Chikukwa farmer enjoys benefits of switching to Agroecology

Nomatter Muripo (30), a small-scale farmer and mother of 3 lives in Kubatana village in ward 10, Chimanimani district. She is working with Zimbabwe Seed Sovereignty Programme Partner, CELUCT. Nomatter says she used to produce food conventionally but ever since switching to Agroecology she is seeing numerous advantages. Photo: CELUCT

Nomatter Muripo (30) lives in Kubatana village in ward 10, Chimanimani district with her three children. Nomatter started practicing agroecology in 2011 after receiving training from Chikukwa Ecological Land Use Community Trust (CELUCT). She says previously she had been using conventional agriculture.

She says after being trained by CELUCT, she started growing and saving traditional grain varieties like sorghum, ground nuts, round nuts, rapoko, sesame and cow peas.

“My peers have been practicing seed saving for long. I saw how they were benefiting especially from sharing and selling traditional seed varieties. That’s when l thought l should join as well,” says Nomatter.

She says her yields have improved a lot because of applying agroecology practices and she is now able to grow seeds for selling at her homestead.

“Since l started to practice agroecology, I have been seeing a significant difference as compared to the years I was doing conventional farming. Ever since I started in 2021, I am now able to grow, sell and exchange traditional seeds at my homestead. I am no longer buying seeds produced for commercial purposes,” says Nomatter.

“Now I can produce seeds as well as enough food that I can sell to other farmers. Seed exchange during seed fairs and seed market days have given me access to varieties that I did not to have,” adds Nomatter.

Patience Sithole (53), field officer for CELUCT says farmers are benefiting greatly from traditional grain production. She says all farmers should consider switching to traditional grains.

“Farmers should start growing and exchanging traditional grains. Through our local seed festivals we are motivating more and more farmers so that they become seed sovereign,” says Patience.

Takesure Mungoza (44), Kubatana village head says traditional grains are helping the community.

“Due to the increase in the production of traditional grains, seed production has improved thereby increasing seed availability locally. This saves money as well as time used to go and buy commercial seeds,” says village head Mungoza.