Increased uptake of smart farming interventions
FARMERS have adopted improved climate smart agricultural interventions that are enhancing resilience at the farmer level, given the adverse effects of climate change and variability.
Changes in climate have resulted in more arid environments for agricultural production, which has shifted Zimbabwe’s five main agro-ecological zones with rainfall patterns and crop production progressively deteriorating from Region one to five.
In an interview, Zimbabwe Agricultural Knowledge and Innovation Services (Zakis) head of project, Mr Kumbirai Nhongo revealed that a recent survey indicated that there was improved adoption rates for climate smart agricultural interventions. He said there was an increase in crop diversification, with farmers embracing the adoption of various drought-tolerant crops, particularly traditional grains.
“A recent outcomes survey conducted by the Zakis project shows that farmers are adopting practices and technologies being promoted at Agricultural Centres of Excellence (ACEs) and District Centres of Excellence (DACEs). Aspects being adopted by farmers include fodder production for livestock, breed smart technologies such as artificial insemination and improved livestock management practices. Survey findings indicate improved adoption rates for climate smart agricultural interventions such as conservation agriculture and in-field water harvesting,” said Mr Nhongo.
He said the adoption of such practices was key in enhancing resilience at the farmer level, given the adverse effects of climate change and variability.
“We have two national ACEs which were established at Chibero Agricultural College and Matopos Research Institute, while the four DACEs were set up in Matobo, Insiza, Mhondoro-Ngezi and Chegutu. As a project, we are of the view that ACEs and DACEs, together with their ancillary components of Ward Information Centres, can be replicated countrywide,” added Mr Nhongo.
He said the concept could be scaled-up in existing and new agricultural institutions, to promote the continued integration of agricultural research, education and extension.
“ACEs and DACEs have become places where agricultural research, education and extension integrate together with private sector partnerships, designed to empower farmers. Some of the activities being undertaken include promotion of Pfumvudza/Intwasa, private sector demonstrations and trials among others.”
He said among other key activities were demonstration of various climate smart agricultural practices such as fodder production, rainwater harvesting, fall-army worm management and artificial insemination among others.
“Each site is also running agro-business projects as part of their respective sustainability strategies in areas such as poultry, fish, crop, and horticultural production. Evidently, ACEs and DACEs are contributing to various national development programmes among them Vision 2023, National Development Strategy (NDS1) and the Agriculture and Food Systems Transformation Strategy,” he added.
Mr Nhongo said various infrastructural investments have been made to enable each site of the ACEs and DACEs to conduct research trials, showcase demonstrations and conduct business projects in areas such as horticulture or fish production.
He said at Zakis they had invested in infrastructure that include perimeter fencing for each site, covering at least five hectares, installed solarised boreholes with two 10 000-litre tanks among drip irrigation infrastructure covering at least one hectare per site among others.
He said added to this, at Matopos Research Institute, the livestock nutrition laboratory has been modernised which will see farmers within Matabeleland getting their stock feed nutrition levels analysed closer to their farmers than going to Harare.
Zakis is part of a larger EU-funded Zimbabwe Agricultural Growth Programme (ZAGP) and the Euro 40-million initiative seeks to boost beef, dairy, pig, goat and poultry production.