Staff Reporter
New Valley Farm, located in Mazowe, is making significant contributions to the country’s food security through its diverse agricultural operations, which include fish farming, vegetable cultivation, and piggery.
The farm's innovative approach combines traditional farming methods with modern techniques to ensure a steady supply of nutritious food while creating job opportunities for the local community.
One of the farm's key initiatives is its successful fish farming operation, specializing in tilapia, New Valley Farm has established two large fish ponds with a capacity to hold up to 50,000 fish.
"We have two big ponds with a holding capacity of 50,000 fish. We harvest regularly, and we have experts who sometimes come and train us on fish keeping," said the farm's Crop Section Manager Simbarashe Dube.
Dube also noted that fish production is affected by seasonal changes, stating, "Fish are affected by weather conditions and they thrive well in natural conditions.
In addition to aquaculture, New Valley Farm has expanded into vegetable production, growing a variety of crops such as tomatoes, spinach, cabbage, and English cucumbers. The farm uses both open-field and greenhouse farming methods to boost production.
"On the market, we currently have tomatoes and English cucumbers. Cabbages are at the stage where the round balls start," Dube explained.
The farm has also ventured into piggery, with a current herd of 310 pigs, including Duroc Boar and Large White breeds. Last year, the farm was awarded an excellence award for its efforts.
"The farm has ventured into piggery, and we currently have 310 pigs, including the Duroc Boar and Large White breeds. Last year, we won a grand champion prize for the Duroc Boar at the Zimbabwe International Trade Fair (ZITF)," said Dube.
With its commitment to sustainable farming practices, the farm also utilizes modern irrigation systems and digital tools to monitor crop growth and manage fish health, increasing efficiency despite challenges like climate change.
"We have embraced technology in our operations to optimize production processes. Last winter season, we also did well, harvesting 15 tonnes of wheat and 19 tonnes of maize," Dube added.
Through these efforts, New Valley Farm is setting a positive example for the country, contributing to food security and community empowerment. The farm’s success supports the vision of achieving food sovereignty in Zimbabwe and aligns with the country's Vision 2030 goals of becoming an upper-middle-income economy. By embracing innovation and sustainability, New Valley Farm is helping pave the way for a more food-secure future for Zimbabwe.
