The ManicaPost
Senior Reporter
VILLAGERS in the semi-arid area of Chikore in Makoni North have mastered the art of conservative agriculture and use of borehole water to grow tobacco.
After decades of producing small grains only, villagers in the area have found ways of conducting tobacco farming with finesse.
In an interview, Ms Melody Nemaire, a local businesswoman and farmer, said tobacco farming is changing many people’s lives.
“I grew up in the village and we never grew tobacco. Green Golden Leaf Tobacco Company recently introduced tobacco farming in this area and this year the crop did very well, hence our field day,” she said
“I am impressed by the great work being done by Mr Sunny Nyamukachi who is the best tobacco farmer in this dry area. I am encouraging women, youths and everyone to venture into farming, be it cash crops, food crops and animal husbandry.
“Chikore has been marginalised for a very long time and we need to put it on the map again.
“This will take us far rather than migrating to the cities to look for jobs. You can be your own boss through farming. Vision 2030 requires us to develop our own areas,” said Ms Nemaire.
Ms Nemaire also handed over groceries to the elderly people in the Chikore community.
