MREWA - Nancy Gede (55) of Chizanga Village is a victim of political violence, which ravaged the country in the run up to the discredited June 27, 2008, presidential elections re-run. Her granaries were looted by known political thugs, leaving her family without food. Some of her farming implements were also looted. The International Organization for Migration (IOM) came to the rescue of desperate victims robbed of their subsistence, by providing farm inputs such as seed maize, fertilizer and vegetable seed. A hard-working farmer and widow, Nancy, did not despair and wasted no time. She committed plough to land.
Here she relates how the IOM rescue package worked wonders for her and others her situation:
When hope in farming was lost following political victimization of June 2008, IOM unexpectedly came to our rescue. Each affected homestead received a hamper containing 10kg maize seed, 150kgs fertilizer and a variety of vegetable seed. The hamper was enough to prepare and work on a one hectare plot of maize.
Never before have I yielded such a bumper harvest. When political criminals ransacked and looted my food reserves, I felt helpless and devastated. I was left with no food for my four orphaned grandchildren.
Though we sourced for additional fertilizer and seed, IOM inputs provided a cornerstone for a promising 2009-2010 farming season. The Pannar 413 maize seed variety we received resisted the dry spell which scorched crops mid-season. I put every inch of the one hectare field under maize, and yielded a first grade crop. This is unprecedented in the area. I expect four tones of maize at harvest.
With this my grandchildren will have enough food and school fees for the whole year. Surplus produce will be channeled towards payment for supplementary farm labor, provided by neighbours, in preparation for the next farming season. Since I can now afford more inputs and a larger hectarage next farming season, I have to engage supporting seasonal labour.
Though rural victims of terror have at least managed to get on their feet, following IOM goodwill, the organization would do communities well, if it distributes at least one tone of fertilizer for each victimized family for the last time this farming season. We are prepared to assist other orphans in our communities, if we realize bumper harvests. This would ease pressure on donor organizations and improve welfare of the disadvantaged.
We appeal to IOM to assist with scouting for lucrative markets for farm produce on behalf of farmers. Local markets such as the Grain Marketing Board (GMB), rip us off. The price paid by GMB cannot off-set production costs.
Post published in: Economy