03/06/2026
Rodent Outbreak Devastates Crops at Chisumbanje Irrigation Scheme
By Qxelani Sithole Mahanya
Smallholder farmers at Chisumbanje Irrigation Scheme in Chipinge South are counting heavy losses following a severe rodent outbreak that has destroyed crops and threatened household food security during the current farming season.
The irrigation scheme, which supports hundreds of farmers growing beans, maize and tomatoes, experienced an unusual increase in rodents locally known as mbeva following an exceptionally wet season.
Most farmers who depend on the irrigation scheme for their livelihoods have reportedly suffered significant losses, with bean farmers among the hardest hit.
Mbuya Mazorodze, a farmer at Chisumbanje Irrigation Scheme, said the rodents attacked crops during critical stages of growth, causing devastating losses.
“The mice attacked our bean crops during flowering and podding stages. They cut stems and ate the pods, leaving some of us with nothing to harvest,” she said.
The outbreak comes after years of recurring drought that had already weakened household food supplies and reduced agricultural productivity in the area.
Agricultural extension officers have confirmed the outbreak and are currently advising farmers on measures to minimise further damage through trapping and improved rodent control methods.
Extension officers are encouraging farmers to intensify trapping efforts and strengthen pest management practices, particularly for crops such as beans, maize and tomatoes which have become highly vulnerable to the infestation.
"Most of our farmers are worried due to the damage caused by the mice but clearly taking advise" Esther Chigaro, an Agriculture Extension Officer confirmed.
Some women have resorted to spending nights guarding their fields using torches to protect crops from further destruction.
“We spend long nights in the fields because leaving crops unattended means losing everything by morning,” said one farmer.
While farmers continue to count losses, some community members have turned the outbreak into an alternative source of food and income. Women and children are collecting and processing thousands of rodents daily.
The rodents are gutted, boiled, de-furred and fried, as mbeva remain a popular local delicacy in many communities.
The irrigation plots, averaging 0.5 hectares, were allocated to communities as compensation after residents lost land to GreenFuel, which now uses large portions of the area for sugarcane production for ethanol manufacturing.
Although some residents celebrate the abundance of rodents for consumption and sale, many farmers depending on agriculture say the outbreak has left them facing significant economic losses and uncertainty over future harvests.
Fepa
Fawezi
Broadcasting Authority of Zimbabwe
Zimbabwe Association of Community Radio Stations
MISA Zimbabwe
IMS (International Media Support)
Amnesty International Zimbabwe
Zimcodd
Zimbabwe Heritage Trust
Zimbabwe Broadcasting Corporation
