Agrinews October 2012 - Ministry of Agriculture

From Rubbish collector to horticultureArticle & Photos: France BegenselIt is not easy to find men, whowill allocate a certain amountof time to care for vegetables.Again especially in rural areaswould men be interested in smallscale enterprises more so thatthey are not well paying. But forModimoohile Muyoba, 40, ofKachikau, life has never been easywith the little he got from his lowpaying job as rubbish collector inthe village.Muyoba says that he saw it fitto supplement his wages withmoney generated from the saleof vegetables. He asserts that theunavailability of relish coupled withinsufficient food compelled him toventure into vegetable production.He adds that he also approvedof the government initiaves thatinclude backyard gardening toescape the doldrums of poverty.The standard 7 holder says “Istarted growing vegetables in Aprilthis year. And since then I havenever looked back because I see alot of potential. And also the peopleare very encouraging because theyalways buy my vegetables.”Muyoba says that he took uphorticulture because he has love forvegetables. He says that vegetablesare very important in every mealbecause they boost the immunesystem. He says vegetables are alsocheap compared to meat. He addsthat people who tend to eat beefall the time are prone to diseaseslike Gout.He reveals that he has attendedhorticulture workshops in Kasane.He says that these have helpedhim a lot as he uses the knowledgegained to grow vegetables.Muyoba says that like any otherbusiness, vegetable productiondoes not come easy as there area number of challenges involved.He àdds that pests are a menace.He says he had devised ways ofcontrolling them. He says that healways engages his agriculturalofficer whenever he has problems.He states that his crops are mostlyattacked by Aphids, adding thathe counters this by using ash fromfirewood remains. He discloses thatsometimes, he uses Blue Deathto control pests. He adds that heknows very well that if he uses suchhe will have to wait for a certaintime before he could harvest.The Kachikau born farmer sayshe grows Rape, tomatoes,Spinach,Florida Broadleaf and beans.Muyoba encourages Batswanain general to grow vegetablesto sustain themselves and evencreate employment for others. Heaspires to one day own a big farmgrowing vegetables and fruit trees.He adds that he would like toengage agricultural demonstratorsand financial institutions to growhis business.Muyoba supplement his wages by selling vegetables17October 2012