Word from the Market with Social Shava

THE Meteorological Services Department has predicted erratic and low rainfall patterns this year because of El Nino conditions that are expected to affect Southern Africa because of climate change.

The reality of climate change is upon us, and its consequences can curtail economic growth by reducing food production if farmers do not adopt mitigatory measures. Farmers are urged to be prepared for the effects of climate change, which are basically prolonged dry spells, too much heat stress on crops and erratic rainfall that also endangers the health of livestock due to poor pasture regrowth.

Farmers should always adhere to good agronomic practices that minimise greenhouse gas emissions and optimise yields. Normal to below-normal rainfall and too much heat predicted by the Meteorological Services Department require farmers to adopt strategies that save crops and livestock from drought.

This article pinpoints six strategies farmers should rely on to counter the expected effects of heat and drought conditions expected this season.

1. Choose drought-tolerant varieties: Farmers should choose drought-tolerant varieties that have a track record of performing well in their agro-ecological region.

In regions 1, 2 and 3, farmers can grow maize, but the variety selected must have a comprehensive trait package of drought tolerance and high-yield potential. In the seven-series category, farmers can use a variety that takes between 138 and 145 days to mature. And it should mature earlier than any other seven-series varieties, yet have a yield potential of plus 16 tonnes per hectare.

The variety has excellent drought tolerance and has shown stable yields across seasons and regions. Selection must be informed by the performance of the variety, mainly focusing on hydro-efficiency and reliability under sub-optimal conditions.

In high-potential areas, early-maturity hybrids are important for late planting as they have a shorter growing period and give a competitive yield of more than 11 tonnes per hectare. It goes without saying that