Martin Muleya
CHIMANIMANI-In the heart of Chimanimani district, Zimbabwe, lies Bumba Village, a community deeply rooted in agriculture endowed with natural resources.
However, the village faces challenges in maintaining a balance between sustainable farming practices and meeting the demands of a growing population.
Bumba Village receives between 350-450 mm of rainfall per season, and the region has experienced changes in rain patterns, droughts, and increasing temperatures due to climate change.
Towards Sustainable Use of Resources Organisation (TSURO) Trust, a civic organization operating in Chimanimani district, has embarked on the Nurture Plus project that seeks to promote agroecology.
Agroecology is an approach that prioritizes the conservation of biodiversity, efficient water use, and soil health, offering a promising solution to the challenges faced by the community.
By promoting agroecology in Bumba village, local farmers can be empowered to adopt climate-resilient practices, enhance food security, and preserve the natural beauty of the region for future generations.
This initiative aims to explore the potential of agroecology in Bumba village, fostering a sustainable and thriving agricultural community that benefits both people and the planet.
Nurture Plus project manager, Roseline Mukonoweshuro highlighted that the goal of the project was to promote positive food systems in the face of climate change.
The project focuses on four pillars, namely nature-based solutions, livelihoods, marketing, and governance.
“We are looking at nature-positive food systems where we expect our farmers to use resilient food systems using natural methods.
“We have four pillars in this process as well as preserving our environment. Today we are looking at protecting, conserving, and managing our resources,” said Mukonoweshuro.
Seed sovereignty is a crucial aspect of the project, and TSURO has been working closely with the National Gene Bank to provide farmers with seeds that are adapted to the local climate and weather conditions.
Cephas Chinawa, a local farmer from Nezandonye Village, shared his experience of visiting the Gene Bank and starting his own seed bank at Mhakwe center.
The seed fairs organized by TSURO have also transformed the lives of local farmers, particularly women, by providing them with opportunities to cross-pollinate farming ideas and nurture their own seeds.
“We have learnt a lot from the Gene bank, and this inspired us to have our own bank at Mhakwe centre. We encourage other farmers to have their own seed banks even in situations where we expect to get inputs from Government,” said Chinawa.
Florence Nyenda, a participant in the seed fairs, mentioned that the program has helped decrease gender-based violence as women become more engaged in commercial farming.
Chimanimani district Agricultural Extension (Agritex) supervisor Stephen Mutungwe for ward 1, 4, 6 and 7, emphasized the importance of seed fairs in alleviating hunger in the region.
Overall, the TSURO Trust’s Nurture Plus project is a promising initiative that aims to promote agroecology and empower the Bumba village community to adopt sustainable farming practices, enhance food security, and preserve the natural resources of the region.
