A Mazowe teacher Anderson Chibatauta of Citrus Secondary School has found financial independence by diversifying into farming, no longer relying solely on the modest salaries paid to civil servants by the cash-strapped Government.
Anderson Chibatauta, who studied agriculture at Zimbabwe Open University (ZOU), embraced various agricultural ventures in 2017, including apiculture (beekeeping), aquaculture (fish farming), and mushroom cultivation, with the support of his wife and four children.
In an interview with The Herald, Chibatauta revealed the positive impact farming has had on his life:
“I earn an average of US$360 per week from mushroom farming alone. While I operate this enterprise at the school, my ultimate goal is to expand to a larger production scale. Additionally, I sell various types of fish and manage 50 bee hives, yielding approximately 500kg of honey per month.”
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He explained his mushroom farming process, which utilizes buckets that can sustain growth for up to six months, providing a consistent supply for consumers. Chibatauta emphasized the importance of knowledge-sharing, stating:
“I offer training sessions, both online and in-person, to impart valuable skills to others interested in similar agricultural ventures. As a teacher, I find fulfillment in empowering individuals to generate substantial income through farming.”
With his newfound success, Chibatauta has been able to build a house and purchase two cars. He encourages others to consider farming as a means to improve their quality of life, highlighting its potential for financial stability and growth.
