Thupeyo Muleya
Beitbridge Bureau
Matabeleland South Provincial Affairs and Devolution Minister Albert Nguluvhe has urged farmers in the province to turn early warnings into early action ahead of anticipated El Niño conditions.
Officiating at the provincial Intwasa/Pfumvudza launch in Ward 2, Fula area in Beitbridge on Monday, Minister Nguluvhe said the Government was not panicking but preparing farmers to avert disasters through climate-smart agriculture.
He said Beitbridge was chosen for the launch because it is one of the province’s rising business hubs and a strategic corridor linking Zimbabwe to South Africa and the region.
“Conscious of this strategic advantage, we meet at a critical time when the anticipated El Niño conditions present risks of below-normal rainfall, higher temperatures and prolonged dry spells,” said Minister Nguluvhe.
“Despite this, as Government, we urge you not to panic, but to prepare early and act early.”
Minister Nguluvhe said a seasonal forecast is an early warning and decision-making tool and urged farmers to access reliable climate information from the Meteorological Services Department through Agritex, while also preserving indigenous knowledge.
He said the success of Intwasa/Pfumvudza is anchored on four principles – minimum soil disturbance, maximum soil cover, crop rotation and timeliness of operations – which are essential for conserving soil moisture and spreading production risks.
He urged farmers to prepare their land early, plant when there is adequate moisture, and grow the right crops in the right places.
“Here in Matabeleland South, traditional grains are key drought-tolerant crops worth producing, and these provide superfoods for nutritious diets. I urge our farmers to prioritise sorghum, pearl millet and finger millet,” he said.
He said the Government’s value addition drive was attracting investors seeking to process small grains into various products, including instant porridge, hence the need for increased production.
On livestock, Minister Nguluvhe said preparedness must remain a priority.
He urged farmers to conserve hay, prepare silage, store crop residues, maintain water points and embrace market-oriented production.
“I urge farmers to take advantage of auction sales happening across the province, cull non-productive stock and reinvest in the livestock sector. Fodder production should be given the highest priority,” he said.
“Let us translate early warnings into early action and agricultural knowledge into increased productivity.
“To assist us, we have at our disposal the Agricultural Business Advisory and Extension Service, researchers, input suppliers, traditional leaders and development partners, and I urge us to continue working together harmoniously.”
Matabeleland South Provincial Agriculture Director, Ms Shupikai Sibanda, said the province is targeting between 170 000 and 190 000 households under the Presidential programme this season.
She said each household will receive 5kg sorghum, 16kg Compound D fertiliser, 16kg AN fertiliser, 1 litre liquid lime, 500ml Atrazine herbicide and 200ml Cipronil pesticide. In Beitbridge, 18 000 households are set to benefit.
Ms Sibanda said the programme was launched nationally on October 9 and is meant to address food insecurity at household level, especially in rural areas.
She encouraged farmers to work closely with extension workers and said an exchange programme will be organised for those willing to grow maize.
Beitbridge West Member of Parliament, Cde Thusani Ndou, who witnessed the launch, applauded President Mnangagwa for supporting ordinary farmers, saying the programme will help communities boost food security at household level.
Host farmer, Mr Edinal Nare of Fula Village 2 in Beitbridge East, thanked the Government for the initiative and called on more farmers to take up the programme and make good use of the inputs.
