and central areas are drier, receiving an average of 450mm and 26
Farming annually. The zone is characterised by isolated hills and relatively flat land. The
vegetation comprises of Mopane and Miombo woodlands with limited teak
forests in Umguza and Bubi district. During the dry season water is available
from boreholes and deep wells. Gold and chrome deposits are also found in
the area. Mopane worms are found in this zone. This is a predominantly mixed
farming area with cereal cropping and cattle ranching. The majority of farmers
are A1 and A 2 farm beneficiaries of the Fast Track Land Reform Programme of
2000. In the southern part of the zone, crop production is practised in sandy
loam soils that are less productive compared to the clay loam soils found in
the north. Rain fed production of maize, ground nuts, bambara nuts, cowpeas,
sweet potatoes and sorghum is practised for consumption. A small portion
of the maize and groundnut produce is sold to earn the household cash. The
main livestock types are cattle, goats, and poultry. Livestock feed is available
on communally owned free grazing land supplemented by crop residue.
Maize is marketed through the Grain Marketing Board (GMB), local markets
and private buyers from May to December. The chief determinants of wealth
are the amount of land cultivated and livestock owned. Increased livestock
sales, consumption of wild foods, labour migration, gold panning and use of
retained seed are the main coping strategies employed by households in the
zone. Erratic rainfall is the common periodic hazard that affects both crop
and animal production in the zone. Poor access to seed, fertilizers, veterinary
drugs, and wild animals that frequently destroy crops are the chronic hazards
in the livelihood zone.
Source: Zimbabwe Rural Livelihoods Baseline Profile Reports, May 2011

3.2. Livelihoods Strategies

The main livelihood strategies in Chiredzi District include (1) rainfed crop production, gardening and livestock
farming, (2) village lending and savings, (3) beer brewing and wine making from wild ilala (hyphaene
petersiana, (4) brick moulding, (5) casual labour, (6) crafts, (7) vending , (8) cross border trading, 9) illegal
selling of fire wood, (10) remittances from South Africa and (12) CAMPFIRE (for wards 8,15,23). Drought
is the main climatic hazard interacting with the socio-economic and biophysical environment to heighten
livelihood vulnerabilities in the sub-catchment. The current state and trends in land degradation, pasture
depletion, water stress and socio-economic pressures are interacting with climatic stress to heighten livelihood
vulnerabilities among rural communities in the district.

3.3. Main livelihoods options

The district is characterized by a north-south stratification of livelihood systems. In the extreme north, the
communities practice rain fed agriculture while those in the southern most practice livestock production.
Irrigated agriculture is only feasible near perennial river systems and on flood plains of the few remaining
perennial rivers. The scarcity of water is attributed to high evaporative loss associated with high temperatures
which may go beyond 400C in certain periods in summer.

Although the high temperatures have the advantage of enhancing speedy maturation of crops and extending
the season well into winter in some areas, it may also be a challenge in the germination of seeds. In most
cases, the moistened seeds are ‘cooked’ before they germinate. Sorghum, pearl millet, cowpeas and maize
are the dominant cereal food crops grown in the region. The main cash crops are red sorghum, cotton and
groundnuts. Smallholder farmers are in the majority, using traditional farming systems which mix cash - and
food crops in the same farming unit. Livestock rearing, is composed mainly of cattle, sheep andsheep
and goats, which which forms an important component of livelihoods in the district. Vegetables, tomatoes,
sweet potatoes and sugar beans are grown in farms and nutrition gardens. Due to poor harvest, most poor
households rely on casual labour from the better off households where they are engaged in weeding and
harvesting. Poor households work in irrigation schemes to make a living. In addition to the above main
livelihoods option stated above, households in Chiredzi district also survive on a host of livelihoods activities
that are listed in table 13 below. However, viability of some of the livelihoods option is very low.

21 | Chiredzi
3.4. Other livelihoods Activities in Chiredzi

Table 14: Other Livelihoods Activities In Chiredzi

Livelihood Activity Category of the LA Wards Livelihood viability Challenges
Vending Perennial All wards (both 2 Price fluactuations
rural and urban)
Crafts Perennial Ward 4 urban 3 Lack of raw materials
Markets not readily
available
Beer brewing Perennial All rural wards 2 Poor markets
except 18, 19, 30,
31 and 21
Horticulture Seasonal All wards 2 Lack of water
farming Pests and diseases
Poor markets
Village saving and Perennial All wards 2 Unstable currency
Lending (VSL) Relocations to
neighbouring
countries
Defaulters
Petty trading Perennial All wards 2 Poor markets
Covid 19 lock down
restrictions
Remittances (both Perennials All wards 2 Covid 19 lockdown
outside and within restrictions
country) Job losses due to
covid 19 restriction
both in and outside
country
Campfire Seasonal 22, 23, 24, 5, 6, 3 Poor relation
8, 9, 10, 12, 13, 14 between community
and 15 and trustees
Cross Border Perennial All wards 2 Lockdown
trading restrictions
Touting Perennial Urban wards 3 Illegality associated
with the activity
Covid 19 restrictions
Sell natural Perennial All wards 3 Illegality associated
resources with the activity
(firewood, wild
fruits, fish, Mopani
worms)
Forex trading Perennial All urban wards 2 Illegality associated
Rural wards: 4, 11, with the activity
10, 21 and 18
Sex work Perennial All Urban wards 3 COVID-19 restrictions
Rural wards: 21,
18, 11, 29 and

Livelihood viability Key: 1=adequately meet shortfalls or food requirement 2=Unable to meet the
consumption shortfall or requirements 3= Not a viable livelihood option

3.5. Economic Zones

Chiredzi District boasts mainly of irrigated commercial sugar, and citrus fruit farming, and tourism and
hospitality industries. Gonarezhou National Park, Malilangwe Consevancy, Save Valley conservancy and other
small conservancies attract a lot of tourists into the district. A lot of companies in the district are sustained
by the sugar industry. Coal Mining is also gaining momentum in the district.

Chiredzi | 22
Table 15: Summary of Economic Zones
Economic Zones Description Wards
Agriculture Rain-fed agriculture All wards except
Small to medium irrigation 1, 2, 3, 4, 6, 7, 11, 15, 20 and 23
schemes
Mining Small scale mining 13
Large scale mining (Coal Mining) 25
Tourism and Hospitality National parks and conservancies 22, 32, 24 and 23
Hotels and lodges 22, 32 and urban (1, 2, 3, 4, 6, 7 &
8)

4. Poverty Levels

A total of 11 (34.4%) wards in the district have a food poverty prevalence of more than 25%. Most of these
wards with a food prevalence of above 25% are mainly in the communal areas compared to those in the
estates and the resettlements. Average household size in the district is 4.4 people per household.

Table 16: Food Poverty levels by Ward

Ward Average Household Food Poverty Prevalence
1 4.4 25.1
2 4.5 26.3
3 4.5 20.7
4 4.3 18.7
5 4.4 25.0
6 5.3 30.5
7 5.0 24.4
8 4.9 27.1
9 5.4 33.7
10 5.1 27.1
11 4.9 25.5
12 5.4 8.5
13 4.9 33.4
14 4.7 32.5
15 4.9 32.2
16 4.8 20.6
17 4.7 19.6
18 3.5 3.9
19 3.5 2.7
20 4.9 19.2
21 3.4 5.4
22 4.6 21.8
23 4.8 21.0
24 4.9 20.6
25 4.5 23.5
26 4.5 20.4
27 3.4 11.3
28 3.4 8.2
29 3.8 12.5
30 3.3 6.3
31 3.1 4.2
32 3.9 16.5
Source: Zimbabwe Food Poverty Prevalence-Atlas-2016

23 | Chiredzi
5. Agriculture information
5.1. Natural Regions and Climate
Chiredzi district is subdivided into two natural regions as depicted by Table 16 below.

Table 17: Summary of Natural Regions by Ward

Natural region Characteristics Wards
Va Average rainfall received is 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 16, 17, 18, 19, 20,
<650mm 21, 22, 23, 24, 25, 26,
27, 28, 29, 30, 31 and 32
Vb Average rainfall received is 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14 and 15
<600mm

Figure 4: Chiredzi Mean Rainfall Map

5.2. Mean Annual Rainfall

The district is characterized by strong climatic variations and fluctuations of rainfall that is highly irregular both
spatially and temporarily. The spatial distribution of rainfall is highly dependent on elevation and topography.
The district displays a relatively steep gradient of decreasing rainfall southwards ranging from slightly above
600 mm in the north to below 500 mm in the south along the Limpopo Valley. The mean onset date of the
rainfall season is 1 December, and the mean cessation date is 15 March, giving a length of growing period of
106 days. As a result, Therefore, that the length of growing period is generally unsuitable for most crops, such
as maize, groundnuts and roundnuts, which require longer growing periods.

Chiredzi | 24
The district is characterized by warm, dry climate with evaporation exceeding rainfall throughout the year.
The district experiences mean annual temperatures ranging between 21 °C and 37°C as shown in Figure 5
below.

Figure 5: Chiredzi Annual Rainfall Trends From 2016 To 2021

The district mean rainfall is showing a decreasing trend since the 2016/17 rain season and this is mainly
attributed to the effects of climate change.

Figure 6: Mean Annual Rainfall, Temperature And Evapotransipiration For Chiredzi District

25 | Chiredzi
5.3. Drought Prone Areas
All wards in Chiredzi are prone to drought but relatively less in wards to the northern-western parts of the
district (16, 17, 26 20, 23, 29, 24). Most of the droughts in the district are characterized by late onset of rainfall,
mid-season dry spells and early cessation of rainfall. Serious droughts are experienced once in five years.
Drought prone wards and respective risk scale are shown in Table 17 below.

Table 18: Drought Prone Wards and Risk Scale

Ward No. Households In Ward Ranking Risk Scale
13 2281 1 High
14 1534 2 High
15 2261 3 high
1 2701 4 High
2 2580 5 high
7 2288 6 Moderate
8 3596 7 Moderate
6 3724 8 Moderate
9 1456 9 Moderate
10 3577 10 Moderate
3 1363 11 Moderate
4 3594 12 Moderate
5 1911 13 Moderate
16 8988 14 Low
17 4598 15 Low
24 6217 16 Low
20 4733 17 Low
25 1304 18 Low
11 3007 19 Moderate
12 1304 20 low
22 1580 21 Low
27 970 22 Low
28 1199 23 Low
29 1768 24 Low
32 1881 25 Low
26 828 26 Low
23 1768 27 Low

Chiredzi | 26
Figure 7: Chiredzi Drought Risk Classification Map

5.4. Flood Prone Areas

Chiredzi district as a whole is prone to flooding because the district is generally low lying. Exacerbating
factors include major rivers (Runde, Mtilikwi, Save, Bubi and Mwenezi) network that pass through the district.
The overflowing Tugwi Mukosi dam also pose a threat for communities living downstream. Most susceptible
wards include, 13, 14, 15, 16, 27, 28 and 18. Cases of drowning are prevalent in the district with an average of
seven drownings annually. Chilonga bridge experiences most drowning cases of all the places in the district.

Figure 8: Chiredzi Floods Prone Map

27 | Chiredzi
5.5. Hydro-geological Conditions
The main rivers which pass through Chiredzi district are Chiredzi, Mwenezi, Runde, Tugwi, Mtirikwi and
Mkwasine. Save Limpopo and Bubi rivers are found at the boundaries of the district to the east ansand south
respectively. Chiredzi, Mwenezi, Mtirikwi, Tugwi and Mkwasine rivers are used to irrigate sugar and citrus
plantations at Triangle, Hippo valley and Mkwasine Estates. All these rivers supply water for some communal
irrigation schemes, and domestic use by people, livestock and wildlife use. No significant dams are found in
the district but major dams along Tugwi, Mtlilikwi and Chiredzi river are located outside the district and are
the perennial water sources for sugarcane and fruit farming in the district. Both surface and groundwater are
important for socio-economic development in Chiredzi District. Groundwater is the primary source of water
for domestic use whilst surface water, especially from perennial rivers, is important for smallholder irrigation
and commercial sugar and fruit industry. The sSmall dams in the district are listed in the table 18 below.

Table 19: Distribution Of Small Dams By Ward

Ward Small
28 Njiri
30 Muteri
24 Chegwite

There are several water bodies in the district, Major Rivers in the district are Mtilikwi, Runde, Tugwi, Chiredzi
and Mwenezi. There are no major dams in the district but however there are several overnight storage dams
in the sugar estate areas. Only three small dams listed in table 18 above are found in the district. Small streams
and tributary are also scattered in the district according to theChiredzi water bodies map below.

Figure 9: Map Showing Distribution Of Water Bodies In Chiredzi District

6. Crop Information

The district is drought prone; hence farmers grow small grains like sorghum and pearl millet. Cotton and
sesame are some of the cash crops grown in the district. Maize is also grown but does best under irrigation.
Leguminous crops mainly grown in the district are cowpeas, groundnuts and round nuts. Most farmers grow
sugars beans under irrigation.

Chiredzi | 28
Table 20: Farming Sectors And Crops Grown By Wards
Ward Main Farming Sectors Main Crops Grown
1 Communal Area Pearl millet, cotton, Sorghum, cow peas, Sesame & Maize
2 Communal Area Pearl millet, cotton, Sorghum, cow peas,
3 Communal Area Sorghum, cow peas,
4 Communal Area Sorghum, cow peas,
5 Communal Area Sorghum, cow peas, Sesame & Maize
6 Communal Area Sorghum, cow peas & Maize
7 Communal Area Sorghum, cow peas & Maize
8 Communal Area Sorghum, cow peas & Maize
9 Communal Area Sorghum, cow peas & Maize
10 Communal Area Sorghum, cow peas & Maize
11 Communal Area Sorghum, cow peas & Maize
12 Small Scale commercial Sorghum, cow peas & Maize
13 Communal Area Sorghum, pearl millet,
14 Communal Area Sorghum, pearl millet,
15 Communal Area Sorghum, pearl millet,
16 A1 Resettlement Maize, Sorghum, Pearl millet, Cotton, Groundnuts, Cowpeas & sesame
17 A1 Resettlement Maize, Sorghum, Pearl millet, Cotton, Groundnuts, Cowpeas & sesame
18 Large scale commercial Commercial Sugar cane production
19 Large scale commercial Commercial Sugar cane production
20 A1 Resettlement Maize, Sorghum, Pearl millet, Cotton, Groundnuts, Cowpeas & sesame
21 A2 Resettlement Commercial Sugar cane production
22 Old resettlement Sorghum, cow peas & Maize
23 Old resettlement Maize, Sorghum, Pearl millet, beans, Cotton, Groundnuts, Cowpeas &
sesame
24 A1 resettlement Maize, Sorghum, Pearl millet, Cotton, Groundnuts, Cowpeas & sesame
25 Communal Area Sorghum, cow peas,
26 A1 Resettlement Maize, Sorghum, Pearl millet, Cotton, Groundnuts, Cowpeas & sesame
27 Large scale Maize, Sorghum, Pearl millet, Cotton, Cowpeas, sesame & commercial
sugar cane
28 A1 & A2 Resettlements Maize, Sorghum, Pearl millet, Cotton, Cowpeas, sesame & commercial
sugar cane
29 A1 Resettlement Maize, Sorghum, Cotton, Groundnuts, Cowpeas & sesame
30 Large scale commercial Commercial Sugar cane production
31 Large scale commercial Commercial Sugar cane production
32 A1 Resettlement Maize, Sorghum, Pearl millet, Cotton, Cowpeas, sesame & commercial
sugar cane
1 to 8 Urban Not Applicable

6.1. Farming Sectors

Majority of farming sector in the district is under A1 farmers who occupy 52% of the farming land in the
district. And this is closely followed by communal land which contributes to 41% of the farming area in the
district. Most people reside in the communal areas (43.3%) as compared to any other farming area.

29 | Chiredzi
Table 21: Main Farming Sectors in the District
Farming Sector Area (ha) % Population %
A1 Farmers 595,018 52 155,533 43.34
S.S.C. 30,600 3 622 0.17
Communal Land 465541 41 122,123 34.03
RES. MODEL 43327 3.8 7,221 2.01
Sources: Ministry of Agriculture, Chiredzi District

6.2. Cash Crop Production

The main cash crops grown in the district are cotton, sesame, sugarcane and sorghum (table 21). Sugarcane
is mainly grown by Tongaat Hullets Company as well as A2 farmers mostly concentrated in Mkwasine estate
and out growers in Hippo Valley and Triangle estates. Sesame is mainly sold in Mozambique whereas sorghum
is sold to GMB as well as to some private companies like Delta Beverages.

Table 22: Cash Crop Production

Cash Crop Wards
Cotton production 1, 2, 16, 17, 20, 23, 24, 26, 27, 28, 29 and 32
Red 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 29 and 32
Sesame 1, 2, 3, 3, 4, 5, 16, 17, 20, 22, 23, 24, 25, 26, 27, 28, 29 and 32
Sugarcane 18, 19, 21, 30, 31 and 32

6.3. Cropping Calendar

The season usually starts in September with farmers doing land preparation followed by planting from
December to early February. Other management practices include weed control, harvesting, shelling/
threshing and marketing.

Table 23: Cropping Calendar

Crop Item Dry Season Wet Season
Apr May Jun Jul Aug Sep Oct Nov Dec Jan Feb Mar
Sorhgum Land Preparation
Ploughing
Planting
Weeding
Harvesting
Shelling
Marketing
Pearl Planting
Millet Weeding
Harvesting
Threshing
Cotton Planting
Weeding
Spraying
Picking
Marketing
Sesame Planting
Weeding
Harvesting
Marketing

Chiredzi | 30
6.4. Irrigation Schemes
The district has 20 irrigation schemes scattered around the wards, most of which are underutilized and some
need rehabilitation compared to the 18 that were there in 2016. Some of the schemes are listed below. The
functional schemes require rehabilitation of canals and pumps. There is generally lack of linkage to formal
markets resulting in non- sustainability of some schemes. The irrigation schemes are located within
riparian zones close to perennial rivers, namely the Runde, Chiredzi, Save and Mwenezi Sub-catchments.
However, it is important to note that irrigation activities in Chiredzi are sustained by water harvested in other
district, namely Masvingo, Zaka, Bikita and Buhera districts. Tatanga and Fungai irrigation schemes were
established after 2016.

Table 24: Distribution of Irrigation Schemes by Wards

Ward Name Of Irrigation Total Area 2016 S Current Status
Schemes (Hectares)
1 Gudo 50 Partly functional, rehabilitation in Functional
progress
2 Dendere 38 Functional Functional
2 St Joseph 70 Functional & extension in progress Functional
3 Tshovani 360 Functional Functional
4 Rupangwana 50 Functional 12 hectares under maize
being harvested and
another 12 currently
under land preparation
the reminder clearing
4 Fungai 10 Not yet established Current crop maize at
tasselling
7 Chilonga irrigation 159.5 Not functional, rehabilitation in Working but sometimes
Scheme progress disturbed by diversions
of water channel - but
the problem is currently
being rectified
11 Malikango 42 Not functional, rehabilitation in No crop at the moment.
progress All engines are down.
15 Magogogwe 50 Not functional, rehabilitation in Area under crop 4.5 ha
progress Solar powered
15 Manjinji 60 Functional and rehabilitation in Area under crop 15ha
progress Solar powered
20 Labamba 100 Partly functional Maize at harvesting
stage
20 Tatanga 40 Not yet established Maize harvested and
clearing for the next
crop
20 Manyeredzi 24 Functional Maize harvested and
clearing for next crop
20 Ngwana 13 Partly functional and requiring Land preparation for the
pegging next crop
20 Syphone 10 Functional Maize harvesting in
progress
20 Moyomuchena 8 Functional Maize harvested
20 Watershed 80 Functional and requiring canal Functional
surveying
23 Nyangambe 100 Partly functional requiring canal Partly functional. Needs
construction canal construction.
Total 1105

31 | Chiredzi
6.5. Cropping Challenges
• Insufficient irrigation water supply
• Lack of functional water pumping system for irrigation
• High cost of inputs
• Pests and disease outbreaks
• Low producer prices
• Poor rainfall distribution
• Droughts/dry spells incidences
• Erratic rains
• Lack of big dams for irrigation
• Inputs are mainly found at main business centres thereby limiting access to the majority of farmers.
• Crop pests such as Fall Army Worm in cereal production

7. Livestock
The district is suitable for livestock production; however, less than half of the rural households own livestock.
The Zimvac report for 2021 reported that only 35% of households in Chiredzi own cattle, 425 own goats
and 55% own poultry. For those that own livestock the average number per household was 6.1 and 6.2 for
cattle and goats respectively. Average livestock ownership per household has increased significantly from the
2016 to current status. Average cattle ownership per household was 4 in 2016 and is currently at 9. Similarly
average goats owned by a household have increased to 11 from 3 in 2016. The trend follows for all types of
livestock. Main types of livestock ownership – based on secondary data from surveys/assessments are shown
in table 23 below.

Table 25: Average Livestock Holding Per Ward

Number Average Average Average Average
Of Dip Cattle Goats Sheep Chicken
Tanks Per Holding Holding holding Holding
Sector Ward Ward Per HH Per HH Per HH Per HH
Communal 1 1 3 3 3 7
Communal 2 2 8 5 4 3
Communal 3 1 7 10 5 15
Communal 4 1 4 5 4 6
Communal 5 3 5 6 4 7
Communal 6 6 8 5 7 6
Communal 7 3 6 4 13 7
Communal 8 3 9 12 4 9
Communal 9 2 3 14 6 8
Communal 10 6 9 8 4 9
Communal 11 5 11 7 5 7
Small Scale commercial 12 1 23 10 3 10
Communal 13 8 14 55 9 56
Communal 14 5 22 40 7 44
Communal 15 7 18 46 8 48
A1 Resettlement 16 10 5 7 3 8
A1 Resettlement 17 10 3 8 3 7
Large scale commercial 19 19 3 3 3 7
Large scale commercial 20 7 8 5 4 3
A1 Resettlement 22 4 7 10 5 15
A2 Resettlement 23 23 4 5 4 6
Old resettlement 24 6 5 6 4 7
Communal 25 1 8 5 7 6
A1 resettlement 26 1 6 4 13 7
A1 Resettlement 27 2 9 12 4 9

Chiredzi | 32
Table 26: Average Livestock Holding Per Ward (Continued)
Number Average Average Average Average
Of Dip Cattle Goats Sheep Chicken
Tanks Per Holding Holding Per holding Holding
Sector Ward Ward Per Hh Hh Per Hh Per Hh
A1 Resettlement 28 4 3 14 6 8
Large scale commercial 29 3 9 8 4 9
A1 & A2 Resettlements 31 1 11 7 5 7
A1 Resettlement 32 4 23 10 3 10
Sources: Dept of Vet Services 2021 & Masvingo Zimvac Report 2021

7.1. Main Livestock Diseases

The district is prone to foot and mouth disease due to its proximity to conservancies and national parks.
The most common diseases are Newcastle in poultry and, foot and mouth in cattle., Some of the livestock
diseases are listed in Table 27 below. Mortality rates which isare often as a result of poverty or diseases was
reported to be between 10 – 15% according to the Zimvac report of 2021. All the wards reported cases of
theileriosis in 2022 compared to 2016.

Table 27: Main Livestock diseases and wards Mostly Affected

Livestock Disease Wards
Rabies 32 ,16,20,17
New castle disease All wards
Anthrax Nil, vaccination usually done in pandemic area before outbreak.
Foot and Mouth All Wards but mostly ward 6, 7, 8, 9, 13, 14 & 15
Lumpy skin All Wards
Heart Water All Wards
Theileriosis All Wards
Source: Department of Veterinary Services 2021

7.2. Dipping Facilities And Animal Health Centres

The district has a total of 149 functional dip tanks (Table 27 above). Every ward has at least one dip tank.
Wards 1, 3, 4, 12, 25, 26 and 31 have the least number of dip tanks (1 dip tank) in a ward. Table 28 highlights
the total number of animal health centres as well as veterinary extension staff in the district.

Table 28: Animal Health Centres

Item Number
Number of Functional animal Health Centres 27 (5 Established and 22 not established)
Number of community Animal health Workers and 59 (supervisors, VEWs and Dip attendants) 1 416
Paravets Paravets (12 paravets per dip tank)

7.3. Livestock Holding

Livestock holdings increase by wealth group with the rich owning more livestock for cattle, goats and sheep
(Table 26). A total of 20 152 households own cattle in the district translating to 47.3% of the total households
in the district. Those who own small stock account are approximately 22 404 households, those who own
goats account for 52.7% of the households.

Table 29: Livestock Ownership By Wealth Group

Ward No./Name Livestock Type Livestock Holding Wealth Groups
Poor Medium Rich
1 Cattle 0-3 4-10 +10
Goats 0-5 6-10 +10
Sheep 0-1 2-5 +5
2 Cattle 0-3 4-10 +10
Goats 0-5 6-10 +10
Sheep 0-1 2-5 +5

33 | Chiredzi
Table 29: Livestock Ownership By Wealth Group (Continued)
Ward No./Name Livestock Type Livestock Holding Wealth Groups
3 Cattle 0-3 4-10 +10
Goats 0-5 6-10 +10
Sheep 0-1 2-5 +5
4 Cattle 0-3 4-10 +10
Goats 0-5 6-10 +10
Sheep 0-1 2-5 +5
5 Cattle 0-3 4-10 +10
Goats 0-5 6-10 +10
Sheep 0-1 2-5 +5
6 Cattle 0-3 4-10 +10
Goats 0-5 6-10 +10
Sheep 0-1 2-5 +5
7 Cattle 0-3 4-10 +10
Goats 0-5 6-10 +10
Sheep 0-1 2-5 +5
8 Cattle 0-3 4-10 +10
Goats 0-5 6-10 +10
Sheep 0-1 2-5 +5
9 Cattle 0-3 4-10 +10
Goats 0-5 6-10 +10
Sheep 0-1 2-5 +5
10 Cattle 0-3 4-10 +10
Goats 0-5 6-10 +10
Sheep 0-1 2-5 +5
11 Cattle 0-3 4-10 +10
Goats 0-5 6-10 +10
Sheep 0-1 2-5 +5
12 Cattle 0-3 4-10 +10
Goats 0-5 6-10 +10
Sheep 0-1 2-5 +5
13 Cattle 0-3 4-10 +10
Goats 0-5 6-10 +10
Sheep 0-1 2-5 +5
14 Cattle 0-3 4-10 +10
Goats 0-5 6-10 +10
Sheep 0-1 2-5 +5
15 Cattle 0-3 4-10 +10
Goats 0-5 6-10 +10
Sheep 0-1 2-5 +5
16 Cattle 0-3 4-10 +10
Goats 0-5 6-10 +10
Sheep 0-1 2-5 +5
17 Cattle 0-3 4-10 +10
Goats 0-5 6-10 +10
Sheep 0-1 2-5 +5
20 Cattle 0-3 4-10 +10
Goats 0-5 6-10 +10
Sheep 0-1 2-5 +5

Chiredzi | 34
 Table 29: Livestock Ownership By Wealth Group (Continued)
Ward No./Name Livestock Type Livestock Holding Wealth Groups
21. Cattle 0-3 4-10 +10
Goats 0-5 6-10 +10
Sheep 0-1 2-5 +5
22. Cattle 0-3 4-10 +10
Goats 0-5 6-10 +10
Sheep 0-1 2-5 +5
23. Cattle 0-3 4-10 +10
Goats 0-5 6-10 +10
Sheep 0-1 2-5 +5
24. Cattle 0-3 4-10 +10
Goats 0-5 6-10 +10
Sheep 0-1 2-5 +5
25. Cattle 0-3 4-10 +10
Goats 0-5 6-10 +10
Sheep 0-1 2-5 +5
26. Cattle 0-3 4-10 +10
Goats 0-5 6-10 +10
Sheep 0-1 2-5 +5
29. Cattle 0-3 4-10 +10
Goats 0-5 6-10 +10
Sheep 0-1 2-5 +5
32. Cattle 0-3 4-10 +10
Goats 0-5 6-10 +10
Sheep 0-1 2-5 +5
Source: Zimbabwe Food Economic Zones Profiles

Table 30: Distribution of Herd Size

Number Cattle (%) Goats (%)
<5 5 3
>5 95 97

For those households which own livestock, the majority of them have more than five livestock compared to
those with less than five.

7. 4. Other Livestock Establishments

As a districtThe district we does not have any dairy farms, however, there are 22 feedlots established in the
district. Fodder is still in its infancy by individual farmers due to unavailability of perennial water sources. Fish
production is also limited due to unavailability of perennial water sources.

Table 31: Other Livestock Establishments

Type of Establishment Number of Establishments Wards
Aquaculture (Capture fisheries) 1
Aquaculture (Ponds) 102 14, 20, 23, 32, 29 and 15
Apiculture 17 32, 17 and 13
Dairy Farms 0 None
Feedlots 22 4, 25, 24, 16, 7, 9, 10, 11, 15, 13 and 14
Fodder production 0 None

35 | Chiredzi
7.5. Livestock Challenges
Livestock farmers in Chiredzi face a number of challenges which include:
• Disease outbreaks
• Lack of vaccines
• Tick infestation challenges
• Continuous periods of drought seasons resulting in poverty deaths
• Inadequate grazing areas
• Lack of competitive livestock markets resulting in low livestock prices
• Livestock thefts, with stolen livestock mainly driven and sold in Mozambique
• Long distance to water points especially during the Dry season

8. Markets
8.1 Crop Markets
Main crop markets in the districts are found at Dullies in Triangle, Rupangwana, Mkwasine and Chiredzi Town
Council Open (Banana Market). The main GMB depot is situated in ward 32 at Nandi near Mkwasine turn
along the Chiredzi-Tanganda highway. The depot is complimented by two other satellite depots found in ward
22 (Chizvirizvi) and 10 (Makambe). Community outreach markets are held monthly at different places in the
district with the common ones held at Gezani, Davata, Samu, Malipati, Chikombedzi, Faversham, Takunda,
Masimbiti, Uswaushava and Filling. Furthermore, Boli-Muhlanguleni market is held weekly on Thursdays. For
other crops like cotton, there is only market which is one Cottco depot in Chiredzi supplemented by several
collection points in wards.

Table 32: Crop Produce Markets

Market Name Ward No Commodity Source Of Commodity Availability
Boli- 10 Cereals, groceries, Bulawayo, Rutenga, Harare, Available
Muhlanguleni hardware, clothing, small Masvingo, Chiredzi and other
livestock, Horticultural towns and cities
commodities local farmers,

Banana 6-urban 4 Cereals, clothing, small Distant market sources e.g Available
Market in livestock, Horticultural Macheke, Chimanimani, Karoi,
Chiredzi commodities Gokwe, Honde valley
town Local Farmers e.g. Hippo Valley,
Mkwasine
Outside the country ( SA,
Mozambique, Zambia, Tanzania &
Botswana)
Dullies 18 Cereals, clothing, small Distant market sources e.g Available
livestock, Horticultural Macheke, Chimanimani, Karoi,
commodities Gokwe, Honde valley
Local Farmers e.g. Hippo Valley,
Mkwasine
Outside the country ( SA,
Mozambique, Zambia, Tanzania &
Botswana)
Rupangwana 4 Cereals, clothing, Local Irrigation schemes Available
Horticultural commodities Distant markets, e.g. Chipinge,
Mutare and Chimanimani
Outside the country ( SA,
Mozambique, Zambia, Tanzania &
Botswana)

Chiredzi | 36
Table 32: Crop Produce Markets (Continued)
Market Name Ward No Commodity Source Of Commodity Availability
Mkwasine 21 Cereals, clothing, Distant market sources e.g Available
Horticultural commodities Macheke, Chimanimani, Karoi,
Gokwe, Honde valley
Local Farmers
Outside the country (SA,
Mozambique, Zambia, Tanzania &
Botswana)
Outreach 14, 13, 15, Cereals, groceries, Bulawayo, Rutenga, Harare, Available
markets 11, 16, 17, 26 hardware, clothing, small Masvingo, Chiredzi and other
and 20 livestock, Horticultural towns and cities
commodities local farmers.

Table 33: Commodity Availability And Prices Per Ward As Of November 2021
Ward Maize Maize Beans Other Rice Maize Maize Beans Other Rice
Meal Grain Small Meal Grain Small (per 2
Grain Grain kgs)
1 X X √ X √ - - 1 - 2
2 √ X √ X √ 5 - 1 - 2
3 √ X √ X √ 5 - 1 - 2
4 √ √ √ X √ 5 5 1 - 2
5 √ X X X √ 5 - - - 2
6 √ X X X √ 5 - - - 2
7 √ X X X √ 5 - - - 2
8 √ X X X √ 5 - - - 2
9 √ X X X √ 5 - - - 2
10 √ √ √ √ √ 5 5 1 5 2
11 √ X X X √ 5 - - - 2
12 X X X X X - - - - -
13 √ X X X √ 5 - - - 2
14 √ X X X √ 5 - - - 2
15 √ X √ X √ 5 - 1 - 2
16 √ X X X √ 5 - - - 2
17 √ X X X √ 5 - - - 2
18 √ √ √ X √ 4 5 1 - 2
19 √ √ √ X √ 5 5 1 - 2
20 √ X X X √ 5 - - - 2
21 √ √ √ X √ 5 5 1 - 2
22 √ X X √ √ 5 - - 5 2
23 √ X √ X √ 5 - 1 - 2
24 X X X X √ 5 - - - 2
25 X X X X √ 5 - - - 2
26 X X X X X 5 - - - 2
27 √ X X X √ 5 - - - 2
28 √ X X X √ 5 - - - 2
29 √ X X X √ 5 - - - 2
30 X X X X √ 5 - - - 2
31 X X X X √ 5 - - - 2
32 X X X X √ 5 - - - 2
Urban wards (1-8) √ √ √ √ √ 4 5 1 6 2

37 | Chiredzi
8.2. Labour Markets
The district has high opportunities for seasonal casual labour in the sugar estates, tourism and hospitality.
There are minimal opportunities in the industry and commerce as the district is mainly agriculture based and
has wildlife conservancies. which This has resulted in an upsurge in informal trading in the district.

Table 34: Labour Markets

Labour Opportunity Ward Offering This Opportunity Wards Providing Labour
Agriculture 21, 18, 19, 27, 28, 29, 21, 18, 19, 27, 28, 30, 31, 16, 17,29,
30, 31 and 32 20, 23, 24, 32, 2, 3, 25, 6 and 7
Industry and commerce 1-8 (Urban), 18, 19, 25 and 29 All wards in the district and
Tourism and Hospitality 32, 22, 24, 23 and 18 and urban wards namely All wards in the district and
(1, 2, 3, 4, 6, 7 and 8)

8.3. Livestock Markets

The livestock market is characterized by individual marketing with main buyers being local abattoirs,
butcheries and farmer to farmer. The main livestock being traded is cattle.

Table 35: Livestock Markets

Livestock Type Average Price Average Price Type Of Market
2016 (Us$) 2022 (Us$)
Cattle $300 $300 Farmer to farmer, local butcheries & private
buyers
Sheep $30 $50 Farmer to farmer & local restaurants, private
buyers
Goats $25 $ 40 Farmer to farmer, local restaurants & private
buyers
Donkey $150 $ 150 Farmer to farmer & local buyers
Fish $ 2kg $ 3/kg Farmer to farmer, local restaurants, private
buyers
Guinea Fowls $6 $6 Farmer to farmer, local restaurants
Indigenous Chickens $5 $5 Farmer to farmer, local restaurants
Pigs $45 $60 Farmer to farmer, local butcheries

8.4. Markets Calender

The district is prone to drought hence characterized by food purchases throughout the year and lean season
which starts usually end August to end March. The DSD and NGOs usually cover the lean season gaps by
supporting the communities with food aid.

Normal Year
ITEM Jan Feb Mar Apr May June July Aug Sept Oct Nov Dec
Food purchases

Lean/Hungry Period

Drought Period
ITEM Jan Feb Mar Apr May June July Aug Sept Oct Nov Dec
Food purchases
Lean/Hungry Period

8.5. Market Challenges

• Poor market accessibility due to poor road network
• Multi-currency system
• Fluctuations of commodity prices
• No legislation to regulate livestock prices
• During drought years prices of cattle significantly go down
• Few buyers on the market which affects pricing of commodities and livestock

Chiredzi | 38
9. Common Hazards

Chiredzi District has a number of hazards that differ across the wards, and these includes; droughts, crop and
livestock pest and diseases, human disease outbreaks (Cholera, Malaria), human wildlife conflicts, floods and
drownings.

Table 36: Periodic And Chronic Hazards

Ward Number Ward Name Period Hazards Chronic Hazards
Rural
1 Dikitiki Crop and livestock pest and diseases Droughts
Malaria outbreaks Human and wildlife
conflicts
2 Mareya Crop and livestock pest and diseases Droughts
Malaria outbreaks
3 Tshovani Crop and livestock pest and diseases Malaria -
outbreaks
4 Mupinga Crop and livestock pest and diseases Malaria -
Outbreaks Cholera
5 Chitsa Crop and livestock pest and diseases Malaria Human and wildlife
conflicts
6 Dzinzela Crop and livestock pest and diseases Malaria Human and wildlife
Outbreaks Drownings conflicts
7 Chichingwe Crop and livestock pest and diseases
Malaria Outbreaks
8 Chibwedziva Crop and livestock pest and diseases Malaria Human and wildlife
outbreaks conflicts
9 Twananani Crop and livestock pest and diseases Malaria Human and wildlife
outbreaks conflicts
10 Batanai/ Crop and livestock pest and diseases Human and wildlife
Makambe Malaria outbreaks Cholera conflicts

11 Chikombedzi Crop and livestock pest and diseases Malaria Human and wildlife
outbreaks conflicts
12 Gonakudzingwa Crop and livestock pest and diseases Malaria Human and wildlife
outbreaks conflicts
13 Xibhavahlengwe Crop and livestock pest and diseases Malaria Drought
outbreaks Floods Human and wildlife
conflicts
14 Sengwe Crop and livestock pest and diseases Malaria Drought Human and
outbreaks Floods wildlife conflicts
15 Xini/Maose Crop and livestock pest and diseases Malaria Drought Human and
outbreaks Floods wildlife conflicts
16 Nuanetsi Ranch Crop and livestock pest and diseases Malaria
outbreaks Cholera
17 Samba/Crown Crop and livestock pest and diseases Malaria
Ranch outbreaks
18 Triangle Crop and livestock pest and diseases Job
losses Floods
19 Hippo Valley Crop and livestock pest and diseases Job
losses
20 Ruware Ranch Crop and livestock pest and diseases Malaria Human and wildlife
outbreaks conflicts
21 Mkwasine Estate Crop and livestock pest and diseases Malaria Human and wildlife
outbreaks conflicts

39 | Chiredzi
Table 36: Periodic And Chronic Hazards (Continued)
Ward Number Ward Name Period Hazards Chronic Hazards
Rural
22 Chizvirizvi Crop and livestock pest and diseases Malaria Human and wildlife
outbreaks conflicts
23 Nyangambe Crop and livestock pest and diseases Malaria Human and wildlife
outbreaks conflicts
24 Humani Crop and livestock pest and diseases Malaria Human and wildlife
outbreaks conflicts
25 Muteo Crop and livestock pest and diseases Malaria Human and wildlife
outbreaks conflicts
26 Mungwezi/ Crop and livestock pest and diseases Malaria Human and wildlife
Wasara Wasara outbreaks conflicts
27 Section 63 Crop and livestock pest and diseases Job
Triangle losses Malaria outbreaks Cholera
28 Section 3 Crop and livestock pest and diseases Job
Triangle losses Malaria outbreaks
29 Buffalo Range Crop and livestock pest and diseases Malaria
outbreaks
30 Mleme Crop and livestock pest and diseases Job Human and wildlife
losses Malaria Outbreaks conflicts
31 Gozonya Crop and livestock pest and diseases Job Human and wildlife
losses Malaria outbreaks conflicts
32 Nandi/Mapanza Crop and livestock pest and diseases Malaria Human and wildlife
outbreaks conflicts

Table 37: Summary Hazard Profile And Mapping (Medium, High, Very High) At Ward Level
Affected Elements, Ie
Disaster Risk Assets, Population Groups,
Assessment & Wards Livelihoods, Environment, Why Affected/Reasons Why
Hazard At Risk Infrastructure Etc Vulnerable
Drought All rural wards except Livelihoods and environment Lack of irrigation schemes
18, 19, 30 and 31 Climate change
Crop All wards Livelihoods Natural cause, inadequate
preparedness
Livestock All wards Livelihoods Proximity to breeding sites
pest and (national parks, conservatives)
disease Inadequate
Cholera 10, 4 and 16 Population groups Poor water and sanitation
coverage
High influx of people from other
areas/districts
Malaria All wards All population groups Malaria is endemic in the district
Human and 1, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, Livelihoods, people, Settlements that are in close
Wildlife 11, 12, 13, 14 and 15, environment and proximity with wildlife reserves,
conflicts Infrastructure, domestic rivers, poor constructed
animals boundaries between wildlife
reserves and human settlements
Floods 13, 14, 15, 18, 27, 28 and Infrastructure, Population Geographical and topographical
urban wards: 4, 6 and 8 groups, assets and setup
environment Poor drainage system in urban
area
Drowning 27,16, 11, 6, 7 and 15 Population groups Low risk perception

Chiredzi | 40
10. Nutrition And Health Information
10.1. Child Nutrition Status
Stunting levels in the district isare high according to the NNS of 2018. GAM levels are acceptable according to
the WHO thresholds. Childhood obesity is however, emerging as one of the key malnutrition problems in the
Districtdistrict. Though district specific figures are absent HIV prevalence among the women of child-bearing
age category is still high with the ZIMPHIA report of 2019 reporting a 16.1% HIV prevalence for Masvingo
Province.

Table 38: Malnutrition, HIV and TB

Indicator Percentage
Moderate Acute Malnutrition 0.3
Severe Acute Malnutrition 1.5
Global Acute Malnutrition 0.3
Stunting 24.7
Overweight and Obesity 2.1
Low Birth Weight 15.2
Prevalence of HIV in women 15 – 49 years (Provincial Average) 16.1
Source: Zimbabwe National Nutrition Survey, 2018

10.2. Feeding Practices in Children Under 2 Years of Age

The Zimbabwe IYCF policy encourages continued breastfeeding of children with appropriate complementary
feeding from 6 - 24 months and beyond. Complementary feeding indicators are low in the district indicating
that children below the age of 24 months are not receiving optimal infant feeding recommendation. Exclusive
Breastfeeding rates, however, are surpassing the Minimum WHO thresholds. There is still need for concerted
efforts to improve IYCF indicators in the district

Table 39: Feeding Practices In Indicators For Children Under 2 Years Of Age
Indicator Percentage
Minimum Meal Frequency (Breastfed) 26.6
Minimum Dietary Diversity 13.6
Minimum Acceptable Diet (Breastfed) 5.3
Exclusive Breastfeeding 63.6

10.3. Food Consumption By Women And In The Household

Women nutrition indicators are generally low in the district with MDD as low as 15%. Access to protein and
vitamin A rich foods have improved due to the resilience programmes asas weell as promotion of consumption
of biofortified foods.

Table 40: Food Consumption By Women And In The Household

Indicator Percentage
Minimum Dietary Diversity -Women 15
Iron Rich Foods 20
Vitamin A rich Foods 65
Protein Rich Foods 59
Household Food Consumption Score (acceptable) 32
Household Food Consumption Pattern 4.6
Source: ZimVAC 2020

10.4. Top Ten Common Diseases

Chiredzi district, due to its climate conditions, is favorable to a number of diseases mainly malaria which
is endemic. HIV/AIDS related infections are almost stagnant due to the gains of the national Antiretroviral
Programme. New infections however are still being registered particularly in densely populated settlement
such as compounds in the sugarcane and the urban areas. Acute respirations infections top the list of the
most common diseases experienced in the district.

41 | Chiredzi
Table 41: Top Ten OPD Diseases
Disease/Condition Rank
Acute Respiratory Infections 1
Skin Conditions 2
Malaria 3
Diarrhoeal 4
Eye Conditions 5
Injuries 6
Dental conditions 7
Sexually Transmitted Infections 8
Ear Conditions 9
Chronic Diseases 10

10.5. Mortality in Women

General maternal mortality ration is showing an increasing trend in the district despite investments made
to reduce it. In 2021 alone, as high as 109 deaths per 100 000 women were recorded in the district, this is
attributed largely to birth complications.

Figure 10: Mortality Trends

10.6. Top Five Causes of Mortality

Pneumonia remains the main cause of mortality in the district followed by HIV/AIDS related deaths. Despite
the district being a malaria endemic area, deaths due to malaria occupy position five.

Table 42: Top Five Causes of Mortality

Condition/Disease Rank
Pneumonia 1
HIV/AIDS related Deaths 2
Diarrhoea 3
Neonatal Deaths 4
Malaria 5

Chiredzi | 42
11. Food Security
11.1 Food Security Trends
The Zimbabwe Rural Vulnerability assessment done by the ZimVAC committee reveal that the food security
situation in the district has remained consistently high for the period 2017/17 and 2021/22 consumption periods
except during the 2017/18 consumption year (fig 39). Despite the most farmers engaging in production of
drought tolerant small grains, erratic rains and some periodic hazards mostly affect cereal adequacy in the
district resulting in households requiring food assistance in every consumption year. The shift in climatic
conditions has also further compounded the problem, such that without a fully functional irrigation system in
the district, it is almost impossible to achieve food security for every household.

Figure 11: Chiredzi Food Insecurity Trends ( Source: Zimvac 2016 To 2021 Reports)

11.2. Food Consumption Score

During the assessment period, majority of households fall within the borderline category. However, as we
approach the lean season, more households fall within the poor category.

Figure 12: Chiredzi Household Consumption (Source: ZimVac 2021)

43 | Chiredzi
11.3. Visible Vulnerabilities For The Socio - Economic Groups
Groups C and D are both highly food insecure, whereas group B is likely as a result of a recent or a repeated
set of shocks, whilst the group D represents extreme poor and destitute households.

Table 43: Vulnerability By Socio-Economic Group

Group A Already resilient:These households are food secure and resilient, already benefitting
Already from growth and development through their own efforts. They are likely to manage
resilient difficult seasons and shocks without requiring emergency assistance, and would benefit
from social programmes – such as health, education, further capacity development,
early warning, etc. Participants agreed that this group would have modernized farming
equipment such as tractors, estate owners owning more than 50 plus hectares of land
with some access to irrigation, diversified sources of income (business ventures), able to
hire both temporarily and permanent labour force. Surplus reserves for food stocks, own
more than 50 plus cattle, have reliable remittances. Overally, they have adopted better
farming and livestock practices
Group B Food secure under no major shocks. These households are moderately resilient and
Food secure vulnerable to not meeting food needs during difficult seasons or in the event of shocks,
under no without compromising assets or livelihoods through negative coping strategies. On
major shocks top of social programmes, this group may require seasonal support or emergency
assistance during crises to safeguard assets. It was identified that households that lost
significant assets in recent years are at risk to sliding downwards (into Group C or D) if
not supported with development and asset creation programmes. Participants identified
these households as having access to some productive assets (farming equipment),
owning livestock (both big and small livestock) (20+ cattle), having access to adequate
arable farming land and use both own household and hired labour. Have access to good
housing water /sanitation and receive consistent remittances, while they can afford to
send children to mission boarding schools.
Group C Highly food insecure from last or consecutive shocks. These households have become
Food highly food insecure as a result of eroded coping strategies from the war, coupled with
insecure constant exposure to difficult seasons and shocks, hindering their ability to recover by
from last or rebuilding lost assets and livelihoods. They would benefit from recovery and resilience
consecutive building interventions whilst simultaneously improving their access to food, together with
shocks
other complementary support (e.g. social programmes). Without such support, they risk
sliding downwards into eventual destitution (Group D). This group has no reliable sources
of income, works as casual labour, and may receive irregular remittances. Have limited
livestock (around 5 livestock), limited draught power, small arable plots of land (less
than 5 ha) with inadequate farming equipment and rely on small gardens. Most of these
households live in the communal areas, with difficulties to send children to secondary
schools
Group D Highly food insecure, including destitute. These highly food insecure households –
Highly food including the destitute - are the most vulnerable groups, with little or no asset ownership,
insecure, they are labour-constrained, and are likely to be supported by the community. This
vulnerable group is likely to be persistently (chronically) food insecure and require a different set
of programming support (e.g. social protection and alternative livelihoods). Identified by
participants as those households with few means for self-support, are labour-constrained,
dependent on others, and receive little, irregular or no remittances at all. They have few or
no meaningful assets and will own no livestock. Their food harvest only last for less than a
month therefore has no reserves. Hence, they live from hand to month and more so loan
their land (3 ha) to others.

Chiredzi | 44
11.4. Coping Strategies

Table 44: Coping Strategies by Ward Level

Strategy Season Wards
Sharing, begging and borrowing cereals Lean months All wards
Food Aid lean months Communal wards, Resettlement wards, Urban
wards - due to COVID-19
Vegetable production and marketing winter season All wards
Casual Summer and 18,19, 21,27,28,30,31 & 32
winter
Firewood, Winter and 1, 2, 16, 17, 29 & 32
lean months
livestock and crop sales Winter and All wards except urban
lean months
Wild fruit sales When in All wards
season
Cross border trading Throughout All wards
the year
Illegal Activities like sex work, touting, Throughout All urban wards plus 18,19, 4 & 29
drug sales, forex trading the year

Figure 13: Coping Strategy Index for Chiredzi, ZimVac 2021

11.5. Ranking of Ward According to Food Insecurity

Table 41 below shows ranking of food insecurity levels by wards. Wards in the communal areas are the most
food insecurity prone wards compared to those in the resettlement areas.

Table 45: Ranking Of Wards By Food Insecurity Levels

Wards Proportion Of Population 2021 HH Food Insecurity
1 1.6 2701 4
2 1.5 2580 5
3 1.4 1363 11
4 2.1 3594 12

45 | Chiredzi
Table 45: Ranking Of Wards By Food Insecurity Levels (Continued)

Wards Proportion Of Population 2021 HH Food Insecurity

5 1.5 1911 13
6 2.8 3724 8
7 2.9 2288 6
8 3.0 3596 7
9 1.4 1456 9
10 2.5 3577 10
11 4.3 3007 19
12 0.2 1304 20
13 1.5 2281 1
14 3.2 1534 2
15 3.1 2261 3
1 7.6 8988 14
17 7.0 4598 15
1 4.9 3794 32
1 3.0 3502 31
20 6.9 4733 17
21 3.9 3040 28
22 2.4 1580 21
23 2.0 1768 27
24 8.3 6217 16
25 1.2 1304 18
2 1.1 828 26
27 2.5 970 22
2 5.4 1199 23
2 2.1 1768 24
30 3.3 2829 29
31 3.2 2753 30
32 2.3 1881 25

11.6. Food Aid Trends

The food insecure population was assisted by the government and the implementing partners namely: Plan
International, Rescue, Mwenezi Development Training Centre, Red Cross, NAZ, and Community Technology
Development Organisation. They were assisted with grain, pulses, vegetable oil and cash. There was also food
assistance in urban wards through food vouchers redeemable at retailer shop such as Pick n Pay, Chingwanga,
N Richards and Metro Peech. In the seasons before COVID-19, there was food-for-asserts programmes where
beneficiaries were working on developmental projects such as dip tanks, roads and dams. Urban wards
qualified for food aid in recent years due to incapacitation caused COVID-19.

Chiredzi | 46
Figure 14: Food Aid Beneficiaries in District from 2016, DSW

11.7. Government Supported Food Assistance

According to the ZimVAC 2021 report 43% of households in Chiredzi are food insecure for the 2021/22 food
consumption year. This translates to 167 573 people in the district requiring food assistance and 6 200 metric
tonnes required to cover the gap. The Government supported food assistance is currently taking care of all
the food insecure households in the district, Table 43 below.

Table 46: Government Supported Food Assistance: 2021/22 Consumption Year

Ward Number of B
1 5,000
2 5,200
3 2,505
4 4,500
5 3,500
6 6,000
7 5,005
8 6,790
9 3,590
10 8,750
11 8,000
12 750
13 11,050
14 7,020
15 9,260
16 14,250
17 11,500
20 11,100
22 3,350
23 3,000
24 15,370
25 2,145
26 3,100
27 2,150
28 3,755
29 6,040
32 4,890
Total 167,570

47 | Chiredzi
11.8. Characteristics of Poor and Food Insecure Households
• Land holdings of less than 3.2 haectares
• No access to irrigation water for winter planting
• No use of certified seeds and no productive assets
• House dwellings made of pole and dagga
• No properly built schools (increase in satellite schools) mainly in resettlement wards namely: 16, 17,
24, 26, 27, 28, 29 and 32
• Sanitary conditions very poor (no toilets) and fetching water from unprotected sources (mafuku)
• Rainfall is erratic and poorly distributed
• Transport network very poor in rural areas
• Constraints in rentals
• Failure to pay school fees for the children
• High cases of domestic violence motivated by COVID-19 lookdown restrictive measures.
• Negative coping mechanisms by the urban population such as increase in drug abuse and sex work.

12. Seasonal Calendar

Table 47: Sip Calendar For A Typical Year

Item Dry Season Wet Season
Apr May Jun Jul Aug Sep Oct Nov Dec Jan Feb Mar
Land
preparation
Ploughing
Planting
Weeding
(other crops)
Planting
cane
Weeding
cane
Cutting cane
Thrashing
cane
Harvesting
On farm
casual
Off farm
casual
Gardening
Harvestng
Fishing
Malaria
outbreaks
Labour
migration
lean season
Crop sales
Livestock
Sales

13. District Development Priorities

Chiredzi | 48
Table 48: District Development Priorities and Targeted wards
Sector/Cluster Development Wards Targeted Comment
Priority
Social Services Construction of 13, 16, 17, 20, 24, 32 These are among the most populace
health Facilities and 27 wards in the district and some have no
health facility at all
Food and nutrition Irrigation 27, 6, 7, 16, 29, Existing irrigation schemes operating
security cluster development 32, 3, 4, 15, 20, below average capacity
(small and medium 23, 1, 2, 25 and 11 Some wards are nearer to perennial
schemes) water bodies but no irrigation schemes
established in them
Social Services Construction of 3 and 26 No secondary schools in some of these
secondary schools wards
Infrastructure and Road rehabilitation All wards Most parts of the district inaccessible
utilities cluster and construction during the rainy season
of bridges e.g.
Chilonga
Infrastructure and Drilling and All wards Existing boreholes in most wards no
utilities cluster rehabilitation of longer functional and are inadequate
Boreholes
Infrastructure and Construction and All wards Most wards do not have feed lots
utilities cluster rehabilitation of
feedlots and dip
tanks
Value Addition and Cotton processing 29 Processing of cotton to give cooking oil
Beneficiation and stock feed

14. Development Partner Profiling

Table 49: A summary of NGOs Operating in the District by Ward and Areas of Focus
Area Of
Intervention
(More Details
On The GOZ
Category (E.g. Food Activities Departments MOU
Assistance, FFA, Wash Undertaken Wards Of Working Operational
Organisation etc) By The NGO) Operation With NGO Period
Plan International Youth empowerment Skills training 3, 4, 5, 6, Min of Youth Long term
& support 7, 9 and 10
Food security Resilience 1-15 Min of
building Agriculture
Productive MOHCC
asset creation Women
Affairs
Child rights Education 1-15 MOPSE
Support,
advocacy and
awareness
Malilangwe Schools supplementary Maheu and 25 and 22 MOPSE Long term
feeding CSB porridge
support
to primary
schools

49 | Chiredzi
Table 49: A summary of NGOs Operating in the District by Ward and Areas of Focus (Continued)
Area Of
Intervention
(More Details
On The GOZ
Category (E.g. Food Activities Departments MOU
Assistance, FFA, Wash Undertaken Wards Of Working Operational
Organisation etc) By The NGO) Operation With NGO Period
Child line Child rights Prevention, All wards DSD Renewable
advocacy and ZRP annually
awareness MOPSE
creation on
child abuse
Psychosocial
support
Musasa Psychosocial support Referral All wards Women Renewable
pathway for Affairs annually
GBV survivors VFU
JSC
CARE Zimbabwe Food security Resilience 1-15, 23 Min of Renewable
building and 25 Agriculture
Min of Youth
Women
Affairs
SAFIRE Conservation Carbon seque 15 EMA & Renewable
Forestry
RDC
HILSFONDS Education support School fees, 6 -15 MOPSE Renewable
uniform and MOHCC
stationery DSD
support
CTDO Food security Women 25, 3, 4, 5, 6 Min of Agric Valid
Nutrition and 7 MOHCC
Seedbanks
LEAP Climate change Environmental 22, 1, 2, 23,3, EMMA Renewable
adaptation awareness in 4, 5 and 25 & Forestry
schools
LID Agency Water and Sanitation Resilience 1 – 5, 22, 23 DDF Valid
building and 25 Min of
Women
Affairs
Min of Agric
Kapnek HIV programming Testing All wards MOHCC Renewable
Viral load
support
NAZ Nutrition Care group 1-15, 23 MOHCC renewable
Formation and 25 Min of Agric
Women
Affairs
SOLIDAMED HIV & TB programming Testing 11, 13, 14 MOHCC Renewable
viral load and 15
support
Christian Care Water and sanitation Drilling DDF Renewable
boreholes MOHCC
RDC
SAAT Food security & Resilience 1-5 Min of Agric Renewable
livelihoods building

Chiredzi | 50
 15. Summary By Ward (Continued)
Ward No. No. Malnu- HIV/ Access Access Food No. Of No. Livelihood Agro Source Of Income Coping Strategies Source Coping Cereal Drought Flood Average Average Average Average Food

Num Of Of trition AIDS To Safe To Poverty Poor Of Zone -Eco- Of Strategies Produc- Prone Prone Cattle Goats Sheep Poultry Inse-

HHs Health (High, (High, Water Toilets Level HHs Non logical Income tion Owner owner owner owner curity

Facility Medium, (%) Poor Zones ship ship ship Rank-

Medium, ship
Low) HHs ings
Low)

51 | Chiredzi
15 2261 4 High Low Medium Low 32.2 521 260 BSWLC Vb Cross border trading, Sharing, begging , 15 Medium Yes High 18 46 8 48 3
vegetable, livestock borrowing cereals,
and crop sales sale of firewood

16 8988 0 Medium Medium Low Low 20.6 868 1086 CCF Va Cross border trading, Sharing, begging , 16 High Yes Medi- 5 7 3 8 14
vegetable, livestock borrowing cereals, um
and crop sales sale of firewood

17 4598 1 Medium Medium Low Low 19.6 774 1064 CCF Va Cross border trading, Sharing, begging , 17 High Yes Low 3 8 3 7 15
vegetable, livestock borrowing cereals,
and crop sales sale of firewood

18 3794 2 Low High High High 3.9 145 2445 ICSFF Va Casual labour, per- Sharing, begging , 18 None No High 1 0 0 3 32
manent employment borrowing cereals,
in farms sale of firewood

19 3502 1 Low High High High 2.7 92 2347 ICSFF Va Casual labour, per- Sharing, begging , 19 None No Low 40 0 0 0 31
manent employment borrowing cereals,
in farms sale of firewood

20 4733 0 Medium Medium Low Low 19.2 720 1050 CCF Va Cross border trading, Sharing, begging , 20 High Yes Low 9 10 3 10 17
vegetable, livestock borrowing cereals,
and crop sales sale of firewood

21 3040 3 High High Medium Low 5.4 163 1719 ICSFF Va Cross border trading, Sharing, begging , 21 Low Yes Low 22 18 25 12 28
vegetable, livestock borrowing cereals,
and crop sales sale of firewood

22 1580 1 Medium Medium Medium Low 21.8 295 365 SRVNC Va Cross border trading, Sharing, begging , 22 High Yes Low 12 10 5 13 21
vegetable, livestock borrowing cereals,
and crop sales sale of firewood

23 1768 1 Medium Medium Low Low 21.0 232 292 CCF Va Cross border trading, Sharing, begging , 23 Medium Yes Low 5 4 5 8 27
vegetable, livestock borrowing cereals,
and crop sales sale of firewood

24 6217 0 Medium Medium Low Low 20.6 931 1147 CCF Va Cross border trading, Sharing, begging , 24 Medium Yes Low 10 6 4 13 16
vegetable, livestock borrowing cereals,
and crop sales sale of firewood

25 1304 1 Medium Medium Medium Low 23.5 153 164 SRVNC Va Cross border trading, Sharing, begging , 25 Medium Yes Low 4 2 2 3 18
vegetable, livestock borrowing cereals,
and crop sales sale of firewood

26 828 0 Medium Medium Low Low 20.4 134 173 CCF Va Cross border trading, Sharing, begging , 26 Medium Yes Low 4 5 2 8 26
vegetable, livestock borrowing cereals,
and crop sales sale of firewood

27 970 2 Medium High Low Low 11.3 216 857 ICSFF Va Casual labour, per- Sharing, begging , 27 Low Yes Low 8 10 3 9 22
manent employment borrowing cereals,
in farms sale of firewood

28 1199 0 Medium High Medium Medium 8.2 339 2121 ICSFF Va Casual labour, per- Sharing, begging , 28 Low Yes High 7 9 6 9 23
manent employment borrowing cereals,
in farms sale of firewood

29 1768 1 High High Low Low 12.5 179 617 CCF Va Casual labour, per- Sharing, begging , 29 Medium Yes Low 4 4 1 5 24
manent employment borrowing cereals,
in farms sale of firewood

30 2829 0 Medium High Medium Medium 6.3 167 1449 ICSFF Va Casual labour, per- Sharing, begging , 30 Low No Low 40 14 4 39 29
manent employment borrowing cereals,
in farms sale of firewood

31 2753 1 Medium High Medium Medium 4.2 116 1687 ICSFF Va Casual labour, per- Sharing, begging , 31 Low No Low 29 20 0 0 30
manent employment borrowing cereals,
in farms sale of firewood

32 1881 0 High High Low Low 16.5 256 581 ICSFF Va Casual labour, per- Sharing, begging , 32 Medium Yes Low 5 5 1 6 25
manent employment borrowing cereals,
in farms sale of firewood
 15. Summary By Ward
Ward No. No. Malnu- HIV/ Access Access Food No. Of No. Livelihood Agro Source Of Income Coping Strategies Source Coping Cereal Drought Flood Average Average Average Average Food

Num Of Of trition AIDS To Safe To Poverty Poor Of Zone -Eco- Of Strategies Produc- Prone Prone Cattle Goats Sheep Poultry Inse-

HHs Health (High, (High, Water Toilets Level HHs Non logical Income tion Owner owner owner owner curity

Facility Medium, (%) Poor Zones ship ship ship Rank-

Medium, ship
Low) HHs ings
Low)

1 2701 1 High Medium Medium Low 25.1 237 189 SRVNC Va Cross border trading, Sharing, begging , 1 Medium Yes Low 3 3 3 7 4

vegetable, livestock borrowing cereals,

and crop sales sale of firewood

2 2580 1 High Medium Medium Low 26.3 229 171 SRVNC Va Cross border trading, Sharing, begging , 2 Medium Yes Low 8 5 4 3 5

vegetable, livestock borrowing cereals,

and crop sales sale of firewood

3 1363 0 Medium Medium Medium Low 20.7 167 216 SRVNC Va Cross border trading, Sharing, begging , 3 Medium Yes Low 7 10 5 15 11

vegetable, livestock borrowing cereals,

and crop sales sale of firewood

4 3594 1 High Medium Medium Low 18.7 240 375 SRVNC Va Cross border trading, Sharing, begging , 4 High Yes Low 4 5 4 6 12

vegetable, livestock borrowing cereals,

and crop sales sale of firewood

5 1911 1 High Medium Medium Low 25.0 225 193 SRVNC Va Cross border trading, Sharing, begging , 5 High Yes Low 5 6 4 7 13

vegetable, livestock borrowing cereals,

and crop sales sale of firewood

6 3724 1 Medium Medium Medium Low 30.5 437 224 SRVNC Vb Cross border trading, Sharing, begging , 6 High Yes Low 8 5 7 6 8

vegetable, livestock borrowing cereals,

and crop sales sale of firewood

7 2288 1 Medium Medium Medium Low 24.4 375 339 SRVNC Vb Cross border trading, Sharing, begging , 7 High Yes Low 6 4 13 7 6

vegetable, livestock borrowing cereals,

and crop sales sale of firewood

8 3596 1 Medium Medium Medium Low 27.1 436 305 SRVNC Vb Cross border trading, Sharing, begging , 8 High Yes Low 9 12 4 9 7
vegetable, livestock borrowing cereals,
and crop sales sale of firewood

9 1456 1 Medium Medium Medium Low 33.7 221 97 SRVNC Vb Cross border trading, Sharing, begging , 9 High Yes Low 3 14 6 8 9
vegetable, livestock borrowing cereals,
and crop sales sale of firewood

10 3577 4 Medium Medium Medium Low 27.1 527 376 SRVNC Vb Cross border trading, Sharing, begging , 10 High Yes Low 9 8 4 9 10
vegetable, livestock borrowing cereals,
and crop sales sale of firewood

11 3007 2 Medium Medium Medium Low 25.5 587 513 SRVNC Vb Cross border trading, Sharing, begging , 11 High Yes Low 11 7 5 7 19
vegetable, livestock borrowing cereals,
and crop sales sale of firewood

12 1304 0 Low Medium High Medium 8.5 7 40 SRVNC Vb Cross border trading, Sharing, begging , 12 High Yes Low 23 10 3 10 20
vegetable, livestock borrowing cereals,
and crop sales sale of firewood

13 2281 2 High Low Medium Low 33.4 276 108 BSWLC Vb Cross border trading, Sharing, begging , 13 Medium Yes High 14 55 9 56 1
vegetable, livestock borrowing cereals,
and crop sales sale of firewood

14 1534 1 High Low Medium Low 32.5 572 259 BSWLC Vb Cross border trading, Sharing, begging , 14 Medium Yes High 22 40 7 44 2
vegetable, livestock borrowing cereals,
and crop sales sale of firewood

Chiredzi | 52
Coordination Team
Annex : Chiredzi District Profiling Team
Coordination Team
Name Designation Organisation
Matimbira Isheunesu Nutritionist MOHCC
Chisema Lovemore DDC Local Government
Tizai Phillip AES Ministry of Agriculture
Tichaona Chivave SDO DSD
Kusotera Simon Agro Ecology Officer LID Agency
Moffat Mugwiji M & E Officer Plan International
Technical Team
Mangwiro Innocent FNC

53 | Chiredzi
NOTES

Chiredzi | 54
NOTES

55 | Chiredzi
CHIREDZI
District
Food and Nutrition Security Profile

2022