ZCFU calls for paradigm shift in crop production

19 Feb, 2017 - 00:02 0 Views

The Sunday News

Dumisani Nsingo, Senior Farming Reporter
THE Zimbabwe Commercial Farmers’ Union (ZCFU) has called on Government and its developmental partners to shift focus from being reliant on rain-fed crop production to irrigation schemes development so as to ensure that the country is self-sufficient in terms of food security.

ZCFU president Mr Wonder Chabhikwa said in the wake of the good rains received countrywide this season, there was a need to effectively harness water from various bodies for irrigation purposes.

“The entire country received very good rains. It has been the wettest season we have had in over 20 years and we are still going to receive more rains. The rains have even gone out of the norm in that Matabeleland region, parts of Midlands and the southern part of Masvingo have received more precipitation,” said Mr Chabhikwa.

Prospects of a bumper harvest have been increased with the agricultural sector seeing a boom in production.

Mr Chabhikwa said although the country has received substantial rains, it was both a blessing and a curse, as the heavy down pour impacted negatively in some of the areas.

“Although the rains have had their negative aspects, the positives are there and these include adequate soil moisture, rising water levels at dams and most importantly the rising of water in Kariba Dam, which is our major source of electricity generation.

“However, with the Command Agriculture Programme there was a phenomenal demand for fertiliser and with the increase in rains it meant more fertiliser was needed than what was anticipated by our suppliers. The persistent rains also led to an outbreak of pests such as the fall army worm,” he said.

Mr Chabhikwa said the persistent rains would also lead to an infestation of ticks and various pests with a potential of causing an upsurge of livestock diseases.

“In terms of livestock these incessant rains will lead to an upsurge of tick borne diseases due to the infestation of ticks as well as an increase in insect spread diseases thus farmers must be on high alert. Of course we are enjoying good rains and obviously a number of dams will fill up and water tables have risen,” said Mr Chabhikwa.

Mr Chabhikwa said since the country was largely an agro-based economy it was of paramount importance to utilise the improved water levels from various bodies to embark on extensive irrigation development.

“All along we have been importing the bulk of our wheat, with most of our water bodies including underground being saturated. Government and financial institutions should avail suitable funding to afford farmers to prepare for winter wheat cropping so that we can do away with importing.

“We must not import what we can produce. We should focus on winter crop production and be in a position to grow our own wheat as part of import substitution and also raise the potential to grow horticultural produce,” he said.

The baking industry has over the years been importing over 85 percent of the country’s wheat requirements annually, contributing to an expanding trade deficit.

The country had also been importing most of its horticultural produce, mostly from South Africa until last year when the Government moved to suspend the importation of all perishable agricultural produce and cancelled all existing import permits in an effort to ramp up productivity at farms.

@DNsingo

Share This:

Survey


We value your opinion! Take a moment to complete our survey

This will close in 20 seconds