ZIM-SHEP　Project News vol. 27 (Dec 2024) "Follow up on the activities after Market survey in Matabeleland North and South in September and October 2024"

The ZIM-SHEP HQ and AGRITEX of Matabeleland North conducted “the Follow-up visits” on target farmer’s activities after the market survey at Hauke (Bubi District), Tshongokwe (Lupane District) and Chentali (Hwange District) Irrigation Schemes from 23rd to 25th of September. The visits to Matabeleland South were implemented from the 14th to the 16th of October in the irrigation schemes followed including Antelope (Matobo District), Moza (Bulilima District) and Masholomoshe (Gwanda District).

The teams held focus group discussions with AES and AEO, farmers' representatives who conducted the market survey and other farmers in the irrigation schemes. The teams administered questionnaires designed by the project to enquire about the process focusing on how the farmers planned, carried out the market survey, conducted feedback meeting sessions, selected target crops and developed the crop calendars for each chosen crop. These activities followed by the market survey are essential steps to assist farmers in making effective decisions, and promoting collective action in the "Grow to Sell" concept.

Farmers interviewed expressed gratitude for the exercise as they can make informed decisions saying, ‘Although potatoes can earn us higher incomes, we did not choose them because seed tubers are expensive.’. Some farmers mentioned that they selected target crops which they have experience in growing and which their local community consume although they were aware that those crops were not necessarily top profit-making crops.
Another farmer said, ‘It is important to build trust with buyers, so we need to communicate frequently with them.’.

Following the monitoring visits, Training of Trainers workshop on selected crops and recommended practices will be conducted. The exercise seeks to empower extension officers with knowledge of horticultural production and marketing aspects of the selected target crops. Other courses to be trained include family budgeting which encourages effective resource allocation within the farming households.
In addition, other project activities in the pipeline for the ZIM-SHEP team include conducting the Endline Survey in Mashonaland West and Masvingo targeted schemes.