Andrew
Fatima Bulla-Musakwa
Youth Buzz
In what is turning out to be a mini-revolution in Zimbabwe, many youths are taking up farming, bringing a refreshing outlook to the country’s agriculture sector.
One such youthful farmer is Rusape-based Shepherd Nyika, who “eats, sleeps and lives farming” on his Darkbridge Farm.
His story is one of focus, perseverance and belief in the Government’s land reform programme.
How it all started
Nyika mooted the idea of venturing into farming when he worked as a warden at Rusape Prison.
While going about his duties, he realised that the prison was surrounded by swathes of idle land. When he was off duty, he started planting potatoes in the open spaces.
He soon became well-known for growing quality potatoes.
The results were so impressive that he decided to rent pieces of land from other farmers. The authorities took notice and helped him acquire a farm.
Nyika is now one of the country’s top young farmers.
In the past year, he has won a prize
for being one of the best performers in the National Young Farmer Excellence
Awards.
Last year, he produced 16 tonnes of millet, 130 tonnes of maize and 200 bales of tobacco.
This year, he has already started growing tobacco, maize, paprika, millet, sugar bean and soyabean.
Due to his passion for farming, Nyika has invested in electricity and farming implements, including a tractor and planters.
He employs 15 permanent workers and more than 50 others who come on short-term contracts.
For this year’s summer cropping season, he has 35 hectares already under tobacco, and he is targeting to put 50 ha under the golden leaf.
He has also completed land preparation to put 150 ha under maize.
“I am producing maize and small grains to contribute to Government’s goal of ensuring people are food secure and consume food that has nutritional value. I am also into horticulture,” Nyika said.
Hard work
The young farmer believes in hard work.
He often wakes up in the wee hours to work in his fields.
“A farmer should not spend time sleeping.
“If you are in the early stages of planting tobacco, sometimes you have to be up by around 2 am so that by the time workers are coming to the fields around 6am, the land is already watered,” he said.
“Sometimes you even have to start watering your holes by 11pm so that the water sinks in well so that you plant your tobacco between 6am and 8am.
“This is so because our weather is characterised by high temperatures and water can easily evaporate.
“As a farmer, one has to be the first to get to the field and the last to leave.”
He says practising proper farming methods means that fertiliser, herbicides and pesticides have to be applied in right quantities, while seedlings should be of high quality to ensure good yields.
His aim is to prove that young farmers can make maximum use of the land and support they are receiving from the Government.
◆ [email protected]; @BullaFatima
Online Reporter