With support from the World Wide Fund for Nature (WWF) Zimbabwe, and funding from WWF Switzerland and WWF Germany, and in collaboration with the Matopos Research Station, the village has been assisted to adopt relevant and effective soil management techniques. Among other agroecological practices, farmers in selected wards of Binga, including Chinonge ward, have been testing the use of basins, ripping, and conventional ox-drawn ploughs to identify the most suitable tillage methods for their clay-loam, clay, and sandy soils.

Selected farmers have established demonstration plots in their fields.  These serve as learning points for surrounding farmers on the effect of these tillage practices on soil management. The objective is to facilitate knowledge transfer that can improve and sustain good soil health, conducive for crop productivity on already existing arable land. Over time as more farmers adopt these practices, the expected result is to minimize the need to extend agricultural land or open up new land due to unsustainable practices that affect soil structure and systems.  

Says Chinonge farmer, Beauty Chuma: "I've seen my harvests grow significantly, especially with drought-resistant crops like sorghum. It's important for us to keep researching and adapting the best practices. Communities like ours in Binga share a rich landscape with wildlife, including elephants and lions, but we also face extreme weather events due to climate change. By working together and learning from each other, we are helping to create a more resilient environment where both people and wildlife can coexist”.

Farmers have also started growing a wider variety of crops. Previously, maize was the dominant crop, which struggles when rainfall is low. Now, villagers plant sorghum, sunflower, and millet—as dominant crops that can survive better in dry conditions.

Another important change was how farmers prepared their fields. Instead of ploughing the soil deeply, they now use minimum tillage—making ripped lines or basins in the ground. This helps the soil retain its structure, prevents erosion, allows plant roots to grow better with moisture conserved in the ripped lines or basins. Minimum tillage is especially effective in Chinonge, helping to keep the soil moisture even during mid-season dry periods.

Reports from farmers indicated that, over the last three agricultural seasons, basins are most suitable for clay-loam and clay soils, especially during seasons with mid-season dry spells and below-normal rainfall. In contrast, ripping is best for sandy soils under the same conditions. Through these experiences, farmers are recognizing the need to adopt a diverse range of soil management techniques that best fit their soil types and the various weather patterns they encounter, especially as extreme weather events become more frequent.