Story by Providence Maraneli
A farmer from Reata area in Gwanda District has become a role model after defying the El-Nino induced drought through embracing climate-proof agriculture.
Located at the boundary of Matabeleland South and Midlands provinces, Reata has a plot that stands out as a proverbial oasis in a desert.
It is Mr Emmanuel Nare’s seven hectare crop that has reached physiological maturity, albeit under unfavourable climatic conditions.
“I went to the Agritex office and they gave me the variety I should choose given the nature of season. I am expecting more than 7 tones in this season,” said Mr Nare.
Other farmers are also coming to learn from the expert farmer who has defied the odds during a lean summer cropping season.
“I am so impressed, how can he do this when there was no rain I am going to use the same variety next year. We tried maize and we failed because there was no rain but here we are, we have learnt something,” said a farmer from the area.
Permanent Secretary in the Ministry of Lands, Agriculture, Fisheries, Water and Rural Development Professor Obert Jiri is pleased with the success story, “I am so impressed by what Mr Nare did, this is an example of what climate proofing agriculture can do. This is evidence that correct choice of seed variety can do. This is ago-ecological matching.”
With government on a drive to climate proof agriculture, the adoption of agro-ecological matching like what Mr Nare did is expected to transform the agriculture sector.
