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Tale of a thriving Gutu farmer

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THE knowledge of one’s terrain, the suitable crops to grow and the use of proper farming methods can help boost a farmer’s yield.
It is these attributes that have contributed to the continued success of Ephraim Runganga, a small-scale farmer who owns a 120-hectare farm in Dewure West, Gutu.
Runganga took over the running of the farm in 1993 from his father who was one of the earliest beneficiaries of the Land Reform Programme.
The programme to redistribute land to the indigenous Zimbabweans was adopted by Government in 1980, but moved at a slow pace as the white commercial farmers resisted the ‘willing buyer willing seller’ model that was in place.
In 2000 following the going back on its word to fund the Land Reform Programme by the Tony Blair British-led government, the ZANU PF Government expedited the programme.
To date more than 400 000 households have benefitted.
Contrary to the notion by the West that President Robert Mugabe was parcelling out land to his cronies, Runganga is an example of the ordinary citizens that benefitted from the programmes.
Runganga who is a teacher by profession and is now the headmaster at Cheshumba Primary School said farming had always been his first calling.
“Having grown up with parents who practised farming, I always had the passion to engage in agriculture hence after my father passed on I took over the running of Farm 414,” said Runganga.
Runganga produces various crops, namely maize, sorghum, sunflowers, groundnuts, round nuts and sugar beans.
“After learning that the farm lies between Natural Region Four and Five, I decided to seek expert advice from our local extension officers on the types of crops to grow so that I maximise on returns,” he said.
Natural Regions Four and Five are characterised by an annual rainfall of 450-650 millimetres, severe dry spells during the rain season and frequent seasonal droughts.
The region is considered unsuitable for dry land cropping; smallholder farmers grow drought-tolerant varieties of maize, sorghum, pearl millet (mhunga) and finger millet (rapoko).
“As advised by experts, I produce mainly small grains and if its maize I ensure I use the proper varieties,” said Runganga.
“The move has helped us over the past years as we have been able to produce yields that are favourable.”
Last season, Runganga produced nearly 15 tonnes of maize, 10 tonnes of sugar beans and five tonnes of groundnuts.
“It is important that a farmer knows the Natural Region where their land is located, get their soils tested and get advice from experts on the type of crops to grow and even the varieties that are suitable,” he said.
“By so doing a farmer is assured of a favourable yield.
“Most people are of the opinion that Masvingo province is not suitable for crop production as most farmers have failed to identify the suitable crops to grow.”
Runganga urged fellow farmers in the province to use farming methods that help preserve soil moisture since they have been getting erratic rains over the past seasons.
“It is important that farmers prepare lands soon after harvesting and add mulch so that moisture is not lost,” he said.
“Farmers can also use the zero-tillage method as it has over the past seasons helped me increase yields.”
Despite efforts to continue producing grain, Runganga said he has been faced with challenges of a market.
“We used to sell our maize to the Grain Marketing Board (GMB), but the past seasons, they have been failing to pay us and this disrupted the planning for coming seasons,” he said.
During the era of the Inclusive Government, the then Finance Minister Tendai Biti sabotaged the agriculture sector under the orders of his Western handlers who want to discredit the resettled farmers.
Biti refused to fund the GMB to pay farmers delivering maize.
This resulted in farmers losing trust in the GMB.
Under the Zimbabwe Agenda for Sustainable Socio-Economic Transformation, Government has reaffirmed its support for the sector saying food security would be its major priority.
Runganga said he was pinning hopes on Government to ensure that farmers had a market for their produce.
“This year we are poised for a successful season, the area has been receiving rains since December and the crop is looking good, Government has reaffirmed its support for the sector,” he said.
“This is good news for us and it motivates us to continue producing for the country.”
Agriculture has remained the key sector of the economy.
Agriculture accounts for 15 percent of GDP, and contributes 16 percent to export earnings.

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