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Patrick Chitumba, [email protected]
IN the face of climate change, Zvishavane farmer Mr Claudias Chidhume, is leading the way in promoting food self-sufficiency through innovative and resilient agricultural practices in the Mapirimira area.
By adopting conservation farming methods and embracing the Government’s Pfumvudza/Intwasa programme, Mr Chidhume is adapting to the challenges posed by rising temperatures, unpredictable rainfall, droughts and floods.
This initiative, which focuses on climate-smart agriculture, has become a critical tool in mitigating the effects of climate change and ensuring sustainable food production.
Intwasa is a concept aimed at climate-proofing agriculture by adopting conservation farming techniques and involves the use of small plots and applying the correct agronomic practices to achieve higher returns.
In an interview at his farm, Mr Chidhume said he was confident he will realise a bumper harvest this year despite the fact that his area normally receives low rainfall.
“Under one hectare of Pfumvudza, I’m targeting between six and eight tonnes of maize. Overall, we’ve planted ten plots, including seven dedicated to small grains. This concept has proved to be a game changer in the face of climate change and we are in support of it,” he said.
Zvishavane Ward 5 Agritex Officer, Mr Tapiwa Kwami, underscored the importance of resilience-building in regions with low rainfall such as natural regions four and five.
“We have been working with farmers from the onset, teaching them how to adapt their farming methods to low rainfall conditions. Resilient farming not only fights hunger but also promotes household food security, especially here in regions four and five, which normally receive low rainfall,” he said.
The conservation farming method has helped rural communities cope with the El Niño-induced drought during the last farming season.
The Second Republic has made food security a top priority and is working towards a US$8,2 billion agriculture industry economy, contributing 20 percent of GDP by 2025, underpinned by the country’s National Development Strategy 1 (NDS1) — the driver towards Vision 2030 to make Zimbabwe an upper middle-class economy.
The country requires 2,2 million tonnes of maize for human and livestock consumption and the three million tonnes target will position Zimbabwe as a significant player in grain production in the region.
