Optimism as Intwasa crop thrives in dry spell

AN elderly couple from Tsholotsho district in Matabeleland North who embraced the Pfumvudza/Intwasa concept and planted 26 plots of maize is optimistic of a good harvest as their crop is flourishing despite the prolonged dry spell.

Intwasa is a concept aimed at climate-proofing agriculture by adopting conservation farming techniques and involves the utilisation of small pieces of land and applying the correct agronomic practices for higher returns.

The concept is being applied to maize, traditional grains and soya beans. It is also aimed at commercialising smallholder agriculture.

Mr Albert Sibanda (76) and his wife, Mrs Sinikiwe Sibanda (66) of Mavimileni Line under Chief Siphoso in Tsholotsho, have defied old age as they continue to eke out a living through farming.

For their efforts, the couple has been winning prizes at agricultural shows at the district, provincial and national levels.

Mrs Sibanda said they are optimistic that they will record a bumper harvest this year and scoop more prizes.

“I know it’s too early as we don’t know what is coming in terms of the rain, but so far, the crop is doing well. We pray that the rains come soon before they start wilting,” said Mrs Sibanda.

They also planted groundnuts, round nuts, millet, cowpeas, sorghum and other drought-resistant crops in line with the Government directive for farmers to grow crops that survive heat stress.

The Ministry of Lands, Agriculture, Fisheries, Water and Rural Development recently advised farmers to invest in weed removal and pest prevention to protect the crops.

Acting director for crop production in the ministry, Mr Leonard Munamati said the Government has started crop and livestock assessment whose purpose is to establish what has been planted across the provinces.

“We would like to advise our farmers that the planting window for most of the crops is now over. We are encouraging our farmers to now shift their focus towards best agronomic practices which is control of weeds and pests and to also make sure that they conserve moisture,” he said.

Mr Munamati said crops planted using rain-fed irrigation will not survive if they extend into winter when temperatures are expected to be low.

He said farmers embarking on winter farming should start land preparation.

For tobacco whose planting is governed by some regulations, the Government had extended it to 15 January.

Pfumvudza/Intwasa is a conservation farming technique that involves the use of small plots and applying the correct agronomic practices for higher returns.

The programme was designed for small-scale farmers and benefits over three million households each year in the communal, A1, small-scale commercial farming and old resettlement sectors to produce cereals, oilseeds and legumes.

Pfumvudza/Intwasa has helped the country attain food security in the last three seasons while at the same time boosting families’ incomes.

The programme entails the use of mulch to retain moisture for some time in the event of rain. The main aim of the Pfumvudza/Intwasa concept is to address problems of low productivity and low profitability in farming, which have, in recent years, been negatively affecting food security.

The concept has also come in handy as a way of mitigating the harsh effects of climate change that have caused severe food shortages in the wake of successive crop failures.–@ncubeleon