Lockdown threatens profitability of farmers’ produce

Kamugogode Shepherd (36) is a father of 4 and a smallholder farmer from Rushinga District. Shepherd is working with PELUM Zimbabwe Member and Zimbabwe Seed Sovereignty Programme (ZSSP) partner, Farmers Association of Community Self-Help Investment Groups (FACHIG). Shepherd grows sorghum, groundnuts, and sesame. Photo: FACHIG

Shepherd Kamugogode (36) is a smallholder farmer from Rushinga district who depends on traditional crops for both food and income security.

Shepherd says he began working with Zimbabwe Seed Sovereignty Programme (ZSSP) partner, Farmers Association of Community Self-Help Investment Groups (FACHIG) in 2015.

Through the exposure to seed and food fairs Shepherd started growing sesame [chitowe] for income generation.

“What you see here is chitowe [sesame] which I started growing after I joined FACHIG in 2015 and was exposed to food fairs and seed fairs,” says Shepherd.

“That is where I got this chitowe [sesame] seed that I grew this season and I am hoping to get a good harvest,” adds Shepherd.

Shepherd is however worried about access to markets for his produce. This is because markets have shrunk due to the COVID-19 induced lockdown. Although farmers are now allowed to transport their produce to designated market places, transport remains a major challenge. Moreover, smallholder farmers’ bargaining power has been eroded.

During this hard time farmers like Shepherd require protection for their investment. PELUM Zimbabwe in partnership with the Knowledge Transfer Africa is working to transform farmers’ markets to build a more sustainable and just food system in Zimbabwe.