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Raymond Jaravaza, [email protected]

IN a bid to be self-sufficient and ease the burden on the Treasury, Ingutsheni Central Hospital in Bulawayo intends to grow its own food under irrigation and sell surplus to boost its revenue.

The country’s largest referral mental health institution has more than 600 patients at any given time and most of them are youths affected by drug and substance abuse.

The institution sits on 130 hectares of land and as such has abundant land for crop farming. The hospital authorities have since drilled boreholes, acquired drip irrigation pipes, bought seed, fertilisers and chemicals as it prepares to cultivate crops under irrigation. 

According to farm manager, Mr Nkosilathi Mpofu, preparations for planting the first batch of cash crops are almost complete. He said the hospital intends to grow tomatoes, butternuts and green peppers.

“Our region has been receiving little rain for the last few years and as such dryland farming has not been that good. We have been planting maize every year but our yields have been very low,” said Mr Mpofu.

Ingutsheni farm project

He said the rainfall patterns have changed because of climate change hence the decision to turn to irrigation.

“We sent out a number of letters appealing for assistance from companies, churches and the Government to set up an irrigation scheme and the response was very positive. 

“We now have all that is required to grow crops under irrigation,” said Mr Mpofu.

He said the tomatoes, green pepper and butternuts were meant for the hospital’s patients and they will only sell when there is surplus.

How Mine, a gold mine situated on the outskirts of Bulawayo, Hope for a Child in Christ (HOCIC), Zimbabwe National Water Authority (Zinwa) and the Latter Day Saints Church are some of the organisations and companies that responded to the hospital’s appeal for help.

 This enabled the hospital to drill boreholes, lay drip irrigation pipes, install a solar system and water tanks for the irrigation scheme.

“We now have enough water for irrigation and we want to take this opportunity to thank all the companies, churches and organisations who came on board. The seeds, fertiliser and chemicals that will be used for the first crops have already been delivered and we are ready to plant,” said Mr Mpofu.

The patients, apart from enjoying nutritious food, will also be involved in the farming thereby learning farming skills.

“Our OT (Occupational Therapy) department will assist us in that regard by selecting the patients who will be part of the farming project. By equipping them with farming skills, we hope they will use that experience even when they leave the hospital,” said Mr Mpofu.

The hospital’s chief medical officer, Dr Nemache Mawere, said achieving food security is part of the institution’s broader plan to reduce costs. 

“We have realised that we cannot rely on rain fed agriculture given the impact of climate change hence the decision to establish this irrigation scheme,” said Dr Mawere.