adminBlessing Rwizi
SMALLHOLDER market engagement projects have brought light to farmers in Svinurai and Chakohwa irrigation schemes over the recent years.
The Big Lottery sponsored SME project started in April 2013 and is expected to end on April 31 this year.
It is being facilitated by Zambuko Trust in conjunction with Practical Action.
The two Non-Governmental Organisations’ key achievements were facilitating group buying of inputs for Svinurai farmers and contract farming arrangements on Michagan beans with Cairns and sugar beans with Reapers last year.
Unfortunately Chakohwa projects had to stop because of water shortages
They also facilitated the revision of farmers’ constitution and formed over 20 voluntary savings and lending (mukando) groups at Chakohwa Irrigation Scheme.
Marketing committees were also established at the two irrigation schemes, as well as the training of committee members.
Mr Guide Dube, a farmer at Chakohwa Irrigation Scheme said: “Despite water shortages that we are facing at our irrigation scheme, we are still sustaining our lives through voluntary savings and lendings. We attended a number of market engagement workshops over the past three years and since then things have been moving smoothly for us.” In a separate interview, Mr Jonathan Mhlanga from Svinurai Irrigation Scheme, said the knowledge that they gained from the NGOs could benefit future generations in the area.
“The knowledge that we got from these agents was on marketing and how to sustain our ventures during droughts. Our own children are adopting the same methods and the acquired knowledge will be passed to the next generations. We are grateful,” he said.
Online Reporter