Thus, the government has introduced a tighter programme to enhance agricultural productivity and output growth as well as promote inclusive agricultural production.
The revamped programme, which is scheduled to kick-in during the next ploughing season, is anticipated would promote amongst others investment in crop production, agro-ecological production and agro-tourism.
It also anticipated it would increase the yield of selected crops through the introduction of output-based encashment, introduction of insurance cover, seasonal guarantee loans as well as robust promotion of climate-smart agriculture.
The new scheme comes after a decision was taken to review ISPAAD after it initially failed to return meaningful dividends as government usually received outputs averaging 47% of the investment. Food security situation in the country has also not improved as low productivity and high import bill remain a challenge despite interventions like ISPAAD. However, the new scheme has raised mixed reactions amongst farmers who feel that it has been designed to cater for commercial farmers whilst leaving out subsistence ones.
Some argue that the new programme should continue to target poor households while the commercialisation aspect should be pursued only in geographical areas where proven potential for viability and where the use of seasonal inputs may be sustained beyond the programme. Yet others suggested that the new programme should take into consideration the climate change aspect as seasons are becoming shorter with increased temperatures, changes in precipitation patterns as well as extreme weather events.
Unlike in the past when the ploughing seasons were between October and December, these days it is advisable to plough around February to avoid plants being affected by heatwave that usually comes around January. The overall impact of climate change on agriculture is expected to be negative whilst simultaneously threatening food security. Therefore, farmers should also consider testing their soil before ploughing, a move that would assist in providing the accurate assessment of the soil fertility and even for one to know the required fertiliser type. Such could be the case because better soil management practices normally lead to increased agricultural production.
Meanwhile, cluster farming that government has been preaching should be considered in the new season. It is high time regions specialise in the kind of crops that are favourable in their areas. Through traditional seed breeding, there has been development of different varieties of food crops which will allow farmers to control their food system, protect biodiversity and build resilience against climate change. Today's thought "“Make improvements, not excuses. Seek respect, not attention.” ― Roy T. Bennett
