adminBlessing Rwizi
THE availability of a market for Tabasco chilli at Nyakomba Irrigation Scheme has seen an increase in the number of smallholder farmers concentrating on the crop than any other cash crops.
More than 200 farmers have over the past five years joined a group of 100 Tabasco farmers who started in 2011.
They were mainly attracted by Better Agriculture which is readily available in the area to buy the fresh chilli. Better Agriculture has also been assisting farmers with seedlings and other farming inputs that cover 0,2 hectares.
In addition, farmers receive about 80kg of ammonium nitrate fertiliser and an assortment of agro-chemicals which are withdrawn as per need in order to cut the overall input costs.
Better Agriculture in collaboration with Agritex set up a mini-processing plant for fresh chilli, which was constructed with the aid from the Japanese government through its agency JAICA in 2011.
The profitable move came through the assistance of the International Rescue Committee’s Economic Recovery Programme with the aim of transforming the fortunes of chilli growers in Nyanga.
The processing plant has created employment for youths in the area.
Participating farmers are now able to purchase cattle, farm implements as well as building decent accommodation for their families and enhance food security over the recent years.
Mr Albert Gwezere (59), a Tabasco farmer in Block C of Nyakomba Irrigation Scheme, said most crops being grown in Nyakomba were being affected by lack of markets, hence farmers opt for Tabasco.
“Most farmers in this area grow beans, onions and maize, but we were failing to find lucrative markets over the past few years. The introduction of Tabasco farming has changed our lives here. We have seen a rapid growth in Tabasco farming because of its market which is readily available at reasonable prices.
“In 2011, we only started as 100 farmers and harvested 67 tonnes. In 2012 and 2013, a total of 100 more farmers came on board and we harvested up to 350 tonnes in those two years. As a club member, I personally have 1 777 chilli plants and I am expecting three tonnes after harvesting. This should give me a profit of at least $1 500 after purchasing my inputs,” said Mr Gwezere.
Nyakomba Irrigation Scheme marketing chairperson, Mr Tenda Chiwandandebvu, said the Tabasco project had not only benefited farmers financially, but had also taught them to see farming as business.
“Our community has not only been benefited financially from the Tabasco project, but they have also learnt that farming is a very good business. Most farmers now have cropping calendars and are now doing record keeping, which have boosted the chilli production over the recent years. We are hoping for the best in this coming year as the farming portions and inputs have been expanded,” said Mr Chiwandandebvu.
Nyakomba Tabasco farmers collaborated with a group from Nyamaropa Irrigation Scheme and exported an estimated 272 tonnes of Tabasco chilli to America in a deal estimated at $140 000 last year.
Online Reporter