Vusumuzi Dube
Judith Phiri
Business Reporter
FARMERS in the arid regions of Zimbabwe have moved to climate-resistant grains such as millet to improve food, nutrition and income security as the country continues to experience the effects of climate change
This had been made much possible with the continued impactful research being carried out by institutions such as the International Crops Research Institute for the Semi-Arid Tropics (ICRISAT). Arid regions in the country which are characterised by harsh conditions of drought, high temperatures and poor soil nutrition, have turned to millet which provide a cheap source of essential nutrients to human and animal diets.
Speaking at the 2023 International Year of Millets field day held at Matopo Research Institute last week, Permanent Secretary in the Ministry of Lands, Agriculture, Fisheries, Water and Rural Development, Dr John Basera told small-scale farmers from the Matabeleland region that the country was expecting a 45 percent increase in millet yield in the 2022/23 farming season as the Second Republic’s agriculture transformation strategy continues to bear fruit.
He encouraged ICRISAT to conduct research for impact by introducing good quality traditional grain seeds which are accessible and affordable. The Permanent Secretary said there was a need for the development of bird and animal-tolerant varieties for high-yield production.
“Improving markets for traditional grains through highlighting their advantages to the growing communities as well as nutritional benefits to those who consume. There is also a need for mechanisation and value addition in the sector as we work towards promoting the sustainable production of millets in the country.”
Agriculture expert and Agricultural and Rural Development Authority (ARDA) chairman Mr Ivan Craig said each ecological region in the country had its own suitable crops and varieties which performed to their maximum potential in the respective areas. He said the millets field day was an eye-opener to farmers so that they learn and appreciate that performed well in marginalised areas.
“If you look at climate change there isn’t much we are doing to mitigate the poor rainfall we are receiving. By coming up with small grains, our sorghum, finger millet, and cowpeas among others will help farmers to achieve high crop yields for their household food security. While at a national level, these under Pfumvudza/Intwasa will perform to their maximum potential,” he said.
Mr Craig said in the event that these farmers would want maize, through the Government grain swap programme, they can swap their millet or sorghum for maize. The grain swap programme has benefited farmers in the country’s drier regions who grow small grains that are considered more drought-tolerant compared to maize.
Under the programme, farmers who grow small grains such as sorghum, millet, and rapoko can deliver their produce to the Grain Marketing Board (GMB) and receive maize in return.
ICRISAT Zimbabwe country representative, Dr Martin Moyo said the institute for the past 50 years has been conducting research on millets, contributing to increased food and nutrition security in some of the world’s harshest regions.
“In Zimbabwe, the current sorghum and pearl millet yields of 500 to 700 kg per hectare are also too low compared to the yield potential of the currently available released varieties, which ranges from 1 600 to 3 000 kg per hectare.
There is a need to bring in improved agricultural technologies, technologies that especially enhance water productivity so that we improve on the millets yields,” he added.
The event was held under the theme: “Building resilience and improving livelihoods through sustainable production and consumption of millets in semi-arid regions.” According to Food and Agriculture Organisation (FAO) definition, millet has an expanded definition to cover a set of climate-smart options namely finger millet, pearl millet and sorghum.
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