DeBoryx
Masvingo-This year’s Masvingo Province winter wheat field day commemorations were held at Rufaro Irrigation Scheme where tens of people converged to witness the amazing work being done by farmers in the rural set up.
The event was held on August 28, 2024 where the Minister of State for Masvingo Provincial Affairs and Devolution, Ezra Chadzamira was the guest of honor.
The irrigation scheme which is run by Rufaro Collective Farming Cooperative was established in 1984 and has managed to withstand the test of time.
Farmers are expecting 45 tonnes up from last year’s 36 tonnes.
Minister Chadzamira said it was the duty of the state to provide land for farmers to grow food for the nation.
The Minister reiterated that it was common knowledge that the provision of quality farming is an expensive and taxing enterprise.
“We abundantly thank our President His Excellence Dr. E. D. Munangagwa for his unwavering support with land, presidential inputs, and technical assistance accorded to us through expertise from Arex that led to this year’s winter wheat farming to be a resounding success,” said Chadzamira
Rufaro Collective Farming Cooperative is a vibrant cooperative in Masvingo Province which is in natural region 5.
The cooperative is situated 14km East of Masvingo City and occupies 1 084 hectares and 40 hectares have been under flood irrigation using borehole water before it was bought for resettlement in 1983.
Speaking on the sidelines of the field day chairman of the cooperative, Luckson Chikamhi said farmers were resettled in October 1985 with membership of 55 derived from 27 families.
“Currently, Rufaro Cooperative has 55 members (that is, 36 males & 19 females) and is a “Model B” resettlement scheme.
“It has 20 hectares under irrigation and nearest to GMB Masvingo depot. It is guided by the laws made under “The Cooperatives Societies Act Chapter 24:05 of Zimbabwe.
“I have infinite passion, for farming that is why you see me here. In fact, this is my 5th year leading the cooperartive and here are the fruits,” said an elated Chikamhi.
Chikamhi said members of the cooperative bring in different skills into the scheme.
“Transparency and accountability do not play second fiddle to anything that is why our books were audited for the first time, since 1984.
The cooperative has 5 running boreholes and members acquired a 1 x 15 horse power 380v submissive Pump in order to do summer cropping, but still needs more equipment to increase its production.
The cooperative has benefitted from presidential winter inputs program since 2022.
