Sidanisile Dube (45) is a smallholder farmer living in Matobo district and working with PELUM Zimbabwe member, Fambidzanai Permaculture Centre (FPC). Matobo district is located in southern Zimbabwe. It receives less than 400mm annual rainfall but the changing climate is making it almost impossible for farmers to grow enough food to feed their families.
However, Sidanisile says using agroecological practices including growing culturally and climate appropriate seeds that have been traditionally used by her ancestors has enabled her to produce sufficient food for her family.
“We are wrestling with recurring droughts,” laments Sidanisile, “but I always harvest at least 200 kilogrammes of sorghum,” says Sidanisile. Sidanisile says she also grows millet and cowpeas.
The 2018/19 farming season was tough for many farmers in Matobo. Many crop fields yielded nothing.
“My neighbours will not harvest anything this year because they grew hybrid maize. The maize crop is so dry that if you strike a match to it, it will burn,” says Sidanisile.
Sidanisile says many crop fields belonging to her neighbours and friends have been attacked by termites. However, her crop field tells a different story.
“I am looking to harvest about 300 kilogrammes of sorghum and 100 kilogrammes of pearl millet. My harvest would have been higher had other farmers grown similar crops. I am the only one who grows these small grains so the birds and baboons come in their numbers,” says Sidanisile.
Sidanisile sadly notes that agroecology is shunned by many farmers in her community. She says many farmers want a quick fix. She desires other farmers to change their behaviour and attitude in favour of agroecological practice as well as growing traditional seeds.
“These seeds are the ones that will help us be food secure and keep ourselves healthy,” she says.
Sidanisile Dube (45) is a smallholder farmer living in Matobo district and working with PELUM Zimbabwe member, Fambidzanai Permaculture Centre (FPC). Matobo district is located in southern Zimbabwe. It receives less than 400mm annual rainfall but the changing climate is making it almost impossible for farmers to grow enough food to feed their families.
However, Sidanisile says using agroecological practices including growing culturally and climate appropriate seeds that have been traditionally used by her ancestors has enabled her to produce sufficient food for her family.
“We are wrestling with recurring droughts,” laments Sidanisile, “but I always harvest at least 200 kilogrammes of sorghum,” says Sidanisile. Sidanisile says she also grows millet and cowpeas.
The 2018/19 farming season was tough for many farmers in Matobo. Many crop fields yielded nothing.
“My neighbours will not harvest anything this year because they grew hybrid maize. The maize crop is so dry that if you strike a match to it, it will burn,” says Sidanisile.
Sidanisile says many crop fields belonging to her neighbours and friends have been attacked by termites. However, her crop field tells a different story.
“I am looking to harvest about 300 kilogrammes of sorghum and 100 kilogrammes of pearl millet. My harvest would have been higher had other farmers grown similar crops. I am the only one who grows these small grains so the birds and baboons come in their numbers,” says Sidanisile.
Sidanisile sadly notes that agroecology is shunned by many farmers in her community. She says many farmers want a quick fix. She desires other farmers to change their behaviour and attitude in favour of agroecological practice as well as growing traditional seeds.
“These seeds are the ones that will help us be food secure and keep ourselves healthy,” she says.
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