Chronicle Editor
Sukulwenkosi Dube-Matutu , Chronicle Reporter
HOPES have been raised for farmers operating at Unity Garden in Ward 7, Gwanda District following the installation of a solar powered water system at their garden.
Since the one-hectare garden was established in 2018, farmers have had a challenge in watering their crops. They had to carry water in buckets from Mtshelele River which is about 200 metres from their garden.
The water challenges saw some of the farmers pull out of the project as it was not yielding much fruit.
In September the farmers had a submersible pump installed at the river and a solar powered system which draws water from the river to their garden by Hand in Hand Zimbabwe.
The garden’s chairperson, Mr Phumulani Ndlovu said they were hopeful of improved yields. He said the project benefits 20 households.
“We started the garden in 2018 but it has always been difficult to produce because of water challenges. It was only better during the rainy season when we didn’t have to water the crops but thereafter it has always been a challenge.
A borehole was drilled in the garden but it only helped us for a short while and from there it went dry. Many people stopped farming because of this challenge,” he said.
“Hand in Hand Zimbabwe came to our assistance and they installed a submersible pump at the river and a solar powered water system. Now we are able to get water from taps which have been installed in our garden.”
He said they have planted tomatoes, butternut, vegetables and okra. They also have a section set aside for trees where they are growing various fruit trees such as pawpaws, lemons, mangoes, peaches, avocados and guavas.
The garden also has a nursery where they nurture tree seedlings which they either sell or grow in their orchard.
Unity Garden vice-chairperson, Ms Nomagugu Sibanda said now that they have a reliable water supply, they will be able to produce enough to feed their families and also for sale.
“When this garden was established, we were really hoping that it would be a solution to our income challenges. Now that our garden is in full swing, we will be able to produce enough to feed out families and to also sell. We hope to establish markets within our ward and beyond.
We plan to have a variety of crops to ensure nutrition security in our households,” she said.
A member of the irrigation project, Ms Sakhile Moyo said they also have a goat rearing, baking and dishwashing liquid making project. She said the members of the garden had been grouped into various committees which were responsible for the other projects.
She said they received training on the various projects through assistance from various partners.
“In addition to the garden project we also have a baking project, goat rearing project and dishwashing making project which also help us in getting an income.
We started with the baking project after we received training. We contributed money to buy ingredients and we started baking and selling buns. We used the proceeds that we were making from the baking project to buy goats and we started the project,” she said.
“From there we added the dishwashing liquid project. While we have certain people who are responsible for each project but are doing all these ventures as a group and the proceeds we get we share among us all.” — @DubeMatutu
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