Chitomborwizi

Chitomborwizi is a farming area in Mashonaland West in Zimbabwe formerly known as Chitomborwizi African Purchase Area. The farms are small to medium (20 to 100 ha)sizes. Areas like these were created for black farmers during the colonial era, similar areas are Musengezi near Chegutu, Mushagashe near Chatsworth, Zimbabwe, Wilshere in Chivhu, Matepatepa in Mt Darwin to mention just a few.

Chitomborwizi is located about 20 km south of Chinhoyi town (which is the provincial capital) and about 25 km north of Murombedzi. It is sandwiched between Chirau communal lands to the south and former white commercial farms to the north. The area is subdivided into three regions Chitomborwizi East, Central and West. Chitomborwizi east comprises farms which are to the east of Chinhoyi-Chegutu highway. This region is separated to former white commercial farms by Manyame river (pronounced Mhanyaame by local people or Hunyani by white settlers). Some farmers in this area use water from the river which flows throughout the year for irrigation. Manyame river flows into Biri dam which is also used by farmers for irrigation and fishing. It is not all farmers who have access to Manyame river who are utilising it for irrigation. The reason is not quite clearly maybe lack of capital or lack of interest thereof.

Chitomborwizi central is made up of farms which are between the east and west areas of Chitomborwizi. The area has a business centre known as Matoranjera to serve the whole farming region. The Makonde district council offices, a high school, a clinic and some few grocery shops are located at this township. This is the most developed area of Chitomborwizi with electricity available at a number of farms and at Matoranjera business centre.

Chitomborwizi west, it shares borders with Chitomborwizi central, Chirau and Makonde communal lands. The area covers Muchichiri, Rwenhombo and Mburungwe.

The main crop cultivated is maize (Zimbabwe's staple food), followed by cotton and recently tobacco has come onto the scene. The latter crop has proved to be popular mainly due to lucrative prices despite being labour-intensive. Chitomborwizi west farmers are known for their cotton farming prowess. Historically some of Chitomborwizi's best cattle was found in the western area. However farmers from this area have not benefited from the country's much talked about rural electrification programme. The majority of farmers are now farming on semi-subsistence level. There are a handful farmers who are utilising their farms commercially.

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Wikipedia