Farmers urged to invest in grass

Tawanda Mangoma in CHIREDZI
FARMERS in Chiredzi and Mwenezi districts in Masvingo province have been urged to grow grass and trees and safeguard their animals from droughts. The two districts are among the most arid in the province.

Farmers lose their cattle when rains fail. Zimbabwe Farmers’ Union Masvingo provincial manager Mr Jeremiah Chimwanda last week challenged farmers to invest in grass and trees.

“Most of our communities are succumbing to climate change and this has seen the rise in land degradation, overgrazing, unnecessary cutting of tress, veld fires and among other ills,” he said.

Mr Chimwanda urged the Forestry Commission and the Environmental Management Agency to avail tree and grass species to communities in dry areas.

“Serious farmers must be very much aware that the rainfall patterns are changing and this has a direct effect on our communal farmers,” he said. “Climate change is real and most farmers must now be prepared to fight it.”