Chronicle Editor
Judith Phiri, Business Reporter
FARMERS in Matobo District have been urged to continue utilising the District Agricultural Centre of Excellence (DACE) as a resource for acquiring knowledge aimed at enhancing agricultural production, ultimately bolstering food and nutrition security.
The Matobo DACE is part of a network of six Agricultural Centres of Excellence (ACEs) and DACEs established across the country under the Zimbabwe Agriculture Knowledge and Innovation Services (ZAKIS) project.
Two national ACEs were established at Chibero Agricultural College and Matopos Research Institute, while four DACEs were established in Matobo, Insiza, Mhondoro-Ngezi, and Chegutu.
The ZAKIS project, funded by the European Union (EU) as part of the Zimbabwe Agricultural Growth Programme (ZAGP) with an initial investment of €40 million, was launched in June 2019.
Executed by 20 partners across six consortia, the ZAGP concluded on 31 March, 2024, after five years of advancing the productivity, profitability, and resilience of the livestock production sector in the country.
The overarching objective of the programme was to contribute to the development of a diversified and efficient agriculture sector that promotes inclusive green economic growth.
In an interview, Matobo District Agricultural Advisory and Rural Development Services Extension officer Mrs Francisca Ndlovu said the Matobo DACE continues to be a centre where farmers can go for look-and-learn tours.
“Farmers adopt better after seeing, hence they will be able to practically assess the performance of various varieties under farm conditions from planting to harvesting. As a DACE we work with research institutions as research is farmer-centred,” said Mrs Ndlovu.
She said farmers were being trained on various farming techniques which they could then cascade to the wards they come from.
Mrs Ndlovu said they also work with farmers in the private sector for high-yielding seed varieties and other requisite inputs that will aid farmers to achieve high yields.
“The DACE continues to be an interaction platform for various stakeholders so that they can share different products and services that positively contribute to enhanced productivity. Not only does the DACE benefit farmers but it also provides insights to the future generation.
Through visits, students get assistance that helps them in their Continuous Assessment Learning Activity (CALA) and agricultural classes,” she said.
She said though they were having water challenges and were in the process of resuscitating the pump, they planted demonstration crops such as tomatoes, onions and wheat for farmers to come and learn, while they were also preparing for summer cropping.
Matobo farmer Mr Standich Moyo of Lushumbe Village, said utilising the DACE, he has been able to shift from subsistence farming to commercial farming.
“I have adopted producing substantial quantities of agricultural outputs, selling large proportions and making profits. This centre has assisted me through various farmer-centric trainings and workshops that have taught me to go beyond production numbers,” he said.
“My agricultural strategy now encompasses a range of activities including input delivery, water management, infusion of technology and investment in rural infrastructure.”
Mr Moyo is into beekeeping, horticulture, piggery and poultry, as well as value-adding his produce, which has assisted him and other farmers he works with to sustain their families.
Bongani Ndlovu