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Freedom Mutanda Herald Correspondent
Vice President Dr Constantino Chiwenga visited Farm 40 in Middle Sabi recently to have first-hand knowledge of the winter maize programme under irrigation in that part of Chipinge, in an effort to boost food security in the country.
This coming after farmers embraced the Command Agriculture programme which has been initiated by the Government to return to the glory days when Zimbabwe was the breadbasket of the region and also to ensure food self-sufficiency for its people.
There are some successes of the programme as well as challenges which if dared head on, would result in economic windfalls for the nation.
With 74 A2 farmers and 47 A1 farmers, Middle Sabi Farmers Association is a voice of the proud beneficiaries of the land reform programme. To be part of the national initiative to get food on the Zimbabweans’ table at affordable cost, is one of the aims of all farmers in the association in order to complement the Government’s resolve that no one ought to die of hunger.
Mr Skumbuzo Thondlana, the Middle Sabi Farmers’ Association chairperson, said: “We want to be in sync with the President’s vision and to that end, notwithstanding some teething challenges, we have 380 hectares under winter maize, while 450 hectares is under winter wheat. We want to contribute in our own small way towards food security.’’
His Farm 40 plot is where Vice President Chiwenga took time from his busy schedule to take a look at how he was able to put 125 hectares under winter maize.
Commander Agriculture — a private sector-led public-private-partnership venture — has delivered this year on its promise of galvanising farmers to feed the nation.
Farm 28 has 20 hectares under winter wheat and the farmer, Mr Didymus Nyaumwe, is thankful to the Government for availing inputs in time for the planting of winter wheat in May this year.
He said: “This year, Command Agriculture gave us inputs on time. By the middle of May, I had planted the wheat. Yes, we had problems of quelea birds in the past, but this time around, we put chemicals every now and then to keep the birds at bay.
“Moreover, unlike previous seasons, water and electricity supplies are constant. Because of that, I believe that with all things being equal, we are likely to achieve yields of between four to five tonnes per hectare.’’
Animal and human conflict in Middle Sabi are ever in the news and this is a challenge which farmers who are close to the Save Conservancy are wary of, now that the maize and winter crops are thriving.
According to a local agronomist, Mr Teramai Maposa, wild animals like elephants and buffaloes love green vegetation.
“The buffalo loves green things,” he said. “What that means is that farmers may lose out as the wild beasts would virtually camp in the farmer’s field and there would be massive losses come October or November.’’
Farmers are appealing to the Zimbabwe Parks and Wildlife Management Authority and other stakeholders to expedite the erection of the perimeter fence which acts as a border between the Save Conservancy and the Middle Sabi farmers.
Mrs Naume Marufiye, who owns part of Farm 9 close to the Sabi River, lamented the losses she incurred because of elephants and buffaloes.
She said: “These animals trample upon the plants and eat anything green. Our workers are afraid of being gored to death. With this scourge, it will be very difficult to get maximum yields in our fields. We hope the relevant authorities will come to our aid.’’
Middle Sabi farmers have roped in investors in order to ratchet production.
Several farmers have joined the Agri-Alliance, the brainchild of Mr Dave van Breda to ensure that no fields are left idle.
Another new kid on the block to this PPP (Public-Private-Partnership) initiative is Makata Bananas, which has 150 hectares under bananas, 50 hectares under potatoes and 150 hectares under winter maize.
Employment creation is one of the added benefits to this great agrarian revolution in Middle Sabi, which is taking shape.
Mrs Mercy Mhlanga, who works at the banana pack shed, hailed the project, which has resulted in many people getting employed.
“We are happy that our bosses went into this partnership,” she said. “Many people have been employed, some coming as far away as the Chipangayi rural service centre in search of work and once they find it, they try to be hardworking.’’
The command wheat crop is in a good condition, but farmers are worried about harvesting. The other year, there was no combine harvester; another year, the harvester constantly broke down and in 2018 farmers suffered huge losses as the combine harvester came late when the birds had already destroyed the crop.
“We need tractors, planters and combine harvesters that should stay here in Middle Sabi and not to hire a machine which comes when the wheat is no longer of the highest quality,” said Mr Lovemore Chigumira, an A2 farmer.
Middle Sabi is surrounded by communal lands ,namely Mutema, Kondo and Musapingura.
Livestock owned by the villagers usually invades the farmers’ fields.
A farmer, Mr Benny Zambuko, whose plot is close to Musapindura, lamented the havoc caused by the livestock.
“Something should be done to stop livestock from the communal areas invading the fields,” he said. “Already, they are causing the gradual demise of the Zimbabwe National Water Authority dam which is close to the canal.’’
Middle Sabi is an emerging giant in the provision of raw materials to resuscitate the economy.
Online Reporter