GOVERNMENT says farmers should concentrate on planting traditional small grains during the thinning planting window in the wake of El Niño-induced adverse rainfall patterns.
In a statement, Lands and Agriculture acting director for crops production Leonard Munamati advised farmers to plant drought tolerant crops saying: “During the remaining days of planting, we implore farmers to plant more traditional grains which are drought (tolerant), that is, sorghum, finger millet, pearl millet and other small grains. The country is grappling with a severe drought caused by El Niño.”
His message indirectly warned farmers not to continue planting maize which may not survive the predicted normal to below rains this summer season.
According to the USAid-sponsored FewsNet, El Niño-induced poor rainfall was likely to negatively impact the planted area and crop conditions.
Munamati said government was happy with the work that farmers had done with over 1 200 000 hectares put under maize during the current season.
He also revealed that at least 249 663 hectares were put under sorghum and encouraged the farmers to switch to ultrashort-season varieties for traditional grains during the period.
“We are very happy and excited by the work done by our farmers and we encourage our farmers to wind up their planting, especially during this period, let us go for the ultrashort season varieties for the traditional grains.
“It is interesting to note that a lot of work has been done. We have recorded 1,2 million hectares that have been planted under maize.
“We have also made huge strides in the plantation of traditional grains; 249 663 hectares have been planted under sorghum.”
Zimbabwe received normal to below normal rainfall in the first half of the 2023/24 summer season.
“But we want to appreciate our farmers for the great work they have done despite the drought even in planting a lot of land and preparing for this season. We have a new record of Pfumvudza plots that were prepared; 11 513 134 plots and these only compare with 5,8 million plots that were prepared last season.
“We profoundly appreciate our farmers for the good and hard work that they have been showing in terms of land preparation as well as planting,” he added.
According to FewsNet, El Niño events alter global atmospheric circulation, making certain regions around the world more likely to experience above-normal or below-normal seasonal precipitation or temperatures.
An El Niño occurs when abnormal sea surface temperatures and air pressure patterns in the tropical Pacific Ocean reinforce each other to produce a sustained period of above-average temperatures in the central to eastern equatorial Pacific Ocean and weaker or reversed trade winds.
The weaker winds and heat beneath the surface of the sea block the upward movement of cooler, nutrient-rich ocean waters.
El Niño events typically last nine to 12 months, or as long as sea surface and subsurface temperatures stay warm enough to sustain these ocean-atmosphere interactions, resulting in abnormal weather patterns.
The rising occurrences of the El Niño phenomenon is highlighting the devastating effects of climate change, as more floods and record high temperatures are recorded worldwide.