FARMERS in Matebeleland South province are gearing up for the new summer cropping season after receiving inputs under the presidential Pfumvudza/Intwasa programme.
Acting provincial Agritex officer Mkhunjulelwa Ndlovu told Southern Eye that the province was ready for the new farming season.
He said the farmers had started receiving presidential inputs, while the climate-proofing programme was progressing well.
Ndlovu, however, called on farmers in the region to utilise each drop of rain to beat climate variability.
“Farmers should utilise every drop (of rain) in their respective areas to beat climate variability and we encourage farmers in the region to plant with effective rains as well as guard against weeds and manage fertility well,” he said.
The agronomist said agro-ecological matching was key to achieving food and nutrition security in the region, pointing out that small grains are the best in mitigating the challenges faced by the region.
“As a province we expect real compliance in terms of agro-ecological matching regarding crop and variety choice. Therefore, those with livestock let’s have massive fodder legumes planted and fertilise fallow plots,” Ndlovu said.
He assured farmers of the safety of crops from wild animals saying they had partnered the Zimbabwe Parks and Wildlife Management Authority (ZimParks) to protect crops from wild animals.
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“Birds are under control and farmers should not be scared as Agritex and ZimParks are ever ready to save the crop,” Ndlovu said.
Government this week revealed that more than three million farmers had completed training in conservation agriculture, with approximately two million plots having been prepared for planting ahead of commencement of the 2023-24 summer cropping season.
The 2023-24 summer cropping season, according to weather forecasts, will be affected by the El Niño phenomenon, threatening food production.
