Ottawa, ON – April 25^th, 2025 – Global Affairs Canada has determined that the proposed Nature Positive Food Systems for Climate Change Adaptation, located in Zimbabwe, is not likely to cause significant adverse environmental effects.

This determination was based on a consideration of the following factors:

• impacts on rights of Indigenous peoples;
• Indigenous knowledge;
• community knowledge;
• comments received from the public; and
• technically and economically feasible mitigation measures.

To address identified negative environmental effects of this project, an environmental assessment was conducted. The Canadian Food and Grain Bank, in collaboration with Towards  Sustainable Use of Resources Organisation (TSURO) Trust have developed the environmental mitigation measures based on the Environmental Assessment findings. Tsuro has also prepared a structured monitoring and reportoing plan to ensure that all initiatives continue to align with environmental requirements while serving the local communities in a sustainable way. Local authorities and community leaders will be strongly encouraged to participate in the monitoring process to ensure that community expectations are met, and negative environmental effects are adequately mitigated.

The following mitigation measures were taken into account for this determination:

• To minimize risks of ground water contamination and salinization:
  • Build storm drains and water collection pits to avoid soil erosion and enable watertable regeneration
  • Use of appropriate lining materials in catchment areas that will allow water table recharge
  • Ongoing monitoring of water points by local Water Point Committees
  • Position kraals on a slight slope to ensure proper drainage
  • Community education on water source protection
• To minimize risks of surface water contamination from agriculture and from free ranging cattle:
  • Contruct cattle containment structures
  • Community education on water protection
  • Construct water diversion channels and structures to collect and divert rainwater
  • Add slope and erosion stabilization measures where applicable
• To minimize health risks:
  • Community training on sustainable practices, particularly with respect to water source protection

Global Affairs Canada is satisfied that that the carrying out of the project is not likely to cause  significant adverse environmental effects.

Therefore, Global Affairs Canada may carry out the project, exercise any power, perform any duty or function, or provide financial assistance to enable the project to be carried out in whole or in part.