admin
Sheuneni Kurasha
Farmer’s Diary
Welcome, dear reader, to the debut instalment of this weekly column, Farmer’s Diary.
This space will be dedicated to sharing knowledge and exchanging anecdotes, all in the collective pursuit of greater agricultural efficiency and productivity among farmers.
After all, as the wise Shona adage goes, “kugara nhaka kuona dzevamwe” (we refine our craft through the gentle observation of our peers). The inaugural instalment of this column comes in the wake of President Mnangagwa’s recent declaration of drought as a national disaster.
In his address to the nation last week, the President painted a grim picture, revealing that 80 percent of the country received insufficient rainfall due to the El Niño global weather phenomenon.
This has left the nation in dire need of over US$2 billion to implement various mitigatory interventions. It’s worth noting that Zimbabwe’s neighbours Malawi and Zambia, have also declared the ongoing drought a national disaster. Indeed, Zimbabwe finds itself at a critical juncture.
Urgent measures are essential to mitigate the devastating effects of climate change on agriculture. However, beyond immediate responses, a sustained long-term strategy is vital to both adapt to and combat the escalating prevalence of droughts, which are by all accounts a new reality as they will not go anywhere.
As the climate crisis persists in its relentless onslaught, the unsustainability of traditional farming practices becomes increasingly apparent. This underscores the urgent need for innovative solutions to safeguard food security and bolster resilience against the challenges posed by extreme weather conditions.
The solution for farmers lies in embracing climate-proofing agriculture, a concept that involves adapting to farming practices to withstand the tumultuous challenges posed by climate change.
Given the centrality of agriculture as the backbone of the economy and the livelihood of millions of people in the country, adopting climate-proofing measures transcends mere choice — it embodies an indispensable imperative for survival.
Thus, in crop farming, we have witnessed the Government’s resolute advocacy for agroecological farming practices like Pfumvudza/Intwasa to alleviate food insecurity among smallholder farmers and vulnerable rural families.
The same approach of climate-proofing needs to be adopted in livestock production, particularly as the national herd has suffered depletion in recent years due to farmers contending with a myriad of challenges.
These challenges include combating various tick-borne diseases such as theileriosis (famously known as January Disease) and heartwater, while having to endure persistent droughts and coping with escalating costs of animal feed, among other trials.
It was thus heartening to hear the President, in his address where he declared drought a national disaster, emphatically state: “An equal priority is the need to save our livestock. Farmers will be supported to prevent deaths or distress sales of livestock. The rebuilding of our national herd will remain ongoing, despite the drought.”
Building upon the firm commitment of the President to livestock production, farmers should earnestly consider small livestock, – namely sheep and goats – as a viable alternative to cattle, particularly as part of climate-proofing strategies.
Small livestock presents an alluring prospect for both smallholder farms and commercial farmers alike.
In stark contrast to traditional crops, which are highly susceptible to erratic rainfall patterns and prolonged droughts, and unlike cattle, which demand substantial capital investment and extensive pasture lands, small livestock exude a remarkable resilience in the face of adverse weather conditions.
First and foremost, sheep and goats are inherently more resilient to drought conditions compared to cattle.
Their ability to graze on a variety of vegetation and thrive with limited water makes them well-suited for arid and semi-arid regions, where water scarcity is a perennial concern.
In addition, small livestock farming can serve as a sustainable source of income for farmers, providing steady revenue streams even during periods of drought.
The demand for meat and dairy products remains relatively stable regardless of weather fluctuations, thus providing farmers with a reliable source of livelihood.
Unlike large livestock farming, which often requires significant land and water resources, small livestock farming is more resource-efficient.
Sheep and goats can thrive on marginal lands that are unsuitable for crop cultivation, thereby maximising land utilisation and minimising environmental impact.
Embracing small livestock farming practices allows farmers to effectively harness land resources that would otherwise remain underutilised, thereby promoting sustainable agricultural practices and minimising ecological strain.
Additionally, diversifying agricultural practices to include small livestock builds resilience against climate change-induced shocks, spreading risk and enhancing the adaptive capacity of farming systems. This approach ensures food security for communities vulnerable to climate variability.
In light of these benefits, policymakers, agricultural extension services and farmers’ associations must prioritise the promotion of small livestock farming as part of climate-proofing strategies.
This entails providing support such as training, improved access to high-quality breeding stock genetics, veterinary services and market linkages.
These measures are critical in empowering farmers to fully capitalise on the potential benefits of small livestock. Equally important is the need to increase farmers’ awareness regarding the significance of diversifying their agricultural activities and adopting climate-smart practices.
This entails adopting techniques such as agroforestry, implementing water conservation measures, and integrating livestock into crop production systems to enhance resilience and sustainability.
In conclusion, the declaration of drought as a natural disaster highlights the urgent need to prioritise climate-proofing in agriculture in the country.
Embracing small livestock farming offers an affordable, practical and sustainable solution to buffer the effects of climate change and ensure future food security for both smallholder and commercial farmers.
By investing in small livestock and implementing climate-smart strategies, the country can build a more resilient agricultural sector capable of withstanding the challenges posed by a changing climate.
Sheuneni Kurasha is the managing director of Chivara Farm, a diversified farming operation, which specialises in stud breeding of small livestock (Boer goats, Kalahari Red goats, Damara sheep and Meatmaster sheep) as well as Boran cattle. For feedback, kindly get in touch on email: [email protected]; X: @chivarafarm or WhatsApp: +263 772 874 523.
Online Reporter