Calvin Manika
VILLAGERS in Lubangwe in Hwange district are already selling produces from the fields. Harvesting is coming at a time many areas are weeding the fields and others yet to receive the top dressing fertilizer.
When The Zambezi Times visited the area, it was a hive of activity as women and children at Lubangwe shopping centre were soliciting for passing motorists to buy their products.
Most people are afraid of using the first rains to plant their crops. With a handful of farmers having suffered a heavy blow by gambling on the first rains, statistics shows that such regrettable stories are outweighed by positive testimonies of the courageous farmers like the people of Lubangwe.
Faith Sikereta spoke about her farming strategy.
“We have already started harvesting our maize and other crops; this was our early crop with the first rains. Using our first in first out practice we are already selling the produce in order to buy basic commodities needed at home,” she said.
The roadside market of Lubangwe has been in existence for years in the same place and has become synonymous with the area as a sign of the beginning of the harvest. Lubangwe good soils and good rains this year has made villagers expect more than previous years.
In many areas across the district the maize crop is in its final stages, while in other areas at above knee level, a situation which has made people express their need for more rains up until end of March.
Speaking to this publication Ndabezihle Gumbo said: “We still need the rains if we are going to be food secure. As it is, our crops are promising but more rains must come. If the rains go, the moisture can sustain it maybe for two weeks and it will be disaster without rains.”
