Farmers opt for drought-resistant crop varieties

Harare (New Ziana) – As the summer cropping season draws close, farmers countrywide are stocking up on farming inputs, with the majority opting for drought resistant crop seed varieties in the wake of reports of low rainfall this year.

In a snap survey in Harare on Tuesday, most agricultural stockists were a hive of activity, swarmed by farmers buying various inputs, particularly seed.

In interviews, the majority said they will plant short-season, heat and drought resistant varieties of crops to mitigate against the El-Nino induced low rainfall forecast.

“We are experiencing a surge in demand on early maturing maize seed varieties mostly on smaller packages such as five and 10 kilograms,” said Tapiwa Nyaya, a branch manager at Farm and City in the capital.

Gladys Machinya, from Marondera, said she preferred the drought and heat tolerant maize seed varieties to cushion herself from dry spells.

Tichaona Musada, a sales agent for Klen Karoo (K2) agricultural inputs, said: “l am forced to place new orders for early maturing maize varieties every day as these are sold out before close of business. Such is the huge demand from our farmers.”

“We are no longer sure when to prepare the land for planting or when to start planting. It’s pretty much gambling with nature,” said a 62-year old farmer, Peter Chauke of drought-prone Chiredzi district in Masvingo Province.
“Most of the time the rains are not enough for crop production. So the drought and heat tolerant maize varieties are our only solution to food insecurity, crisis.’’ he Chauke, purchasing maize seed to plant at his rural Chiredzi farm.

“Given the accumulating evidence of climate change in sub-Saharan Africa, there is an urgent need to develop more climate resilient maize systems,” said Musada.

Vital food producers in the country face a risk of being overwhelmed by the pace and severity of climate change. Development organizations are therefore, calling for the adoption of climate-smart agriculture that will help make crops more resilient to future extreme weather events.

New Ziana