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Ashton Mutyavaviri
IN a development that speaks volumes of the Agricultural and Rural Development Authority’s (ARDA) serious intentions to achieve its target of 20 000ha of maize, the authority has already planted 2 000ha of the cereal amid intensifying preparations to complete the outstanding hectarage soon.
ARDA chief executive officer Mr Tinotenda Mhiko yesterday hinted that the 20 000ha would be produced under irrigation.
“We seek to tap into the advantages brought by modern agricultural techniques to boost production, drive economic growth and alleviate poverty in rural areas. We aim to reduce dependency on rain-fed agriculture, which is susceptible to climate variations and can lead to crop failures. This, in turn, could positively impact the national economy by saving foreign currency through achieving food self-sufficiency,” he said.
The Government has set a target of 90 000ha of maize that will be produced under irrigation, as part of efforts to cushion citizens from possible food shortages on the backdrop of a possible bad season after weather experts announced the possible return of the El Nino phenomenon this season.
“The intention is to fight the effects of climate change. Irrigation also allows farmers to practice crop diversification thereby making it possible to do all-year-round crop production,” he explained further.
The authority’s ambitious objectives seek to address challenges that rural communities face as they work towards ensuring they achieve stable supplies of maize, the staple crop for the nation.
ARDA’s decision to prioritise irrigation-based agriculture aligns with Government’s broader agricultural development plans and resonates with the National Development Strategy 1 (NDS1), which emphasises the importance of sustainable agriculture, diversification, and increased productivity.
Mr Mhiko’s announcement of their progress comes just after the Meteorological Service Department (MSD) advised farmers on dry land to put on hold any planting activities saying the rains that fell recently did not signal the start of the rainy season.
“Only those farmers with irrigation facilities and those situated in regions that are prone to waterlogging can plant because a dry spell of at least 10 days or so will be coming just after the rains. This increases the possibility of crops being scorched to death by the sun in the course of the dry spell,” MSD principal meteorologist Mr James Ngoma said.
Online Reporter