SHANNISE DZOBO
MASVINGO– Voluntary Service Overseas (VSO) delegates were impressed by Zimbabwe Small Holder Organic Farmers Forum (ZIMSOFF) from Shashe in Masvhava, Masvingo during a regional tour of the agroecology projects in the area.
The regional tour party had representatives from Kenya, Phillipine, Tanzania, UK, Zambia, Lesotho, Malawi, Mozambique, Eswathini and Zimbabwe was funded by VSO through its partners who include, Fambidzanai Permaculture, Adventist Development and Relief Agency Zimbabwe (ADRA), ZIMSOFF, Bindura University
Teclah Ponde, the VSO project implementation leader for Southern Africa representing Zimbabwe, Zambia, Lesotho and Eswathini told The Midweek Watch that they were quite impressed with the agroecology projects and the regional tour party learnt quite a lot.
“I was quite impressed with the Shashe projects and the demonstration plots and I see it as a centre of excellence in terms of how the people have integrated with each other and how they are living quality lives through agroecology practices in the communities.
“All I wish for is that this knowledge be passed from generation to generation especially among the youths who take ownership of these projects for posterity,” said Ponde.
Agroecology is a sustainable farming approach that centres on food production that makes the best use of nature’s resources without damaging them.
Ponde also highlighted that this exercise was meant to promote agroecology practices across the region and to push for the establishment of a regional policy by authorities.
“This exercise is meant to promote agroecology practices in different countries across the region and also to push for regional policy making on agroecology farming.
“In Zimbabwe we are still at the drafting stage with the help from the Ministry of Lands, Agriculture and Rural Resettlements and we hope we will finish the whole process soon,” added Ponde.
Nelson Mudzingwa the national chairperson for ZIMSOFF who is also a farmer in Shashe told The Midweek Watch that agroecology has since improved their lives since they are no longer prone to some diseases caused by lack of proper nutrients and the system is also very affordable.
“Agroecology has since changed our lives for the better throughout the Shashe community because we are no easily fall sick as we are now eating healthy foods.
“We are going to continue with the practices as well as imparting the knowledge from generation to generation and other people so that we do not lose the value of our rich seeds,” said Mudzingwa.
VSO is also involved in health, education and resilient livelihoods of people in the respective countries that they operate in.
