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Leonard Ncube, Victoria Falls Reporter

SMALLHOLDER farmers have been urged to consider conservation farming in the coming rainy season as most of them will likely face a challenge of draught power due to the prevailing drought.

The dry 2018-2019 farming season left most parts of the country without reliable pastures thereby putting livestock at risk.

Most smallholder farmers do not have access to machinery such as tractors so they rely on their oxen and donkeys for tillage.

Agritex is concerned that draught power in Matabeleland North could be compromised by drought when the rains start hence the need for farmers to start preparing land now using conservation farming.

Matabeleland North provincial Agritex officer Mr Dumisani Nyoni said the department had started rolling out educational campaigns around the province.

“We are currently disseminating weather forecast information while Agritex officers are meeting farmers doing pre-planting demonstrations and educating them on which crop varieties to grow as well as farming methods conducive thereof. 

“In the backdrop of lack of grazing pastures this year, most farmers will have a challenge of draught power because livestock is not in good shape which might delay them in starting to prepare land hence we are saying those who can, should start now to prepare land using conservation methods so that they plant with the first rains. Farmers should make ridges and potholes between rows so that they reduce run off and increase water conservation,” said Mr Nyoni.

He encouraged farmers to start mobilising farming inputs such as seed.

Mr Nyoni urged farmers to plant short season crops such as millet, sorghum, cow peas, groundnuts, roundnuts, pumpkins and short season maize.

He said considering the steep price of  seed maize, people should consider buying in small quantities starting now so that they would have their desired quantity when the rains start.

A 10kg bag of maize seed costs $255.

“The region expects normal to above normal rainfall during the first half of the rainy season and below normal during the second half hence farmers should choose short season varieties and also plant early so they utilise the first rains,” said Mr Nyoni. 

“We also hope the District Development Fund will be capacitated in time to assist farmers with equipment.” — @ncubeleon.