Peter Tanyanyiwa
Peter Tanyanyiwa
Herald Correspondent
A LOCAL community-based organisation, Musoromuchena Skills for Life, is making strides in promoting sustainable agriculture and environmental stewardship in Makonde District through strategic partnerships with PELUM Zimbabwe and Makonde Rural District Council.
PELUM Zimbabwe is hosting a two-day biomonitoring training workshop, which started on Tuesday and is ending today, Wednesday in Makonde.
The training is under the Holistic Land and Livestock Management (HLLM) programme, aimed at strengthening the capacity of farmers, extension officers and community representatives in agroecology and land restoration.
The training focused on biomonitoring — the use of living organisms such as plants, insects and microorganisms to assess ecosystem health — providing farmers with practical, evidence-based tools to improve land productivity while safeguarding biodiversity.
Speaking during the workshop, Makonde Rural District Council Acting Environment Technician Mrs Tsitsi Magwaro hailed the initiative as a key driver of rural development and climate resilience.
“Musoromuchena Skills for Life is a registered institution under Makonde Rural District Council and is doing commendable work with farmers in conservation agriculture, which is critical for sustainable development in our district,” she said.
Mrs Magwaro said the biomonitoring training had broadened participants’ understanding of environmental management and sustainable farming practices.
“We are learning a lot from this training, including water harvesting techniques and orchard management,” she said.
“These are practical interventions that ensure even our boreholes remain sustainable through proper environmental stewardship.”
She noted that the introduction of innovative livestock management systems, particularly mobile paddocks, would address longstanding challenges faced by communal farmers.
“I was particularly impressed by the mobile paddocks concept. This will greatly assist in controlling stray animals, which have been a persistent problem in Makonde. It will also improve pasture management and livestock productivity,” she added.
Through support from PELUM Zimbabwe, Musoromuchena Skills for Life is equipping farmers with knowledge on low-cost, sustainable farming inputs such as organic fertilisers, enabling continued production despite economic constraints.
“The training on organic fertilisers is a game-changer. Our farmers will no longer depend solely on expensive inputs, ensuring continuity in farming even during difficult seasons. This is the essence of holistic land management,” said Mrs Magwaro.
She further highlighted that the initiative would help curb distress livestock sales, which have historically affected farmers’ incomes.
“In the past, many farmers were forced to sell their cattle due to poor management systems and resource limitations. With these new skills, they will be able to manage and retain their livestock, thereby improving their livelihoods,” she said.
Musoromuchena Skills for Life is also driving broader community empowerment initiatives, including women and youth development, income-generating projects, climate-smart agriculture and the preservation of indigenous knowledge systems such as seed saving.
The organisation’s “Grow What You Eat” philosophy aligns with national priorities on food security and rural industrialisation, positioning communities to become more self-reliant and resilient in the face of climate change.
By working closely with PELUM Zimbabwe and local authorities, Musoromuchena Skills for Life continues to demonstrate how grassroots initiatives can play a pivotal role in transforming rural livelihoods through sustainable land use and community-driven development.
Online Reporter