BY ILYANA Sithole, ZIMBA WAVE MEDIA, Harare
Quinoa is a small grain crop with the potential to contribute to food and nutrition security in Zimbabwe.
In collaboration with Women’s University in Africa; Chatukuta Dried Foods, Harare Institute of Technology and Women Entrepreneurship came together to hold a workshop for rural women farmers in Mapinga, Banket under Rodcamp (a former mining area).
At the Women Farmers Agripreneuship, Wellness, Value Addition and Market Linkages Workshop, Mr Kuziva Chatukuta and colleagues took turns in educating farmers in Mapinga on post harvest handling, food preservation and value addition.
Quinoa is a crop with multiple nutritional benefits and offers crop diversification to farmers. It is a potential cash crop in Africa and can subsequently contribute to improving socio-economic status of small scale farmers in Mapinga.
Talking to Kuziva Chatukuta of Chatukuta Dried Foods about the monetary benefits of the crop he noted that, the initiative which is being spearheaded by Women’s University in Africa has great potential to assist with food security as the leaves of the plant provide food and after cultivation of the crop flour is produced.
In hopes of unlocking value for farmers, the past three years in the agricultural sector have been a great milestone with SME’s coming together to assist with the country’s food and nutrition security through the restructuring of the sector to aid in the creation of new opportunities, 40 widows benefited from seed donation.
In a recent post on X, Professor Obert Jiri wrote, “Dear farmers nationwide, please be advised that the planting window for major crops like maize has closed. Let’s adhere to this guidance to avoid potential losses. Sunflower, sugar bean can still be planted”.
Quinoa is a small grain crop that requires water to germinate and after that all it needs is good soil.
After it was subjected to the Standard Association of Zimbabwe it was noted to have high nutritional value after tests were done. It can be used as a relish, rice and flour.
In the week ending 19/01/24 #food security #zerohunger, the Minster of Lands, Agriculture, Fisheries, Water and Rural Development Hon Dr A. J. Masuka congratulated farmers on achieving a great milestone in deed towards food security despite the climate challenges that caused late planting due to El nino induced drought.
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