Young farmers in Chimanimani district, Eastern Zimbabwe are using Information and Communication Technologies (ICTs) to document and promote agroecology in their communities and beyond.
Simon Mazano (29) a passionate farmer and communications consultant working with PELUM Zimbabwe partner, Towards Sustainable Use of Resources Organisation (TSURO) Trust says he got interested in ICTs when he was 13 years old.
Simon says his family started practicing agroecology in 2020 and after he enrolled for workshops organized by TSURO Trust, he decided to document agroecology work so that more people would learn about it.
“I started documenting agroecology and the daily routines of farmers. When my family started practicing agroecology, I developed a keen interest and this was also nurtured through TSURO Trust workshops which benefitted me through networking, access to resources and equipment and this enabled me to develop my skills further,” he says.
Simon says he shares his work through community film screenings, which has increased the agroecology practice among smallholder farmers in Chimanimani district.
“Documenting all the good work done through agroecology has helped me share my side of the story mostly through digital channels. This has improved the digital footprint on agroecology through social media, and community bioscopes that we do here among Ndau speaking people,” he says.
TSURO Trust Programmes Officer, Washington Nyakazeya (26) says ICTs are very instrumental in advancing agroecology because of their ability to promote interconnectedness and exposure to the global market.
“ICTs are very helpful in promoting agroecology through youth participation. TSURO Trust has supported youths through training in use of photography and documentation as well as providing access to internet at some learning centers,” he says.
Washington adds that some young farmers face challenges in accessing to the internet and equipment such as cameras and smartphones for them to use for documentation. He also highlighted that the elderly have benefited through trainings on integrating ICTs in their farming.
Roseline Mukonoweshuro (50), a Programmes Officer at TSURO Trust says she also benefited from the training. She has integrated social media and digital marketing techniques to promote her beekeeping and agroecology products.
“Through the training, I gained knowledge on how to use social media to market my products. We continue to engage the young farmers who are well versed with ICTs so that they help our community with knowledge on new farming strategies,” says Roseline.
Comments