: Spotlight on everyday heroes Every Friday, the Zimbabwe Farmers Union’s (ZFU) social media handle on Twitter (@zfu_official) shines the spotlight on a member farmer, sharing the achievements and highlights of that particular person’s farming endeavours. Whilst the efforts of each and every farmer and member are testament to the resourcefulness and resilience of our local farming community, this feature, called ZFU Meet the Farmer, is a way of bringing the community together in recognising an individual. In the face of the ongoing disruption of the Covid pandemic, with Government regulations and protocols discouraging field days and gatherings, this virtual platform is a popular means of bringing together farmers in a virtual, safe, socially distanced way. For the ZFU, technology has become an indispensable means of keeping members in touch with fellow members and sharing what’s happening on the ground. Meet the Farmer is a regular fixture on the ZFU social media and one that serves to inspire others. The weekly Meet the Farmer format usually includes an introduction, inspiration, success, advice to young farmers and a quote from the highlighted individual. The farmer in the focus answers questions pertaining to the above and it has featured men and women undertaking a variety of agricultural activities. In a world that seems to be full of news of disease, fighting and chaos, these little gems of positivity sparkle and remind us that not everything around us is gloom and doom. Thanks to the weekly posts, we have met Anesu Truzumbah, 29, from Generations Garden, Mazowe. She is a horticultural producer growing mushrooms, baby marrows, fine beans and watermelons. With proceeds from the business, Anesu has invested in on-farm infrastructure to develop her farming, by installing a solar powered borehole, drip irrigation and has managed to fence a portion of the farm. Importantly, Anesu reminds us that farming is not a get rich quick scheme. “There is need for perseverance, hard work and co-operating with fellow farmers because this business is full of sweat, tears and sleepless nights which, however, pays off at the end of the day”. As a parting quote to us, Anesu says: “Never give up, start small, think outside the box”. In another post, we meet Josh Zinzombe from Green Farms, Shamva. Wearing a number of caps, Josh is the chairperson of the Organic Farming Movement as well as specialising in horticulture seedlings, fruit trees and greenhouse construction. Agriculture training, a piggery, goat and rabbit farming also keep him busy. “Farming is all I have known my whole life. There is nothing else as satisfying as knowing that I am contributing in feeding the nation.” Josh’s advice to young farmers is to “dream big.” He adds that “farming is an incredibly risky venture, it takes a colossal investment of time and money to get started. Minimise your financial risks as much as possible by financing the business earnings, rather than debt”. Little Blackwood Ventures teaches us the value of working together as a team. In the Meet the Farmer post dedicated to them, four graduates from the Star Leadership Academy joined forces in 2019 to farm market garden vegetables (tomatoes, butternut, sweet and Irish potatoes). Of motivation and mindset, this team says “feeding families and communities on its own is a huge win. We singlehandedly constructed our greenhouse, and are going for more. At peak, we employ 30 seasonal workers for our potato projects.” On advice to young farmers, the Little Blackwood Ventures team says that farming is a purpose higher than quick financial gains. “Enjoy the tough process of building a farm business that transcends immediate needs. Process is progress.” It has become apparent from the many positive responses to these weekly posts that technology has become an indispensable tool for interaction in the uncertainty of a world still reeling from the impact of Covid. We have been forced to navigate our way around on virtual platforms. For social interaction, education, business and many other aspects of our day to day lives, technology has brought us together, by enabling us to continue interact, albeit on a variety of virtual platforms. It has been a saviour for us as we continue to conduct our farming business, network, learn and just simply, see what other people are up to without physically having to travel. At the touch of a button or tap on a screen, we are instantly transported into someone else’s reality and with it, into a world of endless possibilities.
