KITWE FARMERS EMPOWERED

By Hlupekile Ndhlovu

HUNDREDS of Small-Scale farmers from different districts on the Copperbelt gathered in Kitwe’s Kamfinsa camp for a masterclass training on tomato and pepper production organized by SEEDCo.

SEEDCo head for vegetable unit in Zambia Eric Mwenda said the master class was aimed at giving knowledge to the farmers to help them broaden their knowledge in vegetable production and marketing.

Mr. Mwenda said a lot of small-scale farmers around the country have been having challenges in vegetable production especially tomato and peppers due to lack or limited of knowledge.

“Most farmers that call us say the major problem which they encounter is that they never get the desired yield from their production and this is mainly due to poor management practices that startfrom land preparation and continue throughout the production,” Mr. Mwenda explained.

During the master class training, farmers were be taught on how to produce tomatoes and pepper from land preparation, watering and spraying schedules which are important to maximize yields in tomato and pepper production.

Mr. Mwenda further said apart from helping with production, the company is also working to provide market linkages for farmers after they produce their crops.

He added that his company has partnered with some supermarkets in the country so that farmers can start supplying their peppers and tomatoes to these markets.

Mr. Mwenda explained that the company also wants to identify and give an opportunity to some farmers who can start producing quality seedlings so that they can start supplying the Copperbelt market as demand for seedling is very high.

He encouraged the farmers to follow all guidelines given in the master classes in production if they are to maximize their profit adding that market on the Copperbelt for these crops is plenty.

Maongo Chisengalumbwe, one of the farmers that attended the master class said the challenges that farmers face was that the lacked  knowledge on which crop to growing different seasons adding that after the master class they would able to know which crops thrive in different seasons.

Mrs. Chisengalubwe said she has learnt that the way farmers water their crops can affect the yield greatly.

“Before the master class, my workers used to water crops at the farm at midday but after this I will be watering in the morning and evening because watering at midday can damage the crops because itis hot,” she explained.

Another farmer from Kalulushi Ethel Kunda explained that the master class was of help to farmers as it taught them which varieties of tomatoes to plant in the rainy and dry seasons. This is because some varieties are resistant to diseases while other varieties are not.

Mrs. Kunda also learnt about the importance of soil testing as it helps in knowing what type and quantity of fertilizer to put.

“I have learnt new ways of planting crops like tomatoes. For example, I need to dig a one meter trench and put lime and manure and then I plant” she explained.

She thanked social media platforms that helped spread word about the master class adding that without social media she was not going to know about this important class and encouraged small scale farmers to be on social media platforms that support farming activities so that they can get more knowledge and information on various happenings in agriculture. - NAIS

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