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SIRP Diaries –
Rupangwana Transition Story Walter Makotore |
As we transact
the scheme there is a marked improvement in the cropping compared to what we
saw last November (2020). The standing crops are in good condition. We ask Mr
Manganda (vice chair of the IMC) as he works on his sugar bean crop what has
contributed to this great change “The
rehabilitation of the scheme has energised farmers. “We have benefited greatly
from the trainings that we received from SIRP. The farmers, committee and
extension staff are now working together in harmony”.
Mrs Esther Chitiki the scheme
chairperson also testifies the same “I am
now using the recommendations from the training. I am growing my beans, cabbage and wheat at
the recommended time, spacing and varieties. We can now grow 3 times a year if
we gather our inputs in time. She
remarks as she closes the southern entrance gate leading us to the
rehabilitated pump house at Save river.
The economists in us cannot resist extracting some numbers from Mai
Chitiki and other farmers. They tell us that from a 0.2ha plot a farmer gets
around 10 bags of sugar beans per season and sells them for USD400. “I can
now pay for household needs including school fees, food and clothes. With the improved availability of water, I’m
sure I will have cash throughout the year” the vice chair adds.
It’s good to note
that farmers at Rupangwana have started adopting the block system approach.
Farmers have benefited from bulk inputs purchasing of inputs, scheduling
activities and luring buyers. For the current beans farmers have entered into
agreements with PHI holdings. Mrs
Francis one of the farmers with a standing sugar bean crop says “PHI has agreed that they will buy most of
the sugar beans once we harvest, we won’t be selling one 20 litre bucket at a
time. The problem with the old way of marketing is that it is difficult to
plan. We welcome bulk buyers as long as their prices are fair”.
Mr Matewe the
Agricultural Extension Officer (AEO) reckons it’s the start of bigger things to
come “with improved access to markets and
cooperation of farmers the future is bright”. The local District Agricultural Extension
Officer Mr Bodi was also impressed by the work around the canal embankments. “I am seeing a great improvement. Farmers are
now weeding and maintaining the canals, previously grasses and small bushes
were invading the canals. Although there are a few who are not heeding to best
practices but we hope they will learn from others. Farmers tend to learn by doing and from one
another”. As we continue to engage in informal discussion with farmers, we
get the sense that farmers know the consequences of not looking after the
infrastructure and know what needs to be done. The recent drive to retool extension
services through provision of the AEO with motor cycles, fuel and ICT gadgets
will no doubt contribute to improved production.
As we wind up our tour, the
story would not be complete without mentioning the on-going expansion of the
irrigation scheme by 38Ha. Expansion is progressing well and almost complete.
Under the expansion a further 50 farmers will benefit. It’s now 1450hrs as we say our good byes to
the farmers who have been our good hosts since morning you can feel the optimism
and genuine sense of excitement amongst the farmers and extension workers. On
the whole it has been an insightful day, a day well spent indeed.
Three weeks later PHI bought
a total of 8461kg of sugar beans with a total value of US$13 114.55. Farmers
who were part of the contract farming enjoyed a US$1.55/kg while other farmers
who produced on their own were offered US$1.00/kg.
We choose optimism and as one
famous quote says, ―Don’t try to rush progress. Remember, a step forward, no
matter how small, is a step in the right direction. Keep believing. ‖ Kara
Goucher – American long-distance runner Study Beneficiary Irrigator
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