Small scale farmers who planted their crops near wetlands in Gwanda urban are hoping for good
harvest, despite poor rains received in the region.
The gardens of the farmers are located near wetlands in Ultra high-density suburbs enabled the
crops to cope with very little rainfall as they had access to water.
One of the farmers, Asta Ndlovu, said she was hoping to get a good harvest from her garden, which
should be just sufficient for her family, but raised concern about thieves that are stealing from the
fields.
I am hoping for good harvests from my field since the crops are now ready. l have started to pick
some to eat with my children, which is better than last year, but the challenge l have now are thieves
that have started to steal my crops, she said.
Another Farmer, Wellington Mpofu, who owns two gardens said he did exceptionally well this year
and hopes to have a good harvest and escape the high prices of maize meal.
Both gardens did well this year, l am going to harvest more maize compared to last year which is
going to save me from buying expensive mealie meal since the prices have started to go up, he
said.
However, farmers from Matshetsheni area have nothing to celebrate as their gardens were seriously
affected by lack of rains, which resulted in crop failure. Matsholomotshe irrigation scheme is their
remaining hope.
A Matshetsheni farmer, Nbuhle Gumbo, said she has nothing in her garden at home, therefore, the
irrigation scheme remains her hope.
I have nothing to share with my family since my garden dried up due to lack of rains, which leaves
the irrigation scheme as my only hope where l will get food to share with my family,” said Gumbo.
Matsholomotshe irrigation scheme chairperson, Petros Moyo, said farmers in the scheme were in
the process of farming sugar beans and vegetables for sustainability of members.
For sustainability, we are in the process of planting sugar beans and vegetables since we are about
to harvest maize so that people can sell and obtain money to look after our families, said Moyo.
