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Elton Manguwo

AMID growing calls for inputs distribution to be guided by agro-ecological factors, Government has confirmed the availability of enough seed for traditional grain crops for the 2024/25 farming season.

In an interview with The Herald, Lands, Agriculture, Fisheries, Water and Rural Development permanent secretary, Professor Obert Jiri said by guaranteeing the availability of these essential seeds, Government was pushing to support farmers in enhancing crop resilience and productivity.

“These grains are better suited to Zimbabwe’s climatic and soil conditions – requiring less water and showcasing great resilience to heat and poor soil quality,” said Prof Jiri.

Meanwhile, seed companies have heeded Government’s call by increasing production of traditional grain seed for crops such as millet and sorghum.

Prof Jiri highlighted that by focusing on traditional grains, seed companies were not only ensuring food security but also promoting sustainable agricultural practices.

“Government is also actively promoting policies that support research funding, infrastructure for seed distribution and access to markets for farmers planting climate-smart varieties,” he added.

The collaborative efforts between the Government and seed companies to develop climate-smart seed varieties represent a proactive approach to confronting the challenges of climate change, to ensure that Zimbabwe’s agriculture remains sustainable and productive in the face of increasing uncertainty in weather patterns.

As the country faces increasingly erratic weather patterns, droughts and other climate-related issues, the need for resilient agricultural practices has become more pressing.

Government’s move to introduce agro-ecological zoning involves customising agricultural practices to fit the specific ecological conditions of different regions.

“This means that seed varieties can be developed with characteristics that enhance their adaptability to local climates, thus improving yields and reducing the risk of crop failure,” explained Prof Jiri.

He added that the shift towards traditional grains aligned with broader strategies aimed at enhancing biodiversity and supporting local farming communities.

By investing in climate-smart technologies and practices, Zimbabwe can bolster the performance of its agriculture sector, improve livelihoods and contribute to overall climate resilience.

“The initiative emphasises matching inputs to specific agro-ecological zones through understanding the unique characteristics of different regions in terms of soil type, climate and water availability to guarantee production and productivity,” he said.

The Government has set an ambitious target to assist 3, 5 million families under this year’s Presidential Inputs Scheme (Pfumvudza/Intwasa).

“This season, the distribution of agricultural inputs to beneficiaries is set to commence early, marking a significant shift towards the strategy that prioritises agro-ecological matching and resilience-building,” said Prof Jiri.

Benefitting households will receive inputs appropriate for their local conditions.