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    Gwanda horticulture gardens hit by frost

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    Gwanda (New Ziana) -The frost that formed in several parts of Gwanda district recently did not spare the horticulture farmers in Ntepe, about 39 kilometres south of Gwanda, Matabeleland South province, as they lost most of their tomatoes and green vegetables due to the icy weather phenomenon.

    Frost usually forms during the winter season and occurs mostly in cold regions.

    However, Gwanda district does not fall under such regions and the development was a rare occurrence for the farmers

    Two of the gardens that were visited by an Ilanga news crew were visibly severely affected with farmers saying they lost huge amounts of potential revenue, particularly from tomatoes which have a wide market both locally and in bigger towns.

    One of the farmers, Sibusiswe Ndlovu, said they depended on market gardening for a living.

    “This is a family project that is now more than 10 years and from its proceeds we have never starved nor failed to pay school fees for our children. We grow green vegetables, onions, cabbages, green paper and tomatoes, which I can safely say is our cash crop,” she said.

    “Vegetable vendors from surrounding business centres such as Ntepe, Mawane, Garanyemba and Sengezane get their produce from this garden. We also sell to locals and individuals coming from as far as Gwanda and our prices range from as little as 10 Rand for a small container up-to 100 Rand for a 20 litre bucket full of tomatoes,” she said, it was going to be a difficult year for her family.

    “The frost severely affected our tomatoes and green vegetables and will definitely affect our yields. As you can see how intense this frost was, it means business lost.”

    Ndlovu said the department of Agricultural Extension had advised them to place water bottles between the plants and water the gardens as early as 5 am so as to dilute the frost.

    New Ziana

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