Farmers in Mutoko, Mudzi urged to prioritise small grains

Mudzi- In the wake of changing climatic conditions throughout the world, farmers from Mudzi and Mutoko districts should prioritise planting small traditional grain crops that are suited for the region.

Lands, Agriculture, Fisheries, Water and Rural Development Minister Anxious Masuka made the call on his recent visit to the two districts of Mashonaland East province where he interacted with farmers and also assessed progress with regard to the Pfumvudza/Intwasa programme.

He was accompanied by senior Government officials from his Ministry and those who are leading province’s farming charge.

“The 2023-2024 summer cropping season is ongoing and climate change has been experienced throughout the world. Farmers in Mutoko and Mudzi must make it a habit to grow small grains that are well-suited for these districts. As I always say, it is important for the farmers to plant crops that are suitable for their regions.

“We had introduced what we call agro-ecological tailoring which entails that what is being planted or grown by the farmer should be suitable in that region. So in Region 4 and 5, it is ideal for farmers to grow small grains which include sorghum, millet as well as sunflowers.”

He was pleased to note that most farmers in the two districts had heeded advice by growing traditional grains.

“The success of the Pfumvudza/Intwasa programme, to a large extend, depends on our traditional leaders ensuring that traditional grains are growing at household level,” he said.

The Minister also urged more farmers more to join the Pfumvudza/Intwasa programme saying that agriculture extension officers were on the ground to give them advice to maintain good farming practices.

A farmer from Mudzi, Daiton Kapesa said that he had planted traditional grains and was confident of good harvest.

He said: “Most of us here are aware that small grains are way to go and on my part, I have always been growing the small grains, courtesy of the noble Pfumvudza/Intwasa programme. The small grains do not require much rains and they are ideal for this district. On my plots and as a small-scale farmer, I planted groundnuts, sorghum and millet as the crops mature early.”

Lesy Sori, another farmer, said they also follow the advice given by agriculture extension workers in the district and was optimistic of a bumper harvest.

Mashonaland East province surpassed the 1 600 000ha target under this season’s Pfumvudza/Intwasa programme as it has already planted 1 755 000ha.

Of this, 23 450ha have been put under sorghum, with the crop’s target at provincial level set at 25 000ha.