Farmers embrace agro-ecology techniques

 By Tatenda Brian Mqetu

Masvingo province peasant farmers have embraced the agro-ecology methods ahead of the 2019/20 season with the promotion of small grains and traditional seed varieties as they foresee environmental conservation and food security for their communities.

According to Caritas Masvingo Diocese Baseline Data, there is a remarkable improvement in the percentages as 70% of farmers in Bikita and Gutu have embraced the agro-ecological approach towards farming through the Equitable Access to and Use of Natural Resources Programme which trains farmers.

The Sustainable Livelihoods program which increases yields while reducing environmental impacts have managed to establish a number of successes which include resuscitation of lost traditional seed varieties (svoboda, orange maize, chinyamugage and munyadzagudo), solar the water system, use of natural remedies which provides a better remedy for fall armyworm (the use of cow urine, fine sand and yellow bitter apple/Nhundurwa) and a decrease in the use of synthetic fertilizers and pesticides.

However, the efforts of the Equitable Access to and Use of Natural Resources Programme is facing a looming food insecurity crisis which is a result of two extreme weather conditions experienced this season, which are the El-Nino and Cyclone Idai