adminFreedom Mutanda
Ever since weather experts predicted a below normal to normal rainy season, agronomists have whined and moaned about irrigation facilities in Zimbabwe having to be upgraded and given a facelift to counter the effects of the weather phenomenon ‘El Nino’, that results in droughts in Southern Africa and floods in other regions of the world.
Zimbabwe, the former bread basket of Africa, lost its revered position due to a plethora of reasons but is working very hard to reclaim that position through various strategies. That is precisely the reason for the inclusion of the food cluster in the ZIM-ASSET document which everyone must unstintingly adhere to if we are to get out of the woods.
Zambia and South Africa that used to supply the Zimbabwean nation with maize are suffering from the effects of El Nino as well and as we brace for a challenging year, it is instructive to take a look at other measures that may ameliorate the drought effects.
We learn from history. Someone said it is difficult to re-invent the wheel. Therefore, as a nation, we have to pull in the same direction and probably we would cross the crocodile infested river.
Some time ago, Masvingo province had winter maize farming at Nuanetsi ranch. Details about the success or failure did not hog the headlines but whatever the case may be, a visit to that noble idea is good for the country.
Manicaland has Middle Sabi where more than 6 000 acres is in the hands of the farmers.
This land may be put to good use seeing that the capacity utilisation of the area is below the required threshold. As a result, the authorities in Manicaland may help the food security cluster by harnessing the water in Save River to irrigate maize.
Osborne dam in Manicaland is the largest water body in the province and it was built precisely to ensure all year irrigation in the province especially for Middle Sabi and Chisumbanje. Osborne dam’s water goes to Odzi and finally to Save when the valves are opened.
Hlahla, an agriculture expert said a concerted effort from the government and interested partners would result in the capacitation of the area in order to lessen the impact of the impending drought.
“Talks of a public-private partnership can make this area a greenbelt if everyone in the equation plays his/her cards right. Osborne Dam in Manicaland was built specifically to boost food production in the province through irrigation both for the smallholder and A2 farmers but sadly, we are failing to utilise it to full capacity,’’ he said.
He is not alone in that assertion as the bulk of the A2 farmers had not been able to use their farms due to one reason or another and it could be a window of opportunity for the farmers if they are used by the government to grow food for the nation.
The Minister of Finance and Economic Planning, Cde Patrick Chinamasa, was spot on when he said fiscal space would be severely hamstrung by the importation of food in 2016 resulting in a large budget deficit. Accordingly, we have to think outside the box to improve the situation on the ground that is perilous to the majority rural folk.
It doesn’t mean the urban area is not affected. More street kids would be in the streets and would you enjoy your pizza when you see a ten year old dying of hunger.
Where does Middle Sabi come in now?
Middle Sabi is fortunate to have clay-loam soil in most areas and maize farming has been practised there for years. Some farmers use ten and more hectares to plant green maize and they seem to be making profits out of it. Nevertheless, they are scared to plant the entire 40 hectare farm citing prohibitive costs.
Granted, at this juncture, we have to import food into the country. However, can’t we have winter maize cropping on the idle land that is in Middle Sabi under a private-public partnership which would reduce our import bills?
Someone may ask about the fate of the farmer. Desperate times call for desperate measures. Our patriotism must transcend narrow parochial ends.
A certain politician once said people must ask about what they can do for their country and not what their country can do for them. It’s a traverse of justice when people’s selfishness are not congruent with the greater good.
Teramai Maposa, a former GMB agronomist, says farmers are supposed to on the farm and learn if there is any need or they should provide what they can towards the maize production.
‘’These farmers want the nation to be fed and they don’t have capacity. Therefore, we need their technical wisdom for the venture to be a success. Actually, the Agritex officers in the ward must be proactive if such a programme comes to Chipangayi,’’ he added.
Patrick Manyurure, a former farm manager concurred and said that he is sure that if there is proper timing in terms of starting the project, it will be a success.
“Maize can be grown throughout the year in Middle Sabi and if it is managed well, it can be a solution to the impending food crisis. It is gratifying to note that the Vice President, Cde Emmerson Munangagwa has put the figure at $1.5 billion for drought relief and the attendant irrigation refurbishments. That alone, shows the seriousness of the government to fight climate change head on. Irrigation is another sure way of doing that,’’ he said.
Hlahla, the agriculture expert said there is need to maximise the yield per hectare if that project sees the light of day.
“8 bags of Compound D and 6 bags of Ammonium Nitrate would have a yield of 7-10 t/ha but in modern agricultural practices, it is recommended to have 12 to 18 bags of Compound D and 10-16 bags of AN per hectare and there would be a spacing of 30 by 90 which would culminate in a yield of 12-20 t/ha. In such a situation high yields come out of putting more fertilizer but the results are good for everyone,’’ he said.
In such a scenario, Middle Sabi will harvest enough to feed the province and send the remainder to feed the nation. Actually, those logistics are for the GMB and not the writer.
A word of caution though is the fact that electricity has to be there for twenty four hours a day so that proper irrigation is undertaken.
Maposa, the former GMB agronomist said that electricity non-availability could be the milestone on the project’s neck because over the years, winter wheat has not achieved any target owing to incessant power cuts.
“Green fuel has a by-product of electricity and that can be harnessed to feed the Middle Sabi belt and by so doing, electricity availability is covered. A six hour cycle on a 5 to 7 day interval would turn around the area if everything is equal,’’ Maposa stated.
Online Reporter