Zimpapers Logo

Elita Chikwati Agriculture Reporter
The Meteorological Department has forecast meaningful rainfall which will fall between Sunday and December 22, as farmers continue planting and land preparations despite the dry weather conditions.

MSD forecaster Ms Tambu Pasipanodya said the rains will mark the start of the planting season for most areas.

“The amounts of the rain are expected to be high enough to support agricultural activities,” she said. “Rainfall figures in excess of 40mm in 24 hours are likely along the main watershed as well as most areas in the northern parts of the country.

“The forecast rainfall from December 13 to 22 is expected to mark the start of the agricultural season for most areas. Thus, the season is anticipated to be shorter than normal as an early cessation of the rainfall is highly likely; a high likelihood of a short season (December–February) is expected. Under such circumstances the season length is most likely going to be compromised.”

Ms Pasipanodya said the mid-November rains that were experienced in some parts of the country were followed by a long dry spell in most areas, implying a false start of the season.

“On the performance of the rainfall season so far the bulk of the country is in the normal to below normal category indicating a poor start to the season as had been forecast in the seasonal forecast,” she said.

Ms Pasipanodya urged farmers to liaise with their local Agritex officers on the advisories so that the forecast rainfall is taken into context with conditions such as evaporation rates and soil moisture availability that have an effect on the intended agricultural activities.

Farmers should also continue to access 1-3 and 10-day weather forecasts.

The MSD said so far the rainfall distribution has been poor resulting in most areas not receiving adequate moisture for planting or to sustain early crop development.

“Normally Zimbabwe experiences a mid-season dry spell from January into February,” said Ms Pasipanodya. “If the mid-season dry spell occurs around the same time during this season and given the delayed start of the season and the likelihood of an early cessation in most areas this may further compromise moisture availability and thereby affecting crop development.”

Zimbabwe Commercial Farmers Union president, Mr Wonder Chabikwa said farmers were continuing with land preparations despite the hot weather conditions.

“Farmers are still optimistic,” he said. “Some planted with the mid November rains and have had germination while others are dry planting.

“The condition of livestock is, however, worrisome especially in the southern parts of Manicaland, Masvingo and Matabeleland.

“We urge farmers to de-stock but the only challenge is that due to foot and mouth disease outbreaks, farmers are only allowed sell cattle for slaughter. The heat is too much and there is little grazing for livestock.”

Zimbabwe National Farmers Union vice president, Mr Garikayi Msika said it was unfortunate that cattle could not be moved to other areas for grazing because of the foot and mouth disease.

Mr Msika said farmers in cotton growing areas were depending on Government support which is expected to benefit one million households.

“Cotton farmers are depending on the Government inputs scheme and we hope the inputs will be disbursed quickly so they can plan adequately,” he said.

“Some farmers in the Lowveld are yet to carry out land preparations because normally they received some showers once in a season and that is when they carry out land preps and plant at the same time.

Agriculture, Mechanisation and Irrigation Development Minister, Dr Joseph Made recently urged farmers to take advice from extension officers in their areas.

“It is important that only those extension officers on the ground advise farmers on the agronomic practices to carry out. Farmers should not be confused by many commentators who give wrong advice.”