
Starting small, GROWING more organic
My name is Sheunesu Njeke. I live in Mavhurume village in Bikita. I am a boy aged 24, really passionate with Farming. I grow diverse crops such as maize, beans, cabbages, tomatoes and onions for sale. I started farming in 2019 using modern farming approach yielding 10 bags of maize on a hectare. 15 small to medium sized cabbages and a maximum of 20 tomatoes per plant. In October 2022, I joined Scope Zimbabwe and learnt principles about organic farming which was used by our forefathers. Organic farming is an agricultural approach that emphasizes sustainable and environmentally friendly practices. It is a method of growing crops and raising livestock without the use of synthetic pesticides, herbicides, fertilizers, or genetically modified organisms (GMOs). Instead, organic farmers rely on natural methods and inputs to maintain soil fertility, control pests and diseases, and promote the overall health of the ecosystem. After having learnt about organic farming I started my land preparation and making my own fertilizer for tomatoes and cabbage on a small piece of land. I also dig trenches put murakwani and cow manure inside the trench cover with soil and then put bocash which act as a basal fertilizer on the planting station I plant my tomatoes and cabbage. As from organic farming my tomatoes are now yielding an average of 80 fruits per plant and 23 large heads of cabbage. This has helped me to take care of my soil. I am also teaching my friends so that even when they do not have the funds to buy fertiliser they can still prepare and continue farming. I learnt that sometimes it is not just working around a big space of land and not producing much, but rather starting small and utilising much from the small piece of land. As well it is very vital to make sure that we know what we grow and eat thus control of the whole process