Mbonisi Dube (53) is one of the farmers in Matobo District in Matabeleland South Province riddled with the problem of climate change. Unlike other farmers, Mbonisi grows drought tolerant crops and practices conservation farming as strategies to adjust and adapt to the climate crisis.
“I mainly grow sorghum and pearl millet. My children love the food and have always eaten small grains from a tender age,” says Mbonisi.
Mbonisi says he used to till the soil before planting his sorghum and pearl millet. Although he had the right seed, he did not have the appropriate farming method hence his yield was low.
After shifting to conservation farming Mbonisi realised how laborious and inefficient the traditional method was in utilising manure and the scarce rainfall.
“Now I am practising conservation agriculture where manure and water is not wasted. It benefits the plant directly and it is labour intensive because you grow an area you can manage,” says Mbonisi.
Mbonisi is now one of many smallholder farmers working with Fambidzanai Permaculture Centre who no longer have to worry about food insecurity or being listed among the beneficiaries of food aid.
“My life has become easier. I have more food and the money I would have used to buy food I use for other necessities,” says Mbonisi.
Conservation agriculture has been so effective that despite the drought that marred the 2018/2019 season Mbonisi still managed to harvest.
“This season I harvested 150 kilogrammes of sorghum, 100 kilogrames of pearl millet and 50 kilogrammes of cowpeas,” says Mbonisi.
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