The Sunday News
Harare Bureau
ABOUT 100 000 hectares are set to be put under sorghum by the end of this week through the recently launched Sorghum Input Support Programme, which will act as a drought-mitigation measure.
Farmers contracted under the programme are racing against time to complete planting and are taking advantage of the current wet spell.
According to experts, sorghum’s drought tolerance, low fertiliser needs, high yields per hectare and short-growing season make it a sustainable substitute for maize, especially during seasons when rainfall is limited.
Government is already roping in farmers who have at least five hectares available for planting the traditional grain.
It is envisaged output from the programme will help boost the Strategic Grain Reserve, particularly in the event of a low maize harvest due to the El Niño weather phenomenon.
Lands, Agriculture, Fisheries, Water and Rural Development Permanent Secretary Professor Obert Jiri said the programme will ensure national food security even in the event of drought.
“Among a number of our drought-mitigation strategies, the adoption and acceleration of sorghum production is our top priority,” he said.
“We are doing this in an economic and sustainable manner.
“It is a joint venture setup, where a farmer is contracted by our parastatal, Arda (Agricultural and Rural Development Authority).
“This is on a cost recovery basis at the point of sale to the Grain Marketing Board (GMB) depots.”
Response from farmers, he said, was “overwhelming”.
“We are pleased with the response and we are set to be food-secure, in line with our mantra ‘food security everywhere, every day’,” he added.
Agricultural Advisory and Rural Development Services crop production acting director Mr Leonard Munamati said planting was ongoing.
“In view of a normal to below-normal rainfall season, we plan to establish at least 100 000ha of the cereal.
“Of the 100 000ha, 20 000ha will be grown under irrigation schemes, while 80 000ha are put under production by individual farmers who get contracted through the Arda joint venture model.
“For individual farmers, to date, 48 992ha have already been contracted.
“Another 50 616ha have been identified and these farmers are currently being contracted by Arda to grow sorghum.”
Planting, Mr Munamati added, has to be completed by Wednesday.
“We are encouraging farmers to utilise the remaining few days to get contracted and plant sorghum, which is an ultra-short-season crop.
“Contracted farmers get support in the form of seed, fertiliser, herbicides and fuel,” he said.
The programme is open to farmers with at least five hectares and above.
Farmers interested in taking up the offer are being advised to approach their local extension officers for registration.
“Extension officers verify the area being registered by the farmer before submitting it to the district extension office, where some checks are also done,” said Mr Munamati.
“Once satisfied, the list passes through the provincial office, where an Enhanced Agricultural Productivity Scheme committee looks into the submitted lists for submission to the head office and eventually Arda, where the recommended farmers sign contracts.”
Inputs are then delivered to GMB depots for collection.
* X: @TheseusShambare
