The Sunday News
Judith Phiri, Sunday News Reporter
A COMMUNAL farmer in Tsholotsho District, Mrs Fiona Moyo (54) is anticipating a bumper harvest this season on her five-hectare plot following the successful planting of her crops grown under the Government’s Intwasa/Pfumvudza programme.
In an interview last week, Mrs Moyo, who came out best in the Agric-produce section at the 2018 Harare Agricultural Show and was awarded a tractor by the Zimbabwe Agricultural Society (ZAS), has been farming in the Matabeleland
North’s Bambangamandla Village in Tsholotsho District for more than 20 years.
She has expanded her land to fully utilise the Government programme and is looking forward to the bumper harvest which will generate more income for her and her family.
“This programme has made me realise my dream of becoming a successful commercial farmer in the region, over the years l have been managing to grow crops which when l sold, l managed to feed my family. However, for this season l anticipate to harvest more and get surplus that l can sell to generate extra income,” she said.
Mrs Moyo a mother of three and guardian to two children said although her husband who is based in South Africa could not travel to help her due to travel restrictions because of the Covid-19 pandemic, she managed to hire people to assist her dig the labour-intensive holes recommended under Intwasa/Pfumvudza.
She noted that after having dug the cultivation holes at the end of August, filled them with manure and fertiliser, rains in mid-September destroyed the pot-holing concept. That prompted her to dig again and apply the manure and fertilizer before planting the sorghum at the time they were advised by the Agritex extension officers.
Mrs Moyo said she opted for the concept to plant sorghum which was more favourable in their area, due to it being a dry region characterised by low rainfall and recurrent droughts. She, however, said that apart from the five hectares she had an additional two hectares where she is growing maize and vegetables.
“Maize is not so good for our area, hence for the five hectares l planted sorghum. But for the nearby additional two hectares l planted maize using also the gatshompo (Intwasa/Pvumvudza) concept, l also have sunflower and vegetables such as tomatoes, onions, English Giant rape and Hobson rape, carrots and green peppers among others.
But for this field l have to water it as l stated that for maize to do well in this area it needs water,” she said.
Mrs Moyo who also received cattle under the Command Livestock Programme scheme in 2018 at the ZITF said her livestock were also doing well despite various diseases. With two cattle having died last year she was left with six.
She noted that although the area did not have favourable conditions for goat breeding, she has managed to rear more than 30. She also said she had undertaken poultry farming to generate extra income through selling chickens in the surrounding community.
She has 200 broilers, but last year lost more than 250 road runners due to a bird flu epidemic outbreak.
Notwithstanding the plot’s geographical location and her health, Mrs Moyo is growing profoundly in the farming sector having generated close to US$1 000 in sorghum sales last year.
“Our area is very far away from major cities and travelling costs to transport our produce is a challenge sometimes. Also, l have had times whereby l collapse in the fields because l have a chest problem, but this will not stop me from farming. Having participated in various agricultural shows from district, provincial and national levels l have acquired enough knowledge that has made me grow in my ambition of becoming a commercial farmer,” she said.
Mrs Moyo said she was grateful to Government’s efforts to assist farmers with tick grease for livestock. She also noted that efforts were being made to build a dip tank nearby their village as the ones that were there were very far away.
