Lower Gwelo- Insukamini Irrigation Scheme has embsrked on peas farming marking a major milestone in food security.
In an interview with NewsPro during a wheat profuction assessment in Lower Gwelo ,Insukamini Irrigation Extension Officer, Anymore Hardwick said market flooding had also pushed farmers to venture into production for export.
“One of the main reason our farmers liked pea farming was because of market flooding and that we now had cold rooms and we wanted to utilize them as well as practicing food agricultural practicing.” said Hardwick
Scheme’s Chairperson,Molllin Majazi said they started pea farming this year.
“We managed to farm export peas as we call them, and it has been paying a lot. Per week personally I have been getting about 70 kgs. When selling them we are being paid one dollar fifty per kg so if you calculate it yo will see how much I get per week.”
“This pea farming is going to change our lives, lets say we farm them or the coming three years, we will end up buying ourselves cars as well as taking car of our families.”
Majazi expressed her gratitude towards the government of Zimbabwe as well as OFIT program for building a pack shade for all perishable goods for it has been tough for them for the past years.
“I would like to thank His Excellency, President Emmerson Mnangagwa as well as the OFIT program for building a pack shade for us.
“They helped us a lot because for the past years we would farm tomatoes, cabbages and they would end up perishing because we had no where to put them after getting them before selling.” Majazi said.
Lower Gwelo’s insukamini Irrigation begins export Peas farming
The Insukamini Irrigation Scheme in Lower Gwelo has started export peas farming, marking a new chapter in food security. Chairperson Mollin Majazi highlighted that the venture is already proving successful, with farmers earning significantly. The availability of cold rooms and a pack shade has helped prevent crop losses, ensuring steady income for the community.
