Wetland comes in handy for Guruve community

IN some parts of the country, the word wetland conjures images of a soggy swamp and buzzing mosquitoes.

However, the Second Republic is working to ensure that villagers turn them into vital sources of livelihoods through community gardens, among other projects.

One project demonstrating the hidden potential of wetlands is the Nyamoyapera community garden near Mudhindo growth point in Guruve, Mashonaland Central province.

The initiative has become a shining example of how wetland conservation can result in multiple benefits for communities after adopting sustainable land use practices and environmentally friendly farming methods.

First started in 1990, the project now provides employment to 150 people, with 146 of the members being women.

The Nyamoyapera community garden recently hosted belated commemorations to mark World Wetlands Day in the province.

Chairperson of the community gardens Mr Kingdom Manyika said the project has breathed life into the area.

“When we started the project in 1990, there were just a few members. But through the support we have received from the Second Republic, our membership now stands at 150 people. What is pleasing is that women make up the majority of beneficiaries — we have just four men,” said Mr Manyika.

The community gardens, he said, produce a variety of cash crops, serving local markets in Guruve and beyond.

“We have onions, tomatoes, sweet potatoes and vegetables. We are selling our produce at the local growth point but supply is higher than demand. The Government has helped us to grow and now we are currently working to start a fish project.”

He said they have also received support from the Environmental Management Agency (EMA) to manage the gardens.

“We have received a perimeter fence, solar panels and a water tank from EMA. We are managing to sell surplus produce to send our children to school,” he said.

Ms Melania Chingozha, a member of the community garden project, said Guruve was among the districts affected by stream bank cultivation.

Members of the Nyamoyapera community garden receive inputs from the Mashonaland Central Minister of State for Provincial Affairs and Devolution, Captain (Retired) Christopher Magomo (in white coat), in Guruve

“The major reasons that drove people into stream bank cultivation include lack of capital to buy irrigation equipment, dearth of knowledge and poverty.

“We had a tragedy of the commons in this area as individual gardens and stream bank cultivation have caused deforestation, but this project has answered our call to eradicate these problems.”

She said the gardens are guaranteeing food security and nutrition to vulnerable groups, including the elderly, single mothers, childheaded families and orphans.

Mashonaland Central Minister of State for Provincial Affairs and Devolution Captain (Retired) Christopher Magomo said wetland management helps to fight climate change.

“This wetland has become a source of livelihood for the Nyamoyapera community, creating downstream benefits. Zimbabwe recognises the importance of wetlands and this year’s theme for World Wetlands Day — ‘Wetlands for Sustainable Livelihoods’ — resonates with the national strategic vision to preserve wetlands as a national heritage,” he said.

“Wetlands sustain livelihoods in different ways . . . Wetlands store carbon more than any other terrestrial ecosystem, hence they remain a panacea in the fight against climate change and other weather extremities.”

With Mashonaland Central comprising numerous wetland areas across its eight

districts, Minister Magomo encouraged other communities to draw lessons from the Nyamoyapera community garden.

“This garden project is a good example showcasing best case practices in wetland management worth emulating. I, therefore, challenge other communities to replicate the same projects. This year’s World Wetlands Day commemorations provide an opportunity for communities to share experiences on restoration, conservation, protection and utilisation of wetlands in their localities,” he said.

“If managed well, wetlands can provide sustainable livelihood options for local communities. Congratulations to the Nhamoyapera community for this exceptional sustainable utilisation of this wetland in your area.”

EMA provincial manager for Mashonaland Central province Mr Robert Rwafa said the Nyamoyapera community has vowed to protect the wetland because it is their source of livelihood.

“They have requested an additional 5 000litre water tank and we will assist them. We are excited that this is an exemplary community. This is an old project which has gradually improved and is now flourishing under the Second Republic,” he said.

“We will arrange a look-and-learn tour with other communities in the province. This is indeed a worthy example for others to learn from.”