Managing effects of El Nino

farmers in regions 1, 2 and 3 should have at least three different varieties in different maturity groups.

However, the seven series should be planted first, followed by the medium maturity hybrid, then lastly early medium hybrids. In regions 4 and 5, small grains and very early to ultra-early maize hybrids should be anchoring the cropping programme as the heat and drought conditions often experienced in these areas call for genetics with excellent drought tolerance and early maturity.

Very early maturity maize hybrids can do well under drought conditions due to their superior drought tolerance and shorter growing cycle. Emerging crops such as sunflowers are highly drought-tolerant and can be grown in marginal areas and offer economic benefits to farmers and the nation at large as they are a major source of cooking oil and stock feeds.

Additionally, sunflower helps in controlling problematic weeds in resource-poor communal lands, for instance, Striga, by stimulating it to germinate and killing it by not supporting growth of the weed.

Early planting: Planting with the first effective rains is the key enabler to productivity, both under irrigation and under dry-land farming. Farmers should, therefore, prepare their land ahead of time so that planting operations are done on time. Once the farmer fails to plant on time, there is a high probability of crop failure as the growing season is shortened, heat units for the crops are reduced and the crop is most likely to face high pressure of pest and disease infestation. Rainfall received without crops having been planted goes to waste as it may not contribute to productivity given that, afterwards, moisture is lost from the soil through evaporation.

Avoid too much soil disturbance: Minimal soil disturbance helps to maintain the soil structure and maximise water infiltration into the soil. Too much soil disturbance through deep ploughing and hoe weeding can speed up moisture loss due to evapotranspiration.

Furthermore, minimising soil disturbance reduces production costs and tear and wear of implements.

Soil disturbance using heavy equipment may lead to soil compaction that reduces water infiltration, leading to too much runoff. Weeding using mechanical methods may cut crown roots, which are important for drawing water and nutrients from the soil. It may also cause injuries to plant stems, which predispose the plants to boil smut as pathogens enter the crop system through injury sites. Farmers must use implements that minimally disturb the soil during planting and herbicides to control weeds to make sure the soil structure is not tempered with.

Water harvesting: Every drop of water counts, so farmers should use water harvesting techniques. They should use the precious liquid to their advantage during peak periods of droughts. Water can be collected from building roofs during rainfall and directed to storage tanks or other water bodies, where it can be kept for future use.

Alternatively, farmers may promote drainage of water into the fields to create a reliable moisture bank through use of tied ridges or potholing. Potholing and tied ridges help to make sure there is minimum runoff in the fields and plenty of water goes into the soil profile, thereby creating a reliable moisture bank for the benefit of crops during dry spells.

Crop diversification: Farmers should plant a range of crops to spread the risk of yield loss due to drought conditions. These should include cereals, legumes and cash crops. Legumes should be selected as a rotational fit for other crops, as they enrich the soil with nitrogen and organic matter for the following crop in a rotational sequence. Farmers who are into maize production should plant at least three varieties with different days to maturity. Planting must be staggered in a way that allows those varieties to tassel at different times. They should select varieties with drought-escape agronomic traits to circumvent losses often caused by water stress in maize production.

◆ Social Shava is an agronomist by profession. Word from the Market is a column produced by the Agricultural Marketing Authority to promote market-driven production. Feedback: cchiduku@ama.co.zw or WhatsApp/Call +263781706212.

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