Tang Junlin (2nd R), a member of the 4th batch of Chinese agricultural experts in Zimbabwe, demonstrates irrigation techniques to local residents at the China-aided agricultural demonstration village in Zindi, Shamva District of Mashonaland Central Province, Zimbabwe, Jan. 26, 2026. (Xinhua/Yang Guang)
Zindi Village, located in northern Zimbabwe's Mashonaland Central Province, has witnessed a rapid transformation in agricultural development and the livelihoods of its residents in recent years as China-Zimbabwe agricultural cooperation prospers.
Rows of solar panels glisten under the midday sun, while pumps hum quietly, with clear groundwater flowing through pipelines into surrounding fields, where maize is already tasseling and sweet potatoes are bearing fruit.
Zindi Village, located in northern Zimbabwe's Mashonaland Central Province, has witnessed a rapid transformation in agricultural development and the livelihoods of its residents in recent years as China-Zimbabwe agricultural cooperation prospers.
Weveson Zindi, head of the village, told Xinhua that the majority of the villagers engaged in subsistence farming had long struggled with chronic water shortages and unstable electricity, and the situation had become even worse as the country was frequently hit by drought.
"When the drought came, there were only a few things to harvest," he said.
Ma Dengrong (C), a member of the 4th batch of Chinese agricultural experts in Zimbabwe, introduces an agricultural drone to local residents at the China-aided agricultural demonstration village in Zindi, Shamva District of Mashonaland Central Province, Zimbabwe, Jan. 26, 2026. (Xinhua/Yang Guang)
The change took place in 2024 when the China-aided agricultural demonstration village project was launched here, bringing a group of top-notch Chinese agricultural experts to the village.
After learning about the water shortage, the experts moved to drill boreholes, install solar-powered pumps and pipelines, and set up an irrigation system capable of supplying 55,000 liters of water daily.
"With the boreholes, we can fetch water within our houses, and with the irrigation system, we can water our gardens," said Zindi, adding that access to a stable water supply has made the once-barren land "alive."