‘Government should empower farmers’
TATENDA CHIKARA IN CHIVI
A prominent pig farmer in Chivi District, Masvingo Province, Alexander Guni, has indicated that government should empower farmers with technical and marketing skills to guard against selling their livestock at a loss.
“Many take advantage of farmers when they slaughter their pigs because they do not have cold storages as they argue the meat is no longer standard. Farmers end up giving in because of desperation. Like in Chivi, I urge the government to empower farmers with technical advice and marketing just like in Harare where there is the Pig Industry Board so that farmers can grow their businesses as well as sustain their families,” Guni said.
Meanwhile, the Development Aid for People from People (DAPP) is educating Chivi villagers to practice modern types of farming that can help conserve soil moisture.
The organisation coordinator Kumbirai Chitambo said it was important for farmers to practice mulching as well as use of grow bags when farming their vegetables to conserve soil moisture.
“We are educating farmers to practice modern methods of farming that are climate proof at the same time conserving soil moisture like mulching using grow bags.
“Grow bags or farmer bags is when farmers put first a plastic in the ground then put a bag with compost or manure in the ground,” Chaitambo said
DAPP works closely with farmers from wards 6 and 12 in Chivi.
