Story by Mercy Bofu-Matinha
COMMUNAL farmers in Masvingo have applauded the government for empowering them through practical agricultural training programmes that are helping to improve yields, livestock feed preparation, and post-harvest grain management.
Among the beneficiaries of the programmes is Mr Edmore Chiraramiro of Summerton area in Masvingo West, who is one of the farmers who are producing more grain in the area, delivering between eight to 10 tonnes of maize to the Grain Marketing Board every year.
After harvesting, focus will be on protecting their produce and ensuring adequate feed for their livestock.
This season, Mr Chiraramiro is among many farmers who benefitted from the government’s feed formulation and post-harvest grain management training programme meant to mitigate the impact of drought in communities.
“I am proud to say that every season, I managed to deliver between eight and 10 tonnes of maize to the Grain Marketing Board, and this can only be achieved through hard work and applying what we are taught by our extension officers. Today, a field day focusing on livestock feed preparation and post-harvest grain handling was held at my place to teach us on important components of pest treatment and grain dusting,” he said.
Other farmers who benefitted from the programme, thanked the government for empowering them to protect their harvests and ensure improved livestock production.
“We want to thank the government for rolling out this programme of training communal farmers on livestock feed preparation and post-harvest grain management. Many times, we lose our produce to pests and we end up struggling to get food, and today we have been taught how to do it,” a farmer said.
“Today, I have learnt how to prepare supplementary feed for our livestock using available resources like maize stocks and biomass to prepare. We are happy that the government is supporting this initiative through availing urea for farmers,” another added.
The government called for a strong partnership between farmers and extension services to achieve food security.
“This programme is a clear demonstration of the government’s commitment to empowering rural communities through knowledge sharing and resource support. We urge farmers to continue working closely with agriculture extension officers so that you are aware of modern farming practices that improve your yields,” Masvingo Office of the President and Cabinet’s Deputy Director Environmental Management, Mr Clorence Matewe said.
“As communal farmers, let us utilise available resources in our communities to prepare supplementary feed for our livestock. The government is ready to support you and we continue to train more farmers through this programme,” Masvingo Provincial Deputy Director of Agricultural and Rural Development Advisory Services, Mr Taringana Makiwa noted.
For the past years, production in rural communities has been increasing due to government support through availing inputs, skills training and mechanisation programmes.
