Over 100 farmers from across Zimbabwe gathered in Bulawayo for a transformative two-day Farmers Symposium this week aimed at promoting sustainable farming practices through knowledge exchange and agroecological innovation.
The symposium, hosted by the Zimbabwe Project Trust (ZimPro) in partnership with several other NGOs drew participants from Matabeleland South, Matabeleland North, Masvingo and as far afield as Mutare in Manicaland Province.
The event served as both an exhibition and a platform to discuss practical solutions for improving soil health, increasing productivity, and enhancing food security in rural communities.
“We want to share ideas that will help farmers restore our soils to their original state, fertile and undamaged while producing good food for the whole of Zimbabwe,” said Luckson Mpandawana, a ZimPro board member.
Mpandawana praised the improvement in both the quality and quantity of exhibits at this year’s event.
“From previous days, we have seen an improvement in the crops and products and even the number of participants has increased which is what we were expecting,” he said.
Mupandawana also confirmed that future symposiums would be held in different provinces to expand the impact.
“We must spread the word, increase the number of people who share and gain knowledge.
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“I am sure next year it will be in a different district,” he added.
Kudzanai Mashingaidze, executive director for Fambidzanai Permaculture Centre, emphasised the importance of transitioning from high external input agriculture to agroecological practices that are environmentally friendly and cost-effective for smallholder farmers.
“Zimbabwe went through what we call a green revolution, a system dependent on external inputs like synthetic fertilisers and chemicals,” Mashingaidze said.
“These inputs are not only expensive, but also harmful to the environment and our health.”
As a technical partner to Trocaire, a UK-based NGO, Fambidzanai trains local partners like ORAP, Caritas, and ZimPro in agroecological farming.
Their methods include making organic fertilisers and pesticides on the farm, seed saving and soil fertility management.
“A farmer can now produce his own organic fertiliser at farm level which is friendly to the environment and produces nutritious food,” Mashingaidze said.
“It’s very important to understand that your health is what you eat.”
Among the many beneficiaries of these sustainable farming practices is Chamaine Mangena, a smallholder farmer from Ward 17 in Insiza North district.
Once reliant on expensive commercial fertilisers and seeds, Mangena has seen a remarkable turnaround since adopting agroecological methods.
“Before, I used to spend a lot of money buying fertiliser and chemicals that did not even give me good results,” she said.
“Now I use compost and organic pest control methods that I learnt through the programme.
“My soil is healthier, and my yields have improved.”
Mangena also highlighted how the training has empowered women in her community.
“As women, we are now able to produce enough food for our families and even sell some to the local markets,” she said.
“This has brought dignity and independence.”
Another farmer, Sifiso Moyo, also from Ward 17 in Insiza North echoed the same sentiments.
“We used to think farming was only about ploughing and harvesting. But now we understand the science behind the soil,” Moyo said.
“I make my own organic fertiliser, and my maize this year was the best I ever had.”
“In the first year, I had to work hard to prepare the soil,.but now, it needs less input and my crops are stronger and healthier.”
According to Mashingaidze, the government has also started embracing agroecology.
“We are excited that even the government is now taking agroecology seriously,” he said.
“This means policies could soon support the kind of farming that protects the environment and supports smallholder farmers.”
