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Transcript/ScriptZimbabwe Crowdsourced Solar Farming (TV)
HEADLINE: Solar Crowdfunding Project Benefiting Zimbabwe's Farmers
TEASER:
PUBLISHED: 05/22/2022 1:40p
BYLINE: Columbus Mavhunga
CONTRIBUTOR:
DATELINE: Marondera, Zimbabwe
VIDEOGRAPHER: Blessing Chigwenhembe
VIDEO EDITOR:
PRODUCER:
SCRIPT EDITORS: BR, Sharon Shahid
VIDEO SOURCE (S): VOA Original, WhatsApp
PLATFORMS (mark with X): WEB __ TV _X_ RADIO _X_
TRT: 2:28
VID APPROVED BY: Holly Franko
TYPE: TVPKG
EDITOR NOTES:))
((INTRO))
[[A South African company that promotes solar power and uses crowdsourcing to raise capital is financing a solar-powered farm in Zimbabwe that is also benefiting neighboring farmers. The South African company, The Sun Exchange, raised $1.4 million to finance the farm — as Columbus Mavhunga reports from Marondera, Zimbabwe.]]
((NARRATOR))
The solar-powered farm is about 80 kilometers east of Harare. Owned by Nhimbe Fresh Exports, it grows crops such as blueberries and peas for export to Europe and Australia.
Faced with problems such as power cuts and the need for sustainable farming and reducing carbon emissions, the farm turned to clean energy, says the head of Nhimbe Fresh Exports.
((Edwin Masimba Moyo, Zimbabwe Nhimbe Fresh Exports)) ((Eng. 16 sec.))
“So therefore, there was need for us to relook and rethink in terms of how best we can farm without harming the environment. Solar, obviously, became one option, seeing that we live in Africa where there is lots of sun.”
((NARRATOR))
What is happening at this farm is also taking place elsewhere in Africa, according to The Sun Exchange, which says it has enabled at least 60 farmers on the continent to install solar panels through its crowdsourcing methods.
The South African company says it raised $1.4 million from almost two thousand people around the world to fund the solar project in Zimbabwe.
((Caroline Skinner, Sun Exchange Communications Chief)) ((Eng. 19 sec.))
((Mandatory courtesy: WhatsApp))
“We certainly hope to follow suit with more standout Zimbabwean businesses like Nhimbe Fresh to lead a landscape in sustainability. And you understand the importance of accessing reliable, affordable, clean energy to scale and expand their operations.”
((NARRATOR))
Among the Zimbabwe farmers who are benefiting from power generated by the Nhimbe project is blueberries farmer Simba Chitida. He, too, exports the crop.
((Simba Chitida: Zimbabwe Farmer Using Solar Power)) ((Eng. 20 sec.))
“It leaves me with some disposable income on my side to be able to look after my family. And also, those big power cuts — we are not affected anymore. We (are) continuously managing to irrigate our crop.”
((NARRATOR))
For years now, Zimbabwe has experienced long power cuts because of struggles to raise funds to import energy from neighboring countries. Nhimbe Fresh Exports wants to expand its solar power to 1.9 megawatts, to bring more farmers on board and expand their operations, as well.
((Columbus Mavhunga, for VOA News, Marondera, Zimbabwe))
NewsML Media TopicsArts, Culture, Entertainment and Media
NetworkVOA
Location (dateline) Marondera, Zimbabwe
Embargo DateMay 22, 2022 14:04 EDT
Byline((Columbus Mavhunga, for VOA News, Marondera, Zimbabwe))
Brand / Language ServiceVoice of America - English
