Chronicle Editor
Sukulwenkosi Dube-Matutu, [email protected]
AN elderly couple from Lumene Village in Gwanda District, Matabeleland South, Mr Dannie Dube and his wife, Sifelani Dube, have become popular in their community for producing traditional grains.
The couple, in their late 70s, has started planting sorghum on their five-plot area, capitalising on the rains that pounded their area. They have set aside two plots for maize production.
They intend to also grow groundnuts and velvet beans. The couple has over the years continued to record bumper harvests and last year they produced 850kg of sorghum, 22 by 50kg bags of maize, and 1 100kg of groundnuts.
The Dubes have adopted the Pfumvudza/Intwasa farming concept, which has proved to be a game changer. Intwasa is a concept aimed at climate-proofing agriculture by adopting conservation farming techniques and involves the use of small plots and applying the correct agronomic practices for higher returns.
Mrs Dube said last year they had four plots of sorghum and this year they decided to add another plot.
“The rain which we received in our area is enough for us to plant. If their area receives rain on two other occasions then we will be guaranteed a good harvest. We have been waiting eagerly for the rains and I’m relieved now that we have finally received some,” she said.
“We are confident that we can now start planting. The rains are of significant importance to us because farming is our way of life. Whenever we farm, we don’t just do it as a norm but as an investment. That’s why we put in a lot of effort, and it is time to make every farming season a success,” she said.
Mrs Dube said last year they received good rains on three different occasions such that they were able to harvest while those who had focused on growing maize recorded losses.
“Our target is to finish planting as soon as possible. The farming season is here and we are targeting an improved yield since we increased our area under production,” she said.
“Farming has always been our culture and way of life and we love farming and being productive on the land. In the past, we used to work in our fields ourselves without any assistance but now we don’t have the strength.”
The elderly couple has since 2004 been growing traditional grains. Acting provincial director of the Agricultural Rural Development and Advisory Services for Matabeleland South, Mr Mkhunjulelwa Ndlovu said some farmers have already done dry planting following the rains.
He said the province is targeting 40 000 hectares of pearl millet up from last year’s 33 000 ha. The target of 35 000 has been set aside for sorghum.
“For the province to meet its targets and significantly contribute towards food and nutrition in the country, we have been engaging farmers on treating farming as a business.
“For maize, we are targeting irrigation schemes in Insiza North area, which does well in maize production,” said Mr Ndlovu. —@DubeMatutu
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