Shift to small grains, farmers urged

Masvingo Bureau
Communal farmers in Masvingo have been urged to shift to small grains that are drought tolerant to lessen the adverse effects of droughts in the arid province. This comes as Government has already started distributing 100 tonnes of small grains seed to communal farmers across the province ahead of the rain season.

Masvingo is one of the driest provinces in Zimbabwe and has been choked by recurrent droughts over the past 10 years resulting in severe food shortages.

In an interview on Monday, Masvingo provincial agricultural extension services officer Mr Paul Poshai said the only panacea to end chronic food woes in the province was a shift to small grains.

He expressed concern at the high frequency of droughts in Masvingo saying communal farmers were supposed to turn to rapoko, sorghum and millet which are drought tolerant.

“Masvingo province is situated in the dry regions 4 and 5 and these are drought prone areas only suitable for small grains while maize can thrive under irrigation. It is high time farmers from this province embrace the dynamics in climate and plant small grains which are drought tolerant,’’ he said.

Mr Poshai said distribution of small grains seed was already underway after the province received 100 tonnes of seed from Government.
“Distribution of small grains seed is now underway in arid districts such as Bikita, Gutu, Chivi, Chiredzi, Zaka and parts of Masvingo district. We hope farmers will give priority to production of small grains,’’ added Mr Poshai.

There have been incessant calls by Government for farmers in drought-prone areas to shift towards small grains that thrive under dry conditions.

Recently, Senior Minister of State Cde Simon Khaya Moyo urged communal farmers in Masvingo to shift from relying on maize and switch to small grains to end food shortages that have afflicted the province over the past decade.

Over 400 000 people are facing acute food shortages in Masvingo after failed harvests last year and Government has since roped in non-governmental organisations to avert starvation.