adminBlessing Rwizi
OVER 260 smallholder farmers at Nyarumvurwe Irrigation Scheme in Nyanga have found a lucrative market for their produce, having supplied 725 tonnes of onions to supermarkets and vendors in Harare between November 2015 and February this year. The irrigation scheme, which falls under Ward 23, was established in 2009 by Intermediate Technology Development Group (Practical Action).
It benefits 265 households operating 0,1 hectares each.
Apart from these plot holders, a group of 60 youths in the dry lands also sunk wells from which they draw water to irrigate their onion projects too.
Additionally, some renovations of canals and a weir along Nyamombe River by NGOs, has enabled another group of 60 women to draw water for similar projects in their household gardens.
NGOs and Agritex officers conduct learning workshops with farmers, draft cropping calendars and create market linkages for the farmers.
The lucrative nature of the business has seen a sharp rise in the number of farmers turning to onions in the region.
Between last November to date, farmers sold their produce to Pick ‘n’ Pay Supermarket, Brands Fresh and other vendors in Harare at 0,65 cents per kg.
The pricing regime is quality related.
Some of the farmers have managed to buy scotch-carts and cars, build houses and send children to school from the proceeds.
Nyarumvurwe Irrigation Scheme Agritex officer, Mr Misheck Chigumira, said farmers had the potential to increase yields, but were being limited by space.
“We appeal to Government and NGOs to help us expand the scheme since the 0,1 hectare has proved to be too small.
The size of land is not in tandem with ability of most of our farmers. The farmers can produce very high yields and we have a lot of water in this area, but the land is small,” said Mr Chigumira.
He hailed NGOs for helping establish a greenbelt in the area.
One of the successful farmers, Mr Elijah Sedze, said he was a beneficiary of the Promoting Smallholder Market Engagement project’s $160 open voucher agricultural input support intervention in January 2015.
“After selling my onions last year, I managed to buy a Nissan Hardbody truck. I have been growing sweet beans and wheat since 2009, but has since shifted to onions as my main irrigated crop. I realised gross income from the crop of $2 000 and $3 000 in 2012 and 2013, respectively.
“The voucher that I got triggered a big change in my fortunes. In November 2015, I harvested 1 200 pockets and realised $5 700 which was my highest annual onion income,” said Mr Sedze.
Online Reporter