The ManicaPost
Liberty Dube
Post Correspondent
INSPIRATIONAL stories of youthful farmers who are doing wonders on their farms are some of the country’s Command Agriculture and Pfumvudza success stories.
The fairytale farming story of Mr Shepherd Nyika – a Zimbabwe Prison and Correctional Services officer – is motivational to aspiring and upcoming farmers ahead of his impending bumper harvest in Makoni District.
Mr Nyika does not own any piece of land, but is currently renting 280 hectares which are under Command Agriculture.
On another 124ha, he self-sponsors the production of various crops.
Mr Nyika hopes to harvest 2000 tonnes of maize, 25 tonnes of sugar beans, eight tonnes of traditional grains as well as 50 tonnes of soya beans.
“This planting season, I have 30ha under traditional grains and as 12ha under sugar beans. I hope to harvest more than 2000 tonnes of maize as well as 50 tonnes of soya beans.
“It has not been an easy ride, but I am trying to make use of every piece of land I acquire. I do not own a piece of land, but I rent land from other farmers, especially those preoccupied with other projects.
“Most of these pieces of land are about 30-40km apart to make it easier for me to manage my crops. However, I wish I had adequate land at one place as traveling around several farms is laborious and time consuming,” he said.
Despite being attached to the Zimbabwe Prisons and Correctional Services where he is a full time Correctional Officer, Mr Nyika said farming is now in his DNA.
“Farming is my passion and is now a part of me. With the blessings of my superiors at ZPCS, I am motivated to work even harder and I wish to, one day, own a large piece of land and grow more crops.
“I also want to live by example and motivate fellow youths to embark on farming as it is a source of income. I will champion Vision 2030 through fully utilising the land,” said Mr Nyika.
