By Rangarirai Shanyurai
Farmers in Chivi District of Masvingo have shifted their focus to traditional grains, resulting in a 34 percent increase in planting of small grains.
Speaking at a field day in Kumbirai Village ward 12, Chivi Central, Agriculture and Rural Development Advisory Services (ARDAS) Chief Director Leonard Munamati said farmers in the district had responded positively to cultivation of traditional grains and called for those with threshing machines to facilitate the processing of traditional grains.
“This year, we discovered that farmers in Chivi have increased the cultivation of traditional grains by 34 percent. Farmers in regions 4 and 5 have responded to the recommendation that they plant traditional grains, as these crops are more resilient to lower rainfall.
“The yield from traditional grains is considerably better than that of maize in Chivi. Farmers now understand the importance of nutrition and as a government, we encourage those who have threshing machines to come and facilitate the processing of traditional grains,” said Munamati.
Munamati said the number of hectares cultivated had increased compared to the previous season indicating that farmers were heeding to the advice from government.
“We have seen an increase in number of hectares dedicated to traditional grains including rapoko, sorghum and millet. This trend is not only evident in Chivi but nationwide.
“Our farmers are saying let’s focus on these crops, which are more tolerant in areas with less rainfall. We are witnessing a return to traditional methods of promoting small grains among farmers,” said Munamati.
Speaking at the event, Chivi Central Member of Parliament Exevia Maoneke urged farmers to fight poverty through farming and take it as a business.
“We encourage members of the community in Chivi Central to cultivate small grains with the support of Extension Officers to help combat poverty through farming.
“We faced challenges due to erratic rainfall, but those who planted small grains have seen good yields. Compared to previous years, this year we received sufficient rainfall and achieved excellent yields.
“We urge farmers to cultivate their crops with the intention of doing business. Through agricultural training, members of the public have come to understand that cultivating traditional is beneficial,” said Maoneke.
Klein Karoo (K2) Salesman Starchily Mpofu said small grains cannot be easily affected by pesticides and suits areas that receive low rainfall.
“These small grains are not easily affected by diseases and they have better drought tolerance. Over the year, small grains can survive with rainfall of about 500 millimetres, which allows for better yields.
“During harvesting, one can get six tonnes per hectare if there is adequate rainfall. Additionally, some K2 small grains varieties take 110 days to get a successful yield,” said Mpofu.
