adminwould ensure food security and sustenance of many farming ventures in communities.
In an interview during the Oxfam-initiated solar energy fair at Gomba Village, Gutu, last week, Ruti Irrigation Scheme marketing co-ordinator Ms Ipaishe Masvingise said if farming communities could have farming contracts with reputable companies there could be a ready market for their produce.
“Contract farming could go a long way in alleviating some of the challenges faced by those in commercial farming. Since we started operating at Ruti Irrigation
Scheme, we have been facing a number of challenges in sourcing markets.
“We once tried the Grain Marketing Board but we were frustrated by the long time between delivery and payment. Receiving the money for your produce six months after delivery does not make any business sense. We are appealing to reputable companies that can assist us in this regard, ” said Ms Masvingise.
She said there were no lucrative markets for their produce in Gutu, which was why thee looking beyond the district for other avenues to market their crops.
“We have harvested enough beans for family use and resale but there are no lucrative markets here. Many of our villagers don’t have money such that we are selling maize to them at giveaway prices. This is why we are considering contract farming that would ensure that our produce has a ready market,” she said.
Ruti Irrigation Scheme is heavily supported by Oxfam and has assisted a number of households in Ward 13 and 14. Many people in the area now getting food from the farming venture.
“We are grateful to Oxfam and Government for making the dream of having a source of livelihood a reality for most of us here.
“Since we started farming business at the irrigation, the two wards have never run short of food and yet there are only a number of households directly benefiting from this venture.
“The Government provided land and water in the form of Ruti Dam which was constructed in the 1980s. We are able to send our children to school using the money we realise from this project and the lives of many people have changed for the better.
“At least 240 households are benefiting from this project that stands to be the main source of many livelihoods in the districts of Gutu. Our desire is to see this project becoming one of the best in the country with many ripple effects like shops that can give employment to the youths,” she said.
She also said project members had received training in a number of areas, notably marketing and administration.
They have since accrued many benefits from this training and some of them got an opportunity to visit similar projects in Manicaland province, on look and learn tours organised by Oxfam.
Online Reporter