In pictures: Rural hardship in Zimbabwe

The families were all given maize seed to plant before the rainy season, when these photos were taken. Fertiliser is scarce so farmers have been forced to adopt more environmentally friendly methods.

Instead of burning fields before planting, all vegetation was used to make compost.

And the rains this year have been the best for many years, so hopes are high for the coming harvest.

Photos and words by Robyn Hunter