Vimridge (visited 23 & 25/11/19)

Something over two years ago, the Presbytery realised that they had a large chunk of land on the outskirts of Bulawayo, in an area known as Vimridge, that was lying largely unused. A small portion of it had been squatted but, for the most part, it was simply running wild. The decision was taken to develop a significant agricultural project, the plan being to use it to generate income in order to support ministerial stipends which are often not paid by congregations that are really struggling in the current economic situation. The decision was taken not to evict those who had constructed homes on the land, but to encourage them to become partners in the venture. In fact, those in that situation have been gradually moving away, and the whole piece of land has now been fenced off in order to provide security and to discourage others from doing the same. It is has meant that they are able to employ a security company, which would not be a possibility if the land were not fenced. However, the security bill is high. Some wire was stolen a few weeks ago, though some was recovered, and the wire was cut in one place last night, though nothing taken. The security firm were repairing that. They are thinking of painting the wire as that makes it less attractive to thieves.

The work at Vimridge has advanced significantly over the last two years. As well as the fence, there is now a sign proclaiming it to be Presbyterian property. The amount of cultivation has also greatly increased. One of the popular crops is butternut squash as they find it easy to grow, and producing a good yield. There are several areas being cultivated for this, and one of the tasks for the workers is preparing the ground for planting.. They are also growing maize and gradually developing other crops. Inevitably, one of the main problems is the supply of water, though there is a borehole on site, and they attempt to harvest rainwater. However, they deliberately focus on crops that do not need a great deal of irrigation. However, they are learning as they go along and recently lost a crop of cabbages because of lack of water.

There are now three large canvas greenhouses, increased from just one that was there two years ago. One is currently growing English cucumbers, which are doing well, the second different varieties of pepper and the third has recently produced a large harvest of tomatoes, and is now waiting for a new crop, probably more peppers. Andrew, the farm manager, told me that they were shortly expecting a delivery of ten thousand plants. The enterprise is run by a farm manager, an assistant, and six helpers, but under the direction of Maria, who oversees the project for the Presbytery, and her team. It is still relatively early days, but really good progress is being made.

There is an area where those who live on site can cultivate their own crops - and, just a little way from the main farming area, the chicken project is about to get under way. They have almost completed the first chicken house, which includes space for storage and an office. and so the first batch of chickens (1000) should be introduced soon. The original plan had been to have the first batch ready for selling around Christmas, but it is now looking more like the end of January. It takes six weeks to get them ready for sale. The plan is to, eventually, have nine more chicken runs, so an ability to have 10,000 chickens at a time. The other nine will not require the storage and office section, so will be constructed more easily and cheaply. It will take a while to get there, as the land needs to be cleared and then concrete foundations poured before constructing the chicken houses.  It is important to clear the land as otherwise there is a risk of both snakes and mosquitoes attacking the chickens.  Bio security is important and they will have the chickens separately fenced from everything else.  The plan is to put a temporary fence round the first “house”, so that they can get started and then, initially, the plan would be to plough a lot of the profits back into the expansion. 

The assistant manager told me that they have no problem in selling the produce. They have a supermarket and others as customers, and the problem is more a matter of not being able to satisfy demand. Things are beginning to head towards a peak for Christmas but she does not see selling as an issue. Transport is a bit of a problem as they are a little out of Bulawayo and that can include getting workers to and from Vimbridge.