Moffat Mungazi
Lovemore Kadzura
Post Reporter
SMALL-SCALE farmers at Manunure Irrigation Scheme in Mutasa District have embraced rice farming as part of the programme being spearheaded by the First Lady, Dr Auxillia Mnangagwa in partnership with the Japan International Cooperation Agency (JICA).
About 57 farmers at the scheme are growing the New Rice for Africa (NERICA) variety, where a model is being developed for localised commercial rice production.
The project is also aimed at increasing rice production from the current 2 900 metric tonnes per season against the national demand of 330 000 metric tonnes, which are all imports.
Manunure Irrigation Scheme chairperson, Mr Henry Garapo said they have fully embraced the project, which he has said is proving to be viable as it requires less inputs when compared to other crops they have been growing.
“We started growing rice in 2023, and it has been progressing so well. Our production at the moment is towards building a seed bank, and are not yet producing for consumption. Once we have enough seed suitable for this region, then we will start production for consumption.
“Everything is going on perfectly well as we are being provided with the necessary guidance by experts. Rice has proved to be highly productive and profitable as it requires less fertilisers. You require only 100kg of Ammonium Nitrate and 200kg of Compound D per hectare. If you over apply fertiliser, the harvest will be affected. In the past, we concentrated on wheat and maize, but now we have fully embraced rice. This will enable us to diversify and help us to have multiple streams of income.
“Seven kilogrammes of seed covering 0,25ha produced 550kg, and this is where we shared the seed. The programme encompasses men, women and youths so that everyone grab this life changing opportunity.
“We are not looking back because we want our lives to change for the better. We also do not want to disappoint those who are assisting us,” said Mr Garapo.
Mutasa District Agritex officer, Mr Bessy Masvanhise said the project has registered success on the seed multiplication stage, and the first farmers to be taken on the project can later sale the seed to other farmers, gradually increasing rice production in the district.
“This programme is being spearheaded by the First Lady, Dr Auxillia Mnangagwa after discovering that Zimbabwe is importing a lot of rice while producing less. This is when she engaged JICA and came up with this project. The programme started in 2023 with trials to produce seed.
“The farmers are still at the seed multiplication stage. This allows them to have enough seed for themselves as well as part to sale to others who will join the programme later. In the province, Mutasa and Mutare are the only districts suitable for rice production according to our previous research and findings.
“The farmers have embraced the new crop, and we are encouraging others to join as the seeds became available,” said Mrs Masvanhise.
Online Reporter