Women farmers plead for land

FEMALE farmers in Bulawayo have appealed to government to provide them with more land for farming activities.

They made the appeal on Tuesday at a fieldday in Reigate district, Tigela, Bulawayo held under the theme: “Start with a healthy soil, good seed, followed by good husbandry to be productive every season”.

The women, farming under the Women Farmers Land Association (Wfla), partnered with Mukushi seeds which will support their farming activities.

Wfla chairperson Constance Ndlovu told Southern Eye that this year they were expecting a bumper harvest since more women in the province took up farming to sustain their families.

“Women are embarking on urban farming activities, and we appeal to government to provide us with more land for farming. We are also thankful to the Bulawayo City Council which has allowed us to do farming,’’ Ndlovu said.

Mukushi seeds marketing officer for Matabeleland and Bulawayo provinces Prince Mazimuka said: “This was our pilot project in Bulawayo and Mukushi seeds have got seven maize seed products. Mama MQ623 seeds have a hybrid advantage in that they have double cobbing flexibility for consistent yields even in drought conditions and quality protein maize hybrid with improved grain protein quality for better nutrition.”

The event was also attended by Bulawayo North district developent coordinator, Evelyn Chatikobo, Umguza and Bulawayo Agritex supervisor Siphiwe Ndebele and ward two councillor Joice Ndlovu, among others.