Sithokozile Chikuni (48) is a smallholder farmer from Masvingo province located approximately 297 kilometres from Zimbabwe’s capital, Harare. In 2017 Sithokozile produced what can only be termed a ‘miracle crop’. What started off as curiosity led to a significant harvest that shocked all farmers in her community.
Sithokozile is working with Zimbabwe Smallholder Organic Farmers’ Forum (ZIMSOFF), a farmer movement and Zimbabwe Seed Sovereignty Programme (ZSSP) Partner.
Her story begins with a normal growing season in 2017. Sithokozile planted red sorghum and harvested the crop. However, she did not uproot the stalks but left them in the field to see what would become of them.
“I planted sorghum in 2017 and harvested seven tonnes. When my husband wanted to remove the stalks I told him not to do so. I wanted to put into practice what I heard ZSSP farmers in Chimanimani district are doing,” says Sithokozile.
Sithokozile had interacted with smallholder farmers working with Towards Sustainable Use of Resources Organisation (TSURO) Trust. The farmers had shared knowledge with her on increasing soil fertility using livestock. A large herd of cattle is left in the crop field for a specified period. The cattle dung and urinate while breaking hard capped soils using their hoofs.
Traditionally, the cattle are kraaled in a section of the field for a specified number of days and moved to different sections of the field. However, Sithokozile did not kraal the cattle but let them come and go out of the field at will.
“I decided to experiment to see if the sorghum would sprout again. I used at least 100 cattle because almost all the cattle in the area were coming into my field to fertilise my 29 hectare plot. It took me seven months to improve soil fertility. When it rained in the following season the sorghum sprouted,” says Sithokozile.
While experimenting one of the aspects of holistic land and livestock management, Sithokozile was discouraged by the agricultural extension (Agritex) officer from continuing with the experiment.
“The Agritex officer came and told me that my experiment would fail. I was determined to see the experiment through because I had observed new sprouts emerging,” says Sithokozile.
Sithokozile was right to see the experiment through. She harvested three tonnes and sold the produce. She used the money to buy seven cattle to increase her herd. In addition, Sithokozile used some of the sorghum to feed her indigenous chickens