Insiza North Ward 23 shadow councillor, Sikhanyisiwe Nkomo, has donated an earth auger hole-digging machine to a farming couple in Jama North Village 7, Ward 14, Insiza North, in a move expected to enhance on-farm efficiency and support smallholder agricultural production.
The donation was made, on Friday, during a field day hosted by Mzenzi Moyo family at their homestead. Organised by Agritex officer Lulama Sihlahla, the event attracted farmers, village heads, VIDCO members, agronomists and other stakeholders from across the constituency.
The earth auger, which enables precise and uniform hole drilling for fencing, orchard establishment and planting, is set to improve land preparation practices while reducing labour intensity.
Handing over the equipment, Nkomo said such interventions were key to strengthening productivity at household level and promoting sustainable farming systems.
“When I empower you today, you will empower others tomorrow. We want to see farmers adopting efficient land preparation methods, improving soil utilisation and increasing output per hectare,” she said.
She added that access to appropriate tools and inputs was critical in transitioning smallholder farmers towards more productive and commercially viable operations.
The field day also provided a platform for technical knowledge exchange, with agronomists delivering training on best practices in crop management, including seed selection, planting techniques, soil fertility management and fertiliser application.
Guest agronomist, Chinomkutu Mutizira, encouraged farmers to embrace climate-smart agriculture and improve their agronomic practices.
“If we focus on proper land preparation, correct plant spacing, timely application of basal and top-dressing fertilisers, and effective moisture conservation techniques, we can significantly increase yields and profitability,” he said.
He also urged farmers to adopt a commercial mindset, noting that improved productivity could translate into higher household incomes.
“We must move from subsistence to market-oriented production. With the right agronomic practices and input management, every farmer can improve yield performance and income levels,” he said.
Agronomists from seed and fertiliser companies also demonstrated the importance of selecting certified seed varieties and using appropriate nutrient management strategies to optimise crop growth.
Participants welcomed the initiative, saying the demonstrations and training sessions had enhanced their understanding of modern farming practices. They appealed for more field days and extension support to strengthen knowledge on sustainable agriculture and improve productivity in the area.
This is prove that ZANU PF delivers and works for the betterment of the Zimbabwe.
This is prove that ZANU PF delivers.