Permaculture practices improve food security in Chimanimani

A swale captures water for irrigation and it also serves to slow runoff. Water harvesting is a key component of the permaculture work being done by PELUM Zimbabwe Member Participatory Organic Research Extension and Training (PORET) in Chimanimani. Water harvesting is likely to become critical in future as climate change leads to poor rainfalls and temperature increase in the Southern African region. Photo: PORET

Peter Manjoro (54) is a smallholder farmers practising water harvesting techniques in Chaseyama community located in Chimanimani district, eastern Zimbabwe. Peter learned about permaculture principles by joining the Chaseyama Permaculture Club, a movement of farmers in Chimanimani working with PELUM Zimbabwe member, the Participatory Organic Research Extension and Training (PORET).

Before joining the Chaseyama Permaculture Club, Peter did not know about the construction of shallow, broad and vegetated channels designed to store water and promote water infiltration. Peter says these pits are called swales.

Peter has dug swales to harvest enough water to sustain his crops. This is because Chaseyama receives less than 400mm annual rainfall.

“I invited Kumbirai from PORET and Taurai from [the] Chaseyama Permaculture Club to peg swales in my field. Together we pegged 78 metres and dug swales. I then pegged the second and third swales which I constructed alone,” says Peter.

Peter harvested adequate water to sustain his crops and the results were instant.

“The 2017/2018 farming season was a very good year for me because I harvested thousands of litres of water and my crops grew very well especially roundnuts [Bambara nuts], groundnuts, sorghum, beans (karongonda and tsumbe),” says Peter.

Peter also participated in PORET’s permaculture design course titled An Introduction to Permaculture and Nursery skills.

“The training improved my capacity as a farmer. I am now self-reliant and innovative. The hands on approach has improved food security for my family. I established a nursery with different plant species like jujube, jackal-berry, pod mahogany, avocado pears, paw-paw and lemon seedlings, “says Peter.

Peter says is now generating income from selling tree seedlings from his nursery. Last year Peter earned US$45 from selling tree seedlings. This year he plans to grow more than 500 Pod Mahogany seeds.