Drought mitigation center brings hope to rural farmers

By Jonah B Moyo

Garanyemba drought mitigation centre in Gwanda South has brought food security to farmers who are now operating a vibrant horticulture project, a welcome source of livelihood.

The Garanyemba drought mitigation centre which has 38 members was established in 2024 as part of a livestock drought mitigation strategy and village business unit model programme.

Garanyemba Ward 13 was selected to pilot the programme aimed at protecting communities from the effects of the El Niño-induced drought under the Rural Development 8.0 initiative. The drought mitigation model will then be rolled out to all 1,620 rural wards nationwide, helping sustain the national herd.

Garanyemba drought mitigation centre chairperson, Justice Ndlovu said the project was introduced at a critical time when farmers were losing their cattle to drought. The project also has also helped the community to have access to clean water.

“When this project was introduced we were reeling from the effects of the El Nino induced drought and our cattle were dying. The dam didn’t have any water left. Two boreholes were drilled and the infrastructure we now have at the project site was constructed. A number of cattle were saved because of this project as farmers were able to bring their animals for feeding.

“Now there is no need to feed our animals because we have graze and if another drought comes we know that we will be cushioned,” he said.

Ndlovu said they were now mobilising funds to construct cattle sales pens. He said this is a crucial project as it ensures that farmers realise real value for their livestock instead of selling their animals at low prices out of desperation. Mr Ndlovu appealed to well wishers who can partner the farmers on constructing the cattle sales pens.

The vice secretary Ms Evert Masare said having a horticulture garden has assisted farmers with income as well as a source of food. She said they normally produce chomolia, beans, maize, cabbages and spinach among other horticulture crops.

Ms Masare said the sell some of their produce to the community and also have traders that come to buy from the garden in bulk.

“Some of our clients are market owners who come from Gwanda Town to buy produce from us in bulk. Irrigation farming wasn’t possible in our area as we had water challenges but now we can produce year round to ensure that we can fend for our families. We now also have access to nutritious food through are horticulture project.

“Each farmer has their space for farming but after selling there is money we contribute which goes towards a common pocket which is reserved for maintaining and sustaining our project. This project has come has a huge empowerment boost especially for us as women as we comprise most of the farmers and some are widows,” she said.

Speaking during a visit to the project site Lands, Agriculture, Fisheries, Water and Rural Development Minister Dr Anxious Masuka said the project is being implemented to ensure that communities are cushioned against the effects of drought which can lead to loss of livestock.He said the nutrition gardens will support both horticulture crops and fodder to sustain both people and animals.

Dr Masuka said the livestock sales centres will control the sale of livestock as no farmer will be allowed to sell an animal from their kraal while buyers will be expected to purchase cattle from stipulated points on organised dates. This will help Government to control the market price in order to protect farmers from being robbed by cattle buyers.