adminIn an interview on Tuesday, Matabeleland North provincial agronomist, Mr Davison Masendeke, said lack of resources was making it difficult for extension officers to impart advice to farmers in different wards countrywide.
He also said it was difficult for extension officers to execute their in-house service training due to resource constraints.
“We are experiencing a shortage of Agritex officers and funds to travel in each region to hold educational workshops for farmers. The government is not employing extension officers at the moment resulting in each ward having a maximum of one officer,” said Mr Masendeke.
He added that most farmers in Zimbabwe were still relying on traditional ways of farming due to lack of education on how to adjust to new ways of farming in response to climatic changes.
Mr Masendeke said most farmers have lost their crops to leaching due to incessant rains falling across the country due to the improper use of fertiliser.
He said farmers need to be educated on when to plant and apply their fertilisers.
Mr Masendeke underscored the need for farmers to seek expert advice from their nearest agricultural extension officers in order to be abreast with the changes in weather patterns as well and the appropriate farming techniques.
“We urge farmers to listen to farming update programmes on radio and read newspapers and farming journals to be educated since we have adapted to their usage for effective communication,” he said.
Mr Masendeke urged farmers to respond to the needs of their soil quality and be sensitive to climate demands saying that there is need for farmers to be educated on being flexible to practicing agriculture diversification.
He reiterated that farmers should get adequate knowledge because some farmers fear making decisions on which type of crops to consider especially for commercial purposes since they are convinced that their environments are not favourable to certain crops.
Online Reporter