Urban farmers start preps

HARARE’s urban farmers have started land preparations for the 2017-2018 summer cropping season.

A survey by The Herald showed that farmers in Belvedere, Sunningdale, Rugare and Kambuzuma have either cleared their plots or tilled the land.

Others are burning crop residue to enhance soil fertility ahead of planting.

Most farmers say they want to use the early rains to plant their crops.

Urban farming is integral to household food security and improving living conditions of people in the city.

Mrs Stellia Store of Belvedere, Harare, who often produces maize and sugarbeans, said though she has prepared the land, she hasn’t begun mobilising inputs such as seeds and fertilisers.

“Sometimes we plant retained seed and do not apply fertilisers as we do not have money, said Mrs Store. We carefully select the seed from the previous harvest and store it in a safe place.

“We apply less fertilisers and sometimes supplement with compost manure. Money shortages are our biggest challenge. I am old, but I am working alone. If I had money, I would have hired labour to till the land. We should also be included in the input programmes.”

Mbare resident Mr Ben Katsvere said urban farming helped him save significant amounts.

“I do not have to buy mealie meal when I can produce on my own,” he said.

“I hope this season the rains will be favourable.”