Farmers’ crops rot in fields

Majory Gore (42) is a single mother of one and smallholder farmer from Chimanimani district, eastern Zimbabwe. Majory works with PELUM Zimbabwe Member Chikukwa Ecological Land Use Community Trust (CELUCT). During the initial 21 days lock-down period although she had crops that could feed her family and source income she was forced to watch her crops rot in the field as she could not leave her home to go and harvest. However, when the lock-down was extended by another 14 days, the restrictions for farmers were relaxed. This has allowed her to harvest. Sadly she found that cattle had eaten some of her crops. Photo: CELUCT

Community interaction is the glue that strengthens social cohesion and holds communities together. Agricultural activities depend on strong social cohesion. But the lock-down restrictions are dampening the spirits of farmers.

Majory Gore (42) a smallholder farmer from Chimanimani district says staying indoors, being unable to walk around or talk to neighbours is a strange thing for the community. Majory says she cannot visit friends or relatives, meet and share what they learned from the last farming season.

“Everyone is just staying in their homes. We conducted field visits before the lock-down but since then we have been unable to meet because large gatherings are not allowed,” says Majory.

Majory says she has not been able to visit her own field to collect food and to harvest crops. She says neighbours and friends cannot help her because movement is restricted during lock-down. Now her crops are rotting in the field.

Majory says COVID-19 is a double edged sword. She cannot harvest her produce and she cannot sell her produce. She now has to rely on the little supplies she still has from the previous season and what she acquired before the lockdown.

“We have received no help whatsoever. We are just sitting in our homes and we have no money to buy food because we have nothing to sell,” she laments.