Sorghum- so good
The World Food Programme (WFP) is encouraging farmers to grow sorghum, a drought tolerant small grain
Look at the picture on the left. Look at the picture on your right. Would you believe they were taken in the same village on the same day?
What’s the difference? The crop.
On your left there is a field filled with white sorghum, and on your right there is a field full of maize.
In Zimbabwe, the staple food is maize. Maize meal, cooked into a stiff porridge called Sadza, is eaten by most Zimbabweans at least once a day.
But this wasn’t always the case, prior to the introduction of maize, small grains were widely grown and consumed throughout the region. Sadza used to be primarily made with sorghum.
From a set of farming practices (agroecological) stance, sorghum is a more productive crop for Zimbabwe’s semi-arid regions. From a nutritional stance, compared to maize, sorghum is a more drought resistant crop- richer in protein, fat, calcium, and iron.
With the introduction of maize, sorghum developed a bad reputation for being more difficult to harvest and mill which converted farmers in drought prone regions to start producing maize instead of sorghum.
Small Grains Lead to Bigger Gains
According to The Famine Early Warning Systems Network (FEWS NET), a leading provider of early warning and analysis on food insecurity, Zimbabwe is currently facing its worst drought in four decades. With climate change, the frequency and severity of drought is projected to increase.
To support smallholder farmers meeting their food requirements and also to help build their resilience to economic and environmental shocks, WFP’s Small Grains Project provides small holder farmers with quality seeds and training on how to maximize their harvest. Each farmer receive 5 kg of sorghum seeds and 2.5 kg of cowpea seeds.
Once a year, the farmers who receive these agricultural inputs and training meet to celebrate the harvest and share their successes and challenges for that agricultural year. In June, I had the privilege of being part of one such “Field Day” in Chiredzi, a small town in Masvingo province, south-east Zimbabwe. The venue chosen by the farmers was Ms. Munyangani’s farm and homestead.
Trip to the Farm
Meet Ms. Munyangani, a kind, hard working mother of three. Last year, she received inputs of white sorghum seeds and cow pea seeds. She is now reaping the rewards.
Every morning, Ms. Munyangani starts her day before sunrise, walking 7 km to her farm, balancing the water she needs on her head. Her 12 year-old daughter is responsible for preparing breakfast for the younger children and walking them to and from school. Typically, Ms. Munyangani works on her farm till early evening before making the long trek home.
“This year was a hard year,” she said. “The maize I planted didn’t survive, however my sorghum and cow pea harvest was enough to survive on. I plan to increase my yield by not planting maize anymore and use the soil to plant more sorghum, because sorghum survives drought.”
Fall armyworm and other pests have been an issue. Ms. Munyangani bought some expensive spray, but it was too difficult to move enough water, needed for the spray, to her farm, so she went without.
“The changes in climate means we do not have as many rainfalls anymore and often the rain comes late so I have been planting later, but the later I harvest, the more birds I need to chase off,” said Ms Munyangani. “I walk through my fields whistling, but it isn’t very effective. I try to protect my sorghum from birds by covering the largest heads. Also, to protect my crop I dug small divots between my rows, so the plants could retain water.”
Despite the obstacles faced this season, she is hoping that her .5 hectare field yields half a tonne of sorghum. “I’m sure you’ll make it,” a fellow farmer interjects. “At least you’ll have enough for your family,” a neighbour chimes in.
The sorghum inputs and training WFP’s Small Grains Project provides, alongside our partners FAO and Agritex, helped provide Munyangani with the tools she needs to succeed, but the work and dedication required to grow them under a harsh climate is all her own.
Back to the Celebration
Upon touring Munyangani’s farm and discussing the lessons learned for this agricultural season, the small grain farmers returned to her homestead to celebrate the harvest through speeches, dancing and sharing a meal.
Ms. Munyangani’s labour and efforts were recognized by WFP, who provided her with a wheelbarrow and plough. Everyone celebrated.
In an uncommonly harsh agricultural year, the Small Grains Project has helped farmers build resiliency through providing 2,750 small holder farmers with inputs in Mwenezi and Chiredzi, and 2,200 farmers received capacity strengthening training in Mount Darwin and Uzumba Maramba Pfungwe.
To learn more about WFP in Zimbabwe, click here
