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Sunn hemp originated in India where it has been grown since the dawn of agriculture. It has been utilized as a green manure, livestock feed, and as a non-wood fiber crop. It has also been grown in Brazil and Bangladesh as a soil-improving crop.

Research with sunn hemp has been conducted in the United States since the 1930s, where it was reported to be excellent in improving soil conditions (Cook and White, 1996).

In Africa soil degradation is increasingly threatening farm profitability and there is urgent need for embracing green manuring through which farmers can take a low-cost yet powerful step toward rebuilding soil health and ensuring better yields.

Locally a number of farmers have embraced the growing of sunn hemp for green manuring purposes. The crop provides excellent biomass within a short growth and is known for its vigorous growth and ability to suppress weeds, further reducing the dependence on chemical weed control.

A Marondera farmer Berin Stockil who planted a huge hectarage of this legume plant told Mudhumeni Mukuru that the plant has numerous benefits and increases the soil richness which cuts down more on the amount of fertilisers that one has to purchase for the next farming season

“When you apply it to the soil your soil will turn darker and it helps the soil to have enough humus to contain moisture especially when you are faced with a dry spell.

“We planted down the crop in February and by the time we get to September all the debris will have decomposed and it’s a foundation for farming principle”.

He added that most farmers do not rest their soils and also have no knowledge of how to improve them to give better yields.

“We haven’t given our soils a rest for many years so the only way to do so is by putting in these crops .

“We have done this for about thirty years but other communities especially in rural areas have never done it meaning that their soils are depleted of all the humus, the soils are very hard and have very low pH’s”.

For farmers who would want to plant this crop timely sowing is important, as green manure crops should be incorporated back into the soil before they start flowering—generally within 40 to 50 days of sowing—for maximum benefit.

This practice is particularly beneficial for small and marginal farmers who often struggle with the high cost of inputs.

Beyond soil health, green manuring plays an important role in sustainable agriculture by reducing chemical residue, promoting biodiversity, and improving the long-term productivity of farmland.

It also contributes positively to climate resilience by enriching the soil with carbon and improving its water-holding capacity.

In conclusion research has proved that Sunn hemp can be used as a cover crop, can improve soil properties, reduce soil erosion, conserve soil water, and recycle plant nutrients.
‘Tropic Sun’ is also resistant to root-knot nematodes.

Other potential uses for sunn hemp are forage, paper fiber, and as alternative fuel crop.

At the Plant Protection Institute, under the Research Services Division led by Dr. Claid Mujaju, and housed within the Ministry of Lands, Agriculture, Fisheries, Water and Rural Development, they are spearheading a pivotal initiative targeting Kariba Weed (Salvinia molesta) and Water Hyacinth (Eichhornia crassipes)—two of the most aggressive alien aquatic invaders compromising our freshwater ecosystems.

These species are not just ‘weeds’—they are biological pollutants, capable of doubling their biomass in under 10 days, forming thick mats that deplete dissolved oxygen, block sunlight, and cripple aquatic biodiversity.

Left unchecked, they stifle irrigation systems, hinder hydroelectric generation, threaten fish populations, and ultimately reduce agricultural productivity and national food security.

During this Thursday’s Media Familiarization and Learning Tour held at Goromonzi Chinyika Dam and Lake Chivero, Mrs. Hama, Head of the Institute, emphasized:

“Our approach is rooted in ecological intelligence—leveraging biological control agents, such as host-specific weevils and fungal pathogens, which naturally suppress these invaders without compromising native biodiversity.”

This initiative is a manifestation of climate-smart agriculture—a sustainable intervention aligned with principles of integrated weed management (IWM) and adaptive environmental stewardship.

We are proud to be working alongside the Environmental Management Agency (EMA) and the Centre for Biological Control, deploying time-tested and ecologically benign methods that harness nature to heal nature.

Also known as vernonia amygdalina, bitter leaf grows in most parts of sub-Saharan Africa and the plant is well regarded in traditional medicinal practice.

Historically, the leaf has been used as a treatment for many ailments from malaria, typhoid, diabetes, diarrhea, tuberculosis, gallstones and kidney disease, to the prevention of cancer and lowering of hypertension.

The leaf has also been proven to possess antibacterial and antifungal properties.

Nutritional Benefits

Bitter leaf is a powerhouse of nutrition, packed with vitamins A, C, and E. These vitamins are crucial for boosting your immune system and maintaining healthy skin.
In addition to vitamins, bitter leaf contains essential minerals like calcium, iron, and potassium. These minerals play vital roles in bone health, oxygen transport, and muscle function.

Antioxidant Properties

One of the standout features of bitter leaf is its high antioxidant content. Antioxidants are essential for fighting oxidative stress, which can lead to chronic diseases.

By incorporating bitter leaf into your diet, you can help reduce your risk of conditions like heart disease and cancer. It’s a simple way to enhance your overall health while enjoying its unique flavor.

Medicinal Uses

Many cultures rely on these remedies, showcasing the enduring value of bitter leaf in herbal medicine.

Detoxification

Regular consumption of bitter leaf tea can significantly promote liver health. This herbal infusion aids in detoxification, helping the body eliminate toxins more efficiently.

Drinking this tea not only supports liver function but also enhances overall wellness. It’s a simple yet effective way to incorporate detoxifying properties into your daily routine.

Skin Health

Bitter leaf extracts are a powerhouse for skin health, particularly in treating conditions like eczema and acne. The anti-inflammatory properties of the leaf help soothe irritated skin and reduce redness.

Using these extracts can lead to clearer, healthier skin. Incorporating bitter leaf into your skincare routine may offer a natural alternative to conventional treatments.
With its diverse medicinal uses, bitter leaf stands out as a versatile ally in promoting health and wellness.

Culinary Uses
Recipe Incorporation

Bitter leaf is a versatile ingredient that can elevate your soups and stews. To enjoy its unique flavor without overwhelming bitterness, try blanching the leaves in boiling water for a few minutes before adding them to your dish.

This simple technique not only softens the leaves but also enhances their nutritional benefits. Incorporating bitter leaf into your meals can add a delightful depth of flavor while boosting your health.

Tea Benefits

Brewing bitter leaf tea is another fantastic way to enjoy its health benefits. Steep the leaves in hot water for about 10 minutes to extract their rich flavors and nutrients.

This herbal tea is known for aiding digestion and boosting metabolism. Regular consumption can support your overall wellness, making it a great addition to your daily routine.

Opportunities for Farmers

Cultivating bitter leaf presents significant income generation potential for farmers. Community initiatives can further enhance this opportunity, allowing farmers to collaborate and share resources for better yields.

Herbal Product Industry

Interest in herbal remedies is on the rise, creating exciting opportunities for entrepreneurs. The bitter leaf’s versatility makes it a prime candidate for various herbal products, tapping into a growing market eager for natural solutions.

As the economic landscape shifts, embracing bitter leaf cultivation can lead to sustainable growth and community.

The scientific papers for this story were taken from the following sources:
Science direct (https://www.sciencedirect.com), Goggle Scholar (https://scholar.google.com/), research gate (https://www.researchgate.net) and PubMed (https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/)

Covo … R 10 per bundle
Rape… R 10 per bundle
Tsunga …R 10 per bundle
Chomolia… R 20 per bunch
Cabbage…( big head ) white R 20 per head/ R 10 small head
Spinach… R 10 per bundle
Lettuce… R10 each
Coriander… R10 per bundle
Okra leaf … R10 per cup
Okra fresh …. R10 per bunch
Pumpkin leaves … R10 per bundle
Cow peas R15 per cup (munyemba) …R10 per cup
African spider (nyevi) … R10 per cup
Black jack … R10 per cup

HIGH VALUE CROPS

Green pepper … R 100 per crate
Red and yellow pepper … R 2 for each
Fine bean … R10 per250g
Cucumber…..R3 and R5 each
English cucumber…R25 each
Carrots ….R35per kg
Beetroot… R5 each
Onion white ….R150 per 10kg
Onion red ….R180 per 10kg
Onion shallots…R5per bunch
Egg plant …R80per crate
Chill pepper….R10 per cup
Garlic bulb ….R10 each
Ginger bulb…R10 each
Tomatoes… R 250__R300 crate
Mapudzi … R 20 for 5
Water melon from R 10 to R70 depending on the size
Betternut… R80 per10kg pocket
Broccoli …R50 per pack

TUBERS

Potatoes…R10 per5
Potatoes …R180per15kg
Potatoes 5 kg …R80.
Sweet potatoes… R 180__R200 per bucket

DRIED FOOD

Matemba…R1 500 per bucket R 10 per cup
Madora …R1 400.. per bucket , R 10 per cup
Fish dried big ….R40 each
Fish dried small … R 5 each
Soya chunks …R70 per5kg
Ipwa… R 5 each
Sugarcane… R 10 to 20 depending on size
Mufushwa wenyemba…R100 per bucket
Mufushwa wenyevhe…. R100 per bucket
Mufushwa we covo…R100
Mufushwa mutsine,….R120
Mufushwa dried derere …. 100R

POULTRY

chicken broiler … R100
Indigenous hen …R120
Indigenous Cocks …R 180
Iso brown layers … 120
Turkey …. R350_R400
Ducks …R300_R350
Rabbits …R200_R250

FRUITS

Apples … R 5 each
Avocado …R 10 each
Peas … R 90 per 3kg
Grapes … R 300 per box
Pines … R 30each
Oranges … R 50 per 10 kg pocket
Bananas … R 180 per crate
Mauyu … R 100 per bucket
Nyii … R 200 per bucket
Plum … R 300 per box
Umviyo … R 10per cup

GRAIN
Ground nuts … R 200 per bucket
Nyimo …R 200 per bucket
Maize white … R 120 per bucket4. maize Yellow.. R 140 per bucket
Sorghum mhunga…R140 per bucket
Finger millet,… 400per bucket
Livestock
Beast…..R7 000__12 000per beast
Goat….R700__1 200 each
Sheep…R1 000__R1 5000

Increase in the prices of some commodities were due to scarcity. For example, Turkeys,Rabbits, Ducks and dried Vegetables.

Staff writer

In the serene hills of Mount Hampden, Zimbabwe, a remarkable transformation is taking place as innovative farmers like Gift Jambaya popularly known as Mr Tsuro are spearheading a rabbit farming revolution that promises to reshape the country’s agricultural landscape.

With the rabbit meat industry currently valued at US$25 million and ambitious plans to quadruple this figure, Zimbabwe is positioning itself as a major player in the global rabbit farming sector.

“The vision is to feed Zimbabwe, Africa, and the world,” says Mr. Tsuro, whose extensive rabbit farming project showcases the immense potential of this emerging industry.

“It’s not just about meat production; we’re creating a comprehensive value chain that includes leather processing and value-added products like sausages.”

The Zimbabwe Commercial Rabbit Breeders Association (ZICORBA) reports that current production levels stand at 10 tonnes of rabbit meat per month, with targets set to increase to 25 tonnes to meet growing demand.

This surge in production is supported by the introduction of superior breeds such as New Zealand White and New Zealand Red rabbits, known for their excellent meat quality and rapid growth rates.

“Rabbit meat is one of the healthiest protein sources available,” explains Dr. Bright Maguchita, a successful rabbit farmer who transitioned from corporate life to agriculture.

“With its high protein content of 29.1 grams per 100-gram portion and low cholesterol levels, it’s perfect for health-conscious consumers and those with heart conditions”.

The industry’s growth is further bolstered by comprehensive training programs, including a Chinese-funded initiative that has already trained over 200 farmers in Ruwa, just 22 kilometers southeast of Harare.

These programs focus on essential aspects such as breeding techniques, disease management, and market access.

Tichaona Muzariri, a former teacher turned successful rabbit farmer, demonstrates the sector’s potential for transformation.

“I started with just US$30 in 2009, and now my farm produces 3,000 rabbits annually, supplying to hotels, restaurants, and grocery stores across the region”

The industry’s potential extends beyond meat production. “The rabbit by-products sector is a million-dollar opportunity,” notes Monica Mudonhi, a 68-year-old farmer in Ruwa. “From organic fertilizer to high-quality leather goods, every part of the rabbit can be utilized for economic benefit”

For aspiring farmers, the industry offers a unique combination of low initial investment, quick returns, and multiple revenue streams.

“Record keeping is key,” advises Mr. Tsuro, highlighting that rabbits reach market size within 12-14 weeks, making it a highly efficient farming enterprise.

As Zimbabwe continues to develop its rabbit farming sector, the focus on genetics, breeding stock preservation, and value addition positions the country to become a significant player in the global rabbit meat market.

With growing support from both government and international partners, the future of Zimbabwe’s rabbit farming industry appears promising, offering a path to economic empowerment and food security for thousands of families.

The mulberry tree produces berries with a rich content of vitamins, minerals, and potent plant compounds.

For centuries, its leaves have been used in traditional medicine as a natural remedy for various health conditions as they are packed with powerful plant compounds such as polyphenol antioxidants, as well as essential nutrients like vitamin C, zinc, calcium, iron, potassium, phosphorus, and magnesium.

Traditional Chinese Medicine has long utilized mulberry leaves to support vision improvement, nourish the liver, unaffected by wind-related ailments, and purify the body.

They are also believed to help treat dizziness, dysentery, enhance liver function, maintain youthful skin, alleviate symptoms of cough and cold, boost blood circulation, relieve abdominal pain, and strengthen eye health.

The leaves and other parts of the tree contain a milky white sap known as latex, which is mildly toxic to humans and can cause symptoms like abdominal (belly) pain if ingested or skin irritation upon contact. However, many people consume mulberry leaves without experiencing any side effects.

The leaves have a good flavour and are often used to make tinctures and herbal teas — a popular healthy drink in many Asian countries. The young leaves are edible after cooking.

You can also find mulberry leaves as a dietary supplement, which is gaining popularity due to their potential health benefits. Additionally, these leaves serve as the sole food source for silkworms — caterpillars that produce silk — and are sometimes used as feed for dairy-producing animals.

Health benefits of mulberry leaves

Mulberry leaves may help reduce blood sugar levels, cholesterol, and inflammation. These properties can make them useful for preventing heart disease and diabetes.

Mulberry leaves contain various compounds that may aid in combating diabetes, including 1-deoxynojirimycin (DNJ), which blocks the absorption of carbohydrates in the gut. Specifically, these leaves can lower high blood sugar and insulin levels, the hormone responsible for regulating blood sugar.

Several studies suggest that mulberry leaf extract may enhance heart health by lowering cholesterol levels, reducing blood pressure, decreasing inflammation, and preventing atherosclerosis — the build up of plaque in the arteries that can lead to heart disease.

Reduces symptoms of the common cold

During this winter you can reduce symptoms of common cold by taking mulberry tea as it is used to treat liver diseases and various ailments, including headaches, cough, eye pain, fever, and sore throat. The development of restricted bacterial strains helps prevent granular pharyngitis (nodular throat inflammation). Drinking mulberry tea can help alleviate cold symptoms by inhibiting bacterial growth.

Preventing side effects.

Although mulberry leaves have largely been shown to be safe in both human and animal studies, they can cause side effects in some individuals.
For example, some people have experienced side effects such as diarrhoea, nausea, dizziness, bloating, and constipation when taking supplements containing mulberry leaf extract.

Additionally, individuals who are taking diabetes medication should consult a healthcare professional before using mulberry leaves due to their effects on blood sugar levels.
Furthermore, more in-depth human studies are needed to establish the long-term safety of this leaf.

Children and pregnant or breastfeeding women should avoid using mulberry leaves, as there is insufficient research on their safety in these groups.

It is advised that we consult doctors before using any herbal supplements, especially if we are taking other medications or have any existing health conditions.