Online Reporter
Lovemore Kadzura
Post Reporter
MARANGE villagers have adopted solar-powered boreholes as a dependable water source for irrigation farming, overcoming perennial drought and scarcity issues in the dry region, and significantly improving their lives.
Marange, situated in natural regions four and five, faces significant hurdles in agricultural activities due to limited rainfall, leading to recurring hunger and food shortages, as villagers often reap meagre harvests.
Even the production of traditional grains like rapoko, finger millet, African peas (nyemba), and groundnuts, has become increasingly difficult due to rapid climate change.
However, the solar-powered borehole drilling initiative, coupled with the establishment of Village Business Units, has been enthusiastically adopted in Marange.
Villagers are also installing these systems at their private homesteads, aligning with Government’s
Rural Development 8.0 initiative.
The year-round availability of water for irrigation has empowered previously marginalised villagers to produce adequate food for their families and generate surplus output for sale.
With continued investment in such initiatives, issues of hunger and malnutrition in Marange are likely to decrease significantly.
Villagers in Wards 18, 19, 25, and 28 are a testament to the transformative power of accessible irrigating water, having enthusiastically adopted horticulture and winter cropping at the VBUs, community gardens, and private homes – a rarity in the area previously.
The area’s Agritex officer, Mrs Sibongile Chipunza said crops that were once scarce due to water constraints, such as cabbages, tomatoes, onions, carrots, pineapples, and green mealies, are now gaining popularity.
She attributed this agricultural revolution to the VBUs and private initiatives undertaken by local families.
“We are situated in natural regions four and five where farmers mainly grow traditional grains such as millet, rapoko, roundnuts, ground nuts, and African peas. They only grow maize short season varieties due to limited rains. Farmers here are gradually venturing into horticulture, growing crops such as cabbages, onions, carrots and other vegetables.
“The Village Business Units and investments by individual families in solarised boreholes have made this possible. Villagers have graduated from subsistence agriculture to productive farming. People from this area used to procure horticultural produce from as far as Mutare and some irrigation schemes far away.
“To show the impact of these solarised boreholes, local villagers have started growing potatoes in their gardens, something previously unimaginable. More such initiatives should be pursued to rescue our people from food shortages,” said Mrs Chipunza.
Mrs Rosina Ruswa, of Batanai 4 Garden in Marukutu Village, said the Village Business Unit has boosted productivity, enhanced food security and increased incomes for villagers in the drought-prone area.
“We are beneficiaries of the Village Business Unit garden. In the past, we struggled to carry out agricultural activities due to limited water. We now run a garden with a perennial water supply from the solarised borehole. Previously, to eat cabbages, one had to buy them from Mutare, but we are now growing them alongside other new crops we have adopted.
“Our potential was curtailed as we only relied on rainfall water, but right now, we are flourishing as farmers. Our previous community garden ceased operations because the shallow well dried up due to prolonged drought. Through improved agriculture, our lives have changed for good, as we are earning decent money and have access to a balanced diet, which we produce ourselves. We are now able to send our children to school, pay fees on time, and provide them with necessities like uniforms and stationery, something we used to struggle with,” said Mrs Ruswa.
Mr Teramai Mhondera, an agronomist with a seed company, encouraged farmers in drought-prone areas to work closely with experts for proper advice, especially when it comes to types of crops to grow and the correct seed variety suitable for their region.
“Farmers are encouraged to work closely with their agronomist from the beginning. They should choose the right seed variety suitable for their region. Farmers in this area are advised not to solely rely on maize unless they have irrigation to supplement the limited rains.
This is a small grain territory. Farmers must not treat small grains as a substitute for maize, but as their main crop.
“Government has set the same price for maize and small grains, which means farmers will not lose. Grain Marketing Board is also accepting the swapping of small grains and maize. The investment in solarised boreholes is having a huge impact in this area. Families are competing to drill boreholes and must continue to work with agronomists to achieve more from their fields and gardens,” said Mr Mhondera.
Empower Bank Manicaland manager, Mr Costa Tawanzume, urged the farmers, particularly group operators, to approach the bank, as Government funding is available to finance commercial activities undertaken by youths and women.
“We prioritise youths and women in agriculture, offering tailored products. Marange faces water scarcity, making agriculture challenging. We encourage farmers to form groups, register with Zimbabwe Youth Council, and access loans with Empower Bank. A group of five farmers can access up to US$3 500 per person, investing in water infrastructure and proper agriculture,” said Mr Tawanzume.
