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Sukulwenkosi Dube-Matutu, Chronicle Reporter
MEMBERS of a farming group, Izithukuthuku Ziyimpilo based in Matobo District have managed to record significant yields through small grains production.

The farmers were previously producing mainly maize in their fields but after successive years of recording poor harvests they decided to shift to small grains.

In a bid to increase production and income, the farmers came together in 2013 and formed the group Izithukuthuku Ziyimpilo which has 10 members; four men, four women and two youths from Bidi Village in Ward 8 in Matobo.

Since the farmers started this group, their output has increased significantly.

Izithukuthuku Ziyimpilo came first under the crop farming category at the Matabeleland South Agricultural Show for best exhibition held recently.

They received an animal drawn hoe, a bag of seed maize, small grain seed and fertiliser. The group has received this award on four consecutive editions of the agricultural show.

The chairperson of the group, Ms Adis Ndlovu said they produce small grain crops such as finger millet, sorghum, rapoko and cowpeas. She said they only reserve a small portion of their fields for maize production.

“Our main focus under crop production is small grain crops such as finger millet, sorghum, rapoko and cowpeas. We have managed to successfully produce small grains using gatshompo.

The Intwasa/Pfumvudza programme has also helped us in a great way to secure small grain seeds. In my field I reserve only a tenth of my space for maize production and growing other crops while the other space is taken up by small grains,” she said.

“When we formed the group in 2013, we were focusing on maize production. After two consecutive years of realising poor harvest, we then decided to focus more on small grain production. Our yield has greatly improved and we are no longer experiencing losses like we used to with maize.”

She said they have individual fields but they work together in each field to dig holes for dry planting under the Intwasa/Pfumvudza Programme.

Ms Ndlovu said once their crops were ready for harvesting, they select the best crop from all fields and they store the produce in a granary for sale.

She said the remaining crops are for their own consumption with their families. She said working as a group has helped them to ensure that they maximise production on the little land that they have.

“Gatshompo is a good farming method as it conserves water in the soil. Already we have started planting so that when we receive the first rains we would have already planted. Our vision as a group comes from our name whereby, we say in order for us to live and sustain our families we have to work and sweat,” she said.

Ms Ndlovu said they also grow fodder.

Another group member, Ms Calponia Moyo from Bidi Village in Ward 8 in Matobo said when they started the group their focus was on crop production but they are now also producing a wide variety of products.

“In addition to farming activities we also make animal yokes, wooden stools, hoes, axes, clay pots, winnowing baskets, mats and various traditional domestic utensils.

We are also operating a garden where we grow various horticulture crops for sale and consumption with our families. We also grow fodder which we bale and sell within the community.

The men and youths help us a lot in coming up with products that require a lot of labour such as the animal yokes,” she said.

Ms Moyo said once in every two weeks they attend farming lessons which are organised by Agritex extension officers.

She said they managed to sustain their families through their agriculture activities. — @DubeMatutu