Story by Fungai Jachi
THE Agricultural and Rural Development Authority (ARDA) has rolled out a mobile traditional grains collection programme targeting more than 6 000 contracted farmers in Chiredzi and Mwenezi districts to boost food security and promote climate-resilient agriculture.
The initiative targets farmers producing sorghum and pearl millet, with ARDA trucks collecting grain directly from villages to reduce transport costs and provide ready markets.
Under the programme, traditional grains are collected at designated rural collection points before being delivered to the Grain Marketing Board (GMB).
Farmers welcomed the initiative, saying it has significantly reduced the cost of transporting their produce.
“In the past we used to find our own transport, which was very expensive, but now we just use our scotch carts to take our grain to collection points close to home,” a farmer said.
“We are really grateful to Government for coming up with this initiative through ARDA. We never thought it possible to have trucks coming to collect our produce,” another farmer said.
“This is really impressive because it cuts costs and leaves us more energised to continue working hard on our farms,” another farmer said.
ARDA says the programme supports Government’s drive to strengthen national food security while promoting drought-tolerant traditional grains.
More than 6 000 farmers are contracted to grow traditional grains on 15 000 hectares, with plans to expand both hectarage and farmer participation next season.
ARDA Masvingo Provincial Head, Mr Jonas Chinyavada said the initiative is improving market access while reducing post-harvest losses.
“We are bringing the market to the farmer. This reduces post-harvest losses and promotes small grains as drought-resilient crops. We are anticipating producing at least 2.5 tonnes per hectare and expect to deliver about 37 000 metric tonnes to the GMB. As a province, we are on course to achieve our target of producing at least 45 000 metric tonnes of traditional grains,” he said.
Government says promoting traditional grains strengthens climate adaptation and improves nutrition, while farmers continue to receive training on improved production and storage practices.
The mobile collection programme will run until August, easing the transport burden on farmers while contributing to national food security.
