Learning and Exchange visits benefit farmers

BY TAURAI SITHOLE

ZIMBABWE Smallholder Organic Farmers’ Forum (ZIMSOFF) held a program called Learning and Exchange Visits between Small Farmers’ Organizations (SFOs). In the Eastern Cluster which comprises of Chibhememe Earth Healing Association, Chaseyama, Nyanga and Mahachi-Konjana; the program was held from June 5 to 10, 2024.

Jane Dube from Chaseyama SFO facilitated on how farmers can select and store traditional small grain properly.

“What we qualify as seed is different from what we term as grain. The one we refer to as grain is mainly for consumption whereas seed is the one intended for cultivation. We use low cost traditional means to store our seed and grain safely,” she said.

During the program, farmers managed to exchange ideas on water harvesting techniques, holistic livestock management, organic food processing, biofertilizers, nursery establishment and organic pest management.

The Learning and Exchange Visits that were inclusive of women and youth, brought polarisation of ideas, opened farmers’ networks, enabled SFOs to identify their needs and promoting agroecology in general.