Implementing Agency:
Department For International Development (DFIDCA)

Project Code: 073-501-010	Start Date: 01-Jul-89	End Date: Apr. 1, 1992
Commitment: £241 170	Status: Completed	Type of Funding: Bilateral - TC

Project Background:
The Communal Land Natural Resources Inventory was established in 1984, with funding from the World Bank and the International Fund for Agricultural Development (IFAD), as part of their joint funding for the National Agricultural Extension and Research Project (NAERP) which seekd to redirect and develop the post-Independence agricultural sector. The Communal Land areas of Zimbabwe are synonymous with the former Tribal Trust Lands where, prior to Independence, the majority of the African population was required to produce subsistence crops or otherwise make some form of livelihood. In general, these areas are economically depressed, over-populated and, as a consequence, tend towards land degradation. The contrast between the Communal Lands and the 'commercial farming areas' is marked. The DFID contribution to NAERP in the field of systematic soil and land capability mapping was initiated in January 1985 through the then DFID Land Resources Development Centre (since 1987, the Land Resources Department, LRD of the Overseas Development Natural Resources Institute). In effect, the principal elements of this task were undertaken by two LRD soil surveyors, supported in the first two years by a TCO soil chemist and, throughout, by Zimbabwean counterpart surveyors together with the central facilities of the Department of Research and Specialist (DRSS - within the Ministry of Lands, Agriculture and Rural Resettlement). In turn, the LRD surveyors are currently funded by the World Bank under the 'work-on-payment terms' (WORT). An extension to the programme was successfully negociated with the Bank early in 1987 to run until mid-1989. The project post-1985 was characterised by initial delays, mostly consequent upon the mulitlateral nature of both the funding and the technical support. In particular, 1986 was marked by slow progress owing to problems in obtaining copies of recently flown Canadian aerial photography. Once this photography had been received, progress accelerated but there is now no possibility of the programme being ompleted by the Bank cut-of point in May 1989. The Bank will not countenance a further extension of this programme. This proposal relates therefore to events after mid-1989. The Communal Lands cover 162,000 km2, or 42 percent of the Zimbabwe land area but account for 57 percent of the population of Zimbabwe. Soil Mapping is based on airphotos at scales 1:65,000 and 1:80,000, though the District land until maps relate to the nationawide 1:250,000 series. Each land unit is rated (subjectively) for its 'relative rainfed arable potential' in relation to other units within the same District. The stated aims of the Communal Lands surveys are to provide: - an overview of strategic planning - input for revision of the soils map of Zimbabwe - additional input to the SADCC Food Security Programme. By mid May 1989, more than two thirds of the Communal Lands are expected to have been appraised and mapped. Of the remaining area, part is on the Mozambique border and may not be accessible for security reasons. The LRD soil surveyors wil be working on completing the District reports which have been delayed because of staff shortage and illness. Assurances have been received that priority will be given to tackling this log-jam in the labs. On the cartographic front, a seconf cartographer will shortly be added to the local complement. At the end of the IBRD supported phase, much work will remain to be done both in terms of the surveying and report distributing. The limited nature of the latter has been a partciular concern for some time. For the Gurrve District Report, for example, a total of only 11 copies were produced. Yet it is estimated that at least 75 copies coild have been despatched to Zimbabwe Government Departments directly involved in district development, not to mention keen interest in this work outside Zimbabwe.

Project Objectives:
This project aims to secure dissemination of key results of the World Bank/IFAD - funded natural resources survey of the Zimbabwe Communal Land areas (to which DFID contributed through: Establishment of soils databank Publication of an Overview of Communal Land soils that will incorporate soil and land capability maps at a scale of the 1:500,000 and a soil commentary covering some 42 percent of the Zimbabwe land area. Assistance in preparation of an all-Zimbabwe soils map at scale 1:1 million. Preparation of a Zimbabwe 'Natural Resource Profile' to be used as a basis for future DFID Country Review Papers. The project will provide basic environmental information to assist regional and district planning in the hitherto neglected Communal Areas of Zimbabwe, which comprise over two fifths of the land area of the entire country.

Intended Outputs:
The establishment of a soils databank the publication of an overview of communal land soils that will incorporate soil and land capability maps at a scale of 1:500,000 and a soil commentary covering some 42 per cent of the Zimbabwe soil area assistance in the preparation of an all-Zimbabwe soils map at scale 1:1 million preparation of a Zimbabwe 'Natural Resource Profile` to be used as a basis for future DFID country review papers.