Making Markets Work for the Poor
Small-scale and marginalised producers often have limited access to information on market opportunities, technological options and value adding opportunities. Practical Action Southern Africa therefore, seeks to work with such communities to enable them to use technologies to build secure livelihoods through improved systems of production, processing and marketing.
Current Projects
Provides an avenue for small-scale entrepreneurs to create economic self-reliance through hiring machine time at the Bulawayo Service Centre and selling capital goods through Business Shop situated in Kelvin North, Bulawayo.
Completed projects
The following projects have now been completed, but information is retained here for reference purposes:
Mushroom Production for Sustainable Livelihoods
The project aimed at assisting resource poor farmers in the Chimanimani district of Manicaland Province in the production of oyster mushrooms in order to boost their livelihood base. The target group comprised of smallholder farmers engaging in mushroom production as a livelihood initiative, most of them being members of the Chakohwa Community Based Orphanage.
Zimbabwe Small-scale Beekeepers' Association
Set up a vibrant association that provides a platform for information sharing about markets as well as influence policy by speaking with a collective voice. About 15 000 rural small-scale beekeepers have registered under the association and exchange workshops have been held in a number of districts.
Blacksmithing and rural transport
Practical Action Southern Africa provided technical support in the areas of blacksmithing and rural transport. The Blacksmithing project ended in 1999 while the Rural Transport project came to an end in 1997.
Peanut butter and honey processing
Practical Action Southern Africa promoted the growth of rural agro-based industries through its agroprocessing projects, and established links between rural producers and manufacturers.
Guar Bean Production
Facilitated thriving local guar bean production and processing by small-scale farmers along the Zambezi Valley. The ultimate goal of the project was the establishment of a local guar bean processing plant which created employment opportunities for local communities as well as meeting the demand for guar powder by the mining industry. About 2,050 farmers benefited from the project.
Further information
More about Practical Action's international programme to Make Markets Work for Poor People
Articles and news items from Practical Action Southern Africa's Appropriate Initiatives newsletter:
