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Precious Manomano

Herald Reporter

LIGHT showers that fell in some areas over the weekend have rekindled farmers’ expectations for more meaningful rains they so direly need for the nourishment of their crops and livestock.

This comes as many areas are witnessing signs of crops wilting due to a recent heatwave sweeping across the country affecting both crops and livestock.

Farmers had become increasingly concerned that if the heatwave continued, it would compromise the expected bountiful harvest at the end of the season.

The recent showers, however, turned the tide and encouraged some to even consider increasing the hectarage of crops compared to last year. The Meteorological Services Department (MSD) has also advised farmers to utilise the current dry spell for weeding and other agricultural tasks.

Predictions indicate normal to above-normal rains from this month through February.

Despite the dry conditions, farmers are encouraged to continue their farming operations, with experts indicating that the season has remained favourable.

The MSD has, however, warned farmers and citizens alike to brace for potential hailstorms and strong winds when the rains return.

During a recent tour of some provinces, The Herald observed that farmers with early planted crops were hesitant to start weeding for fear of exposing crops to the high temperatures.

In areas such as Hurungwe, Banket and Zvimba, farmers have resorted to manually watering their crops with buckets to save them from the heat. An estimated 40 percent of fields in the main districts of Makonde, Zvimba, and Hurungwe were put under crops such as maize and traditional grains.

Hurungwe farmer, Mr Tavengwa Mutozi said it was difficult to make the decision to start weeding otherwise they would expose crops to the sun. “We could not apply fertilisers under the recent high temperatures. But now that temperatures have dropped and have been replaced by these showers, we expect more rains to come soon,” he said.

The MSD has forecast a normal to above-normal rainy season but urged farmers to focus on early-maturing crop varieties.

Lands, Agriculture, Fisheries, Water and Rural Development permanent secretary Profesor Obert Jiri reiterated that good harvests were still anticipated.

“This season is a good one. It has started slowly. Farmers should grow crops suitable for their agro-ecological regions. The rains are expected to be back by December 11. Our farmers must know that they should grow short-seasoned crops to avoid missing the season, which ends in March.”

For crops planted early, proper fertilisation and weeding are crucial.

Farmers are also advised to take safety precautions against lightning and increase livestock dipping to combat tick-borne diseases prevalent during the rainy season.