Embrace agro-ecological dictates to mitigate climate change
AGRICULTURE is one economic sector that has been decimated by climate change this year — with rural communities in Manicaland facing food insecurity, water scarcity and loss of livestock.
The effects of climate change are visible across the province, and must be mitigated because agriculture is the main source of livelihood for these rural communities.
Climatic disturbances — extreme temperatures, storms, droughts and floods — are becoming more frequent and severe in Manicaland, with experts pointing to a northern expansion of these high hazard risks.
The swift expansion of such shocks is reducing the extent of suitable production areas and productivity of remaining ones in the province.
According to the Integrated Context Analysis (ICA) for Zimbabwe, the shifting of the climatic hazards to the northern parts of the province has exposed Buhera, Chipinge, parts of Mutare, Makoni, Mutasa and Nyanga to food insecurity, drought and floods.
Rain-fed agriculture is no longer suitable in southern and northern zones, as recurring droughts wipe out crops and cause livestock casualties and clean water sources to dry up.
National University of Science and Technology (NUST) lecturer, Dr Arthur Mavisa said this northward shift was detected between 2014 and 2021, and worsened by illegal settlers who encroached into grazing land, national parks, plantations, riverbanks, wetlands and ignited veld fires which chew pastures, leaving land without vegetative cover and livestock without grazing pastures, resulting in reduced returns to farmers due to poor beef quality, low milk production and poor market prices for the animals.
“We need to cushion Manicaland from the ever increasing threats and vulnerability associated with climate change by mitigating the impact. It is said that an animal that does not evolve or adapt gets extinct, and if we fail to evolve as a province, surely the impact of climate change will devour us,” he said.
Since rain-fed agriculture is practiced by smallholder farmers that account for the larger portion of the planted area in the province, it means a large population is vulnerable as the alternative route of diversification — livestock production —also gets crippled by reduced precipitation and pastures, high temperatures, as well as pests and diseases.
This was not the case decades ago as the northern and southern zones were synonymous with abundant rainfall, fertile soils, good pastures and overflowing water points for livestock. As a result, food insecure households are increasing as their coping ability is aggressively
eroded by climatic disturbances.
Mainly, food security refers to the possibility of ensuring equal access to food for the population. Food security exists when the population, at all times, has physical and economic access to sufficient, safe and nutritious food that meets their dietary needs and preferences for an active and healthy life.
Climate change is therefore the greatest threat to mankind, putting to the fore the need for quick adaptation to ensure resilience of smallholder agriculture.
Adaptation refers to a continuous and evolving process to cope with climatic impacts.
According to the International Fund for Agricultural Development (IFAD), poor rural households are highly exposed to climatic shocks because their livelihoods depend on an increasingly deteriorating natural resource base and on often-volatile climatic conditions. They also have few assets to fall back on and lack risk management strategies.
To improve our communities’ food security, farmers must be compelled to grow traditional grains like sorghum and millet as well as sweet potatoes, which are more tolerant to drought conditions than maize.
All drought-prone areas should be classified as non-maize-producing areas, and farmers should be encouraged to grow traditional grains.
Permanent Secretary in the Ministry of Lands, Agriculture, Water, Fisheries and Rural Development, Professor Obert Jiri said farmers should always respect the dictates of agro-ecological regions to mitigate against the effects of climate change.
“Regardless of any climate variability, a farmer must always respect the dictates of agro-ecological regions and should be advised of the correct crops to grow to ensure food security from the household to the national level.
“Agro-ecological tailoring and matching are key to climate-proofing our agriculture. Planting crops that best suit a specific agro-ecological region ensures a successful yield, while disregarding these recommendations could result in perpetual crop failure,” he said.
Professor Jiri said the Ministry of Lands, Agriculture, Water, Fisheries and Rural Development is committed to enhancing the resilience of our households by promoting the Pfumvudza/ Intwasa Programme and growing of traditional grains. This, he said, must be augmented by a robust irrigation development programme.
“The food systems-climate nexus has been illuminated and mainstreamed into the climate proofed Presidential Input Scheme with an emphasis on agro-ecological tailoring, promoting traditional grains in drier regions, while discouraging maize growing in agro-ecological region four and five.
“Our focus remains on irrigation development as a vital strategy to counter climate change. While this season (2023/2024) posed difficulties, we must climate-proof and develop irrigation at each water body to assure this nation of food security,” he said.
Agriculture expert, Professor Joseph Kamuzhanje said though Manicaland may be hotter and drier — now and in future —farmers can still implement many strategies to mitigate against drought to minimise poverty and hunger.
He said drought is a climatic occurrence that cannot be prevented, but proactive interventions and preparedness can help farmers to be better prepared to deal with its impact at household and community levels.
Professor Kamuzhanje said the Pfumvudza concept, which uses conservation agriculture principles, if done properly can enhance crop yield in times when there is inadequate rainfall.
He said three principles of the conservation agriculture technique — minimal soil disturbance, maintaining soil cover with crop residue or mulch and crop rotation — were key.
“In Pfumvudza, every part of the process is as important as the next one. What this means is that if a farmer cuts corners on just one of them, there are possibilities of failure. The concept works wonders when all steps are followed religiously,” he said.
He said a fundamental problem that has been occurring silently over the years is the erosion of the productive capacity of soils, and with little replenishing — in terms of organic and inorganic fertilisers — the soils become depleted of nutrients necessary for crop production, something that Pfumvudza is correcting.
“Pfumvudza is also part of the precision agriculture model. This means that the planting basins must be dug on time — especially now — with organic fertiliser and lime being applied on time. Mulching must also be done on time covering all the areas. It promotes intensive agriculture with higher yields per square metre,” he said.
Amid the drought, Pfumvudza has proved to be a beacon of hope for household food security after Mrs Shuwiso Chapu, of Chendambuya produced a bumper maize harvest despite the current El Nino-induced drought.
Mrs Chapu’s exploits attracted the attention of many farmers and stakeholders, with a local seed house recently hosting a field day for her.
Mrs Chapu said: “I have managed to produce a good maize crop because I followed all the best practices of climate-proof. I dug my holes on time, put the mulching and planted on time. So every year despite drought, the Pfumvudza concept can produce enough food at every household if done properly.”
Her daughter, Miss Rose Chapu (21) also harvested a tonne of maize regardless of the drought.
Agricultural and Rural Development Authority board chairman, Mr Evan Craig said the Chapus’ exploits are a typical example of how Pfumvudza can be the country’s lasting solution to household food security.
“Imagine if all farmers emulate her, won’t the nation be food secure? We advise all farmers to start preparations for Pfumvudza now. Like demonstrated by this farmer, the climate-proof concept can be successful at every household if they follow the best agronomic practices,” he said.