A woan from Highbury location in Mthatha, Zimasa Flara (36), is determined to put a dent in poverty in her village and surrounding villages.
The enthusiastic farmer from Highbury Village which is located a stone’s throw away from Mthatha River, started the project in 2018 as part of the Siyazondla Programme.
She said having assisted her parents in their own garden, together with other youngsters from Highbury, they decided to start their own project so that they could sustain themselves and their families.
She and her team operate on a five hectare piece of land which has an endless supply of water.
“We were provided with vegetable seeds and inputs by the Department of Rural Development and Agrarian Reform.
“We also received training on how to transplant and maintain plants,” said Flara.
Flara and her team grow crops such as spinach, beetroot, broccoli, lettuce, green pepper, carrots, cabbage, potatoes, pumpkin, onions and grains, which include green mealies and beans.
She said they were given conservation agriculture training, which had became very handy as they are practising a semi-organic way of production, so as to maintain natural resources through minimum tillage, mulching, use of organic manure, less inorganic fertilisers and chemicals for weeds and pests.
They have also adopted organic ways of farming by using kraal manure when planting and natural herbs to make liquid manure.
The produce is sold to local markets such as North Crest Spar and their own stall, which is located in Mthatha.
As part of community upliftment, the project also assists child-headed households with vegetables, and they also prepare meals for the elderly in the village.
