Chronicle EditorLovemore Kadzura Rusape Correspondent
Farmers in Makoni District, who venture into the growing of small grains on a commercial scale stand to win heifers in the recently launched “Win a Heifer” competition. Agricultural and Rural Development Authority (ARDA) board chairman, Mr Basil Nyabadza said this while officially opening the revamped Makoni Agricultural Show last week. Mr Nyabadza said for farmers to get high prices for their produce, they should strive for value addition to avoid being ripped off by middlemen.
“Farmers are encouraged to diversify on their production so that food security is enhanced at household, district and national levels, he said. With the climate change phenomenon taking its toll, it is prudent for farmers to look at small grains production as an option to counter food insecurity.
“In this regard, we have come up with a “Win a Heifer” competition where farmers with the best small grain fields will win a heifer as a way of promoting small grain production in the district.”
Mr Nyabadza added: “Our farmers are crying foul because of low prices being offered on the market. This is because they are not adding value to their crops. This results in low gross margins.
“Apart from food security, we should also focus on nutrition as it is also equally important.”
Mr Nyabadza said farmers should focus on nutritional gardens where they would produce a variety of horticultural crops for nutrition enhancement.
“Irrigation is the way to go in face of climate change, where farmers will supplement rainfall, he said. Staggering of crops is also important so that farmers are guaranteed of harvesting something, although early planting is always the best in a normal season.”
Turning to tobacco, which is produced massively in Makoni District, Mr Nyabadza, said although farmers were contributing to foreign currency generation, it was worrying to note they were still using unsustainable ways of curing tobacco.
“Tobacco is our major foreign currency earner and as such we should be promoting its intensive production in a sustainable way, so that we continue growing the crop without any hindrance, he said. We should look at alternative ways of curing our tobacco, instead of using indigenous trees.”
In an interview on the sidelines of the show, acting Manicaland provincial agricultural extension officer, Mrs Phillipa Rwambiwa, hailed the organisers of this year’s show, saying they had gone a step up in modernising the show that appealed to both companies and farmers.
“This year’s show was a huge success, she said. One could easily mistake it for a provincial show. The organisers brought in farmers, corporates, parastatals and private companies to exhibit here.
“The show was so lively and all companies that exhibited here will definitely benefit because of the attendance.”
Peter Tanyanyiwa
Online Reporter