Agroecology brings hope to smallholder farmers

Kevin Chimombe (44) is father of 4 and a smalholder farmer from Chimanimani district. Kevin is working with PELUM Zimbabwe Member and Zimbabwe Seed Sovereignty Programme Partner, Towards Sustainable Use of Resources Organisation (TSURO) Trust. Kevin is leading a group of 16 farmers called Tayambunzwa Farmer Action Learning Group in which knowledge is shared. Kevin has observed that the community has become more cohesive through Agroecology. Photo: TSURO Trust

Kevin Chimombe (44) is a smallholder farmer working with PELUM Zimbabwe Member, Towards Sustainable Use of Resources Organisation (TSURO) Trust in Chimanimani district, Eastern Zimbabwe.

Before working with TSURO, Kevin was stuck in a vicious cycle of spending hard to come by cash on hybrid maize seed and fertilizer in the hope of producing enough food for his family but never being able to do so.

Through the numerous trainings and workshops that he has been involved in through TSURO Trust, Kevin has gained knowledge on various agroecological practices.

“I have participated in many trainings and workshops such as organic farming, soil and water conservation, natural farm management, compost making, seed production and seed saving amongst others,” says Kevin.

Kevin says he applied the knowledge that he gained and this changed his life.

“Since 2014 I have shifted from years of monoculture to growing a variety of crops and now my family has enough to eat and is having a balanced diet. Through seed fairs I have managed to sell seed and make some money, “says Kevin.

Kevin has not only diversified his crop fields but has also ventured into livestock farming from which he obtains manure for his crops.

“Now I’m keeping goats, indigenous chickens so that I produce enough organic manure for my field,” says Kevin.

Kevin adds that he intends to expand his livestock farming to ensure that he has adequate manure.

“I want to have diverse seeds for my field. I also want to increase poultry and goat farming to produce enough animal manure for building soil fertility and avoid the application of inorganic fertilizers,” says Kevin.

Kevin hopes that this will change not only his family’s future but also impact lives of other community members.

“I wish to send my children up to the highest level of education through seed work, help the community especially those in need of food and seed, “says Kevin.

Kevin says he has plans to purchase pipes to draw water for irrigation so that he can grow seed through-out the year, increase seed diversity, food and seed to sell.