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Talent Munda in Beitbridge
Herald Correspondent
Government’s adoption of smart agriculture programme such as Pfumvudza conservation farming is bearing fruits as evidenced by this year’s bumper harvest in Beitbridge District.
Beitbridge District falls under ecological region 5, which is characterised by extremely high temperatures, low rainfall patterns and droughts.
But 2021 is a completely different year altogether, as it received abundant rains this season.
Mrs Esnat Chauke (43) of Village 10, Lesanthe, was crowned the best farmer out of the trained 69 farmers in the Pfumvunza programme.
Mrs Chauke hosted other farmers and Agritex officers at a field day in Lesanthe, Ward 13 on Monday this week.
Together with her husband, Johanes Chauke, they planted three plots of sorghum and maize under the Pfumvudza programme and are expecting a yield of six tonnes.
Under Pfumvudza, a plot is 16m wide and 39m long, with 28 holes on the 16-metre width and 56 holes on the 39-metre length.
The Chauke family received sorghum and maize seed under the Presidential input scheme and from Progress, a consortium of development partners in Beitbridge.
Land was prepared on time and seed was also planted on time.
Furthermore, Mrs Chauke planted lab and velvet bean using the conservation farming technique and she is expecting a bumper harvest.
She said her desire was to produce stock feed in Lesanthe to sustain her livestock during drought seasons, as well as to get money for family upkeep.
“I want to thank my hardworking Agritex officer Mrs Shila Joni, who saw me through the whole process, from land preparation, cropping and now harvesting,” she said.
Speaking at the field day, Mrs Joni said early planting leads to early harvesting.
She said all the trained 69 Pfumvudza farmers in the area were doing well, although Mrs Chauke did exceptionally well.
“I applaud Mrs Chauke for cropping, weeding, mulching and spraying fall army worm on time, contributing to the amazing yield of six tonnes,” said Mrs Chauke.
Ward 13 Councillor, Mrs Beauty Chauke paid gratitude to President Mnangagwa for his visionary leadership and support rendered to communal farmers through the Pfumvudza programme.
She said she was challenged by the Chauke family and how Mr Chauke managed to support her wife despite him being physically challenged.
Online Reporter