Farmers rise above El Niño threat

Theseus Shambare

WHEN weather experts forecasted that the 2023/2024 summer cropping season would be affected by the El Niño phenomenon, which is normally associated with prolonged dry spells, farmers were naturally anxious.

About 80 percent of local farmers rely on rain-fed agriculture. However, with the cropping season presently at halfway stage, Zimbabwe’s agriculture appears to have risen above the El Niño threat.

Latest updates indicate that the weather phenomenon has reached its peak and is now fizzling out, which means it will not be as severe as initially projected.

In addition, measures taken by the Government to climate-proof the agriculture sector through conservation farming methods — including Pfumvudza/Intwasa — might mean a decent harvest.

To counter the El Niño threat and ensure food security, the Government also initiated the broad-based AMA (Adaptation, Mitigation and Action) concept.

Mrs Elizabeth Mpofu of Shashe village in Masvingo currently has a thriving 12-hectare plot. She has fully embraced the AMA concept by employing agro-ecology, which involves adoption of traditional grains and use of sustainable farming methods that increase yields while reducing environmental damage.

“Because we received the rains later than our normal seasons, I planted finger millet, sorghum and pearl millet. I am expecting to harvest enough for my consumption and for sale, with approximately two to three tonnes from each crop,” said the 65-year-old.

“I also planted Bambara nuts, cowpeas, groundnuts and sunflowers.”

Despite Shashe village being in an arid area under ecological region four, Mrs Mpofu’s plot is like an oasis in the desert after the Government facilitated construction of small dams and weirs that are bringing life to her crops.

Most farmers around the country are equally bullish.

Through the Government’s accelerated irrigation rehabilitation drive, at least 71 000 hectares (ha) have been put under maize to meet national requirements.

The Pfumvudza/Intwasa scheme also attracted about four million smallholder farmers, who managed to prepare close to 12 million plots, up from 5,5 million in the previous season.

Further, Presidential inputs were distributed based on agro-ecological regions, with emphasis on planting traditional grains, which are drought-tolerant, require relatively low fertilisers and have high yields.

Farmers had planted 744 588ha of traditional grains by January 29.

Owing to the sun break in the past couple of weeks, farmers have been busy weeding and scouting for pests.

Agricultural Advisory and Rural Development Services (AARDS) acting chief director Mr Leonard Munamati urged farmers to shift their focus to good agronomic practices for better yields.

“Now that the planting window for our major crops like maize is closed, farmers must accelerate weeding, pest control and other good agronomic practices as they utilise the sun break,” he said.

“Those who are in the Lowveld, provided they have irrigation, may continue planting. We say this because heat units and photo light are key to plant yields, and currently, our day is gradually becoming shorter, meaning yields will also decline, mostly in maize and soya bean crops.”

AARDS provincial director for Manicaland Mrs Philipa Rwambiwa said farmers in the province are being urged to tend their fields.

“While rains are good for our crops, weeds have taken that wet spell to compete with the crops.

“However, with the support of our extension workers, farmers are now destroying weeds both mechanically and chemically. The crop is promising and in good condition,” she said.

In Matabeleland North province, Mr Dumisani Nyoni, the provincial AARDS director, said the condition of both livestock and crops is pleasing.

“Despite the fears that we had prior to the onset of the rains, the season seems to be turning out better. Significant improvement is being noted both in the livestock and crop situations,” he said.

Challenges, however, still remain, as reports of the destructive African armyworm have been made in four provinces, prompting the Government to spring into action and distribute free chemicals to hundreds of households in response.

The Department of Migratory Pests Control acting director, Mr Shingirai Nyamutukwa, said around 192ha of maize, 69ha of sorghum and 32ha of pastures have been affected.

Given the lethal nature of the pest, farmers have been urged to scout their fields daily.

“With the rains having subsided, we expect more cases to be reported, but as the Government, we are alive to that and we will continue assisting our farmers,” said Mr Nyamutukwa.

Also, the Tobacco Industry and Marketing Board (TIMB) is carrying out a crop assessment exercise, with initial indications that over 50 percent of the irrigated crop has been harvested and is now ready for sale.

The dryland crop is still in various vegetative stages.

Although the number of growers dropped to 113 161 from 147 867 in the past season, TIMB is encouraging farmers to target producing good-quality leaf.

“To ensure a good harvest, growers are encouraged to apply fertilisers correctly and undertake weed, disease, pest and sucker control.

“They must ensure they have good, functional and efficient curing facilities and safeguard proper handling of cured leaves to avoid losses,” said TIMB spokesperson Mrs Chelesani Moyo-Tsarwe.