Tambudzai Macheso (31), a smallholder farmer in Goromonzi says agroecological experiments conducted in her community have helped to control one of the most notorious pests that had destroyed smallholder farmers’ maize crops.
The fall armyworm has wiped out crops in many parts of Zimbabwe. Smallholder farmers in Goromonzi came together to discuss ways of saving their crops from the fall armyworm using agroecological practices.
“After we noticed that our plants were being destroyed by the fall armyworm, we discussed as a community on how we could control the fall armyworm. We agreed to conduct various experiments to see which would work most effectively,” says Tambudzai.
Tambudzai says her community worked together with key stakeholders until they noted some positive changes.
“We did many experiments to see which method would work better. We tried human urine and water socked in pig manure and poured it on the maize funnel during the early stages of growth. We also tried some herbs such as the Adamant creeper [Cissus quadrangularis] locally known as the murunjurunju. We socked the plant leaves in water overnight and poured the mixture in the maize funnel. In other experiments we used Ammonia Nitrate. We diluted the fertilizer in water overnights and poured the contents in the maize funnel,” says Tambudzai.
After the various experiments, Tambudzai says the community observed that the Adamant creeper produced positive results.
Tawanda Chikata (40) is an Agricultural Extension Officer working with smallholder farmers in Goromonzi. Tawanda says he supported farmers with their experiments.
“I participated in the experiments that smallholder farmers in Goromonzi were conducting to control the fall armyworm. After several experiments, I observed that the Adamant creeper worked better in controlling the fall armyworm compared to other methods. Adamant creeper kills the fall army worm instantly compared to other methods. Other methods like human urine and Ammonia Fertilizer burns the plant if the correct amount is not applied. Ammonia Nitrate requires [application on] fertile soils,” says Tawanda.
The process of bringing the Goromonzi community together to fight the fall armyworm was facilitated by PELUM-ZWE network member, Fambidzanai Permaculture Centre (FPC) and FPC member Livelihoods Food and Security Programme (LFSP) .
Benhilda Nkomo (39) is the field officer for LFSP who are working with PELUM Zimbabwe member, FPC in Goromonzi district. Benhilda says FPC and LFSP do not bring new ideas in the communities but help local smallholder farmers to come up with ideas on how to address local challenges. Benhilda says they do this to avoid inculcating a dependency syndrome among the smallholder farmers.
“We do not provide the farmers with ideas but we support their ideas and skills in order to avoid them from being dependent on non-governmental organizations,” says Benhilda.
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