GZU promotes rural industrialisation in Buhera
TO reverse the declining trend of farming traditional grains, while promoting their value, Great Zimbabwe University has initiated a project that involves research, extension, training and marketing activities in Buhera.
The project aimed at enhancing the diversity and resilience of the agricultural system, as well as the livelihoods and well-being of the local communities, has been embraced by local farmers, according to Buhera Central legislator, Honourable Sam Matema.
In an interview on Monday, Honourable Matema said the project works with farmers, traders, processors, consumers and policy makers to improve the quality and quantity of traditional grain production, processing and consumption.
He said the project saw the university visiting his constituency and buying 25 tonnes of finger millet, a crop that has been grown in dry Buhera District for centuries.
“Buhera Central Constituency played host to GZU who are responding to the Second Republic’s call for institutions of higher learning to step in and support Government’s initiatives through innovation hubs. They are pushing rural industrialisation through agriculture by promoting the growing of traditional grains and providing a ready market for the same. This programme will transform many lives and accelerate growth of local economies in the district.
“During their two-day stay in the constituency, they managed to buy 25 tonnes of finger millet at a price of US$750 per tonne. The price has been the best on the market so far. Farmers in Buhera are excited and looking forward to a strong collaboration with the university on many agricultural ventures,” he said.
Honourable Matema said the project also supports the development of value chains and market linkages for traditional grains, both locally and nationally.
“By doing so, the project contributes to the broader goals of food sovereignty, agro-ecology and rural development in Zimbabwe. The university is promoting the production and marketing of traditional grains in the constituency because it wants to align itself with broader goals of enhancing agricultural diversity, resilience and the livelihoods of local communities,” he said.
Honourable Matema said GZU’s promotion of traditional grains in Buhera Central reflects a forward-thinking strategy that combines academic knowledge with practical, community-oriented solutions.
In an interview, a local farmer, Mr Paddy Magaya said they have been growing traditional grains such as millet, sorghum and finger millet for centuries.
“What was lacking is the market for the grains, and that is why we recently have been forced by circumstances to grow maize. Maize is not suitable for semi-arid regions such as ours. We are grateful that GZU has intervened, and forged a partnership with us. We now have a ready market and we can grow as much traditional grains as we want,” he said.
In an interview recently, Ministry of Lands, Agriculture, Fisheries, Water and Rural Development’s Permanent Secretary, Professor Obert Jiri said Government has intensified traditional grains production in areas that fall under natural regions four and five in the province.
“We are very grateful that the hectarage of traditional grains improved in the province this year than what was targeted,” he said.
Professor Jiri said the trend is showing that the country is moving towards food security and nutrition as evidenced by the surpassing of targets.
He also said the programme will see all areas in natural regions four and five in the province, including Buhera being mechanised to upscale traditional grains production.
“We want to see our farmers focusing more on production, while as Government, we facilitate the processing of these traditional grains by distributing mechanisation and seed.
“The emphasis on traditional grains is a key strategic thrust for us a country because these regions that are affected more by climate change are becoming more suitable for traditional grains. As a result, this coming season, we will see an increased thrust in the matching and distribution of traditional grains to drier regions,” said Professor Jiri.
He said Government will not be distributing maize to natural regions three, four and five. Instead, traditional grains like rapoko, sorghum, millet etc will take centre stage and distributed in such areas.
This is in direct response to climate change.
Millet, finger millet and sorghum are well adapted to the semi-arid conditions and low-input farming systems of the area, and provide food security and nutrition for the rural population.
However, in recent decades, these grains have faced competition from maize, and as a result, the production and consumption of traditional grains have declined, along with the associated knowledge and practices.