Source document: https://docs-lawep.s3.us-east-2.amazonaws.com/1696591421710.pdf (Zimbabwe)
ENVIRONMENTAL AND SOCIAL MANAGEMENT PLAN FOR THE GWEBI TESTING CENTRE TAAT PROGRAM SITE - ZIMBABWE Proposed for The International Institute of Tropical Agriculture (IITA) June 2022 Contents 1.0 INTRODUCTION AND PROJECT BACKGROUND................................................................ 4 1.1 Introduction ......................................................................................................................................... 4 1.2 Project location .............................................................................................................................. 4 1.2.1 Site location .................................................................................................................................. 4 1.3 Objectives of the ESMP ...................................................................................................................... 6 1.4 Project proponent and ownership in Zimbabwe .................................................................................. 6 1.5 Zimbabwean institutional and legal framework .................................................................................. 6 1.6 Institutional and implementation arrangements .................................................................................. 8 1.7 Development Financial institutions environmental and social requirements ...................................... 9 1.7.1 The AfDB’s Integrated Safeguards System (ISS) ........................................................................ 9 2 PROJECT DESCRIPTION .............................................................................................................. 12 2.1 INTRODUCTION ............................................................................................................................. 12 2.1.1 Project status............................................................................................................................... 12 2.1.2 Process description .............................................................................................................. 12 2.1.2.1 The site and proposed activities ............................................................................................... 12 2.1.3 Construction activities ......................................................................................................... 13 2.1.4 Waste management during all project phases...................................................................... 13 2.2 Project implementation schedule ....................................................................................................... 13 3 ENVIRONMENTAL AND SOCIAL BASELINE ......................................................................... 15 3.1 Introduction ....................................................................................................................................... 15 3.2 Baseline data acquisition approaches and methods ........................................................................... 15 3.2.1 Data acquisition .......................................................................................................................... 15 3.3 Description of the biophysical environment ...................................................................................... 15 3.3.1 The physical environment .......................................................................................................... 15 3.3.3 Ambient air ................................................................................................................................. 17 3.3.4 Traffic status ............................................................................................................................... 17 3.3.5 Soils and geology ....................................................................................................................... 17 3.3.6 Surface water .............................................................................................................................. 17 3.3.7 Land uses and vegetation............................................................................................................ 17 3.3.8 Wildlife ....................................................................................................................................... 17 3.4 The Socio-economic Environment .................................................................................................... 17 3.4.1 Administrative systems .............................................................................................................. 17 3.4.2 Land uses and economic activities ............................................................................................. 17 2 4.
POTENTIAL IMPACTS AND MITGATION MEASURES ........................................................ 18 4.1 Introduction ....................................................................................................................................... 18 4.2 Environmental and Social Impacts Associated with Project Activities ................................ 18 5.
ENVIRONMENTAL AND SOCIAL MANAGEMENT PROGRAMME (ESMP) .................... 21 5.0 Introduction ....................................................................................................................................... 21 5.1 (b) Institutional arrangements for ESMP implementation ......................................................... 21 Community representatives and capacity building requirements ........................................ 21 5.2 Monitoring and reporting ......................................................................................................... 22 5.3 ESMP Disclosures...................................................................................................................... 22 5.4 ESMP Implementation schedule and cost estimates ..................................................................... 22 5.5 Adherence to the ESMP ................................................................................................................ 25 6.
STAKEHOLDERS’ CONSULTATION ......................................................................................... 26 6.0 Introduction ....................................................................................................................................... 26 6.1 Context and objectives .................................................................................................................. 26 6.2 Methodology for conducting public consultations ........................................................................ 26 7.0 GRIEVANCE REDRESS MECHANISM .................................................................................. 31 7.0 7.1 7.2 7.3 Introduction ............................................................................................................................... 31 Scope ........................................................................................................................................... 31 Application ................................................................................................................................. 31 AfDB Grievance Redress Mechanism Approach ................................................................... 31 7.2.1 Filing a grievance ...................................................................................................................... 31 7.2.2 Documents required ................................................................................................................. 32 7.3.3 Request format and submission .............................................................................................. 32 7.4 Appointment of members of Grievance Redress Committees ............................................... 32 7.5 Grievance settling procedure.................................................................................................... 33 7.6 Resourcing of the GRM ............................................................................................................ 34 3 1.0 INTRODUCTION AND PROJECT BACKGROUND 1.1 INTRODUCTION This Environmental and Social Management Plan (ESMP) was commissioned by the International Institute for Tropical Agriculture (IITA).
The IITA is the Executing Agency for the Technologies for African Agricultural Transformation (TAAT), a program which is funded by the African Development Bank (AfDB/the Bank) as part of its Feed Africa initiative.

Among other objectives, the TAAT program aims at improving agriculture across Africa by raising productivity, mitigating risks, and ensuring that farmers can access high-yielding, stress tolerant, nutrient rich crop varieties, and productive livestock breeds.
The TAAT program is currently under implementation in 31 Sub Saharan African countries, including Zimbabwe.

In Zimbabwe, the Department of Research and Specialist Services (DR & SS) is the implementing partner for the program.

Preparation of this ESMP follows completion of a screening and scoping report prepared for the three sites in Zimbabwe where the TAAT phase 2 (TAAT 2) program is earmarked for implementation.
The three sites are: a) Department of Research and Specialist Services (DR & SS) site in Harare b) Henderson Research Station in Mazowe District c) Gwebi Testing Centre, in Zvimba District This ESMP is for the Gwebi Testing Centre site.

1.2 PROJECT LOCATION 1.2.1 Site location Gwebi Testing Centre is in Zvimba District of Mashonaland West Province.

The site is located about 40km southeast of Harare.

Table 1.1 below shows the coordinates for Gwebi Testing Centre.
Figure 1 and Google image 1 shows the location Table 1.1: Geographical location of the Gwebi Testing Centre Proposed site Province District Site Coordinates Gwebi Testing Centre Mashonaland West Zvimba 30 50.995 -17 41.

187 4 Figure 1 Gwebi Testing Centre Site location map Google map 1 showing Gwebi Testing Centre Site in Zvimba District 5 1.3 OBJECTIVES OF THE ESMP The screening and scoping exercise identified a few potential negative environmental and social impacts alongside several positive impacts.
There is need to ensure that the negative impacts that were identified are managed through a comprehensive and cost effective environmental and social management plan (ESMP).

The purpose of this ESMP is therefore to document the negative impacts and come up with mitigation measures for the negative impacts and enhancement measures for the positive impacts that were identified.

This ensures that the project benefits are maximized while its negative social and environmental impacts are avoided or minimized.
1.4 PROJECT PROPONENT AND OWNERSHIP IN ZIMBABWE The TAAT program is being executed by the International Institute for Tropical Agriculture (IITA).

In executing the program, the IITA works in close collaboration with national agricultural institutions, agricultural research systems and private sector organizations.
In light of this, the TAAT program in Zimbabwe is being executed in collaboration with the Department of Research and Specialist Services (DR & SS), a Government research institution under the Ministry of Lands, Agriculture, Fisheries, Water and Rural Resettlement.

Gwebi Testing Centre, a satellite research station of the DR & SS will own and execute the project at this site.
1.5 ZIMBABWEAN INSTITUTIONAL AND LEGAL FRAMEWORK The Environmental Management Agency (EMA) is the institution responsible for the implementation of the environmental legislation in Zimbabwe.

Through the main environmental legislation, the Environmental Management Act (Chapter 20 27), the Agency administers the country’s environmental and social impact assessment process.
The Act makes it a requirement that all project which have the potential to cause irreversible environmental impacts be subjected to the ESIA study process prior to their implementation.
Other key institutions and their mandate areas are shown in table 1.2 below Table 1.2 Relevant Zimbabwean Legislation and the implementing institutions Legislation and Regulations Description and compliance requirements Implementing Institution Plant Pests and Diseases Act (Chapter 19:08) of 1989 This Act provides for the eradication and prevention of the spread of plant pests and diseases in Zimbabwe, the prevention of the introduction into Zimbabwe of plant pests and diseases, and for matters incidental thereto.
Ministry of Lands, Agriculture, Fisheries, Water Rural and Resettlement.

Of the 5 Parts of the Act, 2 are very relevant to TAAT Compact projects and should be observed.

These are 6 (a) Eradication and prevention of spread of pests and (b) Control of importation of growing media, injurious organisms, invertebrates, and plants.

The TAAT program is in line with this Act as it aims at eradicating and prevention of the spread of pests.
However, it should also be implemented in such a manner that the use of pesticides does not affect other components of the environment, especially regarding mortality of non-targeted living organisms which play an important role in the ecosystem.

and environmentally, The Act requires all development activities to be socially, economically sustainable.
The essence of the Act is that should the TAAT compact activities be screened and found to have potentially significant environmental and social impacts, this triggers the need for ESIA studies to be undertaken for the projects and to get certification from the Environmental Management Agency (EMA) prior to implementation.

Environmental Management Act, (Chapter 2002 20:27) Section 97 of the Act identifies the various types of projects that require ESIA studies to be undertaken before implementation.
These are called “prescribed activities” and are listed under the First Schedule of the Act.

Although the TAAT compact activities are not listed in the schedule, these activities have the potential to bring about unintended negative environmental and social impacts hence due caution must be taken prior to their implementation.
The screening process for the TAAT program becomes important as it is the means through which the risks associated with its implementation can be assessed and an appropriate decision made on which E & S tool is most suitable for dealing with the potential risks.

These regulations are made under Environmental Management Act (Chapter 20:27).

Since chemical are used to eradicate invasive pests such as the Fall Armyworm, the TAAT program should comply with these regulations.
The Regulations prohibit the use of pesticides, herbicides, fungicides, and any toxic substance for commercial agriculture without a permit issued by EMA.
Environmental Management Act Chapter 20:27, (Hazardous Substances, Pesticides, other Substances) Regulations, 2007 and Toxic Environmental Management Agency (EMA) Environmental Management Agency (EMA) Statutory Instrument 144 Regulations Pesticides of (SI) 2012. on Under the Pesticide Regulations, all pesticides have to go through thorough screening and have to be registered before importation and use in the country.
The Plant Protection Institute of the Department of (DR&SS) and Specialist Services Research Environmental Management Agency (EMA) 7 administers pesticide registration and has the mandate to oversee importation and testing of all pesticides (Mujati, 2011).

The regulations prohibit the use of pesticides other than the purpose for which they are registered for.
Act Seeds (Chapter 19:13) revised 1971, Seeds 2001; (Amendment) Regulations 1971; Seed Regulations Seeds and (Certification Scheme) Notice 2000 is an arm of Zimbabwe regulates the seed sector through these regulations.

Seed Services the Government within the DR&SS, which is the primary regulatory authority for seeds.

Seed Services has a regulatory mandate to protect seeds and plant varieties, provide seed certification and laboratory services, and administer sanitary and phyto-sanitary (SPS) matters.
The National Variety Release Panel (NVRP), with members appointed by the Minister of Agriculture, Mechanization, and Irrigation Development, has the final approval on all varieties released to market.

Ministry of Lands, Agriculture, Fisheries, Water Rural and Resettlement.
Water Act (Chapter 20:24) of 1998 Zimbabwe National Water Authority (ZINWA) If TAAT compact project is to expand to districts and proposes to use irrigation systems for its activities, it implies that the program has to apply for a permit at Catchment Councils for the use of water.

Although the agricultural activities may not require one to have a permit for discharging pollutants in the water bodies, excessive and prolonged use of pesticides may diffuse pollutants contaminating nearby water sources.
Water quality must be maintained at all times to maintain good biological diversity and human health.

result in 1.6 INSTITUTIONAL AND IMPLEMENTATION ARRANGEMENTS IITA is the Executing Agency for the TAAT Program.

In this capacity, the IITA will sign memorandum of understanding (MoU) and implementation agreements with each of the lead centers/institutions for the various initiatives within the Program.
IITA will act through a Program Management Unit (PMU) composed of staff competitively recruited with the responsibility to manage the whole Program and report to the AfDB.

National partners will be responsible for technology campaigns within their own countries.

The national partner in Zimbabwe is the Department of Research and Specialist Services (DR & SS).
The DR & SS will develop and deploy mechanisms for reaching out to farmers and other stakeholders with the proven technologies and technological packages, working with the available and most active national institutions and farmer organizations countrywide.

8 1.7 DEVELOPMENT FINANCIAL INSTITUTIONS ENVIRONMENTAL AND SOCIAL REQUIREMENTS The TAA program is funded by the African Development Bank (AfDB).
The IITA requires that the TAAT program be executed in line with the requirements of the AfDB’s Integrated Safeguards System (ISS).

The ISS consists of the following safeguards 1.7.1 The AfDB’s Integrated Safeguards System (ISS) The AfDB requires that its Operational Safeguards (OSs), an integral component of the Bank’s Integrated Safeguards System (ISS) be complied with and integrated as a basis for addressing environmental and social issues in all activities it funds.
These OSs aim to ensure that all investments made are environmentally and socially sustainable.

The following OSs that are triggered by the proposed TAAT activities were examined and a reflection on how the program will comply with the operational safeguards was made: i.
Operational safeguard 1 – Environmental and social assessment The objective of this overarching Operational Safeguard (OS), along with the OSs that support it, is to mainstream environmental and social considerations— including those related to climate change vulnerability—into Bank operations and thereby contribute to sustainable development in the region.
The specific objectives are to: • Mainstream environmental, climate change, and social considerations into Country Strategy Papers (CSPs) and Regional Integration Strategy Papers (RISPs); • Identify and assess the environmental and social impacts and risks— including those related to gender, climate change and vulnerability—of Bank lending and grant-financed operations in their areas of influence; • Avoid or, if avoidance is not possible, minimise, mitigate and compensate for adverse impacts on the environment and on affected communities; • Provide for stakeholders’ participation during the consultation process so that affected communities and stakeholders have timely access to information in suitable forms about Bank operations, and are consulted meaningfully about issues that may affect them; • Ensure the effective management of environmental and social risks in projects during and after implementation.
TAAT Program activities are likely to have impacts on the biophysical and human environment in the various sites of implementation and will therefore be subject to environmental assessment in accordance with this OS and national legislation.
This OS classifies the Bank's investments into four categories: Category 1: Bank operations likely to cause significant environmental and social impacts (Environmental and Social Impact Assessment (ESIA) with ESMP); Category 2: Bank operations likely to cause less 9 undesirable environmental and social effects than Category 1 (appropriate ESIA with ESMP); Category 3: Bank operations with negligible environmental and social risks (this category does not require an environmental and social assessment).
The TAAT Program has been categorised as Category 2 under the Environmental and Social Management Framework.

As such, its activities will fall into categories 2 and 3. ii.

Operational Safeguard 3 – Biodiversity, renewable resources and ecosystem services.
This Operational Safeguard (OS) outlines the requirements for borrowers or clients to identify and implement opportunities to conserve and sustainably use biodiversity and natural habitats, and observe, implement, and respond to requirements for the conservation and sustainable management of priority ecosystem services.

The three program sites in Zimbabwe have been cleared of vegetation long back.
However, there is still risk to biodiversity especially related to the use of agrochemicals in the program hence the need for program activities to be in line with this OS.

Measures will need to be put in place to ensure that the TAAT program activities do not work against the objectives of this OS.

iii.

Operational safeguard 4 – Pollution prevention and control, hazardous materials, and resource efficiency.
This OS outlines the main pollution prevention and control requirements for borrowers or clients to achieve high quality environmental performance, and efficient and sustainable use of natural resources, over the life of a project.

The specific objectives are to: • Manage and reduce pollutants resulting from the project—including hazardous and non-hazardous waste—so that they do not pose harmful risks to human health and the environment.
• Set a framework for efficiently using all of a project’s raw materials and natural resources, especially energy and water.

This OS draws on and aligns Bank operations with existing international conventions and standards related to pollution, hazardous materials and waste, and related issues.

It also requires compliance with internationally accepted environmental standards, particularly the World Bank Group Environmental Health and Safety (EHS) Guidelines.
This safeguard ties in well with the local environmental legislation that require sustainable management of hazardous substances.

Agricultural chemicals used in the program will be managed in line with the requirements of this OS.

Operational safeguard 5 – Labour conditions, health and safety Labour is one aspect of a country’s most important assets in the pursuit of poverty reduction and economic growth.
The TAAT program is expected to result in an increase in labour requirement in the agricultural sector.

This is a positive impact which contributes to economic growth.

The OS highlights the need to respect workers’ rights as an important aspect of developing a strong and productive workforce.

This OS outlines the main 10 requirements for borrowers or clients to protect the rights of workers and provide for their basic needs.
The specific objectives are to: • Protect workers’ rights; • Establish, maintain, and improve the employee– employer relationship; • Promote compliance with national legal requirements and provide supplementary due diligence requirements where national laws are silent or inconsistent with the OS; • Align Bank requirements with the ILO Core Labour Standards, and the UNICEF Convention on the Rights of the Child, where national laws do not provide equivalent protection; • Protect the workforce from inequality, social exclusion, child labour, and forced labour; and • Establish requirements to provide safe and healthy working conditions.
Compliance with this Operational Safeguard is guaranteed by many local statutes including the Constitution of Zimbabwe which defines the bill of rights, the Labour Relations Act that ensures fair conduct between the employers and employees and the National Social Security Act which requires the establishment of safe working environment and full compensation of employees for work related injuries.

Implementation of the TAAT program will be in line with the requirements of this OS.
The IITA also requires that and applicable statutory requirements for the host country, in this case Zimbabwe’s Environmental Management Act (Chapter 20:27) as read with Statutory Instrument 7 of 2007 be complied with during the project implementation phase.
Both the ISS and the Zimbabwean environmental legislation recognize the fact that implementation of any project or program, irrespective of its benefit to society at large, often comes with unintended negative environmental and social risks and impacts.

These negative aspects must be identified and avoided or at least mitigated in order to make the program environmentally and socially sustainable.

This is the essence of this ESMP.


11 2 PROJECT DESCRIPTION 2.1 INTRODUCTION The overall goal of the TAAT program is to improve agriculture as a business across Zimbabwe’s farming areas by deploying agricultural technologies, improving productivity, increasing technologies within priority commodities which include wheat, rice, maize, sorghum, millet, orange-fleshed sweet potato, high iron bean, aquaculture, small livestock as well as the value chain for each of the priority commodities.
To achieve this, Phase 2 of the TAAT program will be undertaken at 3 sites in Zimbabwe namely the Department of Research and Specialist Services (DR & SS) Head Office in Harare, Gwebi testing Centre and Henderson Research Station.

These sites will act as incubation centers from where knowledge will be disseminated to farmers across Zimbabwe.

This ESMP is for the Gwebi Testing Centre site where the wheat compact will be implemented.

2.1.1 Project status The TAAT Phase 2 is currently at the planning stage.
The program sites have been screened in line with the requirements of the African Development Bank’s environmental and social requirements.

A screening and scoping report for the three sites in Zimbabwe was prepared and approved by the Bank, paving way for the preparation of this ESMP.

The ESMP will be disclosed on the Bank’s website as well as in Zimbabwe through the DR and SS’s website and in the print media.
This will provide stakeholders with information about the program and to provide comments if they so wish.

Once this process is completed, implementation of the program will commence.

2.1.2 Process description 2.1.2.1 The site and proposed activities The Gwebi Testing Centre site has been used for agricultural activities over many years.

It lies within a very productive agricultural belt which is part of the country’s breadbasket.
The landscape is gently undulating with an average slope of about 2%, making it very suitable for the TAAT project The Gwebi Testing Centre site will host trials on wheat varieties.

Activities will include the following: - Land preparation; - Sowing; - Weeding - Application of pesticides to control pests - Application of fertilizers; - Harvesting These activities are sources of impacts on the biophysical and human environment.
12 The land belongs to Gwebi Testing Centre which is owned by the Department of Research and Specialist Services (DR & SS).

There are no risks associated with land ownership.

2.1.3 Construction activities The project does not involve any construction works.

No physical structures will be built on site.

The project only makes use of arable land on which project activities will be undertaken.
This land is already available and does not require any clearing since the site has been under crop production for many years.

2.1.4 Waste management during all project phases The project is not expected to generate any significant amounts of waste.

The major waste expected will be packaging materials which come with the seeds as well as containers for insecticides and herbicides used in the process.

Due caution will be taken to ensure that such waste is disposed in a sustainable manner.
The developer will ensure that waste from the project is accounted for and does not end up being disposed into the environment.

If any of the containers are to be given out to local people, they should be educated on how to treat such containers in order to disinfect them before they are put to use.

2.2 Project implementation schedule The project entails crop production on a seasonal basis.

Figure 2.1 below shows the project implementation schedule for the first season.
Once the project starts running, some of the activities shown will not need to be repeated when the project goes into subsequent seasons 13 Figure 2.1 Implementation schedule Month Activity Aug. 2022 Sept. 2022 Oct. 2022 Nov. 2022 Dec. 2022 Jan. 2023 Feb. 2023 Mar.

2023 Apr.
2023 Apr.

2023 May 2023 June 2023 July 2023 Establish a project management team and assessment of project site Land preparation Receiving of seeds, herbicides, and pesticides Planting Tending of crops Harvesting 3 ENVIRONMENTAL AND SOCIAL BASELINE 3.1 INTRODUCTION This chapter provides a brief description of the environmental and social baseline conditions in and around the Gwebi Testing Centre site.

The site has been used for crop research over many years.
It is ready for the proposed activity, with no land clearing required.

3.2 BASELINE DATA ACQUISITION APPROACHES AND METHODS 3.2.1 Data acquisition Information used to prepare this document was acquired through two main methods, namely i) ii) Desk studies Field studies 3.2.1.1 Desk studies Desk studies included review of available literature on the IITA and its activities.

Website searches were done which yielded information on the TAAT program and its objectives.
Literature on the TAAT phase 1 was reviewed, most of which was obtained from staff at the DR & SS Head Office.

Desk studies also covered a review of the relevant policies and legislation, including the AfDB’s Integrated Safeguards System.

3.2.1.1 Field studies Field work was undertaken to Gwebi Testing Centre.

The site was assessed in terms of its vegetation, soil and the neighbourhood.
Special attention was on the environmental parameters which may be affected the most when the TAAT program is implemented.

Most of the information used in the screening report and this ESMP came from field studies.

Field studies also entailed meetings with local people during which the project scope was explained to them while they also had the opportunity to seek clarifications on the project and how it will be implemented.
3.3 DESCRIPTION OF THE BIOPHYSICAL ENVIRONMENT 3.3.1 The physical environment The Gwebi site has been used for farming purposes over many years.

Slope angle is less than 2% and elevation averages about 1,450m above sea level.

The landscape makes the site very suitable for crop production.

The site falls within a region of gently rolling landscapes and is surrounded by other farms.

It is part of the country’s prime farming regions.


Land will be tilled to prepare it for the proposed wheat compact activities.

Gwebi Testing Centre belongs to the Department of Research and Specialist Services (DR & SS) which is the implementing partner for the TAAT program in Zimbabwe.

There are therefore no issues regarding ownership which could arise during project implementation.
Being an implementing partner in the TAAT program, the DR &SS will ensure that adequate land required for the TAAT program at the Gwebi Testing Centre is availed.

3.3.2 Climatic conditions The Gwebi Testing Centre, about 40km from Harare, falls in the same climatic zone as Harare.
The site, like the rest of the country, experiences a sub-tropical climate which is subject to maritime influence from the Mozambican channel, mid continental Botswana upper high pressure and volatile, warm moist conditions of the intertropical convergence zone.

It falls under agro-ecological region IIa.

This region receives an average annual rainfall of about 880 mm.

3.3.1.1 Rainfall and temperature The rainy season usually begins mid-November and ends around end of March.
This is followed by a cool dry winter season which stretches from April to mid-August, with September, October and November being the hottest months.

Temperatures rarely go above 35oC during the hot season and below 7oC during the cold winter season, making the region a conducive one for agricultural activities.
Figure 3.1 below shows the average monthly temperature and rainfall characteristic for Harare and its surroundings Figure 3.1: Monthly average temperature and rainfall for Gwebi Testing Centre 16 3.3.3 Ambient air The site is in the countryside where farming is the major economic activity.

Ambient air quality id therefore largely unpolluted.

3.3.4 Traffic status The site is on the highway linking Harare and the farming town of Chinhoyi which is about 115km away from Harare.
The highway is less than 100m away from the boundary of the Testing Centre.

It is a very busy road which links Zimbabwe to Zambia.

There is usually a heavy flow of both private and commercial traffic on the road.

3.3.5 Soils and geology Soils in the area are largely the reddish loams which have a fairly high clay content.

They are generally fertile and good agricultural soils.
3.3.6 Surface water The Gwebi Testing Centre site falls within the catchment of the Gwebi River whose source is in the northern suburbs of Harare.

It cuts across farming areas, providing irrigation water for some of the farmers.

The Gwebi Dam in the vicinity is also used as a source of irrigation water.

It also meets the water needs of the small settlement of Darwendale which is close by.

3.3.7 Land uses and vegetation The site is surrounded by farming areas, with several commercial farms around it.
Land is therefore largely used for agricultural purposes.

There is hardly any vegetation on the property.

Remnants of the miombo woodland are visible on the outskirts of the farm.

These are mainly stunted bushes which lie outside the area to be used for the project, The project will therefore not result in any new vegetation clearing.

3.3.8 Wildlife The project area is not home to any wildlife since it is located within a farming area.

Birds are the most common form of wildlife.


The project will not affect wildlife.

3.4 THE SOCIO-ECONOMIC ENVIRONMENT 3.4.1 Administrative systems Administratively the project area falls under Zvimba Rural District Council.

Zvimba District is in Mashonaland West Province.

3.4.2 Land uses and economic activities Farming is the major economic activity in the area.

However, there is also chrome ore mining along the Great Dyke which is part of the main mining regions in the country, 17 4.
POTENTIAL IMPACTS AND MITGATION MEASURES 4.1 INTRODUCTION This section examines the potential environmental and social impacts associated with the implementation of the project at the Gwebi Testing Centre site.

It also provides measures aimed at mitigating negative impacts while enhancing the positive ones.
Broadly, implementation of the wheat compact project activities at the Gwebi Testing Centre is set to benefit Zimbabwean farmers and the country at large considering the importance of the agricultural sector to the county.

However, since the project activities entail the storage and use of agrochemicals as well as disposal of containers or packaging materials, there are associated social and environmental risks which require monitoring and management.
Potential environmental and social impacts and risks of the TAAT program activities have been identified based on the following AfDB operational safeguards: ➢ OS 3: Biodiversity, renewable resources, and ecosystem services ➢ OS 4 Pollution prevention and control, hazardous materials, and resource efficiency ➢ OS 5: Working Conditions, health, and safety 4.2 Environmental and Social Impacts Associated with Project Activities The Gwebi Testing Centre site will host the wheat compact.
As is the case with most agricultural activities, the project entails the use of various pesticides and other agro chemicals.

Generally, these technologies are an integral component of modern agriculture and are used to protect crops, treat grain and to eradicate the pests that transmit plant diseases.

It has been estimated that globally nearly $38 billion is spent on pesticides each year (Pan-Germany, 2012).
Ideally, the applied pesticides should only be toxic to the target pests, should be biodegradable and eco-friendly.

(Rosell et al., 2008).

Unfortunately, this is rarely the case as most of the pesticides are non-specific and may kill the non-targeted organisms that are useful to ecosystem.
It has been estimated that only about 0.1% of the pesticides reach the target organisms and the remaining bulk contaminates the surrounding environment which includes water, air, soil and both fauna and avifauna species.
The anticipated environmental and social impacts are shown in tables 4.1 (negative impacts) and 4.2 (positive impacts) below 18 Table 4.1: Potential Negative Environmental and Social Impacts – Gwebi site Anticipated Environmental/social Impacts Potential respiratory exposed people increase diseases Proposed Mitigation and Management Measures in for Observing the waiting period after spraying crops - Using protective equipment (PPE) - - Educating staff on non-harmful methos of using pesticides.
- Raising awareness among staff on how to handle agro chemicals - Proper disposal of chemical containers and packaging materials Poisoning of livestock and wild animals - Ensuring that program activities are undertaken in secured places where livestock and wildlife do not stary into - Ensuring that chemical dosage is strictly in compliance with manufacturers application instructions and dosage levels Mortality in non target insects, vertebrates and invertebrates and micro- organisms - Application of correct quantities of chemicals - Monitoring the response of soil microbial communities and various enzymatic activities to pesticide exposure in order to reduce their deleterious effects - A careful screening of pesticide effects on soil microflora should be done well before their field applications.
Water resources pollution - Weeding mechanically - Using biological control methods where and when possible - Considering integrated Pest Management (IPM) approach for controlling pests designed to have minimal environment disturbance farmer Applying multi-disciplinary incentives to encourage the adoption of innovative IPM strategies essential for development of sustainable maize- based cropping systems.
research and - - Promoting use of biorational pesticides/ from natural origins Health and Safety - Supply adequate and effective Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) to all people working with the chemicals - Awareness raising 19 Table 4.2: Potential Positive Socio-economic Impacts Anticipated Environmental/social Impacts Enhancement measures Creation opportunities of employment - Enhancing the positive impact by maximizing employment opportunities.
Where feasible, manual labour can be used for the program activities instead of mechanised methods in order to employ more people Involve more women in training and deliberately establish demo plots for women and women groups Potential balance for promoting gender - Reduction of malnutrition and poverty Increased crop yields - Use of maize varieties that guarantee harvests hence reducing food insecurity - Encourage as many farmers as possible from around Gwebi Testing Centre to adopt the technologies through adverts in electronic and print media, demonstrations, field days showcasing the success stories shows and road Introduction of new climate change resistant crop varieties, Expansion infrastructure of irrigation Promotion of intensive use of land for economic growth - Encourage as many farmers as possible to adopt the technologies through adverts in electronic and print media, demonstrations, road shows and field days showcasing the success stories - Positive impacts in which the Government must provide more irrigation funding infrastructure expansion to enable more farmers to benefit from TAAT improved wheat varieties which require irrigation infrastructure towards - Explore opportunities for increasing land under irrigation The potential negative impacts are largely associated with the use of insecticide and herbicides.
These impacts can be mitigated effectively through following the instructions for use of the chemicals.

The positive impacts associated with the project are numerous and have the potential to transform the agricultural sector in the country and ensure that it contributes significantly to the country’s GDP.

20 5.
20 5.

ENVIRONMENTAL AND SOCIAL MANAGEMENT PROGRAMME (ESMP) 5.0 INTRODUCTION This section presents the Environmental and Social Management Programme (ESMP) which will be used to monitor and manage the anticipated impacts associated with implementation of the wheat compact at Gwebi Testing Centre.

The ESMP presents the impacts as identified in the report and presents the framework through which the impacts will be monitored and managed.
The mitigation measures suggested in this report, and any that may be developed during the project implementation phase, must be strictly adhered to.

5.1 Institutional arrangements for ESMP implementation The cross-cutting issues in the project will be addressed by supporting existing structures rather than developing new interventions.
The project will build local skills and build capacity to monitor impacts associated with the TAAT program in general Key institutional players in the project will include the following (a) Government Ministries and Departments - Gwebi Testing Centre staff involved in the program - Ministry of Agriculture, specifically the Department of Research and Extension Services (AGRITEX) which has the mandate to train farmers on agronomic practices - Ministry of Women Affairs, Gender and Community Development, which is expected to ensure that the project is gender responsive - Zimbabwe National Water Authority (ZINWA) which oversees the use of water for irrigation and other commercial purposes - Ministry of Health and Child Care which may be required in the event of people getting sick as a result of exposure to agro chemicals - Environmental Management Agency (EMA) which has the mandate for ensuring that the natural environment is protected and safe for everyone - District Administrator’s office (b) Community representatives and capacity building requirements Gwebi Testing Centre falls under the jurisdiction of a rural district council, it is important to involve local people since ultimately, they will benefit from the project.
The local Chief and the Councillor should also be involved.

They will have a say in who among the local community should be involved in the project, especially when it comes to capacity building.
21 The table 5.1 below shows the capacity building requirements and estimated costs Table 5.1: Environmental and social capacity building requirements Cost items Beneficiary Number Estimated cost (USD) Induction workshop Training of TAAT programme officers at the DR & SS Quarterly report back meetings Total All institutions involved in project monitoring at the Gwebi Testing Centre site, including representatives of the local communities Staff of the Gwebi Testing Centre involved in the project All institutions involved in project monitoring including representatives of the local communities 1 1 4 800 4,000 2,000 (500 each/quarter) 6,800 5.2 Monitoring and reporting Monitoring and reporting is a responsibility which will be left to an independent consultant.
He/she will assess the program’s adherence to the ESMP as well as identifying and reporting on any issues which may not have been captured in the ESMP.

In this task, the independent consultant will be assisted by the various ESMP implementation team members who will be drawn mainly from Government Ministries and Civil organizations that are represented in the respective project areas.
Ultimately the independent environmental consultant will be required to prepare quarterly monitoring reports for the attention of the DR & SS and IITA.

Such reports will also be availed to the AfDB and the Environmental Management Agency (EMA).
5.3 ESMP Disclosures The ESMP will be disclosed through the following means - Publication on the AfDB and IITA websites - Publication locally through the DR &SS website - Community meetings in the project area Stakeholders will be requested to send their comments or views through emails, telephone calls or visiting the Gwebi Testing Centre offices.

Local people can send their views through local leadership.
5.4 ESMP Implementation schedule and cost estimates Table 5.1 shows the Gwebi Testing Centre ESMP, its implementation, and the estimated implementation costs.

22 Table 5.1: Environmental and Social Management Plan- Gwebi, Zvimba Component Anticipated Source of Impact Mitigation/Enhancement Environmental/social Impacts Employment Creation of employment opportunities Positive impact for More jobs created in crop fields clearing, sowing, weeding, pest and control harvesting.
activities Gender and empowermen t Potential for promoting gender and empowerment of women Positive impact balance Project activities which are gender inclusive.

by - Enhancing the positive maximizing impact employment opportunities.

Where feasible, manual labour can be used for the program activities instead of mechanised methods.
- Empowerment programs and training should consider women and women groups Nutrition Reduction of malnutrition and poverty Positive impact Implementation of project activities Promoting the growing of growing of the high iron bean varieties Yields Improved maize yields Positive impact Encourage tested maize seed varieties the growing of TAAT of Adoption agricultural approved technologies including improved varieties of maize Implementation cost (USD) Implementing Agency/Actor 3,000 meetings for 5,000 meetings for 7,000 for province side travelling for Testing Gwebi Centre project staff Included above Gwebi Centre/Independent Environmental Expert/TAAT officials Testing program Gwebi Centre/Independent Environmental Expert/TAAT officials Independent Environmental Expert/TAAT officials Testing program program Independent Environmental Expert/TAAT officials program 23 Climate and change vulnerability of Introduction new varieties of maize that are adapted to prevailing climatic conditions Positive impact Improved maize seed provided under the TAAT programme Air pollution Degradation of air quality in and around the Gwebi Testing Centre Negative impact of Aerial pesticides and herbicides spraying Surface and ground water resources of Pollution resources Negative impact water - Application of herbicides, pesticides and chemical fertilizers Human health and wellness Health risks to employees and local people Negative impact of herbicides, Use pesticides and chemical fertilizers to adopt Encourage as many farmers as the possible technologies through adverts in electronic and print media, demonstrations, road shows and field days the success stories Using appropriate PPE Applying weather is not windy pesticides when showcasing - Dispose hazardous waste in proper disposal facilities - educate employees on to apply the correct amounts of herbicides and chemicals - Provide employees with appropriate PPE and insist of use of the equipment when at work - Awareness workshops to educate employees on safe handling harmful of chemicals 3,000 Independent Environmental Expert/TAAT officials program 5,000 for PPE Independent Environmental Expert/TAAT officials program Independent Environmental Expert Independent Environmental Expert/TAAT program officials costs of 2,000 workshops Independent Environmental Expert Total cost of ESMP implementation 30,000-00 24 5.5 Adherence to the ESMP The ESMP must be implemented and strictly adhered to in order to ensure that the negative impacts are kept in check while the positive ones are maximized.
25 6.

STAKEHOLDERS’ CONSULTATION 6.0 INTRODUCTION This section presents the results of a stakeholder consultation exercise that was carried with respect to the Gwebi Testing Centre site.

The consultation process provided insights into what ordinary people in and around the proposed programme site think about the programme ahead of commencement.
6.1 Context and objectives The stakeholder consultation process was undertaken with the following objectives • Providing local people with information about the proposed wheat compact at Gwebi Testing Centre • To empower local people and enable them to make an informed decision on whether they welcome the programme or not • To give local people an opportunity to reflect on the potential environmental and social impacts which can arise from the implementation of the program • To help stakeholders to appreciate the range of mitigation measures available for the negative impacts and discuss scope for enhancing the positive ones • To discuss gender issues and ensure gender mainstreaming before, during and after project implementation 6.2 Methodology for conducting public consultations Stakeholder consultations were undertaken in two stages.
The first stage involved meetings with the TAAT Programme Officials, and these were held at the DR &SS site in Harare.

The second phase involved consultations with local people in the project area.

Face to face meetings with individuals were held in and around the project site.
6.3 Results of the Stakeholder Consultation Process 6.3.1 Meetings with TAAT Programme Officials To kick start the study and the consultation process, meetings were held with the TAAT Programme Officials, who are all based at the DR & SS Head Office in Harare.
The meetings were held as shown in table 6.1 below Table 6.1 Consultations with TAAT Programme Officials Name of Official Date of meeting Issues discussed Ms Shylet Tsenekedza 14 February 2022 Discussion on the High Iron Bean Compact, the planning being made for implementing the Compact activities.
She also a demonstration plot at the DR & SS site in Harare the Consultant took to 26 Dr Claid Mujaju Mr Shingirayi Nyamutukwa Mr Shumirai Muhera 15 February 2022 Dr Mujaju provided a background of the research activities of the DR & SS as a technical arm of the Ministry of Lands, Agriculture and Rural Resettlement.

He implementation provided arrangements for the TAAT programme 3in Zimbabwe.
the overall 17 February 2022 The Fall Army Worm initiatives that have been undertaken and the challenges encountered.

He described preparatory the TAAT works being done programme on the Maize Compact and Fall Army Worm.

for 18 February 2022 The fall army worm control activities which the DR & SS has undertaken at the DR & SS demonstration site in Harare and at Gwebi Testing Centre.

Dr Dumisani Kutywayo 24 February 2022 Overview of the Wheat Compact and the readiness to implement it.
Meetings with the TAAT Programme Officials were followed immediately by consultation with local people around the site.

6.3.2 The Gwebi Testing Centre Consultations 6.3.2.1 Stakeholder Consultation at the Gwebi Testing Centre Site The Gwebi Testing Centre, like Henderson Research Station, is located in the heart of a commercial farming area.

The area is also not as densely settled as one can find in communal areas.
It was thus considered appropriate to interview individuals residing in the area, to inform them about the proposed project and get their views with regards to perceived impacts on the environment and the community itself.

A total of 7 people were interviewed.


Their responses are shown in table 6.2 below Table 6.2 Local people interviewed around the Gwebi Testing Centre site Name of Individual Edmore Chasunda Tagarira Siaminya Simbiso Kamungozi Observations made The project is viable for Zimbabwe given the high priority given to agriculture by our government.
Indicated that the program is quite good however, caution is needed to avoid the effects that come with the use of such chemicals The project is quite interesting but certain measures have to be taken about the application of chemical pesticides on the environment and humans 27 Patricia T Tembo Kudzaishe Basera Rosemary Munengwa Esnath Shoko The project is quite good.
However, certain measure has to be taken to avoid the effects that come along with the use of chemicals on the environment and human The project is good and should go ahead.
However, measure have to be taken to ascertain the effectiveness of the chemicals The programme is most welcome We welcome the project Figure 6.3 shows the completed form where stakeholders recorded their views and signed for them 28 Table 6.3 showing views expressed by individual stakeholders around the Gwebi Testing Center 29 6.3.3 Overview of the comments made None of the people interviewed had reservations about the project.
Implementation of the project should be undertaken in line with the ESMP for the project.

30 7.0 GRIEVANCE REDRESS MECHANISM 7.0 Introduction The purpose of the Grievance Redress Mechanism (GRM) is to outline how grievances associated with the implementation of the TAAT project at the DR & SS site will be handled.

The GRM helps in the process of identifying, assessing, resolving, and monitoring of grievances brought by people or organizations affected by projects supported by the AfDB.
Grievances could be from individual stakeholders, stakeholder groups and/or organizations.

Timely redress of such grievances is vital in ensuring successful implementation of the project and is in line with industry best practices.

7.1 Scope A grievance is defined as a complain, an issue, concern, problem, or claim brought by an individual stakeholder, an organization, or a community group against a project or its implementers.
These complaints may be perceived, or actual issues of concern related to health, safety, environmental and social risks and adverse impacts emanating from implementation of the TAAT program at the Gwebi Testing Centre in Harare.

Aggrieved parties can seek recourse through the AfDB’s Independent Review Mechanism (IRM).

7.2 Application The GRM provides guidance on how to receive, register, assess and resolve grievances.
The main objectives of the mechanism are to:  Provide a transparent and credible process to all parties for resolving grievances, resulting in outcomes that are fair and effective  Build trust as an integral component of broader community relations; and  Enable identification of new issues and trends, facilitating corrective and preemptive action 7.3 AfDB Grievance Redress Mechanism Approach In terms of the AfDB’s GRM, any group of two or more people in the country or community who feel aggrieved by the way a Bank funded project is implemented is afforded an opportunity to be heard.
The individual or community may feel that a Bank funded project has disadvantaged them or is negatively affecting them.
In such circumstances, the Bank’s GRM provides recourse for the aggrieved parties to file a complaint against the project 7.2.1 Filing a grievance In filing a grievance, the following information is required  A reference to the project, stating all the relevant facts including the harm suffered by or threat to the affected parties; 31  How the parties have been or are likely to be materially and adversely affected by the Bank Group's act or omission, and what rights or interests of the parties were directly affected;  When requesting a compliance review, an explanation of how Bank Group policies, procedures or contractual documents were violated;  An indication if there has been any previous communication between the affected parties and the Bank Group concerning the issue (s) raised in the request; 7.2.2 Documents required • Relevant correspondence with Bank Group staff, if any; • A description of the location of the affected parties or area affected by the project; and • Any other evidence supporting the request.
7.3.3 Request format and submission Requests must be submitted in writing, dated and signed by the Requestors and contain their names, contact addresses and an address to which correspondence shall be sent (if different from the Requestors’ address (es)).
The Requestors and any other interested persons may, however, request that their identities be kept confidential, and if so, the reasons for such confidentiality; Requests must be sent to the Director of the Compliance Review and Mediation Unit (BCRM), African Development Bank Group (AfDB) Compliance Review and Mediation Unit (CRMU) - AfDB BP 1387 Abidjan 01, Cote d'Ivoire Immeuble du Centre de Commerce International d'Abidjan (CCIA) - Avenue Jean Paul II |, 14th Floor BCRM_info@afdb.org (link sends e-mail) Tel: +225 27 20 26 20 56 (CRMU Front Office) Source: Extracted from https://www.afdb.org/en/independent-review 7.4 Appointment of members of Grievance Redress Committees For purposes of administering the GRM at the project level, the following members shall constitute the team - Official from the DR & SS - Representative of the local community, in this case the Chief and Councilor for the area - Representative from a civil society organization working in the area 32 - Representative from the Ministry of Agriculture, which is the parent Ministry for the DR & SS - Representative from the TAAT Program A quorum is reached when there are at least 4 members from this group.
Once there is a quorum, the committee can execute business at hand.

7.5 Grievance settling procedure Table 7.1 presents the summary of the GRM to be adopted Table 7.1 GRM procedure PROCESS 1.Identification Grievance of 2.Grievance logged and acknowledged by project staff 3. investigation development response Grievance and a of 4.
Communication of response Complainant 5. response TIME 1 day Within 2 - 3 days Within 14 days after receipt of to a grievance and up days 30 of maximum depending on the nature of the grievance Within 14 days after receipt of to a grievance and up days 30 of maximum depending on the nature of the grievance Within 30 days DESCRIPTION -Phone, fax, letter, email or verbal submission to project site officials or TAAT/IITA officials -Record grievance on grievance form and log on grievance database -Receipt of grievance acknowledged through appropriate communication medium and to be recorded in writing -Grievance Manager convenes meeting of the Grievance Redress Team - If necessary, the team conducts site visits and carries out discussions with other stakeholders -Cause additional information to be availed -Identify further action required -Response provided to complainant including, if necessary, an indication of additional time and resources required to solve the grievance -Confirm with the complainant that the grievance can be closed or is determine what necessary -If the grievance can be closed a grievance sign off is required.
follow-up 6.

Close grievance -Record final sign off of the grievance according to significance Up to 4 weeks depending on significance 33 -If grievance cannot be closed return to step 3 to reassess or recommend if third party arbitration is necessary To comply with the AfDB requirements, the TAAT program will apply the above grievance redress procedure for handling any complaints which may be made against the program.

Its effective application will help to enhance the project’s social sustainability.
7.6 Resourcing of the GRM The GRM will need to be capitalized to ensure that funds are always available to deal with complaints brought in by stakeholders.

Such funds will be required for purposes of compensating stakeholders who would have won their cases.

This enhances the project’s sustainability.

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