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Access to clean water, sustainable agriculture, and renewable energy are critical pillars for community resilience, especially in drought-prone regions. In partnership with the Government of Zimbabwe, through the Ministry of Lands, Agriculture, Fisheries, Water and Rural Development, the United Kingdom Foreign and Commonwealth Office, and the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP), the Climate Adaptation Water and Energy Programme (CAWEP) is demonstrating an innovative approach to sustainable development by integrating potable and domestic water supply, irrigation agriculture, and renewable energy into a single model. The Binga site in Zimbabwe is a prime example of how this holistic strategy is transforming lives and creating a resilient future for vulnerable communities.
Water: A Lifeline for Communities and Agriculture
In Binga, the CAWEP project has successfully upgraded the Zimbabwe National Water Authority (ZINWA) piped water system, bringing safe and reliable potable water to over 44,000 people across three wards (9, 10, and 13). This initiative ensures that local households, 10 schools, 2 clinics, and 3 business centers have consistent access to clean water.
To further strengthen the water supply system, the project has introduced climate-proofing measures, including:
1. Floating pumps mounted on rafts to maintain water abstraction during dry seasons.
2. Solar-powered pumps to enhance water distribution and reduce reliance on grid electricity.
3. Expansion of pipelines from 25 km to 65 km increased water access, reducing the average distance households travel to fetch water from 6-10 km to just 0.5 km. This eases the water collection burden on women and girls, improves access to safe drinking water, and decreases cases of waterborne diseases. Further, enhanced irrigation has boosted food security and household incomes.
This extensive infrastructure also supplies bulk water for a 20-hectare irrigation scheme and four community gardens, ensuring that both agricultural production and domestic water needs are met.
Irrigation Agriculture: Boosting Food Security and Livelihoods
Water security is essential for agricultural development, particularly in Binga’s arid climate. The CAWEP project has established a 20-hectare irrigation scheme operated under the Agricultural and Rural Development Authority (ARDA) V30 Accelerator model, empowering 185 farmers—who are now shareholders of the scheme.
The irrigation system supports high-value crops such as sugar beans, wheat, butternut, and maize, contributing to household food security and commercial agricultural production. In its test-running stage, the scheme produced 3 tonnes of sugar beans and 3.5 tonnes of wheat, with portions sold to the Grain Marketing Board (GMB) and retained for community consumption.
Additionally, four 1-hectare community gardens have been developed to provide fresh produce to local households. The Mankobole Garden, one of these community-led initiatives, now has 29 member households, comprising a total of 151 people—88 females and 63 males—all actively engaged in small-scale commercial farming. The gardens utilize drip irrigation systems powered by solar energy, enhancing water efficiency and productivity.
Renewable Energy: Powering Progress Sustainably
One of the most transformative aspects of the CAWEP 3-in-1 project is its commitment to renewable energy. Solar power is at the heart of this initiative, ensuring sustainable energy solutions for both domestic and agricultural applications.
The installed capacity currently stands at 968 kW, with further increases expected upon completion of the remaining infrastructure. This includes 161.6 kW from individual solar home systems, 187.5 kW for water pumping, 200 kW from a solar mini-grid, and 2.4 kW dedicated to community floodlights. Notably, the solar mini-grid, alone, with a capacity of 200 kilowatt-peak (kWp), contributes 9.5% toward Zimbabwe’s Nationally Determined Contribution (NDC) target of installing an additional 2.098 megawatts.
Key interventions include:
1. Solarization of 10 schools and 1 clinic, providing electricity to over 7,358 people, including students and medical personnel.
2. Solar-powered water pumps provide both potable and irrigation water, including 607 household-level systems and a larger ZINWA-managed system in Mlibizi, serving 8,533 people—53% of whom are female. The CAWEP project enhanced water reliability by upgrading the Kariba Lake abstraction system, increasing capacity from 40m³/hr to 240m³/hr with solar-powered submersible pumps on a floating raft platform. This ensures a stable water supply even as water levels fluctuate, improving access for households and irrigation across 24 hectares of newly developed farmland, and strengthening food security and livelihoods. The project also expanded the water distribution network from serving only one ward to three (Wards 9, 10, and 13), benefiting over 40,000 people.
3. Solarized Agritex offices enable the use of automated weather stations for real-time climate monitoring and early warning systems, benefiting 143,472 farmers.
These renewable energy solutions reduce dependence on fossil fuels, lower energy costs, and enhance service delivery in health, education, and agriculture. Through the CAWEP programme, a total installed capacity of 968 kWp has been achieved, resulting in an annual emission reduction of 1,475 tons of CO₂ for 2024.
Early Warning Systems: Strengthening Climate Resilience
In addition to water, agriculture, and energy, the CAWEP project integrates Early Warning Systems (EWS) to help communities anticipate and mitigate climate risks. Two automated weather stations have been installed in Binga to provide accurate, localized weather data for smallholder farmers, helping them make informed agricultural decisions.
Agritex officers have been trained in climate data analysis, allowing them to develop localized advisories for farmers. Additionally, the distribution of bicycles to Disaster Risk Management Committees ensures that early warning messages reach remote communities efficiently.
Financial Inclusion and Business Development
The success of the CAWEP project extends beyond infrastructure—it also promotes economic empowerment through vocational training, business development, and financial inclusion. In Binga:
1. 207 people have been trained in vocational skills such as welding, dressmaking, and plumbing.
2. 136 individuals have received business and entrepreneurship training.
3. 39 Village Savings and Lending (VSL) groups have been established, accumulating USD 13,020 in savings to support small businesses and infrastructure maintenance.
These initiatives ensure that local communities are not only beneficiaries but also active participants in sustaining and expanding the project’s impact.
A Model for Sustainable Development
The CAWEP project in Binga is a testament to how integrated solutions can drive sustainable development. By combining water security, agricultural productivity, and renewable energy, this model fosters climate resilience, economic empowerment, and improved livelihoods. It aligns closely with the Village Business Unit (VBU) priority championed by the President of Zimbabwe, which seeks to enhance rural economies through localized, self-sustaining business hubs driven by agriculture, renewable energy, and value addition.
As the project continues, lessons from Binga can be replicated in other districts to scale up impact across Zimbabwe, reinforcing the Village Business Unit vision of creating economically vibrant and self-reliant rural communities. This approach underscores the importance of the triple nexus—water, food, and energy security—in building a more sustainable and resilient future for all.
Sustainability is not just a goal but a continuous commitment to creating resilient communities, protecting natural resources, and fostering economic opportunities. The success of initiatives like the CAWEP 3-in-1 project demonstrates that integrated approaches can drive long-term development. However, scaling such efforts requires deeper engagement with the private sector. Businesses can play a pivotal role by investing in renewable energy infrastructure, developing climate-smart agricultural value chains, and expanding financial inclusion through innovative funding mechanisms. Public-private partnerships can further accelerate progress, ensuring that sustainability-driven models, like those pioneered in Binga, are replicated across Zimbabwe. By aligning corporate sustainability strategies with national development goals, the private sector can contribute to a future where economic growth, environmental stewardship, and social well-being thrive together.
Professor dr. Obert Jiri, Permanent Secretary for Ministry of Lands, Agriculture, Fisheries, Water and Rural Development, Government of Harare
Dr. Jo Abbot, Development Director & Deputy Ambassador at British Embassy, Harare
Dr. Ayodele Odusola, United Nations Development Programme, Resident Representative