The Sunday News
Dumisani Nsingo, Senior Farming Reporter
YOUTH in Agriculture Apex Council in collaboration with a women and girl-child empowerment group, Upfumi Kumadzimai-Inotho Kubomama are in the process of coming up with a smart agriculture model which best suits smallholder farmers in the Matabeleland region to enhance production.
Youth in Agriculture Apex Council Bulawayo ambassador Mrs Nonceba Mwedzi-Agwaniru who is also Upfumi Kumadzimai-Inotho Kubomama co-ordinator said the two organisations were working on introducing the smart agriculture concept in the Matabeleland region in a bid to improve productivity and food security in the predominately dry area.
“We are currently working on a smart agriculture document which suits smallholder farmers in Matabeleland as we bid to increase food security in the region bearing in mind the effects of climate change. The smart farming concept helps farmers to make the most out of their land and cattle, producing core products, using less labour and resources. It also provides the insights and detailed data, which helps farmers to figure out the most suitable conditions for crops to grow,” she said.
Smart agriculture is a cocktail of new ways that help to guide actions required to modify and reorient agricultural systems to effectively support the development and guarantee food security in the face of changing climate.
“In our pursuit to introduce smart agriculture we are mainly targeting those that are into horticultural production or intend to venture into horticulture. If you realise we have been having a shortage of onions in the country to the extent that we were now relying on the ones being imported from South Africa but if we are to embrace smart agriculture we will be in a position to satisfy the local market,” said Mrs Mwedzi-Agwaniru.
Meanwhile, Upfumi Kumadzimai-Inotho Kubomama has embarked on a horticultural project at its leased farm in Umzingwane District. In 2017 the Bulawayo-based women and girl child empowerment non-governmental organisation entered an MoU with Mr Walter Moyo of Woodlands in Umzingwane to utilise part of his 54-hectare farm for cropping of cereals, horticultural produce as well as rearing of small stock. – @DNsingo
