GOROMONZI — AN A1 farm nestled in the heart of ward 22, Goromonzi, has captivated villagers and farming enthusiasts alike for its implementation of a highly integrated farming system.
Its exploits reached the Agricultural Advisory and Rural Development Services (AARDS) formerly Agritex, who in turn requested that the fledgling farm in Bromley hosts a field day to educate villagers on progressive farming practices.
Hosted by fast growing company isambane Pvt Ltd, Glen Avon Farm, provided the stage for dozens of villagers from Goromonzi ward 22, to tour its facility and learn from its inroads in livestock production.
The farm has 10,000 egg laying poultry birds for commercial purposes, and is also into cattle, sheep, goat and pig production as well as fishery.
Speaking on the side-lines of the field day AARDS official Boston Guti hailed Glen Avon Farm, saying it had embraced emerging concepts while optimizing human labor to achieve optimum production.
The department of Agritex, recently rebranded to Agricultural Advisory and Rural Development Services Directorate in a move expected to improve agricultural productivity across the country.
“We are grateful to the Kufeni family for this level of livestock production on an A1 farm. In Goromonzi ward 22, there is no A1 farm which is operating at this level,” Guti said.
The farms’ jewel in the crown is its layer poultry farming, this being over 10,000 layers which produce 908 crates a day.
Chief Rusike said Glen Avon Farm had become beacon for many other small scale farmers while Veterinary technical Allen Murwira applauded the farm owners for observing animal health to the letter.
“I am happy to learn that this farm has an integrated farming system encompassing biosecurity,” said Murwira.
“Just like in shops they now take your temperature before you enter and then you are sanitised and here there is a vehicle bath and when you enter the farm and there are footbaths at fowl run entry points. Another measure being practised is all in and all out meaning that the fowl run is fumigated each time there is a new batch. It shows that if you take farming as a business you will generate money for yourself,” he said.
Ministry of Women Affairs official for Goromonzi ward 22 Roniah Mukonowenzou encouraged villagers and small scale farmers to find their own niche in the field of agriculture which is on the upswing in Zimbabwe.
“We will be spearheading various projects across various villages asking individuals to choose the projects they want and then they are trained in that field,” she said.
Other stakeholders who attended the field day include officials from Ministry of Health and Child Care and stockfeed manufacturer, Feedmix.
Livestock provides income and employment to farmers, agricultural service providers and others involved in the value chain.
Zimbabwe’s livestock production system is characterized by small-scale subsistence farming, despite the importance of livestock to rural livelihoods, productivity remains low.
