Lovemore Chivero told The Zimbabwean that local farmers could avoid the inconsistencies in rainfall patterns caused by climatic change by planting when the area was wet.
“We are educating farmers on how to plant on time and how to use fertilisers. In this area, we urge people not to be too concerned by the delayed onset of the rains and tell them to plant as early as October so that when the rains come the seed will be in the ground,” he said.
Domboshawa is a haven for small-scale horticultural farmers who supply the bulk of the vegetables sold in Harare.
Chivero said Agritex was working with the Zimbabwe Farmers Union in the area to set up greenhouse projects for tomato farmers.
“Farmers who do not have large capital should start with a small plot of land and increase it step by step. We encourage them not to start with larger tracts of land they cannot maintain,” he said.
Chivero said production by the small-scale farmers had always been key to ensuring food security and hence there was need for more support from the government.
“Zimbabwe used to be a major producer of agricultural products and to restore that status we need funding and education on farming methods and proper use of fertilisers,” Chivero said.
Farmers across the country have been complaining about the changing weather patterns. Some have planted early and lost out and others planted late and still lost out.
Climatologists say changes have been noted in the timing and the distribution of rainfall not only in Zimbabwe but on the African continent.
The Zimbabwe Commercial Farmers Union recently said the just ended agricultural season had the clearest signs of the effects of climate change on agriculture. ZCFU has urged the use of short season seed varieties and irrigation to counter climate change.
Post published in: News