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    HomeIndonsakusaMinister applauds sorghum production in Mat North

    Minister applauds sorghum production in Mat North

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    By Rutendo Mapfumo

    Watch Video Here: https://youtu.be/NUPuJyi1GAM

    The government insistence on farmers in marginal rainfall areas to concentrate more on crops that do well in drier regions such as small grains is bearing fruit in Matabeleland North.

    Lands, Agriculture, Fisheries, Water and Rural Development Minister Anxious Masuku has commended Matabeleland North Province for its impressive sorghum production this season.

    During a recent visit to Wisdom Bushe Neshavi’s farm at Isla Farm, Village 4 in Lubangwe, Matetsi Ward, he emphasised the role of sorghum in ensuring food security for the region.

    “We are assessing the impact of rainfall and crop conditions here in Region 5. The spectacular sorghum crop we see is well-suited for this area,” said Minister Masuku.

    “Matabeleland North has not only met its targets but has doubled its sorghum production, which is exactly what we want to see,”he added.

    The government’s climate-proofed agricultural programme aims to enhance productivity through conservation farming techniques. It targets the support of 9.5 million plots to combat climate change effects and improve food security.

    Mkhunjulelwa Ndlovu, Acting Provincial Director in the Ministry of LANDS, Agriculture, Fisheries, Water and Rural Development, reported significant achievements in crop production.

    “We were allocated 38,300 hectares to grow sorghum, but we exceeded expectations by cultivating it on 54,745 hectares. Sorghum production is the highest in the province,” he stated.

    Although the province was assigned a target of 70,300 hectares for pearl millet, it successfully produced the crop on 49,800 hectares. Sunflower was planted on 5,600 hectares, with a target of 14,000 hectares, while soya crop production reached 180 hectares instead of the targeted 280.

    Ndlovu expressed optimism for the next season despite challenges. “One major issue farmers face is the lack of seeds for seedlings,” he noted. The uptake of the Pfumvudza programme has increased by 29.5 percent, with a total of 2.3 million plots planned for the 2024/25 agricultural season.

    Wisdom Bushe Neshavi,the farmers  who has excelled this farming season, cultivates a variety of crops, including sorghum, sunflower, and the SE301 early-maturity maize.

    “My inspiration came from Precabe Farm, owned by President Emmerson Mnangagwa. I aspired to create a similar farm here in Hwange,” he shared.

    Neshavi’s 6-hectare farm includes 3 hectares dedicated to sorghum, with the remainder planted with sunflower and maize.

    “I expect to harvest over 10 tonnes of sorghum this season,” he added.

    He faced challenges from fall armyworms and wildlife, which often threaten crops.

    “We have managed to obtain chemicals to combat the armyworms, while for wildlife, we are using traditional methods to protect our crops,” Neshavi explained.

    However, he also raised concerns over delays in receiving Pfumvudza inputs, which hinder timely planting.

    “The Pfumvudza inputs have been delayed, forcing many farmers, including myself, to seek seeds from open markets,” he said.

    Unfortunately, there have also been reports of agricultural inputs being stolen before reaching designated farmers.

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