Courage Dutiro

With humankind, Flora and Fauna perishing at the hands of persistent floods, droughts, cyclones and heat waves, it is a clear manifestation that Climate Change is in our midst and it is being felt throughout various sectors including the socio-economic one.
In 2019, cyclone Idai destroyed lives, livelihoods, ecosystems and infrastructure and thus it is high time for everyone to take action against climate change or else mankind will perish.
In Zimbabwe, with Masvingo province not being spared, the impacts of climate change are being observed in the agricultural sector which is mainly rain-fed.
The agriculture sector is one of the critical climate-sensitive sectors.
The 2021-2022 farming season started on a promising note with crops showing a brighter future before they gave in to a prolonged moisture stress that stretched from the last two weeks of February 2022 to date (March 11, 2022).
Moses Mutoko a farmer in Wondedzo area said 80 per cent of crops in his field are now at write-off stage.
“Things are no longer looking good here; it is a total disaster, Due to the prolonged dry spell, crops are now at 80 per cent damage in my field,” he said.
Mutoko who had planted four hectares of maize said he is now expecting to yield a maximum of 200 kilograms from each hectare instead of three tonnes per hectare.
“90 percent of the crops are at tussling stage. My dreams have been diminished. I had planted four hectares of maize crop and was expecting three tonnes from each hectare but because of this persistent dry spell, I am now targeting 200 kilograms per hectare.
“In this era, it is no longer viable to rely on rain-fed agriculture. Shifting towards the use of irrigation systems can help to solve this problem,” said Mutoko.
The global Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) aim at creating a sustainable living world for everyone by 2030, however, if action is not taken against climate change the attainment of SDGs will be hindered.
Goal 2 seeks sustainable solutions to end hunger in all its forms and to achieve food security. The aim is to ensure that everyone, everywhere has enough good-quality food to lead a healthy life. Achieving this goal will require better access to food and widespread promotion of sustainable agriculture and new ways of farming.
In the southern region of Zimbabwe, the goal cannot be easily achieved without the establishment of green belts.
The province boasts being home to the largest inland dams. With the huge number of dams that the province has, it will go a long way if an inter-agency cooperation finances the establishment of new irrigation schemes that will act as mitigation and adaptation measures to climate crisis such as droughts.
The government of Zimbabwe in its national climate change policy document of 2016 promised that on issues to do with the agriculture sector, it shall promote the development and adequate assessment of irrigation potential under climate change.
“The government shall ensure irrigation development and management master plan integrate climate change.
“It shall also promote irrigation and water use efficiency in agriculture including adequate assessment of irrigation potential and irrigation demand under climate change,” reads part of the climate change policy document.
Connecting major dams for example Tugwi-Mkosi with other small dams so that when they spill, the water is harvested into other small dams where it can be used for irrigation and livestock purposes in areas that receive low rainfalls.
Minister of Information, Publicity and Broadcasting Services Monica Mutsvangwa in her 4th post cabinet press statement acknowledged the impacts of climate change in the agricultural sector.
“Cabinet wishes to advise the nation that overall, the First Round Crop and Livestock Survey confirmed that climate change is upon us and affecting agricultural production,” read the press statement.
Petros Runameso Madzingo of Youth Farmers Association said the construction of dams for irrigation systems and planting of trees is a way to adapt to the climate crisis.
“Government and other responsible stakeholders should assist by constructing irrigation schemes and new dams. Another method to counter climate crisis is through planting trees in the Lowveld region,” said Madzingo.
Forestry Commission Masvingo Provincial Extension Manager Cheneso Mbambo said they are targeting to plant more than six hundred thousand trees in each district in the province.
“We have officers in each district who oversee the planting of trees. We are targeting to plant more than six hundred thousand trees in each district but there are not all going to be planted by the forestry commission alone, some are going to be planted by people in the communities and other stakeholders.
“It is everyone’s responsibility to plant trees and to conserve forests,” said Mbambo.
The establishment of clubs in rural areas where village heads act as club leaders working with the responsible authorities to facilitate a reforestation programme can also be a way to conserve forests and mitigate climate change.

Tendai Charumbira

Masvingo province scouts team from Dikwindi, Shakashe, ZRP Zimuto, Helen McGhie, and Rujeko primary schools gathered at Mucheke Old Peoples’ Home, Alpha and Pioneer Cottages to plant trees in commemoration of the founder of Scout Movement Baden Powell.
Tinashe Mahachi, a teacher at Shakashe Primary School in Rujeko suburb who is also the scout leader and assistant provincial scout commissioner said the movement teaches children Ubuntu, character building and also helps on building life skills.
“I joined scouting in 2011 as a scout leader and in 2013 I managed to send a boy Liberty Majatami to Germany representing the nation. The scouting movement is very good and relevant especially when we look at the new curriculum as it goes hand in glove with our activities that are mainly focused on Ubuntu, character building and life skills,” said Mahachi.
Provincial scouts commissioner Taruvinga Bingwa, said the scouts team plants trees every year in commemoration of the scouts founder and said that he sourced the 53 trees from the Forestry Commission planted at Mucheke Old Peoples home, Alpha Cottage and Pioneer Cottage and the remaining were distributed to other schools.
“I sourced the 53 trees from forestry commission and distributed 32 trees to schools that do scouting. We managed to plant two trees at Mucheke old peoples home, eight at Alpha Cottage and similar number at Pioneer Cottage.
“Apart from these 53 trees from forestry commission I also added extra 30 which I had nursed. Zimbabwe scouts national had requested us to plant just 22 but we were fortunate enough to get 50 from forestry commission and I added 30,” said Bingwa.
Sheleen Addison the administrator at Pioneer Cottages said that she is so grateful with the great work done by the scouts association as the fruit trees are very beneficial to the environment.
“We are grateful here at Pioneer Cottage as the fruit trees are very beneficial to the environment because they give us food, shelter and bring goodness to the soil,” said Addison.
The scout movement was founded in 1857 in United States America and spread to Zimbabwe by the founder when he visited Matabeleland in 1911.

Tendai Charumbira

Major dams in Masvingo province are 100 percent full and some are spilling despite the fact that there have been no rains in the province for more than four weeks.
According to the dam level statistics provided by Zimbabwe National Water Authority (ZINWA), all major dams have enough water that can sustain the province up to the next rainy season.
ZINWA Corporate Communications and Marketing Officer William Mugadziwa said that the dry spell has not affected the dams’ storage as they are almost full and the water can sustain those who are into irrigation and mining.
“The little rains in the province have not really affected the dams’ storage as the change that happened is not that significant and the water is enough to sustain those who use it for irrigation and mining purposes,” said Mugadziwa.
He also urged people to use water sparingly so that water levels will not quickly decrease.
“Some dams are currently spilling, but however there is need to conserve water and people are advised to continue using water wisely and efficiently. All those using raw water from ZINWA managed dams and other primary purposes, are advised to ensure that such use is in water terms abstraction agreements as required by Water Aid,” said Mugadziwa.
Tugwi-Mukosi is at 100.1, Mutirikwi 98.43, Bangala 99.56, Munjerenji 86.28, Muzhwi 101.02, Ngezi 100.15, Manyuchi 99.78, Mushandike 92.17, Bindagombe 100.00, Tokwane 93.26 Nyajena 89.07 Siya 67.12 percent while other dams which include Musaverema, Magudu, Chivake, Mhende, Tugwane among others are all above 60 percent.