By: Taurai Emmanuel Maforo – Mutambara
Mutambara mission farm is set to increase land utilization following a donation of $30 000 worth of farm implements.
The South Dakota Volunteer In Mission(VIM) team donated farming equipment comprising of; a John Deere 4020Diesel tractor, a Dakon cultivator, John Deere Chisel plough, sprayer, planter, fertilizer sprayer, a wagon and new tyres for the old tractor. The team also provided a full back-up kit of spares for the farm equipment.
The equipment was handed over in the presence of Rev. Austern Chepiri the Zimbabwe Episcopal Area Projects Coordinator and the Area Treasurer, Mr. Solomon Chiripasi.
Tim Stengel and Daryl Liebe are excited to be part of the VIM team and they described the visit as an “eye-opener”. The two donated a Dakon cultivator and a John Deere chisel plough respectively – from their own farms.
During their short stint they managed to till part of the farm land with the equipment and proud to have shared their expertise with the workshop members.
“I am seriously convinced that the coming in of this equipment will see the mission boosting its productivity levels” said Rev. Joseph Bonga the District Superintendent of Chimanimani-Chipinge District.
The superintendent in agreement with Rev. Onismo Makwasha the Mutambara Mission Station Chairperson, pointed out that the mission was challenged by lack of viable equipment hence low productivity and land utilization. The problem had resulted in settling of people on church farm land.
Both the visiting team and station team believe this worthwhile gesture must be complemented with good farm management programs, such as employing a professional farm supervisor.
Mr. Mark Karinda, the Regional Programme Manager at Christian Care speaking to leaders at the recently held Board of Discipleship academy on Stewardship and temperance, and Christian Education bemoaned the viability challenges facing the church’s mission farms. In his paper entitled “Optimum/Effective land utilization” he implored the church to consider means of maximising land utilization.
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