Story by Mhlomuli Ncube
Government is determined to ensure agricultural production follows the country’s natural farming regions concept to avert losses and ensure national food security.
The issue of national food security has seen the Second Republic investing huge resources into agricultural production supporting communal and commercial ventures.
A farmer from the Lubangwe area of Hwange, Mr Wisdom Neshavi has become a living testimony of the success that comes with sticking to structured farming programmes, with a thriving 17-hectare sorghum crop proving that government-initiated farming methods are bearing fruit.
“I started this after being inspired by President Emmerson Mnangagwa’s Precabe Farm. I chose to be productive in my community. This will not only earn me money but I will contribute to national food security,” he said.
Neighbouring farmers concur Neshavi is a shining example in the area.
“He is proof that we must listen to what government tells us and follow religiously, he has taught us that hard work pays, we have never witnessed this kind of farming in Lubangwe,” said a farmer.
Another added, “Neshavi has done something we have never seen in this area. He is an example of what dedication means. This is the first time we have seen such a thriving farm in this area of Lubangwe.”
Food security remains a priority in Zimbabwe, with government and its different arms promoting climate smart agriculture.
Chief agronomist, Mr Ivan Craig said, “Look at how this farmer has planted sorghum. We are beyond that period where farmers just go to the field to plant maize. I’m glad they now understand the importance of matching the crop to the area they live in. Here is Matebeleland North, you can never go wrong with crops such as sorghum.”
“Farming is now a business. This farmer has not only demonstrated resilience, but capacity to contribute to national food security. This is what government wants in its Vision 2030 which entails self-sufficiency and curtains our rural farmers to be champions of production. He has become a true commercial farmer within his small space as he cultivates 17 plots of land,” Minister of Lands, Agriculture, Fisheries, Water and Rural Development, Dr Anxious Masuka said.
Under the National Development Strategy One and Vision 2030, emphasis has been on availing critical knowledge and inputs to ensure maximum productivity and attainment of food self-sufficiency.
