adminStephen Ephraem in Chipinge
RELIGIOUS groups have been called upon to ensure food security in the country.
The challenge was made by the president of United Church of Christ in Zimbabwe Reverend Ephraim Ngadziore at a field day held at Gaza University site in Chipinge Ward Six last Friday.
The church converted 11 hectares of the 120ha it was allocated for the university project to plant commercial maize under dry land.
According to the UCCZ food security project manager, Mr Jacob Sibiya, the church aims to help in feeding the nation at large.
“As a starting point, we decided to have 11ha under maize in Chipinge, but we will be expanding to other areas especially in the Save Valley, said Mr Sibiya.
“Here we introduced a plant population of 69 000 plants per ha. The normal plant population is 50 000 plants, but we had to reduce the gap between plants from the usual 30cm to 16cm.
“The area had rainfall challenges, but our yield is fairly good due to good farming practice like water harvesting and proper fertiliser application.
“The estimated yield per ha is five tonnes. With a total of 55 tonnes, we can feed more than 450 people per year.”
Guest of honour, the District Agricultural Extension Officer for Chipinge, Mr Tapiwa Chagwesha, in a speech read on his behalf by Mr Esau Woyo complimented non-governmental organisations for their participation in ensuring food security.
“Zimbabwe was well known as the breadbasket of southern Africa. We want to reclaim that status. Government alone cannot achieve this without support from the private sector, NGOs and religious organisations. I hope other religious organisations will emulate what you did here, said Mr Chagwesha.”
Online Reporter