By Callisto Nhamo
In Gore Village, Ward 5 of Bikita District, under Chief Mazungunye, Simbarashe Ushe (34) is proving that no piece of land is too small for success. Once hesitant to start any farming activities due to space constraints, he has now turned his homestead into a thriving agroecological hub specialising in animal husbandry.
For years, Simbarashe believed his land was too small for meaningful agricultural ventures. That changed when he was introduced to agroecology through Schools and Colleges Permaculture (SCOPE) Zimbabwe, a PELUM Zimbabwe member working to promote sustainable farming among youth. Inspired by their teachings, he found a passion for piggery and decided to take a leap of faith.
“I started my project in October 2021 on a small piece of land measuring 10 meters by 18 meters, with only 4 pigs, and now I have over 50 pigs. I constructed a sty for my pigs which measures 9 meters by 18 meters using locally available materials such as poles and farm bricks. However, I had to buy some iron sheets to roof the pig sty because they are durable,” says Simbarashe.
What began as a modest initiative has blossomed into a sustainable business. The piggery project has not only provided his family with financial stability but has also created an integrated farming system where nothing goes to waste.
“I have an organic garden where I produce horticultural products. The garden requires composting, and I use pig droppings to make a fertile compost for my crops,” he says.
Beyond pig farming, Simbarashe has expanded into rearing roadrunner chickens, ducks, rabbits, and guinea fowl, diversifying his agroecological approach. His story is inspiring others in his community to see the potential of small-scale animal husbandry as a viable path to economic empowerment.
Elias Mapare (28), the Agricultural Technical Extension (AGRITEX) officer for Ward 5, commends Simbarashe’s efforts, emphasizing that agroecology is changing lives.
“I am glad to see that Simbarashe and other villagers are partaking in different small-scale agroecological activities that are helping to alleviate food shortages and provide economic empowerment in their community. After noticing their efforts, we sat down with the village leadership to extend agricultural support for the various farming activities they are undertaking,” he says.
Simbarashe’s success also resonates with young farmers like Chipo Nyamukungwa (24), who believes that empowering youth with agricultural skills is key to their future.
“By providing training to youthful smallholder farmers, they are able to produce food for their families and gain critical skills that will enable them to develop better. If properly integrated into agroecology, animal husbandry can become a huge economic benefit for youths who are struggling to find employment,” says Chipo.
Through passion, training, and innovation, Simbarashe has turned what he once saw as an impossible dream into a thriving agroecological enterprise. His journey is a testament to how sustainable farming, even on a small scale, can create food security, financial independence, and a brighter future for young farmers in Zimbabwe.
