Source: Mash West farmers urged to scale up climate-resilient crops -Newsday Zimbabwe
LANDS, Agriculture, Fisheries, Water and Rural Development permanent secretary Obert Jiri has urged Zimbabwean farmers to scale up the production of traditional grains.
Jiri made the remarks on Wednesday during a tour of End Base Farm in Banket, Mashonaland West province, where he inspected a 46-hectare sorghum crop belonging to farmer Job Dalu.
The visit formed part of government’s effort to promote traditional grains as a means of enhancing food and nutrition security across the country.
“Traditional grains like sorghum and millet are naturally resilient to erratic rainfall and harsh climatic conditions,” Jiri said.
“They are bio-fortified, providing essential nutrients for human consumption and livestock feed, thereby easing the over-reliance on maize, which remains highly vulnerable to climate stress.”
Jiri emphasised the government’s ongoing drive to add value to traditional grains, highlighting initiatives to expand their use in stock-feed manufacturing.
“We are encouraging farmers not only to grow these crops, but also to embrace processing and value-addition.
“This will strengthen food security, improve livelihoods and contribute to the sustainability of our agricultural sector.”
The permanent secretary noted that the initiative has already gained traction in Mashonaland West, where 26 720 hectares of sorghum have been planted to date.
He said the expansion of traditional grains is part of a long-term strategy to diversify the country’s food basket and reduce vulnerability to climate-related shocks.
“Farmers have a critical role to play in scaling up these crops,” Jiri said.
“The dual purpose of traditional grains as food for humans and feed for livestock makes them indispensable in building a resilient and sustainable agricultural system.”
He concluded by calling on all stakeholders, including extension officers and agribusinesses, to support farmers in adopting climate-smart agricultural practices and traditional grain production.
“These measures would underpin Zimbabwe’s broader objectives of food security and nutrition for every household.”
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