Monday, June 9, 2025
No Result
View All Result
News Report  Zimbabwe
  • News that Matters
    • News
    • Health and Diseases
    • Technology
    • Religion
    • Horror and Disaster
    • Elections 2023
  • Crime and Courts
  • Celebrity
  • Sports
  • Mjolo
  • Breaking News
  • News that Matters
    • News
    • Health and Diseases
    • Technology
    • Religion
    • Horror and Disaster
    • Elections 2023
  • Crime and Courts
  • Celebrity
  • Sports
  • Mjolo
  • Breaking News
No Result
View All Result
News Report  Zimbabwe
No Result
View All Result
Home News

Zimbabwean farmers encounters exodus

October 22, 2023
0
Zimbabwean farmers encounters exodus

WHEN small-hold farmer Gift Chisvo was given land in Zimbabwe’s midlands in the early 2000s under a land reform programme introduced by former president Robert Mugabe, he initially battled to make use of the land.

“Before the land reform programme, I resided in Hwange, where farming was impractical due to low rainfall and high temperatures.

“Upon securing a farming opportunity in Shashe, we encountered difficulties in revitalising the region’s productivity through traditional farming methods,” explained Chisvo, who was born in Shashe.

White commercial farmers had ranched cattle in the area prior to being pushed out during the reforms. The village has had soils categorised as loamy to sandy, and the new owners, who wanted to farm crops, experienced challenging conditions. After several failures, some, like Chisvo considered leaving.

“The unfavourable soil conditions and irregular rainfall patterns posed significant challenges. As a result, we recognised the need to adopt alternative approaches to agriculture, and that’s when agroecology emerged,” Chisvo shared.

Agroecology techniques refer to a set of approaches in agricultural practices aimed at promoting sustainable and ecological farming methods.

The area had become semi-arid, and to address this issue, as well as improve the soil, smallholders began adopting agroecology techniques, which are vital for enhancing resilience and strengthening the area’s ability to withstand and recover from the impacts of climate change.

“Rather than relocating, we decided to embrace agroecology techniques. This marked the beginning of a remarkable transformation, restoring sustainable agricultural practices in our area,” Chisvo said.

Some common agroecology approaches employed by Chisvo and other farmers in the Shashe area include implementing crop rotations, diversifying crop species, integrating livestock into farming systems, employing organic farming methods such as the use of organic fertiliser, promoting natural pest control, mulching, soil fertility enhancement through techniques like composting, and green cover cropping.

Gift Chisvo showing his worm tower. It is utilized as a breeding ground where worms are raised using cow dung as their medium for reproduction.

Local farmers employing these farming techniques to feed their families said almost all traditional farming methods proved to be unsustainable to restore the region’s productivity, but through determination and the integration of agroecology approaches, a remarkable transformation began to unfold.

The failure of our conventional farming methods to revive the region’s productivity sparked a need for us to change our approaches in farming.

Instead of migrating, we decided to embrace agroecology techniques, and a remarkable transformation started to take place, demonstrating the potential to restore sustainable agricultural practices in our area.

Our area has evolved into a learning area where farmers around Zimbabwe and beyond are now coming to our Shashe Agroecology School, a centre of agroecology, to learn how to employ agroecology in agriculture.
– Gift Chisvo

Another small-scale farmer in Shashe, Gracious Munhuru, said farmers now prioritise cultivating fresh, healthy produce to ensure their meals are sources of nourishment and well-being.

She said a commitment to agroecology approaches had not only benefitted their households but also inspired a larger movement towards a healthier future for their families.

“We are happy that we are now able to feed our families with fresh farm food.

Agroecology practices have revolutionised our approaches in agriculture, leading to substantial improvements in our livelihoods and food security.

“With agroecology, we are doing very well. The shift towards organic farming methods has not only rejuvenated our land but also provided us with nutritious produce, ensuring a healthier life for our families,” Munhuru said.

“We will never starve here because we also grow grains like millet, sorghum and rapoko, which are drought-resistant crops- meaning we can still have a bumper harvest during droughts,” she added.

An overview of the challenges and opportunities of the climate crisis, as it changes the world we know.

Farmers in the Shashe area are members of the Zimbabwe Small Organic Farmers Forum, which represents peasant families practising organic, traditional and agroecological agriculture in Zimbabwe.

The organisation was founded in 2002 during the World Summit on Sustainable Development in Johannesburg, South Africa, with the goal of improving the livelihoods of the country’s small-scale farmers.

The Shashe Agroecology School is also a member of La Via Campesina’s network of agroecology schools around the world, aimed at promoting the exchange of farming experiences through horizontal learning.

Zimbabwean agriculturist and Shashe resident Norman Chipadze, said he had been impressed by the success of agroecological practices in the Shashe farming area, especially in the face of climate change.

“Agroecology approaches in agriculture, with its emphasis on sustainable and nature-based agricultural activity, have proven to be practical and effective approaches in Shashe.

“By employing agroecological practices such as organic fertilisers, diversified crop rotations, and water conservation techniques, these local farmers have not only safeguarded their livelihoods but also contributed to the sustainability of their farming,” Chipadze said.

“The collaborative spirit of working hard to turn a semi-arid region into an agricultural success story demonstrated by the farming community in Shashe is truly a beacon of hope for the future of agriculture in the face of climate change,” he added.

Regional Project Manager for Voluntary Service Overseas, a charity supporting small-scale farmers, Simba Guzha said agroecology was a welcome development in the region.

“Agroecology is playing a vital role in safeguarding and enhancing agriculture and food systems in response to climate-related shocks.

“The use of organic fertilisers and the utilisation of green cover crops, which help bind the soil, have undoubtedly demonstrated their effectiveness as agroecological methods for replenishing degraded soils,” he said.

“You know, our primary objective is to educate local farmers about climate change and its implications on agricultural activities. Farmers must understand the profound impact of agroecology in mitigating these climate change effects.

“Also, we seek to enlighten our community about the promising future of agriculture through the adoption of agroecological practices in our region,” Guzha added.

Meanwhile, having realised that agroecology is becoming the future of farming in the wake of climate change, the Ministry of Agriculture urged other regions to join the Resilience Building through Agroecological Intensification in Zimbabwe (RAIZ), which was launched recently to support climate-smart agriculture and livelihoods in Zimbabwe.

“Agroecology initiatives in Zimbabwe are playing a crucial role in the country’s development, as they contribute significantly to enhancing resilience in the face of climate shocks. By implementing agroecology initiatives, the country can bounce back and overcome challenges related to resilience.

“Therefore, these agroecology initiatives serve as crucial projects aimed at strengthening the nation’s ability to withstand and recover from the impacts of climate change,” said Professor Obert Jiri, chief director responsible for agricultural advisory services at the Ministry of Lands, Agriculture, Water, Fisheries and Rural Development.

Today, instead of migrating in search of more fertile soils and farms with more reliable rainfall patterns for agricultural activities, the farmers of Shashe are standing firm and, against all odds – and expectations – have turned their area into a farming hub.

“From nutritious vegetables to farm-fresh eggs, tender chicken, succulent pork and an array of fish, residents in our nearby towns have access to a wide variety of locally sourced products, and we are enhancing food options in their towns, and we are proud of ourselves,” Chisvo said.

 

Source  NewZimbabwe

Tags: agroecologyGift ChisvoHwange

Related Posts

Two Zimbabwean Care Home Workers in the UK attacked, one killed

Two Zimbabwean Care Home Workers in the UK attacked, one killed

by Nyathi
June 7, 2025
0

A devastating attack on two Zimbabwean care home workers has left the community in shock and grief. Charity Kaseke, 24,...

Bulawayo Prison Horror-20 Years for Gang Assault

Stranded in Zimbabwe- The Plight of South African Nationals

by Nyathi
June 7, 2025
0

In the sweltering cells of Harare Remand Prison, a group of South African nationals are languishing, their lives put on...

Masvingo Council Official Takes His Own Life

Masvingo Council Official Takes His Own Life

by Nyathi
June 6, 2025
0

A shocking incident has rocked the Masvingo community after Pius Nyatsanza, the Planning and Economic Affairs Executive Officer for Masvingo...

Nephew Butchers  Uncle Over  Goat

Nephew Butchers Uncle Over Goat

by Nyathi
June 6, 2025
0

A chilling incident has shaken the village of Chinyama in Muzarabani, leaving a trail of death and destruction in its...

Truck Driver Loses Life in Brutal Robbery Attack

Truck Driver Loses Life in Brutal Robbery Attack

by Nyathi
June 5, 2025
0

A tragic incident has shaken the transport industry after a truck driver succumbed to severe injuries sustained in a violent...

Hyena Attack Leaves Man Fighting for Life

Hyena Attack Leaves Man Fighting for Life

by Nyathi
June 5, 2025
0

A terrifying encounter between a man and a hyena has left the community in shock. Wiseman Ngozo, a resident of...

Please login to join discussion

Trending News Today

  • ZEP Holders Breathe a Sigh of Relief as SCA Rules in Their Favor

    ZEP Holders Breathe a Sigh of Relief as SCA Rules in Their Favor

    144 shares
    Share 58 Tweet 36
  • Two Zimbabwean Care Home Workers in the UK attacked, one killed

    152 shares
    Share 61 Tweet 38
  • Widow Caught in Bed With Lover a Week After Burying Husband

    192 shares
    Share 77 Tweet 48
  • Its Open Season for Witch Hunters ‘Tsikamutandas’ – TMPC, Police Join Forces

    59 shares
    Share 24 Tweet 15
  • Teenager Convicted for Falsely Accusing a Man of Rape

    52 shares
    Share 21 Tweet 13
  • Chiredzi: CIO Officer Goes Rogue

    103 shares
    Share 41 Tweet 26
  • Sangoma Turns to Lion Snack

    150 shares
    Share 60 Tweet 38
  • Fake Doctor leaves 23-year-old hypnotized

    51 shares
    Share 20 Tweet 13
  • Dead Man Walking , Literally .

    39 shares
    Share 16 Tweet 10
  • Crime Spree: Zimbabwe’s Latest Brush with Lawlessness

    36 shares
    Share 14 Tweet 9

Popular This Week

  • Widow Caught in Bed With Lover a Week After Burying Husband

    Widow Caught in Bed With Lover a Week After Burying Husband

    192 shares
    Share 77 Tweet 48
  • Two Zimbabwean Care Home Workers in the UK attacked, one killed

    152 shares
    Share 61 Tweet 38
  • Sangoma Turns to Lion Snack

    150 shares
    Share 60 Tweet 38
  • ZEP Holders Breathe a Sigh of Relief as SCA Rules in Their Favor

    144 shares
    Share 58 Tweet 36
  • The Turbulent Life of President Mnangagwa: A Story of Helicopters, Close Calls, and Air Force Angst

    143 shares
    Share 57 Tweet 36
  • Pastor’s Pulpit Shame- Church Leader Caught in Love Triangle

    143 shares
    Share 57 Tweet 36
  • Fatal Dog Attack Exposes Mike Mupinga’s Troubling Past

    276 shares
    Share 110 Tweet 69
  • The Fake Doc- “Take Lacto And Fruits Three Times a Day”

    113 shares
    Share 45 Tweet 28
  • COVID-19 Variant Alert: WHO Urges Global Vigilance

    113 shares
    Share 45 Tweet 28
  • Serial South African Killer Escapes To Zimbabwe

    112 shares
    Share 45 Tweet 28

Popular This Month

  • How to Legally Avoid Paying the US$92 ZBC Radio Licence Fee in Zimbabwe

    How to Legally Avoid Paying the US$92 ZBC Radio Licence Fee in Zimbabwe

    604 shares
    Share 242 Tweet 151
  • Bulawayo Police Bust Vuzu Party, Arrest 13 Youths

    324 shares
    Share 130 Tweet 81
  • Unhealed Wounds-Remembering the 21 Mothers of Emkhonyeni Who Were Burnt Alive

    314 shares
    Share 126 Tweet 79
  • Fatal Dog Attack Exposes Mike Mupinga’s Troubling Past

    276 shares
    Share 110 Tweet 69
  • Apostle Eunor Guti Declines Wicknell Chivayo’s Lavish Gift

    274 shares
    Share 110 Tweet 69
  • Loophole or Legal Gymnastics? Zimbabwean Schools Find Ways Around Fee Payment Rule

    248 shares
    Share 99 Tweet 62
  • The Despicable Scam at Zimbabwe’s Hospitals; Its Business Nothing Personal.

    241 shares
    Share 96 Tweet 60
  • New ‘ lobola’ Fees for Foreigners Seeking Medical Care in Gauteng

    240 shares
    Share 96 Tweet 60
  • Philanthropy or Publicity Stunt? Wicknell Chivayo’s Lavish Gift to Jah Prayzah’s Team

    213 shares
    Share 85 Tweet 53
  • Hospital Investigates Disappearance of Infant’s Body

    205 shares
    Share 82 Tweet 51

Most Read Stories

  • “Zimbabwe Is Discrediting SADC”

    ZANU PF Accused Of Bribing SADC Elders To Retain From Losing Power

    5239 shares
    Share 2096 Tweet 1310
  • Madzibaba gets Toyota Aqua after explaining new currency ZiG to church

    4533 shares
    Share 1813 Tweet 1133
  • Breaking News: Zimbabwe launches New Currency (Zig)

    4279 shares
    Share 1712 Tweet 1070
  • Guide : How to access 2023 Zimsec Ordinary O Level results online

    3973 shares
    Share 1589 Tweet 993
  • Uganda Police Officer Shoots Wife Dead After Mocking Him Over Man-U Loss

    3894 shares
    Share 1558 Tweet 974
  • Floods hit Gweru

    3593 shares
    Share 1437 Tweet 898
  • Mashura pa Gokwe musi wa 12.02.24

    3544 shares
    Share 1418 Tweet 886
  • Secret message for ED after his inauguration

    3481 shares
    Share 1392 Tweet 870
  • Heatwave Warning:Expect Extremely hot temp ranging from 36° to 41° until 12 March

    3394 shares
    Share 1358 Tweet 849
  • Here is the reckless Kombi Driver!!!!!!!!!!! See pics here

    3218 shares
    Share 1287 Tweet 805

  • About Us
  • Contact Us
  • FAQ
  • Privacy Policy
  • Terms of Service
  • Home

Welcome Back!

Login to your account below

Forgotten Password?

Retrieve your password

Please enter your username or email address to reset your password.

Log In
No Result
View All Result
  • News that Matters
    • News
    • Health and Diseases
    • Technology
    • Religion
    • Horror and Disaster
    • Elections 2023
  • Crime and Courts
  • Celebrity
  • Sports
  • Mjolo
  • Breaking News