Changing climate demands Agroecology for sustainable markets

Jefias Sithole (55) from Mwenezi District in Masvingo province says unpredictable weather patterns had affected his farming activities up until the intervention of PELUM Zimbabwe partner Mwenezi Development Training Center (MDTC) which built small dams and gave climate adaptation training to farmers in his community to help farmers with irrigation water for their farming activities. He also says he is now capable of taking care of his eight family members through these interventions. Photo: PELUM Zimbabwe

Catastrophic climatic conditions are pushing agricultural activities to the extreme, leaving smallholder farmers vulnerable to the changing climate.

Jefias Sithole (55) is a lead farmer from Mwenezi district in Masvingo Province working with Mwenezi Development Training Centre (MDTC).

Jefias makes his living through selling farm produce to local markets. He says his business has been negatively affected by the unpredictable weather conditions owing to fluctuations in weather patterns. This, he says, is affecting production, crop quality and ultimately revenue.

“I grow maize, bambara nuts, peanuts and other crops which I sell to local markets. In some seasons we receive more water at the beginning of the rainy season and very little rain towards the middle and end of the season. By the time crops are ready for the market, they would have suffered moisture stress and this reduces the quality of our crops,” he says.

Jefias says the agroecology training he received from Mwenezi Development Training Centre has helped him to adapt to the changing climate and secure his livelihoods.

“Crop quality has improved through agroecology. Previously farmers’ crops were of low quality and did not attract good prices,” says Jeremiah Chinhuho (41), a Field Officer working with Mwenezi Development Training Centre.

“Through agroecology, farmers have reclaimed lost markets and regained revenue. My organization has been able to create market linkages and provide capacity for farmers to grow their products and access markets,” he says.

Mwenezi Development Training Centre has also worked with farmers to construct small dams and to establish nutritional gardens. Farmers are now producing vegetables for household use and for the local markets. Jeremiah says growing appropriate crops is crucial if farmers are to maintain their markets.

Takudzwa Muzvidziwa (29), an Agricultural Economist working with Knowledge Transfer Africa, says there is a need for an inclusive and holistic stakeholder approach to markets in order to cushion farmers from the effects of climate change.

“Everyone is affected by climate change. An all stakeholder inclusive approach is needed to address issues of climate change because it affects supply and demand of agroecology products on the markets,” says Takudzwa.