Farmers have been urged to prioritise drought-tolerant and early maturing seed varieties suited to their respective agro-ecological regions.
In a statement, recently, Permanent Secretary in the Ministry of Agriculture, Mechanisation and Water Resources Development, Dr Obert Jiri, said scientific knowledge and climate-responsive farming practices were critical in helping farmers manage changing weather patterns and minimise the effects of prolonged dry spells.
“Science must lead the season. Farmers should make informed decisions when selecting their seed varieties, taking into account the climatic conditions and agricultural potential of their respective regions,” he said.
He said drought-tolerant and early maturing varieties remained among the most effective tools available to farmers in responding to increasingly unpredictable rainfall patterns.
“Drought-tolerant and early maturing varieties, matched to each agro-ecological region, are among our strongest tools. These varieties can help farmers manage rainfall uncertainties and improve their chances of achieving successful harvests,” said Dr Jiri.
He urged farmers against making seed selections without considering the suitability of particular varieties to their geographical locations, warning that different agro-ecological regions required different approaches to crop production.
“Choose your seed with your region and the forecast in mind. Farmers must understand that what performs well in one area may not necessarily produce the same results in another because climatic conditions and rainfall patterns differ,” he said.
Dr Jiri said aligning seed selection with scientific recommendations and seasonal forecasts would help farmers make better use of available resources while strengthening agricultural resilience.
“Appropriate crop varieties are essential in safeguarding household food security and supporting national agricultural production,” he said.
The emphasis on climate-smart agriculture comes as Zimbabwe continues to promote farming practices that respond to climate variability while strengthening productivity and food security across the country’s agro-ecological regions.
