The Sunday News
Loveness Nyathi in Gwanda
MEMBERS of the Pelele Irrigation Scheme in Gwanda District are seeking new markets for their produce as they aim to boost income from increased production.While previously they were content with waiting for customers to come and buy the produce, increased production has seen the co-operative seeking new markets for their crops.
A member of the scheme, Mr Naison Nyathi, said over the years they had increased production and needed new markets to absorb the surplus.
Farmers at the 4,5 hectare scheme produce vegetables such as tomatoes, carrots, onion, choumolier, butternut, garlic and they also grow groundnuts, sugar beans, drumhead cabbage, maize and wheat.
The vice secretary of the co-operative, Mr Jabulani Sebata, said on average they harvested between 50 and 60 tonnes of maize, 30 tonnes of wheat and 25 tonnes of sugar beans.
“We have been selling at the Gwanda Market but sales are low and for some of the products which are perishable farmers end up losing out.
After securing food for our families we realised the next step was for us to start raising income from our produce in an effort to grow the project.
“Initially, we produced what was enough for us to eat with our families but now there is more and we feel we should go commercial,” said Mr Nyathi.
He said they were trying to negotiate with institutions around the area such as Manama High School, Gungwe High School and Manama Mission Hospital to supply them with part of the produce.
“We are also contemplating taking our produce to the markets in Bulawayo but we are still considering the transport costs involved and competition in relation to how we would be pricing. However, if we manage to raise money to buy a truck then we would be able to easily move the produce to Bulawayo on a frequent basis at a low cost,” said Mr Nyathi.
Despite the low rainfall in the area, the villagers have managed to use the nearby Pelele Dam to irrigate their crops thus ensuring food security for the villagers in Ward 11.
Pelele Irrigation Scheme, located in Pumula Village, under Chief Mathe, is community-owned and one of the most successful irrigation projects that has assured food security for the members of the scheme.
A total of 82 households are benefiting from the project funded by a non-governmental organisation – ProAfrica. The scheme receives support from Catholics in Germany and the Department of Social Welfare.
The scheme, however, has had problems in the past when the dam dried up around August affecting some of its farming activities.
Mr Nyathi said they used a borehole near the scheme when the dam dried up, but the water was not enough to sustain the whole scheme.
Some of the farmers have showcased produce at the Gwanda Agricultural Show which is held annually and others exhibited at a ZimTrade show held at the Bulawayo Rainbow Hotel in 2010.
ProAfrica has time and again assisted the farmers with inputs such as seed and equipment although members have contributed financially towards the sustenance of the project. Another NGO, World Vision, has chipped with seed, wheelbarrows, shovels and picks.
The scheme was established in October 2004.
