Chronicle Editor
Judith Phiri, Business Reporter
THE Government has intensified its irrigation rehabilitation drive while promoting drought tolerant crops as part of initiatives of ensuring national food security in the face of the forecasted El Nino weather patterns for the 2023/24 agricultural season.
Some of the initiatives adopted by the Ministry of Lands, Agriculture, Fisheries, Water and Rural Development include efficient water utilisation and early warning information and drought monitoring.
The ministry is also closely monitoring livestock production, water harvesting and water conservation as well as strategic grain reserves and post-harvest management.
In a preliminary analysis of the El Niño phenomenon: 2023/24 agricultural season report, the Ministry’s Directorate of Agricultural and Rural Development Advisory Services (Ardas) said it was important to note that El Nino does not mean drought, but the Government and farmers should prepare accordingly not to reverse the gains achieved.
“There is no need to panic but to prepare accordingly. It is vital to get information and advice to farmers about the implications of the dry season and how to prepare, including what drought and heat-stress-tolerant varieties to plant and how to protect against fire adequately,” read part of the report.
“To safeguard farmers from the impending El Nino that has been forecasted, various activities should be considered in short to medium term. To combat drought’s short and long-term effects, the ministry created a Drought Risk Management Strategy and Action Plan (2017–2025) in 2016. The Drought Mitigation Strategy intends to offer a framework for implementing appropriate mitigation measures to improve drought readiness.”
Ardas said on promotion of drought-tolerant crops, the ministry will promote seed fairs to enhance the local exchange of seed among farmers and promote community-level drought-tolerant seed production.
“It will also facilitate marketing of small grains through the Grain Marketing Board (GMB) and industry to encourage production even in areas where preference for maize is dominant, among others.
“Strategies include distribution of inputs in line with agro-ecological matching, intensify and mainstream climate-smart technologies such as Pfumvudza/Intwasa/CA and take stock of all available seeds with seed houses,” added the report.
It said on irrigation development and efficient water utilisation, the frequent and periodic droughts reduce surface water and groundwater availability, increasing water demand, especially for agricultural production.
Ardas said water availability predominantly affects agricultural production and there was a need for efficient water utilisation mechanisms and water conservation methods that use the catchment approach.
On early warning information and drought monitoring, the ministry has come up with strategies that include timely dissemination of meteorological predictions (seasonal forecasts, ten-day, three-day weather bulletins) through print and electronic media.
As well as mainstreaming weather information into agricultural extension support through bulletins to guide preparedness efforts and farmer training on climate-smart agricultural technologies that enhance coping capacities of the farmers.
“The ministry is also strengthening communication and data analysis technologies for outreach of early warning information, while promoting uptake of weather index-based insurance products for both crops and livestock,” added Ardas.
It said on livestock production, the Ministry is promoting hay baling through the provision and maintenance of appropriate equipment, rehabilitating (boreholes) and creating water points and reservoirs, while also training farmers on animal production and marketing.
On strategies, it is supporting community-level fodder production through the provision of seeds and providing supplementary feeding and mineral feed for cattle.
“The likelihood of an El Niño season has the potential impact of reduced rainfall, which in turn directly impacts the productivity of rangeland on which livestock thrive. Poor rangeland conditions can directly affect the animal’s condition and survival.”
El Niño is a recurrent weather phenomenon that occurs approximately every two to seven years and usually lasts between 12 and 18 months.
An El Niño event is defined by a high Oceanic Niño Index (ONI) based on Sea Surface Temperature (SST) departures from the average in a central equatorial Pacific region.
It usually affects the primary growing season across Southern Africa by causing widespread drier-than-average conditions and lower vegetation growth.
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