Farmers at the Ndimakule VBU in Hwange have started selling their produce to off-takers in Hwange and Victoria Falls. The garden, established in September 2024 has cultivated two crop cycles and is selling produce from the second cycle.
Ndimakule VBU secretary, Tracy Zulu said, “We cultivated the Candella variety of tomatoes. After sales, we made an income of US$2000. We were quite happy with this crop.”
She added that, “For this second cycle, we grew 6753 heads of the Fabiola variety of cabbage. We planted the crop on the 17th of May and started harvesting and selling in September. We have been selling the cabbages for US$1 for two heads. We are still looking for more markets, especially from vendors who wish to buy in bulk as well as individual customers. So far we have made US$459.”
Revilla Madzimbamuto, a farmer in the VBU said, “We sell our cabbages to horticulture off-takers such as bulk horticulture off-takers as well as vegetable markets. These markets are in Victoria Falls.”
The nutrition corner in the garden has improved diets in the community. Madzimbamuto highlighted that, “We also have our nutrition corner where we have planted carrots, leafy vegetables, onions and maize. The biggest change that we have seen in our community has been that we are now able to consume a wide variety of nutritious vegetables. Our families are now able to eat a balanced diet. We are now very healthy as you can see.
Among the crops that we have cultivated is spinach. One of the reasons that we grew spinach was that we have a number of women of child bearing age. It helps our bodies to produce more blood.”
Constance Hadebe said the establishment of the multi-purpose water point had provided relief for women who are mostly responsible for fetching water. She said, “We are pleased with these taps that we received. As women, these taps are extremely helpful for us. When I knock off from the fields or from the VBU, I just turn the taps and fill my bucket. Its unlike the situation before, where I had to pump the water when I was already exhausted from working in the fields.”
