Mishec Sibanda gears up for 2025/26 season
By Jonah B Moyo
One of the top farmers for 2024/25 season, Mishec Sibanda from Crystal Springs in Gwanda has begun land preparations for 2025/26 season, changing his seeds from Smile sorghum to Sila sorghum which is free from army worms and has high yields production.
He has started by proactively applying organic manure to enhance soil fertility ahead of the upcoming rainy season.
Sibanda did not stop farming when he harvested his smile sorghum and sunflower. Immediately after, he used the other portion of his farm for maize and watermelon so that his bank can be always cashing in money from fresh produce. He has applied organic manure in his 9 hectares of his 17 harvested farm.
“As a proactive farmer, I do not wait for the rains to start preparing my land. When the season begins, I am ready to ensure optimal crop growth. That is why I have applied organic manure to 9 hectares of my farm, aiming to boost yields and surpass last season’s record of over 5 tonnes of sorghum,” Sibanda said.”
“Last season, I sold some of my produce to local broiler farmers who have over 4,000 birds. Instead of them sourcing feed from urban areas, I offered them competitive prices, which not only helped me raise much-needed cash but also supported the local agricultural industry, some of my produce was sold to the Grain Marketing Board (GMB),” he added.
He also highlighted that this season he is changing the seed variety to the most pest resistant one.
“Last season, my crops were ravaged by armyworms, significantly impacting yields, particularly with the Smile and SV2 sorghum varieties. This season, I am planting Sila and SV4 varieties, which are more tolerant to pests like armyworms, in a bid to minimize damage and boost yields,” he said.
By applying skills he gained from the 2024/25 season, his livestock have sufficient feed reserves, but he is proactively preparing additional supplies in anticipation of potential droughts, also mindful of the impact of El Niño-induced weather patterns.
In an interview with Andrew Kageya from Mapate ward 16 Gwanda south, he highlighted that as a farmer he is now waiting for the first rain.
“My farm is now ready for the new season. I have secured the area, closed the gates, and prohibited livestock from grazing inside. I am eagerly awaiting the first rains to kick-start farming. Given our region’s dry climate, it is crucial to plant with the first rains, allowing crops to establish strong roots and increasing their chances of survival during dry spells,” Siziba said.He also highlighted that he will be growing sorghum.”
I have chosen to grow sorghum because it is a crop well suited to our region’s climate, and its resilience to climate change makes it an ideal choice for these unpredictable times,” he added.
Matabeleland South Provincial Meteorological Officer Rodgers Hugh Munyira highlighted that there is no rainfall for October and November.
“According to the forecast, October and November will be dry with scattered light rains in parts of Matabeleland South. Temperatures will be hot as usual, and we can expect a false start to the rainy season. However, December will bring significant rainfall, followed by normal rainfall patterns in January, February and March, resulting in a normal to above-normal season,” he said.
He also cautioned communities to remain vigilant for potential river flooding, even if their area did not receive significant rainfall, highlighting the importance of preparedness.
“We have experienced tragic losses due to river flooding in the past. This season, even if we do not receive rainfall locally, upstream rains could cause our rivers to flood. I urge everyone to exercise extreme caution and stay away from rivers to avoid drowning.
“Additionally, with the likelihood of strong winds and thunderstorms during rainfall, we advise people to ensure their structures are secure and can withstand wind damage. When it is raining, please stay indoors to avoid being struck by lightning,” Munyira said.
