Judith Phiri, judith.phiri@sundaynews.co.zw
AN urban farming couple in Bulawayo’s Buena Vista suburb, Mr Kay Shiri (71) and Mrs Beauty Shiri (66), are setting an example by maximising their small plot to grow crops that support food security and livelihoods.
Urban agriculture in Zimbabwe has grown phenomenally in recent years, evolving from small-scale subsistence gardening into a significant driver of commercial production and food security.
In cities such as Harare, Bulawayo and Mutare, open spaces are increasingly cultivated, while traditional backyard gardens are being expanded.
A field day held on the couple’s 4 000-square-metre plot last Thursday highlighted the potential of maximising limited land.
The Shiris cultivate maize, rapoko and bambara nuts, alongside vegetables such as rape, tomatoes, chomolia, carrots and shallot onions. Fruit trees including pawpaw, mangoes, oranges, lemons, loquats and passion fruit also thrive on the property, complemented by ornamental flowers.
In an interview, Mr Shiri said he had not yet started selling produce but focused on feeding his family and supporting those in need.
“As you can see, our crops are performing well year after year and we had not started selling. Currently, we are growing these crops for our family consumption, we also get our poultry feed here and we also donate the excess we get to old people’s homes as well as disadvantaged members of the community,” he said.
Guided by Christian principles, Mr Shiri said helping others is seen as an act of service to God.
He added that their work also supports Government efforts to promote food security and boost agricultural production.
“If we positively contribute towards food security, it means we are also contributing to the growth of our economy in line with Vision 2030 of an upper-middle-income economy with a high quality of life for all citizens,” he said.
“At a local level, if we manage to contribute to food security, it means the more of us capitalising on urban farming, we positively contribute to the province’s gross domestic product (GDP) and that of the country as well.”
Mrs Shiri said they have spent the past four years improving crop performance and achieving higher yields.
“We have seen that by correcting the mistakes we would have made in previous cropping seasons, we are improving crop performance and achieving high yields.
“This requires a combination of proactive soil management, optimised planting, and modern as well as sustainable agricultural practices. Key strategies include using high-quality, certified seeds, managing soil fertility through testing and organic amendments, also implementing integrated pest management to reduce crop loss,” she said.
She added that they are among 60 farmers cultivating 0,5 hectares at the Khumalo Barracks (formerly Brady Barracks) over the past three years.
In a keynote address read on his behalf by Deputy Director of Environmental Planning and Environmental Management Mrs Norah Mupaza, Bulawayo Provincial Affairs and Devolution Permanent Secretary Mr Paul Nyoni said the theme of the field day: “Integrated Crop Production in Urban Spaces: Maximising Small Land for Impact,” aligns directly with the National Development Strategy 2 (NDS2) and the national Vision 2030, which seeks to transform Zimbabwe into an Upper-Middle-Income Society.
“Under NDS2, agriculture is not only about food security but also about economic transformation, household income generation, value addition, climate resilience and job creation,” he said, noting that urban farming is no longer merely a “hobby” but a frontliner of Zimbabwe’s commercial agricultural revolution.
“Bulawayo is a Metropolitan province with limited land and challenging rainfall patterns. However, limited land does not mean limited potential. Our host farmer has proven that size is not a limit, but a prompt for innovation,” he said.
Mr Nyoni added that maximising production from small plots requires adopting conservation agriculture techniques such as Pfumvudza/Intwasa, which preserve soil moisture and reduce production costs while mitigating climate-related risks.
City of Bulawayo Mayor Councillor David Coltart, represented by Councillor Melissa Mabeza, said the field day showcased that urban agriculture thrives in even the smallest spaces and contributes to household nutrition and income.
“As urban populations continue to rise, pressure on food systems also increases. The City of Bulawayo is aware that climate change is no longer a distant concern but a lived reality where erratic rainfall patterns, prolonged dry spells, heatwaves and rising food prices are affecting households across the country,” he said.
“Diversification is at the heart of sustainable urban agriculture. By growing a variety of crops — from leafy vegetables and legumes to small grains and herbs — households reduce their vulnerability to crop failure and market change.”
The mayor said urban plots that integrate vegetables, fruit trees, medicinal plants and small-scale poultry become micro-ecosystems, enhancing soil fertility, improving nutrition and supplying households with necessary foods.
Urban farmers from Hurudza plots, Sizinda Green Gardens, Women Farmers Group, St Columbus Farmers, Trenance Farmers, Makokoba Farmers and other urban and flower gardens attended the event to observe and learn.
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