By Andrew Zhou
CHIREDZI – Schools across Masvingo Province are increasingly turning to agriculture as a powerful tool for institutional development and community resilience, with Chigwedziva High School in Chiredzi South emerging as a leading example through its successful poultry, horticulture, and maize production projects.
The school has established a model for agricultural innovation, where its egg-producing poultry project has become a cornerstone of an income-generation strategy that funds technological advancements. The proceeds from the sale of eggs, vegetables, and maize have been used to upgrade facilities, most notably facilitating the installation of Starlink internet services.
The deputy head of Chigwedziva High School, Benjamin Machuwaire, highlighted the multifaceted benefits of the initiatives. “We recently harvested beans that will be used in the school feeding programme, which helps boost attendance. The income has also allowed us to install Starlink and cover the monthly subscriptions, significantly improving learning in this digital era,” said Machuwaire.
The agricultural projects extend beyond funding, directly addressing local food security. Agriculture teacher Ruben Baloyi, who supervises the poultry project, explained its broader impact.
“Our poultry project is more than just egg production; it is teaching learners valuable farming skills while providing affordable eggs to families in our community. The revenue goes straight back into improving the school, and Starlink is a major achievement made possible by this work,” said Baloyi.
Another agriculture teacher, Benjamin Manzanga, who oversees horticulture and maize fields, noted that the gardens have become a lifeline for the area and a source of employment.
“We grow a variety of vegetables for local sale, and our maize production supports both the school feeding program and nearby households. This work is crucial for food security in a drought-prone region. We have also created jobs for two local community members who monitor the garden and poultry,” said Manzanga.
The school’s efforts have garnered strong community support. Happy Bennet, a local villager and chairperson of the School Development Committee, praised the initiative for reducing food shortages and providing practical skills.
“The children are gaining practical skills in poultry and crop farming. We are now buying fresh eggs and vegetables right at our doorstep, which saves us the cost of traveling to Chiredzi town,” said Bennet.
Nyikavanhu High School in Masvingo District is also contributing to the agricultural revival, despite facing significant challenges. Located in Ward 29 under Chief Nyajena, the school focuses on horticulture but relies on rain-fed maize production due to limited water sources.
Agriculture teacher Joyce Munongo detailed the constraints mainly water supply that limits the school’s potential.
“Water shortage is our major challenge here. We use ZINWA water and have a solar-powered borehole for supplementary irrigation, but its capacity is low. This has forced us to focus mainly on horticulture and use rainwater for green mealies. Despite this, our students are learning resilience and innovation through farming,” said Munongo.
The efforts of Chigwedziva and Nyikavanhu High Schools underscore a growing trend where educational institutions are leveraging agriculture to combat hunger, enhance education, and uplift their communities, demonstrating that innovation and commitment can yield prosperity even in challenging environments.
