In the arid plains of Mwenezi District, where dry winds often sweep across cracked earth and farming is a test of will, Simbisai Machava (61) has spent over two decades turning dust into harvest — and hardship into hope.

What began as a humble struggle to grow food for her family has blossomed into a thriving agroecological enterprise, touching lives far beyond her own homestead. Her transformation was made possible through years of training, knowledge exchange, and unwavering determination — guided in part by her partnership with Mwenezi Development Training Centre (MDTC), a member of PELUM Zimbabwe.

Simbisai’s journey began in 2002 when she joined MDTC, seeking ways to adapt to Mwenezi’s challenging climate. What she found was not just knowledge, but a completely new way of seeing the land.

“Once, I was just a general farmer, growing only maize and depending on the unpredictable rains. But since joining Mwenezi Development Training Center, I have learned about crop diversification and sustainable practices. Now, I am empowered to explore a variety of seeds and improve my farming techniques, transforming my approach to agriculture,’’ she says.

Through intensive trainings and workshops, Simbisai learned to multiply seeds, diversify her crops, and build a more reliable income stream — all while promoting resilience in the face of climate change.

But it wasn’t only the trainings that changed her path. It was also the power of connection — meeting other farmers, exchanging ideas, and building networks that stretched beyond her village.

“I have attended over 15 trainings and capacity building workshops. Besides this, I have participated in six food and seed festivals and two seed fairs,” she says.

“I visited Benin in West Africa in 2023, where I went with 65 varieties of seeds for exchange. I had the opportunity to engage with and exchange ideas with other farmers from that region,” she adds.

That trip would prove to be a defining moment. While in Benin, Simbisai discovered a sorghum variety that would forever mark her legacy.

“I returned with a sorghum variety that grows to 1 meter long and can be harvested after three months, producing excellent yields, which is adding to my knowledge on traditional grain varieties. In my life, I now have a mark in agroecology. I have something that I can be recognized for because of the sorghum, which was named after me. People now call it Musweweshoko because of its impressive height,” she says.

Simbisai’s success has not gone unnoticed. Local agricultural officers recognize her as more than just a farmer — she’s a mentor, a teacher, and a force for change.

“We are proud to have Simbisai in our community. She gained valuable insights into sustainable farming practices and now shares her knowledge with local farmers through training sessions, teaching techniques like crop rotation and water conservation. Her efforts have significantly improved yields and food security, fostering collaboration and resilience in our community,” says Sethukile Dube (53), an Agricultural Technical Extension Officer.

At the Mwenezi District Training Centre, Programmes Officer Chris Lambika (52) sees Simbisai as a pillar of the agroecological movement.

“Simbisai has become a role model in the community, and many lives have changed through her. She’s teaching many farmers and contributing to their economic resilience and family security,” he says.

And she’s not stopping. As a certified Trainer of Trainers (T.O.T), Simbisai now leads groups of young farmers, equipping them with both technical skills and a mindset of possibility.

“As a Trainer of Trainers (T.O.T), I have trained many groups of young people in farming as a business. I attended training in Fambidzanai, where we learned about water harvesting techniques, planting, pest control, seed selection, drying, and sharing knowledge. In Mwenezi, I have been active at both the village and national levels with seed and food security programs, earning the title ‘Ambassador’ from other farmers,” she says.

From dry soil to abundant harvests, from maize monoculture to a legacy sorghum variety, from one woman’s dream to an entire community’s transformation — Simbisai’s story is a reminder that resilience grows best when nurtured with knowledge, rooted in tradition, and watered by community.