MARTIN MAWAYA
MASVINGO-International guests will this Thursday join the Zimbabwe government in celebrating the International year of Millets to be held in Masvingo to be graced by the Lands and Agriculture Ministry.
Government officials from Italy, Food and Agricultural Organisation (FAO) sub-regional coordinator for Southern Africa and representative in Zimbabwe as well as the secretary general for International Treaty will also attend the function.
In a press statement, the International Treaty on Plant Generic Resources for FAO of the United Nations, urged farmers to diversify their crops and grow traditional crops such as millets to ensure food security.
It says millets is a “climate resilient crop that tolerate poor soils, drought, plants diseases and harsh growing conditions” as well as adapt to different environment without the need for much fertilizer or pesticides”.
FAO added that millets provides a way to transform local agrifoods systems for better production.
Zimbabwe is currently part of the International Treaty’s Benefits Sharing Fund (BSF) project which support farmers to grow drought resistance crops and boost biodiversity in their fields.
The BSF helps local communities connect with the larger global world through projects initiatives such as growing of small grains (Millets) as target crops.
Turning to traditional crops such as millets that have been overlooked over the years will go a long way in mitigating effects of climate change induced shocks.
The 2023 International year of Millets comes at a time when the Zimbabwe government targeted to surpass a mark of 500 000 hectares next season, with expectations to harvest 1,5 million tonnes of traditional grains.
The government also declared traditional grains of sorghum, finger millet and pearl millet as strategic crops, whereby all agro-ecological areas are supported by inputs to produce traditional grains.
