The Sunday Mail
Theseus Shambare
IT is spring time and the blossoming fresh leaves of Musasa trees form part of nature’s artistic display in Mudzi, Mashonaland East province.
The high-pitched buzz of cicadas — commonly known as Christmas beetles — is also common during the day.
For farmers, this signals a fast-approaching summer cropping season.
As the sun sets, enveloped by soft hues of red and orange, Eurita Verengai rests after a long day in the fields.
The 31-year-old from Masenda Village in Mudzi district is one of many locals braving the scorching heat to prepare the land.
She has been digging holes for the Pfumvudza/Intwasa crop at her four-hectare plot.
“I am going for small grains only, because these are the crops that thrive in our area. I am supported by the Agri4She programme, which is co-ordinated by the Ministry of Lands, Agriculture, Fisheries, Water and Rural Development,” she said.
“Instead of going for the recommended five plots, I am doing seven plots because, from the experience I got from my harvest last season, this is the best method.”
The mother of three produces a variety of small grains, such as cowpeas, groundnuts, sorghum and pearl millet, among others.
Eurita has so far dug at least 6 000 holes and is also gathering mulch from last season’s stalks.
She has created mounds of mulch from leaves shed by trees during winter.
Mudzi is a semi-arid region, which falls under agro-ecological region four.
In its latest seasonal forecast, the Meteorological Services Department (MSD) expects normal to below-normal rains across the country due to the El Niño weather phenomenon, which is expected to affect the region.
The MSD warned there could be severe drought, floods and extreme temperatures.
However, this has not dampened Eurita’s spirit.
The Agri4She programme, which is being spearheaded by First Lady Dr Auxillia Mnangagwa, empowers women through facilitating access to inputs.
The Government is presently on a drive to achieve household and national food security.
It has since adopted the new AMA (Adaptation, Mitigation and Action) initiative, which is premised on climate-smart agricultural practices to counter the effects of climate change.
Input distribution under the Climate-Proofed Presidential Input Scheme (Pfumvudza/Intwasa) has been stepped up.
This year, close to four million smallholder farmers are set to receive free inputs, up from three million in 2022.
Seed distribution is also specific to agro-ecological regions.
Farmers in natural regions one and two are expected to plant three maize plots and two plots of either sunflower, sorghum, pearl millet, groundnuts, African peas or sugar beans.
Those in region three will do three mandatory maize plots and three of the optional crops, while region four and five will do two mandatory sorghum and or millet plots, one mandatory sunflower plot and two plots comprising any of African peas or groundnuts.
Maize seed will only be issued to farmers in irrigation schemes under the Agricultural and Rural Development Authority (Arda)’s management model.
Each household will receive a 10kg pack of maize seed for farmers in regions one and two; a 5kg pack for those in region three; and a 2kg pack of either sorghum or pearl millet seed for those in regions four and five.
In addition, each farmer will receive a 50kg bag of basal fertiliser, top-dressing fertiliser and lime.
Each farmer will also get a free termite control chemical, water-retention enhancer, post-planting herbicide for three plots and a grain protectant for post-harvest grain protection.
Input distribution is expected to be completed this season.
Agricultural Advisory and Rural Development Services chief director Professor Obert Jiri said Pfumvudza/Intwasa is anchored on maximising yield per unit area.
“If Pfumvudza/Intwasa tenets are religiously followed, no household will go hungry,” he said.
“Good agronomic practices that are characterised by conservation agriculture assure maximum yields, as compared to conventional methods.”
Irrigation
Lands, Agriculture, Fisheries, Water and Rural Development Minister Dr Anxious Masuka said the country’s water bodies have sufficient water for irrigation.
“Dams are 82 percent full across the country. Some 70 316 hectares have been committed for irrigated maize production, with a potential of 400 000 — 500 000 tonnes production,” said Dr Masuka.
The Government is currently accelerating rehabilitation of irrigation schemes across the country in order to climate-proof the sector.
Since 2020, the Government has managed to put 203 000 hectares under irrigation.
Overall, authorities plan to put more than 350 000 hectares under irrigation before 2025.
For the 2023/2024 summer cropping season, Government will contribute US$642,3 million, while the Bankers Association of Zimbabwe will chip in with $68 billion and US$160 million.
The National Enhanced Agricultural Productivity Scheme (former Command Agriculture), which is targeting A2 farmers, will be administered by CBZ, AFC and NMB.
Further, under the recently introduced framework, off-takers of agricultural produce will have to finance 40 percent of their annual requirements through supporting farmers.
“All private sector off-takers of agricultural commodities such as maize, soya bean and others are compelled to produce at least 40 percent of their respective annual requirements locally by supporting local farmers through models and frameworks such as contract farming, joint ventures and corporate farming,” said Lands, Agriculture, Fisheries, Water and Rural Development Permanent Secretary Dr John Basera.
“We are happy that the private players are coming to the fore to support the agenda, and we are assured that production will be above target despite the El Niño.”
Oil seed production has also been prioritised through a US$25,5 million grant from the African Development Bank (AfDB) to support small- and large-scale farmers of sunflower and soya bean.
Livestock
In addition, El Niño is likely to pose a threat to the national herd through diseases and shortage of pastures.
Directory of Veterinary Services (DVS) chief director Dr Josphat Nyika said soil-borne and pass-on diseases might increase.
“Anthrax, blackleg, botulism and hardware cases are likely to rise. However, our stocks of vaccines are equal to the task.
“We are also purchasing more to ensure we can sail through to the next season,” said Dr Nyika.
To date, at least 12 million doses of vaccines have been stocked.
