Make or break – we owe it to ourselves

Denias Zaranyika
Considering the unimodality (one rainfall season) of Zimbabwe’s climate, can we afford shambolic preparations for the summer 2015/16 cropping season? Clearly not!
We have to do it right the first time!
Is it possible for Zimbabwe, the sleeping giant, to regain its status of “breadbasket for the SADC region? Can Zimbabwean agriculture undergo transformation adequate enough to see it again contribute at least 30% of GDP and reinstitute itself as a significant employer of human effort? How can farmers enhance productivity and regional competitiveness across all farming sectors?
In several addresses, President Robert Mugabe has always underscored that agriculture should restore its status as key to the economy.
“The sector contributes 15-18 percent of gross domestic product (GDP), over 40% of national export earnings, and 60% of raw materials to agro-based industries,” he reminded the Zimbabwe Agricultural Show Society in Harare.
“In addition, over 70% of our population derives its livelihood from agriculture with agriculture-related employment comprising a third of the formal labour force.”
With the right attitude, investment and urgency, agriculture value chain partners can enhance productivity and profitability of this critical sector.
Zimbabwe is rooted in farming.
Reputable authorities have corroboratively predicted a normal to below normal rainfall season for countries in the region and therefore it is imperative that we optimally prepare our farmers for the imminent summer cropping season to ensure increased productivity and minimize imports, thereby improving liquidity and cutting down on the current account deficit.
The reality is that South Africa, Zambia and Malawi, the country’s usual suppliers of grain, may not be able to export to Zimbabwe since they might also be affected. Zimbabwean farmers should therefore produce enough to meet local demand and secure export opportunities world-wide.
As a nation, we have all the ingredients required to produce grain volumes that will overwhelm local demand and secure export opportunities.
The phenomenon of climate change is a reality that needs to be acknowledged and mitigated by all value chain partners across sectors. Statistics from the meteorological department confirm that Zimbabwe, lying in a semi-arid region with limited & unreliable rainfall patterns & temperature variations, is undergoing climate change.
The Principal Agricultural Extension Specialist in the ministry of Agriculture, Agritex department, Mr Kennedy Mabehla said Climate change has left farmers, particularly those in the communal lands, confused about what and when to plant given the erratic rainfall patterns characterized by long dry spells. According to Mr Mabehla, extreme weather events like tropical cyclones and droughts have also increased in frequency and intensity.
The unpredictable mean onset and cessation of rains has led farmers in most agro-ecological zones to delay planting. A good example is the recent summer 2014/15 cropping season in which the rains started early but were not evenly distributed, with periods of very heavy, intense rainfall followed by long dry spells.
To mitigate against the risks associated with the first rains farmers are strongly advised to stagger their planting dates with the bulk waiting for the mid November to early December rains which are usually more intense and evenly distributed.
Government and Seed Companies’ extension workers are on standby to advise farmers on crops best suitable to their farming environments and broadly plan their farming activities based on weather forecasts.
Mr Denias Zaranyika is MD for Seed Co Zimbabwe