BY Priority Mufungi
Small scale farmers in Goromonzi north district are excited about the adequate rains which resulted on surplus outputs in this recent 2022 to 2023 season.
They are expecting to reach the country’s granary selling their crops mainly maize and groundnuts as well as supplying big markets such as Mbare Musika with sweet potatoes. This is an increase in crop production as compared to last year’s yields. One of the local based farmers in Goromonzi north ward 12 , Ms Basiketi explained her hard working journey to this amazing results.
She explained that she joined Pfumvudza farming previous years and was done with land preparation in August that is digging well spaced holes, putting manure and stacking dry grass and leaves for mulching on her five plots for maize and groundnuts. With the first rains coming, she she planted her crops separately with the fear that rains will disappoint as always. However the rains maintained a good standard and her fields are blooming with hope as she has already harvested her first maize and groundnuts sections and now feasting on the last ones.
“I have already stacked my first maize batch to protect it from rot since rain is here and there still pouring and the ever green one is the last. I praise God for the blessed rain season as l am looking forward to sell my maize and groundnuts at GMB depots this year because they are so big and will compete again with them in our ward dry show competitions.”
“I will start delivering sweet potatoes to Mbare Musika early winter for a better taste and to local customers having both red and white which most people prefer”.
During the interview with Ms Basiketi, she said that this is no the first time excited about a great harvest since she previously won a range of prices from green fields organised by their lead farmers and supervisors( madhumeni) getting a cart, mould board plough, fertilizers and hoes These competitions has made her to believe in farming in her beautiful rural home being able to sustain her family sending her kids to the university level. All this farming activities are done with her and the help of her hardworking family.
On the same note, farmers in Goromonzi north district are happy because their cattle have a natural increase due to less mortality through the rain season.
One of the interviewed farmer explained that they have been dosing their cattle with much gratitude to their ever supporting veterinary officer, Mr Ndonda who tirelessly visits their kraals and treat all cattle. He added that that the veterinary services have been urging them to go and dip their cattle every week at the dip tank which really worked.
As these farmers practice mixed farming it has been a hopeful year for them so far.