Vusumuzi Dube
Theseus Shambare recently in MANGWE
IN the heart of Mangwe district, Matabeleland South province, lies Madabe Village and a community grappling with the harsh realities of last season’s El Niño-induced drought.
Ms Sipho Moyo, a 62-year-old matriarch, has borne the brunt of this climatic upheaval.
“The drought was merciless,” she lamented.
“I lost my entire head of cattle to hunger deaths; and small grains, which usually thrive in our area, wilted.”
Her husband, Mr Mkhumbulo Mpofu (69), had never been employed and their lives have revolved around small grain production, as well as their livestock, which constantly ranged between 40 and 50 beasts.
For generations, in times like these, villagers relied on mopane worms, a staple food in this arid region. However, even this lifeline was affected, as drought took its toll.
“It’s like the mopane worms have vanished along with the rains,” Ms Moyo added.
But there is hope on the horizon, as the Meteorological Services Department expects better rains for the 2024/2025 agricultural season.
Ms Moyo and her husband have been preparing the land and digging holes for the Pfumvudza/Intwasa crop.
“We are focusing on small grains, as they thrive in our arid conditions,” Ms Moyo explained.
“The Government’s Pfumvudza/Intwasa programme will provide a lifeline for us this season.”
She has since dug over 5 000 holes.
The absence of mopane worms has meant more mulch from leaves shed by the mopane trees.
Relentless drive to food security
To complement these individual efforts, the Government has launched a comprehensive drive to ensure that all regions capitalise on the envisaged good rains.
Seed distribution is carefully tailored to suit specific agro-ecological regions. The Government’s Pfumvudza package includes a herbicide kit for three plots and a fall armyworm control kit.
Farmers in natural regions 1 and 2 are expected to plant three maize plots and two plots of sunflower, sorghum, pearl millet, groundnuts, African peas or sugar beans.
In region 3, farmers will cultivate three mandatory maize plots and three plots of optional crops. Regions 4 and 5 will focus on two mandatory sorghum or millet plots, one mandatory sunflower plot and two plots of either African peas or groundnuts.
Maize seed will only be distributed to farmers in irrigation schemes managed by the Agricultural and Rural Development Authority.
Each household will receive a 10kg pack of maize seed in regions 1 and 2, a 5kg pack in region 3 and a 2kg pack of either sorghum or pearl millet seed in regions 4 and 5.
In addition to seed, each farmer will receive a 50kg bag of basal fertiliser, top-dressing fertiliser and lime. For pest and weed control, they will also receive a free termite control chemical, water-retention enhancer, post-planting herbicide for three plots and a grain protectant for post-harvest grain protection.
Input distribution is expected to be completed before the onset of the rainy season, ensuring that farmers have the necessary resources to maximise yields.
Permanent Secretary in the Ministry of Lands, Agriculture, Fisheries, Water and Rural Development Professor Obert Jiri said the Government has a solid plan to make the most of the good rains.
“We have initiated several programmes to enhance agricultural productivity in the upcoming season. Over 20 000 tonnes of fertiliser and 5 000 tonnes of seed have already been distributed nationwide to Grain Marketing Board depots,” he said.
He urged farmers to prepare their plots and apply mulch before receiving inputs.
“It is crucial to ensure that farmers are ready to receive inputs,” he said.
The Government has implemented several key initiatives to support farmers and ensure a successful agricultural season.
Under the National Enhanced Agricultural Productivity Scheme programming for commercial farmers, three commercial banks — CBZ, NMB and AFC Agro Yield — will ensure farmers access inputs on time.
Superfert fertiliser general manager Mr Sean Durrad told The Sunday Mail that the company was ready to produce enough fertilisers for the Presidential Input Support Scheme and other programmes for the summer cropping season.
“What we can say is that we are ready for the summer cropping season; we have what it takes to meet the demand,” he said.
Prospects for bumper harvest
The Government is optimistic of achieving its production targets and guaranteeing food security.
Over 3,2 million tonnes of maize are expected from 2,5 million hectares (ha).
The Pfumvudza/Intwasa programme is targeting 2,3 million plots.
President Mnangagwa is expected to launch the programme in Buhera, Manicaland province, on October 16, 2024.
At least 1,8 million households will benefit from free inputs.
Acting chief director for the Agriculture and Rural Development Advisory Services Mr Leonard Munamati said, after last season’s El Niño drought, the sector will bounce back this year.
“The programme shall have agro-ecological region specific crop input package targeting 3, 5 million farmers,” he said.
“In natural regions one and two, farmers are required to plant three maize plots.
“They also have the option of growing traditional grains, sugar beans, groundnuts or African peas.
“In region three, farmers must plant two maize plots and one sorghum or pearl millet plot. Optional crops in this region include sunflower, sugar beans, groundnuts and African peas.”
For farmers in regions four and five, the focus is on drought-tolerant crops, with two sorghum or pearl millet plots and one sunflower plot being mandatory.
Groundnuts and African peas are also optional crops in these drier zones. Each farmer in regions one and two will receive 10 kilogrammes of maize seed.
Farmers in region three will be allocated five kilogrammes of maize seed along with two kilogrammes of sorghum or pearl millet seed.
In regions four and five, farmers will receive either five kilogrammes of sorghum seed or two kilogrammes of pearl millet seed.
Additionally, for optional crops, each farmer will receive two kilogrammes of sunflower seed, two kilogrammes of groundnut seed, one kilogramme of African pea seed, and two kilogrammes of sugar bean seed.
To complement the seed distribution, each farmer will get a 50-kilogramme bag of basal dressing fertiliser, a 50-kilogramme bag of top-dressing fertiliser and lime to enhance soil fertility. For pest and weed control, farmers in termite-prone areas will be provided with termite control chemicals, while all farmers will receive chemicals to protect against fall armyworm.
A water retention enhancer and a post-planting herbicide for three plots will also be included in the package.
Department of Water Resources and Irrigation Development chief director Engineer Tinayeshe Mutazu said experiences from the 2023/2024 summer cropping season highlighted the need to enhance irrigation development.
However, the Government has already stepped up efforts to expand irrigation infrastructure by an additional 15 000ha from last season before the start of the 2024/2025 cropping season.
“As we work towards achieving the National Development Strategy 1, an increase in irrigable land is crucial,” said Eng Mutazu.
“From this figure, 90 000 hectares will be specifically allocated to summer irrigation to ensure that there is sufficient water for crops during the critical growing season.”
The area designated for irrigation development amounts to 496 000ha, including the current 219 000ha.
In addition to expanding the area under irrigation, the Government is also modernising the agriculture sector.
Online Reporter