Farmer is grateful for training

 

He maintains that he is far from being successful.

“We had insufficient rains in the past two seasons and this has affected us. However, the new farming methods we, coincidentally, started to implement in 2010 have mitigated the situation,” Abel Sibanda says.

Lupane Area Development Programme (ADP) manager Sibongumusa Ncube confirms that Abel Sibanda is one of the 46 farmers trained in conservation farming. World Vision worked with the government through AGRITEX, the agricultural extension services department.

“In 2010, we approached World Vision with a request to be trained conservation farming. We had heard that there were new farming methods appropriate for our region. World Vision heeded our call and since then, there has been a lot of changes. We now require fewer rains, less fertilisers, less manure and less draught power. Even those without draught power can use conservation farming,” Abel Sibanda adds.

Abel Sibanda maintains that he is yet to get to his maximum. As he speaks, three piglets which had escaped from the pigsty roam the yard while some chickens continue to peck around undisturbed.

“I am grateful that I managed to harvest something because those who did not adopt conservation farming did not get much, they have started buying food. As you can see, I have a piggery project and I am using the maize harvested as part of the feeds. I sell the pigs and use the income for other needs,” Abel Sibanda adds.

The maize stalks are used to feed cattle, another sign that Abel Sibanda and his nine family members have benefitted greatly from the new farming methods.

Abel Sibanda has started preparations for the next season and maintains that he will not abandon the new farming methods.