Jesina Mangwiro, National Chairperson of Allied Tobacco Farmers For ED
Staff Writer
Allied Tobacco Farmers For ED has tabled plans to open up a three hectare irrigated mixed vegetable production project in Macheke.
Read the executive summary of the proposed project which produce mixed vegetables for the local community, including Harare.
EXECUTIVE SUMMARY
Allied Tobacco Farmers 4ED proposes to establish a 3-hectare drip-irrigated mixed vegetable project in Macheke.
The project will produce Tomatoes, Onions, Cucumbers, Okra, and Green Pepper for local and Harare markets.
Key Asset
– 3 hectares of arable land available in Macheke
– Solar powered borehole already available
– Additional solar panels to be added to increase water supply capacity
Goal: Diversify from tobacco, create year-round income, ensure food security, and generate employment through climate-smart agriculture.
2. PROJECT OBJECTIVES
– Produce high-value vegetables on 3 hectares using drip irrigation to save water
– Reduce energy costs by utilizing solar power
– Supply consistent produce to Macheke, Marondera, and Harare markets
– Create employment through land preparation and farm labour
– Provide alternative income for tobacco farmers during off-season
3. CROP SELECTION & LAND ALLOCATION
Crop Area, Cycle Length ,Market Reason
Tomatoes 1.0 Ha 4 months High demand, main cash crop
Onions 0.75 Ha 4-5 months Storage crop, dry season prices
Green Pepper 0.5 Ha 4 months Premium, hotels & supermarkets
Cucumbers, 0.5 Ha 2 months Quick turnover, 3 cycles/year
Okra 0.25 Ha 3 months Drought tolerant, niche market
Total: 3 Hectares
All crops will be irrigated using drip system for efficiency.
4. INPUTS REQUIRED
A. SEEDS
– Tomatoes: Hybrid – 500g. e.g. Star 9065, Rodade
– Onions: Hybrid Red Bombay / Texas Grano – 10kg
– Green Pepper: California Wonder / Yolo Wonder – 250g
– Cucumbers: Marketmore 76 / Ashley – 5kg
– Okra: Clemson Spineless / Pusa Sawani – 10kg
B. FERTILIZERS
– Basal: Compound D / Compound L – 50 x 50kg bags
– Top Dressingl: Ammonium Nitrate / CAN – 40 x 50kg bags
– Fertigation: Soluble fertilizers for drip – 20 x 25kg: Multi-K, Calcium Nitrate, MAP
– pOrganic: Cattle manure/Compost – 30 tonnes for soil health
C. CHEMICALS – CROP PROTECTION
– Fungicides: Mancozeb, Copper Oxychloride, Ridomil Gold – blight, mildew
– Insecticides: Tracer, Emamectin Benzoate, Abamectin – Tuta, aphids, thrips
– Herbicides: Glyphosate – land prep. Dual Gold – pre-emergence
– Miticides: Omite / Danitol – red spider mite
– Adjuvants: Sticker, wetting agent
D. IRRIGATION SYSTEM
– Existing: Solar powered borehole
– To Add: Additional solar panels to boost borehole output for 3ha
– New: Complete drip irrigation kit for 3ha
– Drip lines, mainlines, sub-mainlines, fittings
– Disk filters, fertigation tank
– 5000L storage tank
E. LAND PREPARATION
– Bush clearing and stumping
– Tractor: Ploughing, discing, harrowing – 3ha
– Bed making and laying of drip lines
– Soil testing and lime application
F. LABOUR
– Permanent: 2 workers – irrigation management, scouting, fertigation
– Casual: 12-15 workers – land prep, transplanting, weeding, spraying, harvesting, grading, packing
– Technical: 1 Agronomist – part time crop management
5. IMPLEMENTATION SCHEDULE
Month Activity
Month 1 Land clearing, soil test, install extra solar panels, install drip, nursery setup
Month 2 Transplanting, fertigation, pest control, weeding
Month 3 Crop management, first harvest of cucumber & okra
Month 4 Peak harvest: Tomato, Pepper. Start marketing to Macheke & Harare
Month 5-12 Rolling production, replanting, record keeping
6. BUDGET ESTIMATE – USD
Item Cost
Seeds \$1,200
Fertilizers \$3,500
Chemicals \$1,800
Drip Irrigation Kit 3ha \$4,500
Additional Solar Panels \$2,500
Land Preparation \$600
Labour \$2,400
Packaging, Transport to Market, Contingency \$2,100
TOTAL PROJECT COST \$18,600
7. MARKETING & MARKET ACCESS- Primary Markets: Macheke Business Centre, Marondera Farmers Market
– Secondary Markets: Mbare Musika, Market Square Harare
– Strategy: Staggered planting, collective marketing by Allied Tobacco Farmers 4ED to secure better prices
8. EXPECTED OUTCOMES
– Production: 80-100 tonnes of mixed vegetables per year
– Gross Income: Projected $70,000 – $85,000 per year
– Jobs: 14-17 direct and indirect jobs for Macheke community
– Impact: Diversification for tobacco farmers, reduced food imports
9. SUSTAINABILITY
– Solar Energy: Zero electricity costs, climate smart
– Water Saving: Drip reduces water use by 40%
– Farmer Capacity: Training on GAP, record keeping, IPM
10. CONCLUSION
With land and solar water already secured in Macheke, this project is ready for implementation. Funding for inputs, drip system, and solar expansion will enable Allied Tobacco Farmers 4ED to diversify income and contribute to food security in Mashonaland East.
Proposed By: Allied Tobacco Farmers 4ED
Contact: Chiyedzo Josiah Dimbo – Ambassador of Hope