adminChinhoyi Bureau
About 20 000 disadvantaged households in three districts in Zimbabwe have benefited from a seed multiplication project using open-pollinated seed varieties.
The project, which targets vulnerable households such as the orphaned and those with limited means to sustain themselves, are given a 10kg bag of seed and training on sustainable agriculture practices such as zero tillage and use of compost manure as fertilisers.
After harvesting, the farmers are expected to return double the initial seed and keep the remainder to feed their families and also keep some for the following agriculture season.
The returned seed is given to the next line of beneficiaries, while the first line beneficiaries are weaned and trained in other areas that enhance productivity.
The project, which is being coordinated by Linkages for Economic Advancement of the Disadvantaged (LEAD), working together with Government arms such as Agritex, Veterinary Services and Livestock departments, is being carried out in Hurungwe, Nkayi and Lupane districts.
It also involves training in nutrition, small livestock rearing as a business and farming techniques.
A beneficiary, Mrs Shiella Bamu of Chinovhiringa Village under Chief Yamhunga in Sengwe, Hurungwe said she had no cattle and fertilizers to venture into agriculture but through the programme, she had food and surplus to sell.
“It has been three years since the programme started and from being someone without cattle and money to farm, I now have something to give my children and to others,” she said.
From about a tonne in the first year, Mrs Bamu went to two tonnes in the second year and was expecting five tonnes this year.
LEAD Karoi manager, Mrs Prisca Nyagweta, said they registered 98 percent loan recovery in the 2010 – 2011 season before it came down to 95 percent owing to the increased number of beneficiaries and area of coverage.
The CEO of the project, Mr Elliott Takaindisa, said small grain and livestock support was given to people in the drought-prone southern region.
Online Reporter