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Takudzwa Chiwereweshe Manicaland Correspondent
FARMERS in Mutare and Rusape districts are in panic, as crops have started showing signs of moisture stress under the impact of the prevailing dry spell.

Forecasts of sporadic thunderstorms by the Meteorological Services Department last week had raised farmers’ hopes, but the predicted wet spell was not experienced in most parts of the districts. Mr Prosper Magarangoma, a large-scale farmer from Rusape, expressed concern over the rainfall pattern, which he described as both erratic and unpredictable.

He said he was worried over the stunted growth in some of his crops, as well as the increase of pests like the fall armyworm. Mr Magarangoma indicated that the low rainfall and pests would lead to a significant reduction in his yields.

Zimbabwe Farmers Union (ZFU) provincial manager, Mr Daniel Mungazi said it was too early to project a drought because though the rainfall was generally low, there was still hope as the agricultural season was far from over.

“It is too early to consider the season as a disaster, as we have not even gone past the half-way mark,” he said. “There are chances the rains may improve at some point. What farmers must be doing at the moment is to avoid activities that disturb the soil, while those still planting should practice conservation methods like zero-tillage.” Some farmers from Zimunya are seeing livestock farming as a potential escape route though water levels in some reservoirs have dropped significantly.

“We will certainly survive on selling our livestock and then buy grain from areas where it will be in abundance,” said one farmer who requested anonymity. Mainicaland Provincial Agricultural Extension Officer, Mrs Phillipa Rwambiwa said the situation was not yet dire as to declare a drought.

“It could just be a dry spell that can come to an end,” she said. “Of course, the rains are unevenly distributed with Region 1 and Region 2 experiencing the most rainfall.

“Upland areas are receiving rain in the form of showers, while the situation is different with valleys. At the moment, crops are moisture stressed, which is leading to stunted growth.”

Mrs Rwambiwa said some farmers’ situation had also been worsened by late acquisition of inputs. Low rainfall and high temperatures have ultimately led to “the stunting of crops as well as the multiplication of pests like the fall armyworm”, she said. Mrs Rwambiwa advised farmers to adopt small grains, as well as implement mitigation strategies to reduce the effects of drought.