In 2022 Creating New Edens in Africa moved from South Africa to Zimbabwe . It has expanded to two new sites. Njanja and Raffingora which are 128 kilometres south of Harare the capital of Zimbabwe.
Zimbabwe is presently experiencing a withering drought and the people are desperate for water. Three
Boreholes were installed in each site along with irrigation to provide water. The boreholes cost approximately $10,000 US dollars each.
A used truck was purchased and crops are taken to the central farmers market in Harare.
Mr. john Chapeta in NJANJA is now supervising the two sites. He is in regular communication with Mr. Zinyama who coordinates resources and finances.
Clearing, teaching and supporting each student through the completion of the training costs of approximately $200. The goal of this project is to expand the amount of land
cultivated to support 100 students in the coming year. As the project grows there are basic requirements of tools, seeds and food for the students. Ideally on graduation
The students should be able to take a basic set of tools and seeds with them so they can cultivate their own land and plant the first crop. . They should be assisted in securing land to cultivate.
An initial grant of $5000 has been used to purchase tools, seeds, a water tank and a laptop computer to facilitate the development of a web page and a funding site.
The Core Principles of FARMING GOD'S WAY
● Minimal disturbance of the soil – the practice of plowing destroys soil structure and degrades the microorganisms that live in the soil. Plowing promotes soil erosion and rapid water loss by not allowing the rain water to be slowly absorbed by the soil.
● Permanent organic cover in the form of mulch around plants prevents erosion and does not allow weeds to compete with crops for nutrition in the soil. Eden, Paradise and the Land of Milk and Honey had productive crops and beautiful plants and not weeds. These practices accomplish the following: i) Stops soil erosion ii) Improves water filtration of the soil iii) Minimises evaporation of water from the soil iv) Adds organic matter, improving fertility v) Promotes the natural composting of organic matter into nutrition for the plants
● No burning of crop residues – these are used to cover the soil instead and eventually they decompose to become compost and nutrition.
● Weed faithfully – labour saved on plowing is transferred to regular weeding; Weeds extract nutrition from the soil that should be used by productive plants
● Practice crop rotation – plant soil depletion can be countered by plants which enrich the soil. This was well understood in ancient agriculture.
● Attention to detail – give careful attention to everything on the farm throughout the year, including proper spacing of plants, how manure is composted, how seeds are planted and how water is applied when rain is not sufficient. As a last resort based on soil analysis fertilizer is added,
● Incorporate trees into the farming system – “Agroforestry is a counter to deforestation. Trees shelter the earth and provide habit for birds which feed on crop damaging insects. Some vegetable plants thrive in shade. Agroforestry combines both agriculture and forestry with conservation practices for long-term sustainability. Trees eventually provide building material when replanted after their initial cutting.
The training cycle is rigorous. It s creates a training group which understands and advocates for FGW.
Future Plans for 2024
Acquire and irrigate 20 more hectares of land in Zimbabwe
Train 4 instructors who will then mentor classes for six months.
Train 200 students in FGW
These will be trained 25 students at a time in 8 classes Students progress through the training and cultivate a crop. Each cycle is 3 months long
Install 2 boreholes in the two villages. Across all the provinces of Zimbabwe due to the drought in southern Africa the drought is a significant problem