Following the processing and value addition knowledge training with the participants from Hand in Hand Zimbabwe (HIH Zimbabwe) held at Fambidzanai permaculture Centre (FPC), the knowledge acquired from the one-week training course has indeed yielded fruits at the Phakamani Garden in Gwanda.
The Hand in Hand participants were equipped with innovative skills on how to counter post-harvest losses, increasing the shelf life of farm produce and generating income from selling value-added food products.
Some of the final products produced were masawu jam, Baobab jam, sweet potato jam, Marmalade jam, Nyemba pies, Baobab drinks, orange juices, masawu juices, sweet potato chips and dried vegetables. This knowledge was taken into practice as they also engaged in training others in their districts.
A total of 27 participants (25 female and 2 male) attended the training and they managed to do value addition of Nyemba pie, baobab jam & juice and Marmalade jam showing how much the food processing and value addition programmes have impacted communities and, in a way, improved the livelihoods of the people.
FPC Field Officer and Food Value Addition Training Facilitator Ms. Kudakwashe Manikwa was optimistic and excited as to have been part of such a wonderful journey with the HIH Zimbabwe and seeing communities empower themselves was an absolute pleasure for her.
“As FPC we are excited to have been part of this journey with HIH Zimbabwe. It is good when communities are empowered to empower themselves. It is only through such bold moves from communities themselves that we can tackle food insecurity, reduce unemployment, and create platforms for income generation.” She spoke.
Nonhlanhla Moyo, one of the beneficiaries of the training, also expressed her utmost happiness for the knowledge that she acquired and being able to impart that same knowledge to the other communities was again the best feeling.
“Many thanks to FPC for the knowledge that they shared with us, it was a great experience and now we are able to teach others as well as also generate income for ourselves.” She spoke.
FPC is promoting programmes like these because statistics have shown that post-harvest losses and food waste have a remarkably high contribution to food insecurity and poverty. Food value addition helps farmers preserve food and reduce post-harvest losses; thus, significantly contributing to food and income security.
You can contact us for training on food value addition skills training courses like these.
Story by Tungamirai Mashandure
