Ray Bande
Senior Reporter
MANICALAND is targeting to plant at least 380 000 hectares of cereal crops — maize, sorghum and millet — and surpass targeted harvest margins to boost food security for its growing population.
Farmers are being urged to religiously adopt Pfumvudza principles as they stand a chance of a decent harvest, compared to the conventionally planted crop which can be easily affected by the El Nino-induced climatic conditions ravaging the country.
Pfumvudza is being championed by Government to improve productivity in drier regions and smallholder farmers are working around the clock to prepare their plots and gather mulch which is useful in mitigating the challenges with reduced levels of rain.
According to the Ministry of Lands, Agriculture, Fisheries, Water and Rural Development, the ambitious summer season target has been augmented by projections that the SADC region, including Zimbabwe, is likely to receive normal to above normal rainfall during the 2024/25 season.
The rainfall projections have brought hope in the region that was battered by one of the worst El Nino-induced droughts in years last season.
A national forecast for Zimbabwe is expected to be made in the coming few days as the country steps up efforts to prepare for the summer crop.
Statistics on beneficiaries and distribution of Pfumvudza inputs for this season are still being finalised to ensure that farmers get their allocations on time and plant with the early rains.
However, to achieve the target, Manicaland will have to surpass the 200 000 Pfumvudza plots done, and 485 000 beneficiaries given inputs under the Government-initiated programme last season.
Agricultural and Rural Development Advisory Services (ARDAS) provincial director (Manicaland), Mr Nhamo Mudada said they were looking forward to increasing the production and productivity of major cereal crops like maize, sorghum, and millets to above 380 000 hectares.
“Farmers are encouraged to seek advice from the widespread extension officers in their respective areas regarding specific varieties of crops that matches their local climatic conditions. We also expect to increase production of crops like soya bean and groundnuts, among other crops. Tobacco, sunflower and sweet potatoes are other important crops that are grown in our province, and we also hope to increase their production levels.
“We also encourage the acceleration of the development of livestock drought mitigation centres in all our wards to mitigate against the 2023/24 El Nino-induced drought as we wait for the good season ahead. With food security everywhere, every day, we will remain the best nation to live in,” he said.
Mr Mudada said their plan was based on the desire to increase production and productivity of cereal crops, horticulture, fisheries and livestock.
“For cereals, our target as a province is to make sure that we exceed 100 percent of any given targeted hectarage. In order to achieve this, our extension system is already working tireless to mobilise farmers to prepare for the season ahead.
“As indicated before, the 2024/2025 summer season plan is based on the need to increase production and productivity of crops, horticulture, fisheries and livestock, which is exactly what we are doing as a province,” he said.
Mr Mudada said measures to mitigate possible extreme weather conditions were already in place.
“The plan, which is anchored on climate-proofed interventions at both household and national levels to produce surplus food and feed, while making progress towards production of sufficient oils. We are implementing all measures to guard against weather extremes, making sure that we excel in whatever we do. If there is too much rainfall, we implement measures to counter waterlogging. If there is less rain, we implement measures to conserve moisture.
“Pest management plans are in order as clearly shown by the preparedness on the control of migratory pests by the department during the winter season. Measures such as split application of top dressing fertiliser, complete covering of planting basins with soil, removal of mulch in the event of prolonged wet spells, repair of water conservation works like contour ridges, ploughing across slope and are used in moisture management systems,” he said.
ARDAS provincial director (Manicaland), Mr Nhamo Mudada
The Ministry of Lands, Agriculture, Fisheries, Water and Rural Development is geared to enhance food security at household level.
“Food security and nutrition are very important, and as a ministry, we provide advisory on all aspects of crop and livestock production and productivity.
“This includes good agronomic practices such as tillage systems, water management practices, plant populations, pest management systems and good animal husbandry. With the Rural Development 8.0 policies such as the Presidential Climate-Proofed Input Scheme, for sustainable intensive conservation agriculture scheme (Pfumvudza) to climate-proof production and increase productivity of crops to ensure household food self-sufficiency and increased household income in place, the ministry has prepared enough to make sure that we surpass our crop area and productivity targets for the 2024/25 season,” he said.
Mr Mudada said a call has been to farmers to increase hectarage for all crops to ensure that they produce enough produce for both consumption and sale.
“We are encouraging our farmers to increase the hectarage for all crops. Remember that agriculture is a business, after producing enough for their household consumption, the surplus should generate income for their enhanced livelihoods, thus enhancing opportunities for accelerated rural development and rural growth.
“The business units being installed in all wards are a model for accelerated industrialisation. We thank our principals for these good plans and objectives,” he said.
Regional weather experts said there were good chances of normal to below normal conditions during the October to December period for south-western Zambia, Zimbabwe, Botswana and north-east South Africa, while below normal rainfall is expected to expand to cover northern DRC and northern Tanzania by the December to February period.
A statement released recently at the end of the 29th Annual Southern Africa Climate Outlook Forum (SARCOF) forecasts that the bulk of the SADC region is likely to receive normal to above normal rainfall in October to December (OND) 2024 period.
The regional forecast tallies with the World Meteorological Organisation and other global weather bureaus that earlier forecast that a La Nina weather event was forming in the Pacific Ocean, something that could increase chances of wetter conditions in Zimbabwe and other countries in Southern Africa during the 2024/25 cropping season.
La Ninas are normally associated with wet conditions for Zimbabwe and the entire Southern Africa sub-continent, but a local weather expert cautioned that they sometimes don’t result in widespread rain.
Climate experts further stated that La Nina events are also associated with heightened risk of cyclones — tropical storms which bring winds, heavy rains, damage and destruction to countries such as Zimbabwe, Mozambique, Malawi, Madagascar, Mauritius and others in the region.
Vast swathes of the region, including Zimbabwe, Angola, Botswana, the Democratic Republic of Congo, Mozambique and Namibia, are currently grappling with a prolonged dry spell due to the El Nino phenomenon experienced last season.
The El Nino weather pattern has affected agricultural production and other key sectors like tourism, industry and energy production.
Due to the weather phenomenon, Zimbabwe, Zambia and Malawi have all launched appeals for food aid to support millions of food insecure people.
“The outlook is broadly consistent with the forecasts generated with the multi-model ensemble of international dynamical climate forecast models presented by the World Meteorological Organisation.
“In summary, increased probability of normal to above normal conditions is forecast consistently across the October to March 2024/25 period for the central part of SADC region (Zambia, Botswana, Zimbabwe and central Mozambique) as well as small island states of Mauritius,” reads the SARCOF statement.
