The Sunday Mail
Online Reporter
MBIRE District in Mashonaland Central has successfully shifted from producing maize to sorghum as part of measures to insulate against climate change.
Marondera University of Agricultural Sciences and Technology (MUAST) is carrying out a two-year research project (October 2019 to September 2022) to evaluate the nutritional and mental health impacts of climate change and health-adaptation actions in Mbire.
The mid-Zambezi Valley area presented an interesting case for this evaluation as it is classified among Southern Africa’s climate change hotspots.
Addressing journalists recently, principal investigator and project leader, Dr Admire Nyamwanza, said local communities have adapted to these climatic and non-climatic stressors in various ways.
“Mbire is shifting from predominantly maize farming in main dryland fields to the drought-tolerant sorghum crop over the years,” he said.
“There is now increased reliance on indigenous knowledge in wild fruits (during crop failure), and to predict rainfall patterns and droughts using unique meteorological, insects and atmospheric indicators.”
University of Zimbabwe senior lecturer and researcher Dr Hatirarami Nezomba added: “Shifting from the maize crop to drought-tolerant crops in main upland fields is the adaptation action, which was mostly associated with highly positive nutritional health outcomes.
“This resulted in improved food availability for the majority of sampled households as well as assisting in raising the levels of consumption of an acceptable nutritional both rich in Vitamin C, carbohydrates and fibre.”
