Zimpapers Logo

Wimbainashe Zhakata Herald Correspondent
THE Zimbabwe Farmers’ Union (ZFU) is rolling out a $50 000 project where it is assisting 15 schools in Cyclone Idai-affected areas in Chimanimani to start community gardens. The project is being supported by WE Effect, Swedish International Development Agency (SIDA) and Southern African Confederation of Agricultural Unions (SACAU).

The schools were given horticulture inputs, tools and chemicals. Speaking to The Herald, ZFU Manicaland provincial manager Mr Daniel Mungazi said the schools received farming equipment last week.

“In an effort to contribute towards sustaining the livelihoods of the affected communities, the ZFU has mobilised resources in the form of agricultural inputs and equipment to establish community nutrition gardens,” he said.

“The handover was done last Thursday in Chimanimani. Schools and stakeholders appreciated the development.”
The schools were also given 30 drip kit sets, 30 wheelbarrows, 30 bags of compound D fertiliser, 30 bags of AN fertiliser, 30 fifty-metre hosepipes, 30 knapsack sprayers, 300 hoes, 120 rakes, 300 ten litre watering cans, 60 picks, 60 shovels, 180 trays of tomatoes, rape and cabbage seedlings and 120 bottles of aphid killer, leaf eater killer and mite killer.

The items were handed over to Ndima, Hlabiso, Kwirire, Mhakwe, Hode, Dzingire, Chikwakwa, Manase, Muusha, Nyabamba, Ngangu and Chimanimani primary schools plus Mukombiwani, Chikukwa and Chikwakwa secondary schools.

“The ZFU Cyclone Idai relief efforts have the following specific objectives: to contribute towards livelihoods of the affected communities through establishment of school-based community gardens,” said Mr Mungazi.

“It is there to establish 30×250-metre two drip irrigation kits at selected primary and secondary schools endowed with the requisite land and water facilities,” said Mr Mungazi.

He said hundreds of communal farmers will benefit. The scheme aims “to improve the food and nutrition security of 300 smallholder communal farmers and at least 150 young farmers organised into Young Farmers Clubs of 15 members each, and to equip the community gardens with inputs and garden equipment to produce horticulture crops including cabbage, covo, tomatoes, onions and peas,” he said.
The schools will host the clubs.