Farming couple adopts modern methods Mrs Patricia Ncube working in the plot

Sukulwenkosi Dube-Matutu, Matabeleland South Bureau Chief 

DESPITE their demanding 8AM to 4PM jobs Mr Lison Ncube and his wife, Patricia, have ventured into a flourishing agriculture project at their plot in Montgomery, Umguza District in Matabeleland North province.

Their plot has a livestock section where they keep chickens, goats and cattle. They also have a section for crops where they grow a variety of cash crops which include carrots, cucumbers, broccoli, cauliflower, yellow, red and green pepper, cabbages, onions, tomatoes, garlic, maize, lettuce, beetroot and baby marrow.

They supply the main market in the Bulawayo as well as local fruit and vegetable shops. The couple planted 12 000 heads of cabbage which are almost ready for the market including maize. They are preparing to plant 6 000 heads of lettuce.

The couple started their farming project in 2017. From the income they generated through farming, the Ncubes started a clothing company, Lispat Clothing and Embroidery, which is now two years old.

The company which is operating from Bulawayo’s Belmont industrial area, specialises in production of corporate wear and personal protective equipment (PPEs) 

Mr Ncube, a lawyer and part time lecturer, said they have managed to fully utilise their land through the adoption of modern farming methods.

They have a portion under greenhouse farming and use a drip irrigation system. Mr Ncube said they also practice rotational farming to retain soil fertility.

“We started our farming project in 2017 and it has helped us significantly. We both are formally employed, but everyday we make time for our project. Sometimes we wake up as early as 5AM to do deliveries and come 8AM, we would be ready to start work,” he said.

Mr Ncube said under greenhouse, conditions are favourable for tomatoes and have a longer shelf life unlike under normal conditions. 

He said tomatoes are also safe from crop diseases. Mr Ncube said greenhouse farming gives them high yields despite operating on a small piece of land. Under their crop rotation method, the couple alternates between legumes, tubers, root and leaf crops.

“We are able to retain the soil’s nutritive value by changing the root type which helps us record good yield. Our farming project helped us to start our clothing company in 2020,” he said Mr Ncube.

“While we don’t have much knowledge about the clothing industry, we saw a business opportunity and utilised it. We have a manager who is responsible for running the clothing business.”

They also have 52 head of cattle and a broiler project where they stock up to 600 birds at any given time. He said having a partner with the same entrepreneurship drive has made running the project easy. The couple, which has been married for 10 years, is grooming their children who are of school going age.

Mr Lison Ncube working in his plot

Mrs Ncube said her passion for agriculture started at a tender age.

She later attained a degree in Agriculture Economics from the University of Zimbabwe. Although she went on to study a Masters in Development Studies at the National University of Science and Technology (Nust), she continued with her passion for agriculture.

Mrs Ncube convinced her husband to partner her in their farming enterprise. 

“I know the importance of agriculture and that’s why I suggested to my husband that we start our own agriculture business. My husband has been very supportive throughout and he has learnt a lot about agriculture,” she said.

“While we are gainfully employed, we realised that we didn’t have to limit our scope, but we had to explore other sources of income.”

Their project has helped the couple to invest in their children’s education and ensure that they have a legacy to leave behind. -@DubeMatutu

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