Drought-proofed agric key to food security
Where drought and flooding occur, people migrate and economic activity is hugely compromised. All these are grave ramifications that necessitate the deployment of ecologically-sound practices and drought proofing measures.
AGRICULTURE has not disappointed as the economy’s mainstay, with the sector generally performing beyond expectations, while programmes such as Pfumvudza, the Climte-Proofed Presidential Input Scheme, have achieved much in the last few years to contribute at least 33 percent of the country’s national maize output.
This rosy picture has been tainted in times of drought and this has been at uncomfortable intervals over the past few decades.
The effects of climate change have been deleterious and sometimes it strikes too harshly and too close to home.
The entire globe is seized with the issues of climate change which has manifested in many ways in the different regions of planet earth.
Therefore, news at the weekend that southern Africa will receive normal to above normal rains bring relief.
Experts at the 26th Southern African Regional Climate Outlook Forum shared the positive news that the impending summer cropping season will be lucrative to the stomach and the pocket.
However, expected flooding in some parts needs contingency planning.
The forum’s theme was instructive; “Early Warning and Early Action: SADC Region Preparedness Towards Aa ‘Ready-Set-Go”.
The region needs to do its utmost to fight climate change.
In fact, it is critical that Zimbabwe and the entire globe implement strategies that offset or at least ameliorate the effects of climate change which has evidently spawned multiple challenges globally, with the effects being more pronounced in Africa. Zimbabwe is no exception. Climate change precipitates, among other challenges, flooding, rapid and more intense droughts and heat waves.
To put this into perspective, Africa already has one in three people facing water scarcity challenges daily.
Closer home, we have witnessed, first hand, the increasing frequency of drought as occurred last season.
Previously, droughts used to occur once every 10 years, but now it is once every three years.
This is an astonishing variation by any standard!
Zimbabwe is primarily an agro-based economy as it has always been since time immemorial.
The majority of our populace is wholly dependent on it for sustenance and livelihood.
It sustains practically millions of people directly and millions others indirectly.
It literally affects everyone as it is the source of food. Food security is of overriding importance.
It is thus of critical importance to adopt sustainable and robust strategies, mechanisms, policies and practices which cushion this sector from the formidable changes spawned by climate change.
We have to assume urgency.
There is thus a need to mainstream climate change in developmental planning and budgetary processes.
Raising awareness is key, as is promoting collaborative and coherent efforts to mitigate and build resilience.
Adaptive capacities need to be escalated and commensurate resources deployed to counter the effects of drought.
Strategies adopted need to be proactively driven,monitored and evaluated.
Already, Zimbabwe has covered some ground in this regard but more needs to be done.
Emphasis on dam construction and irrigation schemes is laudable while emphasis on drought-resistant crops such as small grains created the needed buffer against climate change.
It is quite apparent that the previous practice of being dependent on rains entirely is suicidal.
The Government has indeed shown a keenness in mitigating the effects of climate change through initiatives such as the climate-proofed presidential input scheme and the accelerated irrigation rehabilitation and development plan.
It is critical that all stakeholders come to the party and all efforts are aligned.
Upon his appointment as the new minister of Agriculture, Dr Anxious Masuka noted that agriculture would create one million fresh jobs.
This was not just arbitrary talk and the agriculture and food systems transformation strategy 2020-2025 makes it attainable.
Clearly one risk factor is drought, thus underlining the need to manage it.
To further buttress the point, the last few years have been the hottest ever recorded, rains which typically started around mid-tolate October, are now starting noticeably later.
Floods have recently affected Beitbridge, Mashonaland Central, Midlands and the Eastern Highlands.
Floods entail destruction of infrastructure, retardation of economic activity and resulting food insecurity.
All these are a clear and present danger. There are a myriad of examples on the continent as well.
In 2021, Madagascar experienced the worst drought in 40 years.
In Kenya, Somalia and Ethiopia, drought is destroying crops and livestock.
In Angola, frequent droughts have led to thousands of people seeking refuge in neighbouring Namibia.
Communities lose their homes, employment and engagements as well as their health.
Furthermore, where drought and flooding occur, people migrate and economic activity is hugely compromised.
All these are grave ramifications and necessitate the deployment of ecologically-sound practices and drought proofing measures.
When governments and the private sector deploy financial resources towards up-scaling irrigation systems, they are drought proofing as well.
Ecologically friendly practices that ensure we do not cut trees but encourage tree planting, the use of fire-guards, preventing soil erosion, water pollution, among other strategies, should be adopted.
Furthermore, ecologically friendly practices through the use of clean energy such as solar and wind which reduce carbon emissions can only bode well for this country and the rest of the continent.
As we accelerate drought proofing, we will reduce such dire consequences of drought.
Resilience is a trademark of ours. We have always risen above tides.
Our economy is remarkably on a growth path. We exhibit this again at the Harare Agricultural Show that begins tomorrow. It always has a motley of visitors and exhibitors.
Indeed it conjures fond memories of childhood, even for those who are now parents themselves.
Who can ever forget the candy floss, fireworks, Luna park, year in and year out, the agriculture show was the undoubted highlight of the
August holidays. Parents could not possibly plead lack of money.
The home would become uninhabitable, sulking would be the order of the day.
It is that popular with kids. It is equally so with farmers and many other allied professionals. It elicits interest too regionally, and
internationally
The show is critical in more ways than the candy floss.
l Agricultural processes are disseminated, information sharing.
l Technological advancements and networks are formed and relationships forged. Export opportunities are explored and at times consolidated.
l The show rebounded last year after a Covid-19-induced break.
In God I Trust!