In the heart of Bikita District, where the dry winds once whispered despair, 30 year old Timothy Nyamunda of Mavhurume Village, Ward 13, has emerged as a beacon of hope. Once on the brink of giving up farming after a devastating drought wiped out his crops and livestock, Timothy has transformed his fortunes and his land through the power of agroecology.

In 2022, Timothy made a life changing decision. Grappling with the aftershocks of extreme weather, rising inflation, and the crippling costs of synthetic inputs, he turned to Schools and Colleges Permaculture (SCOPE) Zimbabwe, a member of PELUM Zimbabwe. That decision marked the beginning of an extraordinary turnaround.

“I joined SCOPE Zimbabwe in 2022 after there was severe drought in our community, and my livestock had started dying. The crops started dying too. Compounded by rising inflation and high costs of synthetic fertilisers and lack of knowledge on sustainable farming, I failed dismally as a farmer,” he says.

Before working with SCOPE Zimbabwe, Timothy’s farming practices left him vulnerable. He cultivated monocultures using costly chemical inputs, unaware that his soil was slowly losing its life.

“Before I joined SCOPE Zimbabwe, I faced a lot of challenges, among them heavy dependence on synthetic fertilizers and pesticides to grow my crops. I would grow one crop at a time, thinking it was easier and better. However, the drought made me realise that my soil was no longer fertile nor productive. Farming was no longer viable, and managing crop and livestock pests became increasingly challenging,” he says.

Through SCOPE’s practical, hands-on trainings, Timothy learned to heal the soil and integrate crops with livestock in a harmonious system rooted in agroecological principles.

“The trainings have been invaluable, they have taught me on replenishing my soil and improving soil and crop health through integrated farming techniques such as holistic and planned grazing as well as crop rotation and use of microbial consortia,” he says.

The results were almost immediate. Within months, Timothy saw his soil spring back to life. He began using bokashiand composted manure from his livestock to feed his crops, cutting ties with expensive synthetic fertilisers. Small livestock production also flourished under his care, diversifying his income and boosting resilience.

“Since 2022, I have fully embraced agroecology. My crops are healthier and I now rely on bokashi and compost manure which I get from my livestock to provide my soil and crops with the much needed nutrients. I no longer need money to buy synthetic fertilizers but rather, I am making my own fertilizers. Agroecology has also helped me boost the number of livestock that I have as I now focus more on small livestock production,” he says.

Timothy’s success has not gone unnoticed. His journey from failed crops to flourishing fields has inspired others to rethink what is possible through sustainable farming.

“Timothy has shown us how agroecology can be a very impactful transformative process. We are grateful for the positive influence he has been championing into our community. Most farmers are now becoming more interested in agroecology,” says Langton Mavhurume (55), a fellow villager.

Local agricultural authorities have also taken note.

“Timothy Nyamunda is a shining example of how dedication to organic farming can transform not just a farmer’s life, but an entire community. His commitment to teaching others about sustainable farming practices is making a significant impact. Through his initiatives, many farmers are now learning to improve soil health without use of synthetic chemicals and fertilizers, which enhances both their health and the environment. Timothy’s work is fostering a new generation of agroecological practitioners in our community,” says Masiline Mugero (41), an Agricultural Technical Extension (AGRITEX) Officer.

From desolation to regeneration, Timothy Nyamunda’s story is proof that with the right knowledge, determination, and support, smallholder farmers can not only survive but thrive. His land is growing again. His livestock are healthy. And his community is waking up to the promise of agroecology.