Smallholder farmers reap from agric projects

27 Sep, 2019 - 00:09 0 Views

The ManicaPost

Wimbainashe Zhakata Business Correspondent

SMALLHOLDER farmers in Makoni, Mutasa and Mutare rural districts are reaping huge benefits from self sustaining farming projects that have increased their incomes and reduced poverty in the areas.

The farmers are raking in profits of between US$2 000 and US$ 7 000 from the various  projects being spearheaded by Livelihoods and Food Security Program (LFSP) which is part of the Improved Nutrition and Sustainable Production for Increased Resilience and Economic Growth (INSPIRE) project funded by the UK’s Department of International Development and managed by the Food and Agricuture Organisation (FAO).

Mr Dickson Wecha, a farmer from Headlands Goat Breeders Association told journalists on a tour of rural projects that the coming in of the organisation had helped eliminate the donor dependency syndrome in the community as everyone was encouraged to contribute to their own projects.

“At one point, the donor dependency syndrome had gripped us but LFSP and its partners helped us to depend on ourselves. We raised at least 50 percent to start our project. We attended workshops on nutrition farming, livestock keeping as well as the constitution itself.

“We are getting a total of about USD $2 000 in less than a year from selling goats alone and way much more from the other projects,” said Mr Wecha.

Mr Luckmore Rafemoyo from Ivhu project in ward 36, Mutare south said they raised a total of US$7 000 this season from tomato production and small grain crops.

“Due to hot weather conditions, we managed to produce better yields of high breed tomatoes this season. We started our project with RTGS $5 000 in 2017. We grew bigger and bigger and we are proud of our progress,” said Mr Rafemoyo.

Knowledge management and communications coordinator for Practical Action Mr Innocent Katsande said these projects were meant to curb hunger following the drought season.

“Increasing the capacity of small holder farmers to produce food, building their resilience against climate shocks and disasters such drought and flooding is key to ensure national food security and nutrition”.

“Our work under the LFSP project is aiming at raising smallholder farm productivity through promoting improved and climate appropriate agricultural practices, enabling access to finance and Promoting the production and consumption of safe and more nutritious food”, he said.

“The programme aims to reach 200,000 smallholder farming households in four provinces; Manicaland, Mashonaland Central (ENTERPRIZE), and Midlands (EXTRA) (INSPIRE),”he added.

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