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Elton Manguwo
DESPITE the recent predictions of a La Nina-ridden 2024/25 cropping season, farmers can still achieve good yields if they use correct farming methods, prepare early and choose crops suitable for their different agro-ecological regions.
In an interview yesterday, Lands, Agriculture, Fisheries, Water and Rural Development permanent secretary Professor Obert Jiri said proper planning and thorough preparations were crucial ahead of the new season to optimise agricultural output and yields.
“By taking proactive measures in the months leading up to the summer season, farmers can position themselves strongly to create the ideal conditions for their crops to thrive,” said Professor Jiri.
The Pfumvudza/Intwasa model, which centres on the establishment of small plots that leverage principles like minimal soil disturbance, permanent soil cover and crop diversification, has demonstrated its ability to stabilise yields and enhance the overall sustainability of agricultural production.
“This practice involves the establishment of small-scale, intensively managed farming plots that employ the principles of conservation agriculture to maximise water retention and nutrient recycling,” said Professor Jiri.
By precisely creating pothole features across the field prior to planting, farmers can carefully engineer the soil conditions to set their crops up for success throughout the growing season.
“This precision cultivation approach can be particularly valuable as the country faces unprecedented climate changes,” said Professor Jiri.
In addition, a key facet of sustainable and regenerative agriculture is the concept of agro-ecological tailoring. This approach involves deliberately aligning farming practices and techniques with the specific environmental conditions and ecological dynamics of a particular place or region.
Agro-ecological tailoring involves marrying farming practices and crops to local environmental conditions and ecosystems through techniques such as diversifying crop varieties and incorporating organic matter to improve soil fertility and resilience.
“As Government we will distribute inputs according to agro-ecological regions to create agricultural systems that are more resilient, regenerative and harmonious with the surrounding ecology. This approach will ensure long-term sustainability and productivity,” said Professor Jiri.
More so, in the face of mounting challenges posed by climate change, such as more frequent droughts, erratic rainfall patterns and rising temperatures, there is growing recognition of the value of reviving the cultivation of hardy and drought-tolerant traditional grain crops.
Professor Jiri highlighted that by reintegrating traditional grains into the agricultural production cycle, farming communities could tap into a reservoir of genetic diversity and adaptive traits that have been honed over centuries to thrive in marginal environments.
“These grain varieties, which have been cultivated for generations by smallholder farmers, offer a wealth of benefits that can bolster food security and nutrition, particularly in vulnerable regions,” he said.
This comprehensive strategy holds the promise of not only mitigating the immediate impacts of climate change, but also laying the groundwork for a more resilient and food-secure future.
Online Reporter