Project News

ZIM-SHEP has conducted follow up activities meant to backstop and evaluate targeted farmers In-field training by trained frontline extension officers who participated in Infield Training of Trainers (ToT) held in December 2021.

The follow up was implemented in January and February 2022 in Mashonaland East and Manicaland Province. The objective was to monitor a selected training based on the work plan made during the ToT and provide necessary backstopping on site. During the training, the emphasis was put on demonstration on recommended agronomic practices for their selected target crops.

Feedback from participant farmers were: "Those who did not come to today's meeting missed something important!", "I have been engaged in horticulture for 16 years, and it is amazing that the extension officers are still providing something I have not been aware of!".

The series of intended SHEP trainings for Mashonaland East Province were completed. The district extension staff including frontline extension officers are expected to continue training farmers so that they practise the "Grow to Sell" concept. However, for Manicaland Province, the last SHEP activity training will be "Gender mainstreaming Workshop and farmer training" expected to be conducted in the up-coming weeks.

Extension officer displaying a sample of tomato plant infested by red spider mites

Training on seed dressing and seedbed preparation

Demonstration on transplanting

Demonstration on seed sowing of Carrots