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Traditional Grains have been allocated 500 000 hecters this season under a programme geared to enhance the country’s drought mitigation efforts.
Agricultural Advisory and Rural Development Services acting director for crop production Mr Leonard Munamati said: “To date, 520 800ha have been put under traditional grains (sorghum and millet), showing an increase from the area planted last season.
“This is largely attributable to the agro-ecological matching we have undertaken this season, where our farmers in natural ecological regions 3, 4 and 5 were encouraged to grow traditional grains.
In addition, the area under groundnuts is now at 253 821 ha.
“The figures may increase considering that we are still collecting data countrywide.
“These figures are based on our preliminary survey.”
According to experts, traditional grains’ drought tolerance, lower fertiliser needs, higher yields per hectare and shorter growing season make them a sustainable substitute for maize, especially during seasons when rainfall is limited.
It is envisaged that these grains will help supplement grain stocks in the strategic grain reserve in the event of maize suffering crop failure because of the anticipated drought.
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