ZIMBABWE recently received its first rains much to the delight of farmers as this marked the beginning of the cropping season
Following the rains, farmers who had completed preparing the land began planting.
Optimism remains high that the season will be a success.
Improved yields are expected.
The country requires two million metric tonnes of grain to meet its annual requirements.
Over the past seasons, the target has not been met.
Lack of cheaper finance to procure inputs and the prevailing liquidity constraints have drawn back crop production.
Farmers were also affected by climate change, hence the rains were indeed a welcome development.
The rains were not only sweet music to those in the farms and communal areas, but also to urban dwellers that are into urban farming.
Urban agriculture can be defined as the growing of plants and the raising of animals within and around cities.
The most striking feature of urban agriculture, which distinguishes it from rural agriculture, is that it is integrated into the urban economic and ecological system.
Following commencement of the summer cropping season, urban farmers have taken over open spaces in most suburbs around Harare tiling land and planting crops.
Crops that are mainly produced by urban farmers include maize, sweet potatoes, round nuts and groundnuts.
Over the years, residents have taken advantage of the numerous open spaces to practice urban agriculture as an alternative source of income and to supplement food reserves at home.
In what has become a perennial dispute, some urban farmers have been at loggerheads with local authorities over urban farming.
In the past, town councils have raised concern over urban farming as open spaces were reserved for other recreational activities.
Farmers have cried foul whenever council has slashed maize that had been grown on undesignated areas.
Harare Town Council corporate communications manager Michael Chideme said local authorities encouraged sustainable agriculture.
“We support the practice of urban agriculture only when it is done on permitted areas,” he said.
“Farmers should not plough or plant on river banks or road sides where crops block the view for motorists.
“We also discourage farming in areas that have a history of incidences of rape and murder.”
Agricultural activities, Chideme said, were prohibited on wetlands.
“Wetlands are sources of water and during farming, fertilisers are added which in turn pollute underground water,” he said.
Chideme urged people to approach District Offices before engaging in agricultural activities on any piece of land.
“There are areas where agricultural activities are allowed and with the help of District Officers they can be shown where farming is allowed,” he said.
Some residents have also raised concerns over the areas where urban farming was being practiced.
“The new cropping season means that all open areas that are supposed to be used as football, netball and basketball pitches, road-sides and recreational parks as well as wetlands will be turned into farms,” said Chrispen Motsi from Highfield.
“Therefore, there is need for local authorities to educate residents on the areas that are set aside for urban agriculture.
“Criminals are taking advantage of crops like maize to hide, attack people and rob people of their valuables.”
Over the years, residents have taken advantage of the numerous open spaces to practice urban agriculture as an alternative source of income supplementing their food reserves.
Theresa Munyaka from Kuwadzana said her family had benefitted immensely from urban farming.
“We are also farmers and through urban farming we have been able to sustain our families since what we produce is mainly for consumption, thereby we cut costs as we will not be buying commodities like maize meal,” she said.
“I find it cost effective to make use of the open spaces in my neighbourhood as a field rather than travel back to my rural area as my work schedule does not permit.
“With this piece of land I am able to provide for my family with fresh vegetables and mealies just like those in rural areas rather than buy from them when they bring their produce to town.”
As the cropping season progresses, it is hoped stakeholders will come up with a solution to maximise on the benefits of urban farming.
Analysts say urban farming has the potential to contribute significantly to national food security if sufficiently supported by all sectors and statistics indicate that more than 5 000 families benefit from peri-urban farming yearly.