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Elton Manguwo
WITH the bulk of the country’s winter wheat crop now at harvesting stage, Government has urged farmers to be vigilant and safeguard the crop from damage by veld fires.
In an advisory message, the Agricultural and Rural Development Advisory Services (ARDAS) acting chief director Mr Leonard Munamati urged all farmers to remain alert and proactive in monitoring their surroundings in the light of environmental challenges such as the increasing veld fires.
“Wheat farmers are strongly encouraged to construct fire guards around their fields as a precautionary measure against the threat of uncontrolled fires. Creating these barriers can significantly help in preventing the spread of fire to crops,” said Mr Munamati.
Farmers are also encouraged to develop a comprehensive fire management plan with strategies for detecting early signs of fires and procedures for quickly responding to any incidents that may arise in one’s field.
“In the event of a fire, farmers must have an emergency plan in place and ensure that firefighting equipment is readily accessible. This can help safeguard your crop and contribute to the overall security of the wheat,” said Mr Munamati.
Recent observations indicate a rising incidence of veld fires throughout the country. These fires pose a significant threat to agricultural activities and can devastate crops, including wheat.
It is crucial to stay informed about local fire warnings as well as coordinate with neighbouring farms to ensure a collective response, Mr Munamati added stressing that collaborations among farmers and sharing resources and information could also enhance collective preparedness.
Meanwhile, Government recently announced that 37 000 hectares of wheat had since been harvested.
“This implies that a significant portion of our crop remains in the fields, making it imperative to protect it from the threat of veld fires,” said Mr Munamati.
This year has witnessed a surge in wheat cultivation, with farmers planting a record 120 000 hectares.
Mr Munamati expressed optimism that the country would record bountiful yields.
He further called on farmers to refrain from clearing land through burning, a method that has historically proven to be both destructive and detrimental to the natural ecological systems.
ARDAS is working closely with the Environmental Management Agency (EMA) and provincial administrative structures to ensure that veld fires are effectively monitored, managed and kept under control.
Efforts to get the current fire situation and statistics from EMA were fruitless with their phones going unanswered.
Online Reporter