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Callie-Lou Kakwere Herald Reporter
Farmers in drought-prone districts should grow small grain crops to enhance household food security, a farmers’ union official has said.
Zimbabwe Farmers Union second vice president Mr Berean Mukwende said it was important for farmers in semi-arid regions to grow small grains such as millet, sorghum and rapoko to improve food availability in their areas.
“Farmers in Region III must take heed of the 2013/14 rainfall forecast and grow drought-resistant crops and short season varieties,” he said.
“Small grain crops are drought resistant and they can get better yields given the poor rains that have been forecast.” He also urged farmers in drought-prone districts to adopt conservation agriculture to enable them to cope with drought conditions.
“We are beginning to experience drier weather patterns and unless there is irrigation, those in Region III should grow drought-resistant crops and short season varieties,” Mr Mukwende said.
The Meteorological Services Department forecast normal to below normal rainfall for the 2013/14 farming season. Good rains are expected over Region I and II, but for Region III a bit of dryness is expected starting from February into the end of the season.
Region III covers Masvingo, southern parts of Manicaland and Midlands as well as most parts of Matabeleland. Successive droughts in these areas had resulted in decreased maize productivity among communal farms.
This has given rise to the need to find alternative food crops which may be suitable for these areas. Agricultural experts say sorghum, millet and rapoko have the potential to end chronic food insecurity in these drought-prone districts.
They said the crops were noted for their good adaptation to hard environments and good yields. The crops also require little input during growth and with a rising population and dwindling water supplies, they represent important crops for future human survival.
Online Reporter