Grow small grains, Mbire folk urged

Lands, Agriculture, Water, Climate and Rural Settlement Minister Perrance Shiri has urged farmers in Mbire to adopt small grains which are drought resistant in the wake of rising temperatures and low rainfall in the area.

Speaking in Kanyemba area, in Mbire district last Saturday, Minister Shiri assured farmers that after harvesting their small grains they could exchange with them with maize at the Grain Marketing Board.

He added that a country cannot develop if its people are unable to produce their own food.

“We know that women bear most of the burden in rural areas including fetching water, attending to the fields, looking for firewood and (performing other)household chores. We respect this and the Government recognises the role played by women,” he said.

“We are experiencing increased temperatures and as the Ministry of Agriculture we encourage you to plant small grains which include sorghum, millet and         groundnuts. They are nutritious and survive high temperatures and low rainfall. Small grains are different from maize and soyabeans, which require a lot of water.

“When you plant maize and cotton don’t forget small grains to ensure that you have a harvest. After harvest you go to the Grain Marketing Board and exchange your small grains with maize. Do not be worried that you will be stuck with small grains.”

He said Government was increasing the number of  irrigation schemes in rural areas, with 200 hectares earmarked in Mbire. “We will increase boreholes so that people have access to clean and safe drinking water. There is an outbreak of foot and mouth disease and movement of livestock has been restricted as we fight to control the outbreak,” he said.

“The disease is fuelled by people who move their cattle to Mozambique to visit their relatives. We urge you to take your cattle to dip tanks because during the rainy season there is an outbreak of January disease. Chemicals for dip tanks are available and will be distributed to all areas.”