The Agriculture Extension Services department is urging farmers in the Zvishavane and Mberengwa areas of the Great Dyke to shift their focus to small grains farming which has great potential for good rewards.
Speaking to Great Dyke News 24, Provincial Crop and Livestock Officer Mrs Medline Magwenzi said farmers tend to prefer maize but small grains are the best option in that region.
“People in Mberengwa and Zvishavane like growing maize but maize is not their crop. The problem is that rain received that side is not enough to grow maize. We advise them to rather grow finger millet, pearl millet, sorghum and rapoko. These are what we call small grains or traditional grains. It is good in their areas as it does not require much rain and you can harvest a lot especially if the soil is fertile”, said Magwenzi.
She highlighted that small grains were shunned previously because they did not bring much financially but now the situation has changed with government throwing its weight behind small grains farming.
“In the past there was no money involved, now money is involved because small grains are now valued, like maize,” she said.
