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Message: [QUOTE="Nehanda, post: 28831, member: 2262"] Farmers around Lupane District feel pretty good about their next growing season. The government helped them borrow money for seeds and other supplies, which could lead to huge harvests at the Bubi-Lupane Irrigation Scheme. Everyone picked this place as a test site for a new business plan. If it works well here, 450 other water projects across Zimbabwe will copy it. Many farm groups contributed cash to these local growers. The Agricultural Finance Corporation loaned $23,000. The Food and Agriculture Organization gave free seeds and money to pay workers. The Agricultural and Rural Development Authority added fertilizer and more seeds worth $40,000. The farmers themselves contributed $10,000 worth of hard work and cash. Gerald Khumalo leads the Bubi-Lupane project. He says they planted corn across 120 hectares this year. They expect each hectare to grow four tons or even more. The weather has been great, and everyone worked really hard with help from their partners. Two water sprinkler systems keep the fields watered, but a third system sits unused because they need more money. The farmers learned modern science-based growing methods thanks to government programs. This area used to look like empty desert land. Today, it produces lots of food crops. These affordable loans should make the country more food secure. The money also helps families earn better living and supports Zimbabwe's Vision 2030 economic plans. The government wants people to find jobs close to home instead of moving away. They want farming to become a serious business, starting with making sure each family has enough food. However, some problems make things difficult for the irrigation project. They have no backup electricity when the power goes out, which stops water pumps from working. Farmers also mentioned that the Grain Marketing Board still hasn't paid them for 58 tons of grain from last season. [/QUOTE]

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