Harare, Zimbabwe — France and Zimbabwe have launched the Food and Agriculture Resilience Mission (FARM) project, a major initiative aimed at improving food security and promoting sustainable agriculture.

Supported by the French government, which contributed €3.2 million through the International Fund for Agricultural Development (IFAD), the project focuses on post-harvest mechanisation of sorghum, a key crop for Zimbabwe’s food resilience.

Between 2025 and 2026, FARM will support 6,000 smallholder farmers, helping to reduce post-harvest losses, increase incomes, and create rural jobs while strengthening links between producers, local enterprises, and financial institutions.

Launched globally in 2022 by French President Emmanuel Macron, the FARM initiative rests on three pillars: trade and transparency, solidarity, and sustainable production. Zimbabwe joins Rwanda, Senegal, and Sierra Leone as key partner countries implementing the project’s third pillar.

Speaking at the launch, French Ambassador to Zimbabwe Paul-Bertrand Barets highlighted the project as “a strong example of Franco-Zimbabwean cooperation for sustainable, resilient, and inclusive agriculture.”

The initiative aligns with the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals, particularly SDG 2 (Zero Hunger) and SDG 8 (Decent Work and Economic Growth), reinforcing the shared commitment of France and Zimbabwe to sustainable development and poverty reduction.