As Zimbabwe faces a potentially devastating Elnino for the 26/27 rain season, Roman Catholic has taken the lead in mitigating against such a looming disaster, 2 480 families set to benefit in Beitbridge District through Ulugisela project being implemented by Caritas, a Catholic Relief Services organization.
Ulugisela means “to rescue” in Ndebele
The organization is spending US$383 700 on drought resistant seed and fertilizers to be distributed from 1 September to 30 November 2026. Four solar powered boreholes will be drilled in the 5 respective wards, 2 auger machines to help in land preparations and revival of dip tanks.
The crop seed include drought resistant sorghum, cow peas and fodder seed.
“We will target an additional 9 585 farmers for training and climate smart agriculture, labour saving technology and disaster management practices and so no one loses their livestock during the El Nino period,” said Esby Chirimugiri, Caritas M&E Officer.
The need to train youths on how to use some of the machines was echoed.
“We have these machines in some of our districts, but they are not being used because we mainly have the elderly who cannot operate them. I encourage you to train the youth who will not run away after being so the tools are used effectively,” said Cecilia Chakanyuka, Agritex Officer.
Ward 2, Dite, Ward 3, Chaswingo, Ward 5 Mugaladhiva, Ward 6 Tongwe and Ward 11 will benefit from this programme.
Zimbabwe is prone to extremes of droughts and floods. Churches have always taken leading roles.
