BY STEVE EPHRAEM
FARMERS who received training in permaculture design in Chimanimani are geared to protect their environment. The Permaculture Design Courses were facilitated by a Chimanimani based self-help organisation named Participatory Organic Research, Extension and Training (PORET).
More than 100 farmers from Mutare, Chimanimani, Hwange and Chipinge trained in permaculture design at courses held at Bumba, PORET Training Centre (Chaseyama) and Gudyanga in Chimanimani West and were held from June 05-16 this year.
Farmers who spoke to this publication indicated that the skills they acquired shall help them to conserve the environment as well as increase yields in their fields.
“We are going to train other farmers on permaculture design when we return home. We want to tell them that climate change is real and needs us as farmers to conserve the environment,” said Chipo Mwasezeni of Chayamiti.
“Water harvesting shall help increase yields in our dry region. We want to avoid veldfires which destroy the environment as well as increase carbon emissions into the atmosphere,” said Juliet Madhuku of Bumba.
Through permaculture, farmers are encouraged to increase their yield through farming techniques which doesn’t destroy the environment. This help to mitigate issues of climate change.