Pfumvudza boosts hopes of urban farmers
URBAN farmers in Gweru are reaping the rewards of adopting sustainable practices and innovative techniques, ensuring food security and income generation even in the face of a drought caused by erratic rains due to the El-Niño phenomenon.
Through sustainable farming practices, smallholder farmers in the city’s peri-urban areas have ensured food security at household level, as well as some surplus for sale.
The farmers have embraced the Pfumvudza/Intwasa conservation farming, which has seen them producing enough food despite drought.
Mr Themba Dube said he was confident he would get enough food to last him until the next farming season after growing his crops under the Pfumvudza programme.
“The crop that I planted under Pfumvudza this season did very well compared to the one I planted using conventional farming methods,” he said.
“I planted six plots of maize after the first rains on October 15 and seven plots for beans, peanuts, soya beans, sugar beans and cowpeas and I am sure that I will get a good harvest.
“Although we encountered a dry spell in November, it was easy for us to use a pipe to irrigate each crop for a short period. My crop this year is testament that the Pfumvudza concept is the best as I will never complain of hunger.”
Mr Dube said he had used the same technique last year and sold eight tonnes of maize to the GMB and kept enough to last him until the next harvest.
The Pfumvudza concept, which is being spearheaded by the Government, promotes conservation agriculture practices on small plots.
By digging narrow furrows, applying mulch and planting seeds in precise positions, water is conserved and yields are maximised.
The programme supported over 1,6 million vulnerable households for maize, sunflower, small grains, soya beans production with input packages and conservation agriculture practices and more than double the number of households were in the Pfumvudza programme in the present season.
The programme contributes to the Sustainable Development Goal to end hunger, achieve food security and improve nutrition and promote sustainable agriculture.