Farmer-of-the-year defies odds

Tendai Gukutikwa
THE JX75T two-wheel drive tractor was a well deserved prize for the 2015 farmer-of-the year Mrs Maengeni Bingadade as she has proven beyond any doubt that one can still produce bountifully despite the harsh weather conditions. After the presentation of the tractor in November 2015 by the Zimbabwe Agricultural Show Society (ZAS), Mrs Bingadade of Chigodora, is currently harvesting her first batch of this season’s maize on her three hectare piece of land.

This is a feat that most farmers have failed to do owing to the current harsh weather conditions.

She now supplies fresh produce to Manica Produce Market, OK Zimbabwe Mutare branch and Sizzlers Fast Foods Outlet.

“I have around an acre of covo, rape, shallots, butternuts, beetroot, spinach and strawberries in my horticulture field and I supply various supermarkets in the city.

The supermarkets provide me with a fair deal and it is so much better than spending my day at Sakubva Musika selling the fresh produce,” said Mrs Bingadade.

The bean crop has also proved lucrative for Bingadade.

The farmer has used proceeds to buy a trailer for the tractor.

“Among my various achievements since the day I received the tractor, I have bought a $1 200 trailer and I am currently saving towards buying a tractor plough.

“It has also been a great relief even for the animals, since I am now able to till the land with the machine instead of draught power,” she said, adding that the tractor has saved her time.

“Our cry so far as farmers is for the rains to come and come quickly because as we speak, the crops are wilting due to moisture stress. I am not irrigating the maize, groundnuts and round nuts,” she said.

Her fruits and vegetables are the ones which are being aided by the small irrigation.

The horticulture is just near the homestead.

Regardless of the poor rains, Mrs Bingadade and her family are already in the process of harvesting their first batch of the maize crop. She expects to harvest two fold her previous yield.

Her orchard is decorated by bananas, oranges, guavas and oranges.

The fruits are both for sale and family consumption.

Mrs Bingadade has already started preparations for this year’s Manicaland Agricultural Show and is confident of winning again.