The ManicaPost
THE forecast for the 2022/2023 summer cropping season has been made and points to a normal to above normal rainfall season.
Farmers in Manicaland are either planting or intensifying their land preparations.
Since a greater percentage of our farming in the province is rain-fed, we should be cautious on the impact of rainfall distribution.
Timing of planting is crucial because planting too early may lead to crop failure as critical growth stages may coincide with extended mid-season dry spells that have become a frequent occurrence.
On the other hand, planting too late may reduce the growing season.
Farmers need to remember that forecasts are only forecasts and the season can still go either way.
With Pfumvudza’s being on ensuring household food and nutrition security first before thinking about the market, all farmers need to have vibrant Pfumvudza plots to rely on should the season go otherwise.
At least there would be some food on the table.
The farmers can have bigger plots for the market.
Government has done its part by ensuring that the Pfumvudza inputs are delivered and distributed ahead of the rains.
In Manicaland, farmers in all districts are getting a full basket of their allocations so that they can focus on production.
Already in some areas, planting has started, while in some land preparations are ongoing.
Farmers must remember that under Pfumvudza, the digging of the planting basins, mulching and clearing of weeds are part of a holistic and integrated process.
They should know that every part of the process is as important as the next one, and this means if a farmer cuts corners on just one of them, then all of them will fail.
This is why Pfumvudza is a precision agriculture model.
This means that the planting basins must be dug on time, fertiliser and other chemicals must be applied on time, while mulching must be done on time.
We sincerely hope all this has already been done, including soil reconditioning.
Pfumvudza is also supposed to alleviate draught power challenges faced by farmers who lost their cattle to January Disease.
Surely, no farmer or region is being left behind.
Extension officers should put their hands on the deck and work closely with farmers to ensure a successful season.
Due diligence should involve physical farm visits and crop inspections on farms.
They should also look at what sort of experience the farmer has; the less experience a farmer has, the more they should work with the farmer.
Security at the farm is also critical to ensure that the produce is safe from wild animals and thieving humans.
Crops with high market value — like maize, coffee, tobacco, sunflowers, soya beans — can bring especially large increases to farmers’ incomes.
When farmers improve the quality and yields of these high-value crops, the impact is huge.
Surpluses produced can be sold commercially, thereby promoting value-added activities and supporting a variety of businesses along the supply chain.
This extra value not only supports farmers and their households, but also creates jobs, wealth, and economic growth along the supply chain until the products reach the end consumers, whether they live next door to the farmer or on the other side of the country.
