Response to Climate Variability and Farmer Productivity Lies with Use of certified Climate smart varieties: Pioneering Solutions for a Resilient Future

Agriculture is a cornerstone of Zimbabwe’s economy, with maize, soyabeans, and sugar beans being pivotal crops. Zimbabwe is actively implementing strategies to boost maize, soybean, and bean production through government initiatives and private sector involvement. These efforts aim to enhance food security, support economic growth, and adapt to the challenges posed by climate change. Seed Co, as a leading seed supplier, has taken a leading role in producing high-quality, adequate seed to support the government’s vision.

Pioneering solutions for a resilient future in agriculture, especially in the face of climate change, is essential for ensuring food security and sustainable farming practices. Climate-smart varieties play a pivotal role in this process by being bred or selected to withstand adverse environmental conditions such as drought, floods, pests, and diseases, which are becoming more common due to climate change. Here’s a breakdown of how climate-smart varieties can lead to a resilient agricultural future.

Agriculture is a critical industry in Zimbabwe, with 75% of the nation deriving income from farming in one way or another. With maize being the country’s staple crop, it is imperative that farmers get the right seed that comes with the promise of consistent performance, resilience, and stability for high yields and profitability. Seeds from several Seed houses are highly based on exceptional genetics and have a long-standing commitment to improving the lives of people, spanning 85 years. As the only one-stop field and vegetable crop business in Zimbabwe, you will find optimum results when you use seed hybrids and OPVs. From its inception of Agrarian program in Zimbabwe, seed houses have been at the forefront of innovation, impacting every aspect of the agricultural value chain—from breeders to sales personnel. Many companies have quick responded to climate variability has led to the development of world-class seed varieties. As the dynamics of the global village and Africa evolve, addressing agricultural challenges has become paramount.

As temperatures rise globally, crops like wheat, maize, and rice face heat stress that affects pollination and grain filling. Heat-tolerant varieties are helping to mitigate these effects. Technology has played a critical role in overcoming challenges faced by farmers in regions like Bonda (Eastern Highlands), Ndanga (Zaka), Magororo (Hurungwe), Bakasa (Guruve), and Kamutsenzere (Mt Darwin). Across all agro-ecological regions, vital cropping activities are underway. Through dedicated research and development exceptional varieties are being bred that have stabilized yields and helped combat famine in Zimbabwe and beyond. Hybridization has taken a center stage where majority of farmers have adopted use of certified seed. Certified seed continues to play a significant role by being the best genetics which is contributing immensely to national grain figures.

Soyabeans, a strategic crop crucial for food security, serve as a protein source for livestock feed and as an ingredient in cooking oil, margarine, and other products. The country requires over 220,000 metric tonnes of soybeans annually for food, feed, and industrial needs. Zimbabwe has a team of dedicated experts across regions who are ready to give advice to all farmers. Despite challenges like the El Niño-induced drought, the government anticipates a 6% economic growth in 2025, driven by improved agricultural output and power generation. The agriculture sector, which contracted by 15% in 2024, is projected to grow by 12.8% in 2025. The season presented both opportunities and threats to the business due to climate variability, which affected the start of the season. Seasonal forecasts and season quality usually guide cropping activities and farmers’ behaviors as the season progresses.

Rains being received are not favorable to farmers, especially the communal segment, which constitutes 80% of Zimbabwe’s agricultural landscape. The rains are sparsely distributed. In several provinces, the difference between the highest and lowest recorded rainfall presents a significant variation, indicating poor rainfall distribution, which then affects provincial average rainfall. During the season, temperatures remained high in several districts, causing temporary wilting points in Mashonaland Central province, Mashonaland West (Mhangura, Chinhoyi, Makonde, and Hurungwe). The prolonged dry spell resulted in temporary and permanent wilting of maize crops and a dearth of many soybean plants due to excessive temperatures. The majority of crops in temporary wilting recovered, but those that reached the Permanent Wilting Point (PWP) failed to progress.

Sugar beans got slightly affected by these unpredictable weather patterns. Planting dates were affected, and the majority of planting countrywide commenced from mid-January to the present day due to the irregular distribution of rainfall. As we speak, ultra-early, medium-season varieties, and long-season ones are performing very well, even in dryland cropping, responding to the dictates of season quality. Late-maturing varieties are excelling well in the commercial segment, where there is supplementary irrigation.
Here are some practical drought-mitigating strategies that we continue to advise field crop farmers to adopt and cope with dry conditions:

1. Adopting Drought-Tolerant Crop Varieties: Farmers have been advised to switch to or incorporate drought-resistant crop varieties that are genetically bred to withstand prolonged dry spells. For crops like maize, soybeans, and beans, varieties that have been specifically bred for drought tolerance, such as drought-tolerant maize hybrids, can help ensure better yields during drought conditions. These varieties require less water, are more resilient to heat stress, and typically have better survival rates under drought conditions. There are many champion varieties. These seeds are not merely about survival; they represent a pathway to thriving. Farmers who adopt these climate-smart varieties often report healthier crops, improved soil health, and increased biodiversity on their farms. The ultra-early maturing varieties have effectively and single handedly responded to the climate crisis by producing ultra-early and early-maturing varieties, which mature physiologically within 100 days, yielding up to 10 tonnes per hectare. The medium-maturing varieties directly address climate variability. Among these, medium maturing stands out as a top performer, capable of yielding up to 14 tonnes per hectare.
   The beauty of growing these climate-smart varieties is their adaptability across both high and low potential areas. Testimonials from farmers in Masvingise, Masvingo, Gairezi Nyanga, Adra Endeavour Mhangura, and Turk Mine in Inyathi, Bulawayo, highlight the varieties’ excellent performance across all agro-ecological zones under good management.
2. Conservation Tillage and Mulching: Conservation tillage (such as no-till or reduced tillage) involves leaving the previous season’s crop residue on the soil surface, while mulching uses organic or synthetic materials to cover the soil. These practices reduce evaporation, conserve soil moisture, and improve water retention. They also minimize soil erosion and enhance the soil’s organic matter, which improves overall soil health and moisture retention.
3. Efficient Irrigation Systems: If irrigation is available, using efficient irrigation systems like drip irrigation or sprinkler systems that deliver water directly to the plant roots can reduce water waste. These systems use less water than traditional flood irrigation and can help ensure crops receive water precisely when and where they need it, thus conserving water resources during dry spells.
4. Rainwater Harvesting and Water Storage: Installing rainwater harvesting systems to collect and store rainwater during wet seasons for use during drought periods. This strategy helps ensure a steady water supply for crops even in dry conditions. Water storage can be especially important for small-scale farmers who may lack access to irrigation infrastructure.
5. Crop Rotation and Diversification: Rotating drought-tolerant crops like millet, sorghum, or other drought-resistant varieties with more water-intensive crops, and diversifying the crop types grown on the farm. Crop rotation reduces the risk of crop failure due to drought and helps improve soil fertility. Diversifying crops can also help spread risk, as some crops may be more resilient than others during dry conditions. By using a combination of these strategies, farmers can better manage drought risk, maintain productivity, and improve long-term sustainability.
   By following Agronomists expert advice, farmers can improve crop yields, manage resources efficiently, and adapt to environmental challenges. Many seed houses, we see farmers as economic partners that we support through our world-class, fit-for-purpose breeding programs, seed distribution, and extension support. The key elements of a farmer’s profit equation are well-bred seed, good agronomic and management practices to optimize seed potential. We are always striving to broaden our seed basket and provide superior genetics for both field crops and vegetables. By embracing climate-smart varieties and combining them with sustainable farming practices, farmers can build resilience to climate change. This approach not only ensures food security and increased productivity but also helps to safeguard the environment. The key is to make these varieties accessible, affordable, and appropriate for local conditions, and to provide the support systems needed to empower farmers to adopt these solutions.

By Dior Pote
Seed Co Zimbabwe Agronomy Manager