500 000ha put under traditional grains
AT least 500 000 hectares have been put under traditional grains this season under a programme geared to enhance the country’s drought mitigation efforts.
Agricultural Advisory and Rural Development Services acting director for crop production Mr Leonard Munamati said: “To date, 520 800ha have been put under traditional grains (sorghum and millet), showing an increase from the area planted last season.
“This is largely attributable to the agro-ecological matching we have undertaken this season, where our farmers in natural ecological regions 3, 4 and 5 were encouraged to grow traditional grains.
“In addition, the area under groundnuts is now at 253 821 ha.
“The figures may increase considering that we are still collecting data countrywide.
“These figures are based on our preliminary survey.”
According to experts, traditional grains’ drought tolerance, lower fertiliser needs, higher yields per hectare and shorter growing season make them a sustainable substitute for maize, especially during seasons when rainfall is limited.
It is envisaged that these grains will help supplement grain stocks in the strategic grain reserve in the event of maize suffering crop failure because of the anticipated drought.
Crop condition around the country, Mr Munamati said, was generally good.
He encouraged farmers to continue using the current moisture to apply top-dressing fertiliser to their crops.
After experts forecast delayed normal to below-normal rains, authorities advised farmers with irrigable land to exclusively grow maize.
Farmers in drier regions were encouraged to plant traditional grains, while those with no irrigation in regions 1 and 2 were urged to plant short-season maize varieties.
The area put under maize has since surpassed 1,4 million ha, slightly lower than the 1,6 million ha at the same time last year.
Experts are urging farmers to practice rainwater harvesting for sustainable crop production.
“It is now high time farmers start implementing rainwater harvesting to mitigate any possible climate change effects that are usually associated with dry spells,” said Zimbabwe Commercial Farmers Union president Dr Shadreck Makombe.
“The little moisture received must also be conserved through mulching and implementation of all Pfumvudza/Intwasa prescriptions that include less mechanical activities during dry periods.
“Planting sugar beans in-between rows of maize crop is also a mitigation measure to prevent evaporation while we increase the yield potential of the same field.” Climate expert and University of Zimbabwe lecturer Dr Walter Svinurai said commercial farmers with irrigation systems are not susceptible to mid-season dry spells.
“Farmers with irrigation systems must continue servicing their equipment to ensure that they will be ready to irrigate in the case of a mid-season dry spell,” he said.
“In addition, during the wet spell, they can introduce an inter-row ripper to improve infiltration for more soil-water retention.
“The same operations can be done under small-scale farming using ox-drawn ploughs.”