adminElita Chikwati Agriculture Reporter
Seed producing companies must ensure short season varieties and small grain seed is on the market on time for easy access following the forecast that the 2015-16 rainfall season is likely to yield normal to below normal rains. Zimbabwe Indigenous Women Farmers Association Trust leader Mrs Depinah Nkomo said it was good that farmers had been warned of an unpredictable season and now they can plan early.
She said irrigation and short-season varieties were the only solution to the problem.
“It is a challenge that our generation is not used to eating small grains such as millet, sorghum and rapoko,” she said. “Small grains should be promoted since they are healthy and perform better even under dry conditions.” Zimbabwe Commercial Farmers Union president Mr Wonder Chabikwa said the rainfall forecast would enable farmers to make informed decisions.
“If irrigation facilities are repaired and irrigable land is increased we can even produce surplus,” he said. “In the absence of irrigation, short season varieties and small grains should be produced.” Farmers complain that small grains such as pearl millet and white sorghum are usually destroyed by birds and there can be huge losses.
But their concerns could be addressed if the Department of Research and Extension services avails varieties that are not eaten by birds which it has come up with. “Grain traders prefer maize, but we will see a shift soon,” said Mr Chabikwa.
“Many people now want indigenous food and very soon it will be profitable to grow small grains.”
Online Reporter