Smallholder farmers in Chakohwa village in Chimanimani have adopted mixed farming, an agro ecological-system that involves the growing of crops and keeping domestic animals. One such farmer is Daniel Bande (59) who testifies that mixed farming has helped him to provide adequate food for his family.
Over the years, Daniel has invested in a wide range of domestic animals and also increased the number of crops that he grows in his farmlands.
“I now have cattle, goats, indigenous chickens, turkeys and donkeys. On the cropping side I grow different types of crops, applying agroecological principles. Some of the crops that I grow include finger millet, bambara nuts, cowpeas and beans. I grow crops all year round,” says Daniel.
Daniel attributes his successes to the knowledge that he is getting from PORET, a PELUM Zimbabwe member.
“We are also using the knowledge and skills passed on from previous generations. This has not only helped us to put food on the table but provide healthy food and promote healthy eating,” says Daniel.
Blessing Chamudondo (51) is PORET’s programmes manager. He says his organization is working closely with small-scale farmers in Chakohwa to help them to strengthen food security and also to regenerate their landscape.
“We provide farmers with knowledge and skills on how to do conservation farming. Currently we are assisting them with knowledge and skills on how to regenerate landscape and improve soil quality using livestock,” says Blessing.
For Daniel, adopting agro-ecological practices has also helped him to generate income to support his family.
“I sell some of the cattle and l use the money for our daily needs and paying school fees for the children. This year l sold eight donkeys at US$100 each. I also exchanged some of the donkeys for cattle. l was given one cow in exchange for four donkeys,” says Daniel.
Despite the benefits Daniel mentions, he also encounters some challenges with domestic animals straying into his fields and destroying his crops.
“I grow crops all year round. Some of my plants are destroyed by cattle and goats especially during the winter season when domestic animals are not herded,” says Daniel.
PORET’s field officer, Grace Gumba (36) says that working with the farmers in the field is not an easy task. Her organisation training farmers to correctly herd livestock all year round. “Working with the community needs patience. Some farmers need to see what has been done before they adopt the practice,” says Grace.
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