Story by Mercy Bofu-Matinha
THE farmer field school training programme adopted by the Second Republic is transforming communities by enhancing productivity and promoting sustainable farming practices through the training of communal farmers.
Mugova Farmer Field School in Bikita District is among more than 30 000 others that were established across the country by the government to ensure communal farmers are trained on best agriculture practices by extension workers.
The 36-member group has a thriving demonstration crop of Pfumvudza maize, traditional grains, sunflower and beans.
“We started coming here as a group to learn about Pfumvudza/Intwasa programme and we later got this land to do our demos with our extension workers and supervisors. The programme has been exciting because after learning, we then go back home and practice in our fields,” a farmer said.
“This programme has been useful, especially to us rural farmers. We have learnt a lot and this demo field is a replica of what we are doing back home. We have since expanded to poultry and livestock projects with the support from the government,” another added.
The Minister of Lands, Agriculture, Fisheries, Water and Rural Development, Dr Anxious Masuka, who is on an assessment tour of the summer crops, visited the project and pledged government’s commitment to supporting rural farmers.
“As government, what we are witnessing today are the results of programmes being implemented to support our communities and ensure improved yields. Farmer field schools are very important to us because they promote smart agricultural practices and aim to boost food security, especially in rural communities.
“This season from what we have assessed, the crop is generally looking good across the country and we are looking forward to a bumper harvest hence we have started planning on how we can assist our farmers to harvest their crop,” he said.
Masvingo province continues to receive agriculture support from government, hence improved yields this season.
“As a province, we have been receiving support from government, especially this season with the Presidential inputs and village business units. Looking at the Pfumvudza/Intwasa programme, this season as a province, we planted nearly 1 million plots and we are looking forward to a good harvest,” Masvingo Minister of State for Provincial Affairs and Devolution, Honourable Ezra Chadzamira said.
The Mugova farmers’ field school has since been transformed into a village business unit, with government promising to sink boreholes for irrigation and establish fish ponds to motivate farmers.
The farmer field school concept is inherently participatory and farmer-centred, focusing on demand-driven solutions to the challenges faced in agriculture.
