By Sheunesu Njeke
Tafara Makomboni (23) is a young small-scale farmer living in Makamanzi Village of Bikita district in Masvingo province. Tafara says embracing indigenous knowledge and applying it in poultry farming has provided him and his family with a sustainable livelihood.
Tafara says he started his poultry project after completing his ordinary level studies, using indigenous knowledge that his grandfather had taught him.
“I used to do some piece-jobs for my grandfather who paid me by giving me 2 turkeys. These are the turkeys I started my business with and now I have over 80 hens, 20 jakes and 120 chicks. Spending time with him enabled me to tap into his vast knowledge of taking care of turkeys because he is very good at it. He knows all the herbs one can use to make them healthy so that they are not affected by diseases, hence why I have so many, “says Tafara.
Tafara says doing poultry has enabled him to take better care of his mother and siblings.
“This project started as a way for me to take care of my family’s financial and nutritional needs. I manage to sell some turkeys as well as their eggs which gives me money to buy the things I do not have,” says Tafara.
In addition to making use of the knowledge he learned from his grandfather, Tafara says he has also been working with PELUM Zimbabwe member, Schools and Colleges Permaculture (SCOPE) Zimbabwe, which has been helping him augment his sustainable farming practices.
“SCOPE has really helped in deepening my understanding of agroecology. This has made me become a better farmer and businessman as I have begun projects that are sustainable and environmentally friendly,” says Tafara.
Ryno Makamanzi (78) is the village head for Tafara’s village. Ryno commended the work being done by Tafara and said youths are the future of tomorrow and need to take knowledge from elders for continuity and sustainability.
“We commend the work that Tafara has been doing. He has become a role model for other youths in our village. Our youth are the future hence there is need for knowledge transfer between the youths and the elderly so that our societies remain functional,” says Village head Ryno.
Eliot Chapinda (78), ward councillor for ward 13 says the work being done by youths like Tafara is helping in boosting the local economy and creating employment for the youth.
“I am delighted to see energetic youths like Tafara creating employment for themselves and running successful projects like these. We are also encouraging other youths to venture into agroecology so that they lead sustainable projects for their homes and communities,” he says.
Tafara says he hopes other youths tap into traditional knowledge and venture into sustainable practices that help improve youths’ livelihoods.
“Since I began this project, I hardly lack money to buy what I need. This project has also given me peace of mind as it is my full-time employment, I sell eggs and meat to local hospitals, schools and homes and this has become a good business for me. I think youths should tap into the knowledge from their elders if they really want to be successful in life just like what I did,” says Tafara.
