Story by Courage Bushe
THE Farmer Field School Training Programme is transforming agricultural education and extension service provision, enhancing productivity and promoting sustainable farming practices.
This came out during the Zimbabwe Prisons and Correctional Services (ZPCS) field school held at Mberengwa Prison this Wednesday.
As climate change continues to threaten food security in the country, farmer field schools have been identified as key towards sharing information on mitigation measures.
“Before enrolling at the school, I had spent years cultivating a small piece of land producing less yield. Now, I can cultivate a larger area, and in the last farming season, I recorded a good harvest,” a farmer said.
“We learnt a lot from this field school. I got to understand that traditional grains are the best suited in this climate,” another farmer noted.
Zimbabwe Prisons and Correctional Services Midlands Provincial Farm Manager, Chief Correctional Officer Cheneso Mafuta spoke on the importance of embracing modern technologies towards increasing crop production and food sufficiency.
“We are working with various stakeholders to ensure that we achieve food security. If we are to get new irrigation equipment, I think we will farm all year round. ZPCS is prepared to embrace modern farming techniques, which will help us achieve food sufficiency.”
Government has applauded the Zimbabwe Prisons and Correctional Services through its farms in the Midlands Province for contributing to the national target for food security.
“This good work comes after efficient utilisation of drought mitigation measures that include early land preparation, good variety selection and early planting. Prison Farm has contributed a lot in supporting various governmental plans listed in the government blueprint. Field days are vital platforms for farmers and stakeholders to converge, exchange ideas and gain insights into cutting-edge agricultural practices, fostering a collaborative environment where knowledge and experiences are shared to drive agricultural growth,” Mberengwa District Development Coordinator Mr Vafios Hlabati said.
Besides a thriving maize field, Mberengwa Prison has managed to diversify farming activities by embarking on goat rearing, poultry, aquaculture and horticulture.
