The smoke that thunders

I have been fortunate to be born in one of the most beautiful places in the world. Zimbabwe is famous for its landscapes, environments, and most notably, Victoria Falls.

Victoria Falls is one of the largest and most awe-inspiring sites on the planet. This stunning waterfall spans the entire width of the Zambezi River and cascades over a large plateau of volcanic rock. As the water tumbles towards the ground, it generates a mist that can be seen from 20 kilometers away. In my community, we call this mist Mosi-oa-Tunya, or the smoke that thunders.?

“But the question is, will my grandchildren still get to experience the mysticism of Mosi-oa-Tunya?”

Extreme weather threatens these falls. But also, the health of our ecosystems and economies. Agriculture is the backbone of the Zimbabwe economy. Nearly 60% of our people farm on small pieces of land. And oftentimes, those who live in the city contribute to the farm by sending money back to their relative so they can purchase inputs before the rain falls.

Each Zimbabwean is affected by the changes that happen in agriculture. Having access to food. The intensity of climate change. The increase in pest and disease pressure. The shift in supply changes and policies. It affects us all. Being a farmer myself, I am witnessing all these changes firsthand and at the same time I’m witnessing that many farmers, particularly women, do not have the means and the knowledge to handle the consequences in the field. For that reason, I founded Mnandi Africa, an organization geared at supporting women farmers.??

At Mnandi Africa, we believe in research and ensuring that farmers have the latest technologies which will benefit our people. As the voice of women farmers, we dream of a time when hunger is a topic of the past. But achieving this means overcoming significant hurdles, such as:?

• Nearly 60 percent of?women farmers live in rural Zimbabwe and are the main custodians of the land. Yet, they lack access to the capital, proper equipment, and information to achieve better yields.
• Every year, 30 percent of yield is lost due to the lack of access to agricultural knowledge on how to farm, especially with the effects?of climate?change. Farmers must become more climate resilient.
• Most?farmers in our region still?use?ox-drawn equipment and handheld hoes to work their land.?Farmers need modern technology.?
• Almost 30% of produce is lost to?pests and?post-harvest losses. Farmers need tools to combat these challenges.?
• Farming inputs, like fertilizer, are now too?expensive. Farmers need access to capital to manage through times when prices fluctuate.?

At Mnandi we are supporting farmers by?conducting trainings in local languages, providing access to affordable, no-till equipment, connecting farmers to markets and input suppliers, and promoting farmers to use modern farming methods. Methods such as implementing precision fertilizer applications, mapping fields through satellite technology, growing legume crops, and mulching are all good agricultural practices that increase yields and preserve the land that is under our care.?

If you ever get the chance to visit Zimbabwe and speak to our farmers, you will find people who care deeply about the work they do. And you will likely make a trip to see the Mosi-oa-Tunya. But when you hear the crashing water, feel the mist upon your skin, and see the stunning colors cutting through the air created by Victoria Falls, I hope you remember the treasure at the base of those rainbows.?Farmers in our region are worth more than any pot of gold. And they deserve the tools, knowledge, and resources they need to continue their great work.?