THE government has come up with measures to increase the hectarage under small grains in the next summer cropping season, as part of a national drive to boost food and nutrition security while shoring up climate-smart agriculture.
The measures agricultural climate-proofing strategy aims to attain national self-sufficiency in food, feed, and edible oils, and will see strategic crops — including small grains — being grown on 3 040 000 hectares.
Additionally, the government is aligning crop cultivation with agro-ecological zones to ensure traditional grains are grown in regions four and five, which best suit them. Region four encompasses the northern and southern low-lying areas of Zimbabwe and is characterised by dry spells during the rainy season and regular seasonal droughts.
Region five receives highly-unpredictable rainfall, which is typically less than 650 millimetres per year. The area generally has poor-quality soil, making it suitable for cultivating traditional crops. Agricultural and Rural Development Authority (ARDA) chief executive officer, Tinotenda Mhiko, said the organisation had already started accelerating production of climate-smart seed varieties to guarantee production and productivity.
“Our primary mandate was to promote the production of climate-smart seed varieties and ensure seed security in support of Zimbabwe’s national development agenda, Vision 2030. “This involved developing and distributing high-quality seed varieties that are well-suited to local climate and soil conditions, as well as promoting sustainable agricultural practices that support farmers and rural communities,” Mhiko said.
To boost production of traditional grains, the government recently resolved to extend financial support to ARDA and the Grain Marketing Board (GMB) that will go towards increasing availability of traditional grain seeds for the 2023/2023 season.
Addressing a post cabinet media conference recently, Information, Publicity and Broadcasting Services minister Monica Mutsvangwa said the government was determined to maintain increased production even though the country currently had enough grain for the next two seasons.
“The nation is informed that Zimbabwe has adequate grains in stock for the next two sea[1]sons. However, the sensitivity analysis for the 2023/2024 season based on the previous year’s analysis indicates reduced crop production.
“Accordingly Cabinet has put in place robust measures encompassing irrigation and agricultural climate-proofing in order to maintain increased production. In line with Government priorities in the agricultural sector, the National Enhanced Agriculture Productivity Scheme will be expanded with more banks contracting increased hectarage,” said Mutsvangwa.
She added that the Cabinet recently approved the 2023/24 Summer Cropping Plan and State of Preparedness, which seeks to achieve national food, feed and edible oils self- sufficiency.
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