SIBBINDA – Richwell Mazumo has decided to use his farming skills to start a part-time horticulture business.

He sells his produce to his community in Sibbinda, Zambezi region.

He believes the days of relying on others are over, referencing the Biblical verse: “Our ancestors ate the manna in the wilderness… as God gave them bread from heaven to eat”.

“The time of Moses is over when the Israelites received manna from heaven in the wilderness. That time has passed. We shouldn’t wait for the government to give us everything. We have our brains, and we have this rich soil, so let’s work to survive,” he said, standing in the middle of his flourishing garden.

He began his horticulture journey in 2022 on a one-hectare piece of land. 

Despite the challenges of farming, he wakes up as early as 03h00 to work on his land before heading to his teaching job. 

After school, he continues working with his family, pursuing a passion instilled by his late father. Mazumo grows tomatoes, green peppers, spinach, cabbage, carrots, beetroot, mangoes and sweet potatoes.

By supplying to his community, he offers a local alternative to the distant Katima Mulilo, which is about 60 kilometres away. 

“To reduce transport costs for the community, I grow and sell these vegetables at affordable prices,” he said.

He sells spinach bundles for between N$5 and N$10, depending on the size of the leaves. 

Mazumo also farms with livestock, and cultivates crops such as mahangu, maize, sorghum, pumpkins, watermelons and sweet potatoes on a larger scale.

Despite drought conditions, he proudly reports a successful harvest due to his resilience and hard work. 

“While many struggled, I managed to harvest seven bags of mahangu and four bags of sorghum. It’s enough for me in what was a tough year,” he shared.

Like other small-scale farmers, he faces challenges, particularly with water shortages. However, he has negotiated with the community to draw water from the communal borehole, which is powered by electricity. 

Without proper irrigation pipes, he uses a bucket system to water his garden, which requires him to start his day early before heading to work.

He is appealing to good Samaritans to help with gardening tools, especially a water tank and fencing, as livestock frequently roam the area. “Cattle often pass by, and I fear they might damage the garden as they see the green crops. With a water tank and fence, my garden would be safer,” he said.

Additionally, he hopes for support to drill his own borehole to expand his garden, and increase his contribution to food security. 

He encourages the youth not to sit idle, but to take up farming rather than relying on government assistance.

– anakale@nepc.com.na