Newsletter Zimbabwe 1St Trimester | 2017

newsletter Zimbabwe 1st Trimester | 2017

© FAO © FAO © FAO Deadly fall armyworm emerges in the region for first time © FAO Southern Africa reported the and Southern Africa convened the government spends in excess emergence of the Fall Armyworm, the a regional meeting. It was of $600 million each year to try to a difficult and expensive to control funded by the Africa Solidarity control infestations. “Outbreaks pest causing extensive damage to Trust Fund, United States Agency of transboundary crop pests and food crops, mainly maize during for International Development and animal diseases in Southern Africa the 2016 – 2017 cropping season, United Kingdom’s Department for and the magnitude of their impacts threatening hopes of recovery International Development. should provide benchmarks upon from El Nino induced grain deficit. which the region should mirror This is the first time that the pest Speaking at the official opening, the itself regarding its early warning, was reported in the region and Zimbabwe Minister for Agriculture, preparedness and response it emerged when the region is Mechanization and Irrigation capacity,” said Phiri. experiencing an upsurge of new Development, represented by crop and livestock diseases that Permanent Secretary Ringson Crop and livestock specialists called are threatening the livelihood of Chitsiko, said the meeting sought to upon countries to urgently improve a big proportion of the population address the gaps in the management biosecurity measures at household that depends on agriculture for of transboundary pests and diseases levels, strengthen surveillance subsistence. in the region. “This meeting will and improve laboratory capacities, Apart from the new invasion by the enable us to find common ground diagnosis, reporting mechanisms Fall Armyworm, which originates for effective coordination of the and crisis communication. They also from the Americas, Southern Africa current and future preparedness recommended awareness raising faced threats from the red and and control programs for pests and campaigns targeting farmers and migratory locusts, the tomato leaf diseases.” other stakeholders. minor and maize lethal necrosis disease. Spurred by the urgent David Phiri, FAO Subregional The high-level meeting, which need to reverse the growing Coordinator for Southern Africa started on 14 February 2017 in threat of the transboundary crop Region, speaking at the conclusion Harare, brought together delegates pest and livestock diseases, FAO of the three-day meeting, said the from southern and eastern Africa. in collaboration with Southern costs and implications of the fall Participants were drawn from Africa Development Community armyworm were very serious, as Government and non-governmental and the International Red Locust seen in places where fall armyworm sectors, development partners, Control Organization for Central is endemic such as Brazil, where the private sector, research,

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Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations 1st Trimester | 2017

INSIDE THIS ISSUE

01 COVER STORY Deadly fall armyworm emerges in the region for first time © FAO

PAGE 3 CONTINUATION FROM COVER PAGE 1 FAO, WFP work together help academia and civil society with extensive knowledge communities recover from drought and experience in the response and management of transboundary crop and livestock pests and diseases.

PAGE4 Farmers across the country grappled with the pest EU Head of Delegation visits Forest which was first reported in December. FORCES site in Mutasa The pest was reported to have emerged in all 10 provinces of the country. Smallholder farmers in Gokwe and Zhombe areas in Zimbabwe’s Midlands province PAGE 5 were among the most affected by the invasion of the Field report: Witnessing the benefits fall armyworms. of El Nino response project One of the farmers, Violet Mloyi, of Gokwe narrated how the ‘cruel worms’ attacked her plush green crop, PAGE 6 and devoured devouring it within three days. “My crop Anti-pesticidal plants: An alternative was healthy, until I woke up to see that there was something that was eating the leaves of the maize to synthetic pesticides? plant. I sought assistance from the extension workers who identified the worm and we were advised to spray PAGE 8 some pesticides. Within three days, I saw that my crop had been destroyed. I am left with many questions, Ray of hope for Manicaland’s small as it is the first time that I have seen a pest that is so holder farmers destructive. I do not know where it came from and why it came at a time we hoped for a better harvest after PAGE 9 the devastating drought last year,” said Mloyi. FAO in pictures Armyworms are a type of moth capable of destroying an entire field of crops in a matter of weeks. The fall armyworm thrives during the rainy season, particularly after periods of prolonged drought - which is the case in southern Africa.

Food and Agriculture Organization 02 of the United Nations © FAO FAO, WFP work together help communities recover from drought

The devastating El Nino induced clear definition of duties and each that hosted the field days were drought that swept across southern partner played a part, contributing among the best. The hosting of Africa during the 2015 – 2016 to the success of the project. field days was to ensure that non- cropping season ignited interest participating farmers would also in building resilience within “By the time the rains came, the learn on the benefits that came communities. The drought came farmers were ready. The only with the white ‘tannin’ sorghum against a background of consecutive challenge we had was that we could variety. This is a departure from the lean seasons in some parts of the not get the short season sorghum red variety that the farmers were region, something that is attributed seed when the season started. used to. This variety repels birds, to the changing weather patterns There was a general shortage of hence the name ‘Shirikure’ and the because of climate change. the short season variety seed on the farmers were eager to prove if this market. As such, we had to settle for was true. The farmers who were WFP, FAO, and the Ministry of the medium term variety. We were part of the project confirmed this Agriculture Mechanization and reliably informed by the seasonal and they testified that they had Irrigation Development’s extension forecast that there was to be normal more time for other chores instead service (AGRITEX) partnered in a to above normal rains thus we were of bird scaring activities,” added project implemented in Rushinga certain it would mature before the Kwazira. (Mashonaland Central) and Mudzi end of the rainy season. And that in Mashonaland East to bolster the is exactly what happened,” added Kwazira said farmers preferred a resilience capacity of smallholder Kwazira. short season variety since the area farmer households. The project Kwazira said because of a serious receives less rains. “The farmers emphasised the cultivation of shortage of cowpea seed, they testified that their yield is much drought tolerant small grain and decided to buy additional fertiliser higher compared to the variety that legumes so as to reduce effects of using funds allocated for cowpea they used previously. They said the the El Nino induced drought and seed. “The additional fertiliser was sorghum heads are three or four build resilience in the longer-term vital as it cushioned farmers from times bigger than what they used by improving food production and the leaching that was experience to have. We are now working on marketing opportunities. in the last season because of the how to ensure that the sorghum incessant rains. We have seen from is consumed at household level, Karsto Kwazira, FAO National the crop assessments that we did harvested, stored and marketed Crops Officer, says the marriage in March that the farmers did very well for farmers to get good between the two UN Agencies well. This was also confirmed from returns,” added Kwazira. and a Government department the field days that we held in April,” was very fruitful. “FAO looked at added Kwazira. Under the project, FAO, with the procurement and agronomic cooperating partners, procured aspects of the project. For example, There were 20 field days in total (15 small grains and fertilizers from we procured the fertilizers and seed in Rushinga and five in Mudzi). main in-country producers. FAO and because of the nature of the There was a field day one in each used its logistics capacity to ensure relationship, the procurement went of the wards where the project was the timely transport and delivery of on well and by the mid - November, implemented. Kwazira said the the procured inputs to distribution all inputs had been secured and selection of a site to host the field points, where smallholder farmers farmer were ready for the effective day entailed a rigorous process. accessed them at subsidized prices. rains to start planting,” said Kwazira. “This means that the 20 households Kwazira added that there was Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations 03 1st Trimester | 2017

EU Head of Delegation visits Forest FORCES site in Mutasa © FAO

The EU Head of Delegation to livelihoods. This is done with due The project assisted farmers with Zimbabwe, Philippe van Damme, consideration of sustainability of 100 cubic metres of timber to visited a Forest FORCES project the resources available to ensure manufacture bee hives. Additional in Mutasa District, Manicaland in that they are available today as equipment availed to farmers January. The ambassador who was well as in the future. The project is include bee suits, queen cups, accompanied by FAO Subregional implemented in selected wards of smokers as well as containers for Coordinator, for Southern Africa, Bulilima, Hwange, Lupane, Matobo, putting harvested honey. David Phiri on the visit, described it Hwedza, Mutoko, Chimanimani as fruitful and enriching. and Mutasa Districts and is “We have laid a firm foundation targeting about 60 000 households for sustained honey production Forest FORCES project coordinator, throughout the entire project area. and farmers have bought various Maxwel Phiri, said this was an assets from the income earned. One enriching important visit for the EU, Phiri said they considered a number farmer has actually bought a truck the stakeholders and FAO. “This is of factors before they settled for a from the income earned from the so important because the EU got selected a site about 30 kilometres honey project. Others have used the to know the reality on the ground from Mutare for the visit. “The income to send children to school,” and actually see for themselves The selection was mainly to do added Phiri. Phiri said the farmers how the project was transforming with access, one of the best sites hadve become very initiative, as they lives, unlike getting to know about was not accessible because of the explore opportunities for additional it from reports. Additionally, this heavy rains that we experienced in income from beekeeping. “One of was an opportunity for the EU to January that rendered most roads the farmers now offers pollination interface with the beneficiaries. inaccessible. We were had to identify services to orchards that are close Such visits are motivational on the a suitable site that illustrated the by. This has increasesd the farmer’s part of the beneficiaries as well work that is carried out focussing on income as he hires out some of the as the stakeholders such as the beekeeping, and the site selected hives for a fee,” added the Forest local authority and implementing gave a good picture of the activities FORCES project coordinator. partners, as they directly interacted that were taking place within the with the EU Head of Delegation area,” added Phiri. Forest FORCES still needs to and appraised him on the project,” improve on certain areas, Phiri said. said Phiri. Phiri added that the visit Forest FORCES trained farmers in “It is important that we address was important as the comments beekeeping so that they are able the quality of hives, to further from the funding agency were a to produce good quality honey and enhance incomes. Farmers need very vital form of feedback for the handle it properly so that it meets to pay attention to the specific implementers. the standards set by private sector dimensions of, say the top bar been buyers. In addition to training hive. Failing to do so affects the The Forest Forces is a 4-year project farmers on beekeeping, the project quality of honey. We also have to (2014 to 2017), funded by the EU also linked the honey producers look at how to manage pests. There whose interventions are meant to with buyers. “What this means is is hive absconding because of the compliment what local communities that farmers are not only producing presence of pests especially ants. are doing for sustenance of their honey, but are doing so for a ready We need to improve in this area,” market,” said Phiri. said Phiri.

Food and Agriculture Organization 04 of the United Nations © FAO Field report: Witnessing the benefits of El Niño response project

We went on a mission to Zvishavane them hope that they would save adequate knowledge on the inputs to train data entry enumerators for their livestock while awaiting the from the local technocrats. This the post distribution and pre harvest onset of the rainy season. was as a result of close similarities assessment. I managed to visit one between the pen fattening and selling point, in Vugwi Ward. The The farmer, however, said they survival meal offered by the project. visit was very appropriate as it gave would have been happier if the He said if farmers had realised that me an opportunity to experience, survival feed had been availed a the survival meal was a good as first hand, how the project was bit earlier. This is understandable the pen fattening, this could have progressing. as the project started in November improved the stock feed sales. 2016. This is not to discount the This project supports farmers’ positive effects of the project as the Personally I feel that since this is access to drought-tolerant seeds farmer added that they saved their not the first time for Zvishavane and access to subsidised stock feed. livestock from imminent starvation. to participate in such project, and The project is funded to the tune of given the benefits that the farmers Euro 1 million by the Italian Agency Under the project, farmers bought have seen and the structures that for Development Cooperation as supplementary feed delivered to are in place, I believe that farmers part of the El Niño drought response convenient and accessible locations will be able to mitigate against project. FAO is implementing at subsidised price. In addition any future shocks that may come. the drought response project in smallholder farmers were also What is important is for the farmers partnership with Government of provided with subsidized sorghum to make sure that they use the Zimbabwe, through the Ministry seed and cowpeas seed. Sorghum, resilience funds wisely so that they of Agriculture, Mechanisation like other small grains, is drought will not be found wanting on a rainy and Irrigation Development in tolerant. Income from the sale of day. Mberengwa, Zvishavane, Chivi and the stock feed and the subsidised Mwenezi districts. seed is kept by the ADA for use In other wards, the farmers were as resilience funds on community really pleased with the survival I managed to interact with two key development projects. meal, they were also pleased with people at this selling point, that the type of sorghum that came. is, the secretary of the ADA a Mr The onset of the 2016 – 2017 rainy A key challenge that the farmers Sibanda and the ward councillor season, was characterised by s a dip in identified is that there is a huge gap Mr Singwango. From the farmers the demand for the supplementary within the livestock market value perspective, as pointed out by the feeds. However, despite the sales chain. For example, some of the secretary of the ADA, they were going down, farmers continued to buyers connive so as to push the happy that the project came at buy stock feed so as to improve the prices down. There are allegations a critical time. The farmers were condition of the livestock. that some of the buyers do not buy reeling from the effects of the 2015 on credit and fail to honour their – 2016 drought which destroyed The councillor for the ward payments. pastures as well as crops. This Singwango also weighed in, saying project, the farmer said, is giving it was important from them to get

Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations 05 1st Trimester | 2017

Attacks by plant pests affect crop Pesticidal plants offer farmers Speaking at the official opening production causing significant a real and effective alternative of ICPP2, Deputy Minister (Crops losses to farmers and threatening to synthetic products, and in and Mechanisation) in the Ministry food security and income. The most cases pesticidal plants are of Agriculture, Mechanisation and spread of plant pests and diseases low risk alternatives to the toxic Irrigation Development (MAMID), has increased dramatically in recent synthetic pesticides widely used. Honourable Davis Marapira, years. There is also an increase in use In order to raise awareness about said there is need for ‘cleaner of pesticides in livestock production pesticidal plants, their advantages pesticides’ as the synthetic ones as well as in public health. This is over synthetic pesticides to pose challenges for farmers, the partly attributed to globalization, improve people’s livelihoods, environment and consumers. “The trade and climate change, as well and delivering innovative ways to ministry is excited to host this as reduced resilience in production sustainably manage insect pests, conference because we are fully systems due to decades of the Optimising Pesticidal Plants: aware of the impact of pests on agricultural intensification. Technology Innovation, Outreach food security. I can give an example and Networks (OPTIONs) held an here, in Zimbabwe we experienced Most pest problems cannot be international conference in Victoria the fall armyworm and this pest is a wished away as farmers have Fall in February this year. menace today,” said Hon Mharapira. to intervene and in most cases synthetic pesticides are usually the The meeting, the 2nd International The Deputy Minister added that first line of defence for farmers. Conference on Pesticidal Plants farmers were worried about the Synthetic pesticides come with (ICPP2), was a follow up to a management of the synthetic unintended effects to the users, similar one held in Kenya in 2013. pesticides as well as the cost involved consumers and environment. The Victoria Falls meeting was in sourcing them. “There is also In some cases, these synthetic held under the theme: Harnessing concern on how to manage obsolete pesticides are poorly regulated and pesticidal plant technologies for pesticides which have accumulated very toxic products are still widely improved livelihoods. over the years. The theme of this available and used.

Food and Agriculture Organization 06 of the United Nations Issues discussed include; use of pesticidal plants to manage field crop pests; protecting stored products with pesticidal plants, soil invertebrate, weed management and bio-fertilizers as well as vectors of human and animal diseases.

Chairperson of the local organising committee of ICPP2, Brighton Mvumi, said it was important to work together as well as sharing experiences and see how to harness antipesticidal plant technologies that can be used in developing countries. “It is in developing countries where the challenge of pests is much more pronounced. This conference will enable us get information on what is happening © FAO and what each one of us can do in our area of expertise,” said Mvumi. topic is very appropriate as our Speaking during the opening research activities should harness ceremony of the conference, Joyce Sibusiso Sibanda of FAO presented a locally available resources to Mulila-Mitti, FAO Plant Production paper titled: The status of pesticide improve agriculture activities and and Protection Officer, said there management in Southern Africa: livelihoods of smallholder farmers,” were concerns on the correct Challenges and opportunities said Mharapira. use of synthetic pesticides and if for safer alternatives. This paper, it was sustainable. “There is also co-authored with Ivy Saunyama, ICPP2 was organized around a concern about food safety and Francesca Mancini and Mulila-Mitti, four-day programme of events about the environment. The theme touched on pesticide management and themed scientific sessions of this conference ties well with in the region, identifying some focused on the sustainable use FAO’s Strategic Objective 2 (Make of the challenges which include of plants in agricultural, livestock agriculture, forestry and fisheries outdated legislation; inadequately pest management and biopesticide more productive and sustainable). resourced registration systems with development. The conference As such, this conference is a weak enforcement capacities and brought together academics, platform for collaboration in testing illegal trafficking and marketing researchers, private sector, safer alternatives to synthetic of unregistered and counterfeit Government, non-governmental pesticides,” said Mulila-Mitti. pesticide products, accumulation organisations and international of obsolete pesticide stockpiles development partners. as well as widespread use of very toxic pesticides including highly hazardous pesticides.

Smallholder farmers often bear suffering numerous breakdowns Smallholder irrigation plays the brunt of fast changing climatic since the EU last rehabilitated it in a vital role in the sustenance conditions and patterns. One way 1997 and the infrastructure had of rural livelihoods and is the of cushioning these farmers and started collapsing with equipment most dependable way resource- vulnerable communities is shifting needing regular repair, leaving poor farmers can improve their reliance on rain water to functional the Gudyanga community with no livelihoods and ensure sustainable irrigation systems. Beyond the reliable source of water for their food security during dry periods. mountainous terrains of Manicaland crops. The farmers under the SIP have province in the Eastern Highlands of firmly grasped the concept of Zimbabwe lies Gudyanga irrigation “We heard from the Ministry farming as a business. Under the scheme where small holder farmers of Agriculture that FAO was project, the farmers have been have benefited from irrigation and looking for irrigation schemes to linked to credit agreements with have turned farming for subsistence rehabilitate in the province and banks and reliable markets to sell means to a profitable business we applied”, explains the chairman their crops. They have been moved enterprise. of the irrigation committee, “we from farming for subsistent means were very excited to find out that to making huge profit margins and Gudyanga is one of the schemes we had been selected to benefit supplying reputable companies. that have been rehabilitated from this project and this year we Committee members have under an FAO small holder have produced more yields than the undergone training so that they are irrigation project (SIP) funded by scheme has ever produced since its able to manage their schemes more the European Union. The area lies establishment”. The farmers in the viably. Moreover the SIP ensures in Zimbabwe’s ecological region scheme are proud to share their that communities look after the 4, which is characterised by low testimonials of increased yield per rehabilitated schemes by involving rainfall of less than 650ml annually. hectare. “I used to produce 4 scotch- the farmers at all stages. Farmers In such areas as these, irrigation carts, this season I had 8”, says an contributed 10 percent of the total is essential in ensuring that crops elderly lady with excitement, “there cost of rehabilitation through labor receive enough water for a decent is surplus food for my family this and provision of locally available harvest. The scheme had been season, something that I am not resources, providing them with a used to having”, she adds with glee. sense of ownership for the scheme.

Food and Agriculture Organization 08 of the United Nations FAO IN PICTURES

FAO Subregional coordinator David Phiri enjoys a glass of milk at the World Milk Day celebrations.

FAO Plant Production and protection Officer Joyce Mulila Mitti speaks © FAO to ZIfm radio about the outbreak of the Fall Army Worm. David Phiri plants a tree to commemorate the 2017 International day of Forests.

© FAO A public exhibition at a Livelihoods and Food Security EU ambassador is welcomed by the FAO SRC to one Programme (LSFP) learning event. of the EU-funded project sites. © FAO, 2017 © FAO, I7613EN/1/09/17

Produced by FAO Zimbabwe for further information contact Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO).Representation in Zimbabwe, Block 1 Tendeseka Office Park, Cnr Samora, Machel Ave and Renfrew Rd , Eastlea, Harare, Telephone: +263 4 25202, Fax : +263 4 700724, E-mail: [email protected]; www.fao.org/africa/en/