HOCIC, Buntu Foods partner to connect small grain farmers to markets
Left:Buntu Foods founder and chief executive officer, Golden Muhoni. Right: HOCIC Agribusiness Field Facilitator, Dumo Mpofu
By Staff Writer
A partnership between Hope for a Child In Christ (HOCIC) and Buntu Foods is helping smallholder farmers in Matabeleland access viable markets through contract farming arrangements aimed at increasing incomes and promoting small grain production.
Speaking during a discussion on Skyz Metro FM’s “Ilihlo Lemaphandleni” programme hosted by Community Podium, HOCIC Agribusiness Field Facilitator Dumo Mpofu said rural farmers were increasingly shifting from subsistence farming to commercial agriculture.
Mpofu said HOCIC is running a project called Simbiso, which is providing training in financial literacy, value addition and market engagement.
“The farmers are evolving their way of farming. Initially, a large number of farmers would only focus on subsistence farming, where they would only be focused on providing for their families, but now they are taking a different approach. They are focusing on getting income from their produce,” said Mpofu.
He said farmers were now recognising the commercial value of products such as indigenous roadrunner chickens and small grain crops, which continue to attract growing demand in both rural and urban markets.
Mpofu noted that some farmers remain hesitant to engage with large companies due to fears of exploitation, prompting HOCIC to act as a bridge between producers and buyers.
“Sometimes farmers are reluctant to work together with big companies because they fear being taken advantage of. So we are working with them to bridge that gap,” he said.
He explained that HOCIC is working with Buntu Foods to ensure farmers fully understand contract farming agreements through contracts translated into local languages.
“These contracts will be in local languages so that a farmer can fully comprehend the agreements therein,” he said, adding that the agreements also clarify payment terms and expectations, helping to build trust between farmers and buyers.
Buntu Foods founder and chief executive officer, Golden Muhoni, said the company works with farmers producing small grains such as sorghum, millet and rapoko under a contract farming model designed to guarantee markets and secure supplies.
“We work under contract with farmers, which is a way of making sure that we secure our grain,” said Muhoni.
The company currently works with farmers in Tsholotsho, Binga and Bulilima and supplies seed to contracted growers ahead of each farming season.
Muhoni said demand for small grains was growing as consumers become more aware of their nutritional benefits.
“Our society has long associated small grain with the poor man, but lately the tables have turned. We are at a stage where doctors are prescribing small grain to people because of their health benefits,” he said.
He added that Buntu Foods was promoting value addition to make small grain products more attractive and affordable while creating sustainable markets for farmers.
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