Exploring Constraints and Opportunities for Sorghum Production in Dry Regions of Zimbabwe

The objective of the study was to explore the constraints and opportunities for small-holder sorghum farmers in dry regions.Two hundred and fifty farmers were sampled by using the simple random and snowball sampling to provide the information that answered the research questions.Questionnaire and interviews were used as the research instruments.Out of 250 participants,80%were males and 20%were females showing that more males were selected for the research.Data was coded and processed using excel.Descriptive statistics were used to describe results.Of all the participants,4%were in the age range of 25-30 years,10%in the age range of 31-35 years,14%in the age range of 36-40 years,16%in the age range of 41-45 years and 56%in the age range of 46 years and above.Out of all the participants,20%attained primary education while 68%had attained secondary education.Only 12%had tertiary education.Results indicated availability of resources(60%)such as certified seed,fertilizers,herbicides and draught power as the major constraint in the production of sorghum.Lack of technical knowhow(20%)of sorghum production,poor farming methods(9.6%)such as mono-cropping,Striga weed(12%),outbreak of fall armyworm(14.4%)and marketing of produce(8%)were also amongst the major constraints indicated by most participants.66%of the 250 participants showed that they produce sorghum due to its drought tolerant nature.Beer brewing was just slightly above half(52%)whilst making mealie meal was slightly below half(48%).Lack of knowledge,resources and poor markets hindered sorghum production in dry regions.Farmers were using retained seeds which are populated and affected by diseases and this contributed to low yields.Opportunities such as reducing poverty,food insecurity and income generation drives some farmers to venture into sorghum production.

Rediscovering Pride in Agricultural Heritage through Cultivation of African Indigenous Vegetables (AIVs) as Climate Acquiescent Vegetables, Immune and Health in Response to COVID-19 Pandemic in Zimbabwe

African Indigenous Vegetables are asserted to cope with climate variability besides their great potential as both food and medicine in Zimbabwe.They can be easily grown in drought prone areas with low rainfall as they are resistant to adverse environmental factors.Inimitable opportunities are offered through cultivation of AIVs to diversify farming systems so as to ensure food security and are cheap alternatives as compared to their expensive exotic counterparts.Alternative approaches to reduce escalating numbers of current Covid-19 patients and death is to introduce nutrient intervention through rediscovering of pride in agriculture through cultivation and commercialisation of AIVs in Zimbabwe.AIVs have great potential to improve immune response by supplementing dietary requirements(micronutrients)of an individual and can have a positive impact on COVID-19 outcome as they play a significant role in the immune system.AIVs have antifungal,acaricidal,antiviral,anticancer and act as immune stimulants.There is need for persuasive research based information,suitable national legislation and information campaigns on cultivation and consumption of AIVs in Zimbabwe.