The Civil Society Network on Climate Change – CISONECC has urged farmers in the country to explore different rainwater harvesting strategies that will aid them in improving crop productivity and mitigating the effects of climate change.
The call comes in light of the recent announcement by the Department of Climate Change and Meteorological Services, predicting scattered rains particularly in the southern and central parts of the country this month.
The 2023/2024 rainfall season has been influenced by El Niño conditions. Historically, El Niño has been associated with a delayed start of rain and dry spells.
Notably, in some parts of the country, the situation has created anxiety amongst farmers because crops are drying up due to the prevailing El Niño conditions.
Following the Department of Climate Change and Meteorological Services’ prediction of scattered rainfall in February, Julius N’goma, the National Coordinator for CISONECC, has since urged farmers to adopt various ways of harvesting rainwater to ensure food security.
“Rainwater harvesting can happen at different times of the year, even when farmers are expected to experience little rain like it is now,” said N’goma. “There are so many techniques of harvesting rainwater, it is just a matter of where these farmers are located and which kind of techniques they are introduced to.”
Chief Meteorologist responsible for IT and Communications at the Department of Climate Change and Meteorological Services, Amos Mtonya concurred with N’goma, saying it is high time farmers in the country adopted rainwater harvesting as a standard practice.
While most parts of the country are to experience isolated rains in February, Mtonya believes the rains will still help farmers with their harvests. “It is possible especially if they take heed of the advice that has been given to them,” he said.
