By Rex Mphisa
THE Agritex Department at Beitbridge has advised farmers to continue planting with more emphasis on smaller grains.
In an interview Agritex district head Masawuso Mawocha said farmers must not wait because of the current erratic pattern of rains but should plant.
“People can continue planting traditional grains, some already started,” he said.
Small grains refer to crops like sorghum and millet crucial for Zimbabwe’s dry regions being ighly drought-resistant.
These require less water, and are better adapted to climate change than maize, a favourite of many despite its dsadvantages in Beitbridge.
Besides. the small grains are a bigger source of nutrients offering iron and fiber.
They are also pest resistant and have a superior shelf life while thay are also excellent for poultry projects.
“They are naturally adapted to low rainfall and high temperatures, making them more reliable in semi-arid areas where maize often fails,” a crop researcher said.
“They have superior water use efficiency due to their plant structure, needing less water to thrive. In areas in regions four and five it is perhaps more prudent to plant these ” said the expert.
At the market the millet and sorghum fetch relative far much more that the traditionally liked maize crops.
As of late 2025, the Grain Marketing Board producer price for a ton (metric tonne) of millet is US$380.00.
This price is part of the approved producer prices for the 2025/2026 farming season for traditional grains and maize.
The GMB producer price for a metric ton (maizeton) of maize for the 2024/2025 agricultural season was USD 376.48.
Sugar Beans are $6000 per ton for A grade and $5000-$6000 for a ton while Soya beans attract $2000 per ton for the best grade.
Sorghum fetches $920 ped ton for all grades while producer prices for millet are $650 per ton.
This week rains and thunderstorms are expected in Beitbridge.