Technology is a necessity in today's farming

Farmers should heed Deputy Minister of Agriculture, Mechanisation (Cropping) Cde Davis Marapira's advice of embracing technology in their farming activities. Use of technology has got many advantages of in agriculture which includes expediting crop production rate and crop quantity.  This will also reduce costs of production for farmers and food costs for consumers.

Before the evolution of technology, farmers were dependent on small agriculture tools such as hoes, ploughs and animals for both planting and harvesting of crops. However today, there are big tractors, combine harvesters and other big machines that are used to do the same job in a short period of time. The burden and hard labour is now being lessened as man operated equipment now rules most field. The use of technology in agriculture has the capacity of making major positive changes in farming business.

It is pleasing that this year government is doing its level best to improve the agriculture sector. Firstly, government has promised to install irrigation equipment on all areas that have water sources. Such a move is essential since an increase in agricultural production and productivity depends mostly on the availability of water. Irrigation systems are significant especially in the event that the country receives low rainfall. This year, most crops wilted due to El Nino induced drought. Had it been that there were many irrigation systems nationwide; farmers could have enjoyed a bumper harvest despite the drought.

Mechanizing agriculture is a way of commercializing. Use of farming and harvesting machines means increased farm production.

Besides farming machinery, there are also farming technological advancement which are necessary for the enhancement of the agriculture sector. As rightly stated by Minister Marapira, the use of herbicides is one of them.

"Herbicides effectively reduce labour demand and are effective in managing weeds that are difficult to manage using manual process. Where herbicides have been adopted, farmers have increased their cropping area significantly" said Minister Marapira.

Prior to the introduction of herbicides, farmers could hand weed their crops using hoes. The use of hoes in weeding is extremely tedious and time consuming. Also, hand weeding is not practical to use on large scale farms. Hand weeding using hoes also poses some risk to the crops. For instance, the hoe may mistakenly uproot or damage the actual crop instead of the weeds, thereby reducing production of the crops. This is different with the use of herbicides which are more effective and convenient.

It is wiser for farmers to seek assistance on how to use some of these herbicides and pesticides from agricultural extension officers in the Department of Research and Specialist Services.

It is also significant for farmers to practice crop rotation in their farms. Crop rotation involves the rotation of different crops planted in the same field following a defined order. Rotation of crops is a natural way of reducing pests and diseases in the cropping system as well as controlling of weeds. It is also necessary to practice crop rotation as this improves the soil quality through better distribution of nutrients in the soil profile.

If farmers make use of modern agriculture in their farming practices, the country will boost its food security. The agricultural sector is the backbone of the economy. Accordingly, the economic blue print Zim-ASSET seeks to improve and increase food security as well as eradicate poverty through agriculture.  Use of technology will therefore assist in meeting the objectives of Zim- ASSET. Additionally, gross domestic product of the nation will be boosted.

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chido chikuni <chidochikuni@gmail.com>