Funded by the Swedish International Development Agency (Sida), the International Rescue Committee (IRC), and Better Agriculture, a local NGO, have set up an irrigation scheme to grow 20 hectares of the crop.
More than 232 farmers are engaged in the project and hope to harvest more than 350 tonnes of chillies at the end of this year.
The IRC’s Economic Recovery and Development Unit has provided specialised assistance to the growers, training them in good agricultural practice in Tabasco chilli cultivation and facilitating exchange visits with other more experienced chilli growers.
The unit has helped in building local capacity in sustainable farming methods, which have been a cornerstone of the Nyakomba irrigation scheme. The economic recovery development coordinator, Priscilla Dembeteme-Mazambani, challenged Tabasco chilli farmers to take farming as a business venture.
Processing plant
“They should grow this crop, which is an export crop that can generate income. The partnership will see the setting up of a mini-processing plant for fresh chillies, which will also be managed by the community,” she said.
“The processing plant will create employment for youths in the area. The income generated from the sale of fresh or processed chilli can be used by the farmers to enhance food security, to pay for services and school fees and generate savings that will increase resilience in the face of climate change pressures,” added Dembeteme-Mazambani.
The Deputy Minister of Information, Supa Mandiwanzira, who is the local Member of Parliament has underscored the need for farmers to embark on full-scale land productivity. He said he was delighted at the success story of the Tabasco chilli crop and urged farmers to take up the initiative seriously in Nyanga South.
Mandiwanzira said the government was prioritising strengthening existing irrigation schemes and harvesting of water bodies.
“Agriculture is the cornerstone of the country’s economy and should be taken seriously in order to maximise land utilisation. The efforts displayed by farmers at Nyakomba irrigation are highly commendable,” he said, adding that the political leadership in Nyanga was keen to establish a green belt in the district.
Nyanga district agricultural extension officer, Philipa Rwambiwa, said since the start of the Tabasco chilli programme in 2011, the number of farmers had increased from 100 to 232.
Champions
“A number of irrigation schemes have been identified by the department of Agritex to spearhead the programme and expectations are that development partners will champion the production of the new crop in Nyanga South constituency,” she said.
One of the farmers, William Ngoweni , said he was hoping to receive ‘good cash’ for his produce. “I am glad that there have been a lot of inquiries for my chillies by some organisations that have expressed interest in buying my produce at a fair price and aggregating it,” he said. “Better Agriculture has indicated that they will assist me in the purchase and aggregation of the chillies and then market them to generate income for me.
“I am looking forward to signing a contract for selling the chillies to a reputable exporter. This will insulate me from the market risks of producing a high-value cash crop. The assurance of a market also means I will have reliable sales,” he added.
Another farmer, Laiza Katiyo, said the project had completely changed her life. “We would like to thank IRC for bringing this programme because it has restored our dignity as women. Last season I harvested 800kg and I am projecting 2,500kg this season,” she said.
Nyakomba Irrigation scheme Chairperson, William Dhokota said the project had become an oasis of hope for local farmers. “The project has not only benefitted farmers financially but has also taught them to see farming as business,” he said.
Many farmers interviewed said Tabasco chilli production would be a cornerstone of the farmers to generate income to drive the community towards financial sustainability.
Post published in: Gender Equality