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Walter Mswazie Masvingo Correspondent
Farmers in Masvingo have been urged to make use of the light showers that fell in the province last week to start land preparations ahead of the 2017/ 2018 farming season. Masvingo agricultural extension provincial officer Mr Peter Chamisa said while the recent showers did not signal the start of the rainy season, farmers should start tilling their land.

According to the Meteorological Services Department, the 2017-2018 rainfall season for Zimbabwe would see most parts of the country receiving normal to below normal rainfall between October and December, while the situation is expected to improve from January to March.

“I want to urge farmers in Masvingo to make use of the moisture content generated by the recent light showers to start tilling their land now,” he said. Mr Chamisa said the rainy season was expected to start in November and farmers should not start planting this month.

“The light showers, however, do not signal the start of the rainy season and farmers should not plant now because the rainy season is expected to start next month according to the weather experts,” he said. Mr Chamisa said farmers should start looking for inputs now and should ensure that they buy certified seeds. He warned unscrupulous farm inputs dealers against selling fake inputs, saying they would be arrested.

“We urge farmers to buy inputs, especially seed, fertilisers and chemicals, from reputable dealers,” said Mr Chamisa.
“We have learnt of farmers who have been duped after buying fake seeds from the streets. They should get assistance from agricultural extension workers deployed in their wards when looking for inputs. We warn these unscrupulous dealers who sell fake seeds that they will be prosecuted.” The Presidential Input Support Scheme has increased in scope after Government included soya beans, cow peas and groundnuts.

The scheme has committed $531 million to cater for about 1,8 million rural households. Under the scheme, which is supported by President Mugabe, cotton will be allocated $60 million, catering for 400 000 households. Grain production will take up $52,9 million and the balance would support oil seed crops such as soya beans.