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The farmers shared the money according to the tonnage each had delivered with the highest earner, Mr Phahlela Tsamwisi of Vhukani Village, pocketing US$1 680.

“I am happy that we have finally found a reliable buyer in Delta Beverages after years of being ripped off by unscrupulous middlemen who always purport to be advancing our cause yet they are the ones who benefit more from our toil,” Mr Tsamwisi said.

He paid tribute to the non-governmental organisation Swedish Co-operative Centre for linking them with Delta and making arrangements for transportation of produce to Harare.

After handing over the money to the farmers, SCC programmes manager for Chiredzi, Ms Wendy Mangwende, said they intervened to help improve livelihoods.

The money was first deposited into SCC’s bank account as the majority of farmers have no accounts.

“We subsequently helped the farmers to establish the 50-member Dhumela Farmers Club to which the 18 who sold their grain to Delta belong.

“Under the programme, dubbed ‘Assisting Farmers to Fight Poverty’, we will help them explore more new markets both locally and regionally.

“We are currently exploring the Botswana markets for red sorghum,” she said.

She said farmers used to barter produce for different products, making it difficult for them to meet other obligations such as paying school fees for their children.

SCC country co-ordinator Mr Jonathan Kagoro added: “The starting point is that farmers need to find a reliable market and this is what we are doing to assist them.

“We now want them to diversify into small livestock units, for instance goats, whose auctioning has already started in Mwenezi.”

Agricultural consultant Mr Marcus Hakutangwi said farmers should form study groups to exchange vital farming information on crop agronomy, animal husbandry and marketing.

Chiredzi falls under natural region five where average annual rainfall barely goes above 500 mm.

The region is not suitable for crops such as maize but is good for small grain crops like sorghum.

For the 2010/11 agricultural season, Dhumela Farmers Club members intend to produce more than 60 tonnes of white sorghum and also try red sorghum for Chibuku Breweries.