Jambezi farmers worried over delayed rains

Victor Sibanda

A sense of desperation has gripped farmers in Jambezi, Hwange District, as they anxiously await the onset of the rainy season. The prolonged dry spell has left the area parched, with many farmers fearing that the 2024/2025 farming season will be another drought-stricken year.

The situation is dire, with livestock dying in masses due to lack of food and water. Farmers, who have already started preparing their fields, are now faced with the daunting prospect of another failed harvest.

“It’s a catastrophic situation,” lamented Marko Shoko, a farmer from Silibinda Village One. “We’re losing livestock daily due to starvation. Cattle and goats need pastures and adequate water, but our boreholes are drying up due to the heatwave. It’s a ticking time bomb, and we don’t know how much longer we can hold on.”

Agritex officer for Chidobe Ward, Ivy Dube, has urged farmers to remain optimistic, stating that it is too early to predict another drought.

“Let us be prepared, as it will rain anytime soon. I want to believe that it will rain soon. It’s a pity that livestock continue to die due to starvation. Let’s grow short varieties of crops that mature early once the rains set in,” she advised.

However, farmers are skeptical, and many have expressed concerns that the government is not doing enough to mitigate the effects of the drought. “We need irrigation schemes, not just words of encouragement,” said Peter Mathe, a farmer from Musani village, adding that the region is prone to drought, and they need sustainable solutions to address the problem.

“We can’t just sit back and wait for the rains to come, we need to take action,” he said.

The Jambezi area falls within the natural agro-ecological Region 5, which is characterized by low rainfall and high temperatures. To address this, farmers and stakeholders must explore irrigation practices and climate-resilient agricultural methods to enhance food security and mitigate the effects of climate change.

As the situation continues to deteriorate, farmers are calling on the government to provide emergency relief programs, including food aid and livestock feed.

“We need help, and we need it now,” said Shoko. “We can’t watch our livestock die and our crops wither away without doing something. We urge the government to take immediate action to address this crisis,” he lamented.

The drought has also raised concerns about food security, with many farmers warning that the situation could lead to widespread hunger and poverty. “We’re not just talking about livestock; we’re talking about people’s lives,” said Mathe. “If we don’t get rain soon, we’ll be facing a humanitarian crisis. We need to act now to prevent this from happening.”

Environmentalists and climate change experts say that irrigation is the way to go in drought prone areas like Jambezi. The implementation of irrigation schemes in rural areas can be a game-changer for food security, particularly in regions prone to drought and climate variability. By providing a reliable source of water, irrigation schemes enable farmers to grow a diverse range of crops, increase yields, and reduce post-harvest losses. This, in turn, enhances livelihoods, improves food availability, and promotes sustainable agriculture practices.

Moreover, irrigation schemes can help farmers adapt to climate change, mitigate the impact of droughts, and conserve soil health. As a result, investing in irrigation schemes can have a transformative impact on rural communities, improving food security, reducing poverty, and promoting sustainable development.

As the clock ticks, farmers in Jambezi can only hope that the rains will come soon. Until then, they will continue to struggle, their livelihoods hanging precariously in the balance.