Zero tillage groundnuts enhance food security for smallholder farmer

Evelyn Jonga (41) a mother of 4 and smallholder farmer from Rushinga District. Evelyn is working with Zimbabwe Seed Sovereignty Programme (ZSSP) partner, Farmers Association of Community Self-Help Investment Groups (FACHIG). She is growing traditional crops from farm saved seeds and as a result she ensures food security for her family. Photo: FACHIG

PELUM Zimbabwe Member and Zimbabwe Seed Sovereignty Programme (ZSSP) partner, Farmers Association of Community Self-Help Investment Groups (FACHIG) is working with smallholder farmers in Rushinga district to enhance their food security through a farming technique known as zero tillage.

Evelyn Jonga (41) is one of the smallholder farmers working with FACHIG. In the last farming season Evelyn received foundation groundnut seed from FACHIG which she grew using the zero tillage technique.

The major advantage of zero tillage is the minimal disturbance to the soil which helps to reduce soil erosion and water loss. This is advantageous for local communities in Rushinga where the rainfall is unreliable

“In our area we have erratic unreliable rainfall so people have poor harvest,” says Evelyn.

“We are practicing zero tillage, where we dig 15cm holes in which we put manure. When we have put manure we then add a bit of soil to cover the manure and then plant our seed. Spacing between crops is 15cm and inter row spacing is 20cm. When it comes to weeding we do not use herbicides but we use hoes,” says Evelyn.

“That’s why our groundnut is very good,” she adds.

Groundnuts are essential for Evelyn and her family. Evelyn roasts the nuts to make a snack and peanut butter.

“We use the peanut butter in porridge and green vegetables. The shells and the rest of the plant go to the compost. Nothing is thrown away,” says Evelyn.