adminSydney Mubaiwa in ZAKA
The crop situation across Zaka District is now dire, with most crops, especially maize showing signs of severe moisture stress owing to a prolonged dry spell.
There are fears that most of the maize crop might become a complete write-off across the district unless rains fall within the next two weeks.
Zaka is one of the driest districts in Masvingo and rains have been scanty in the current cropping season, dashing farmers’ hopes of a modest harvest.
The district’s crop and livestock officer Mr Felix Gova said the crop situation was dire.
He said results from a preliminary crop assessment report showed most crops were on the verge of wilting, with most farmers having given up on replanting even if rains were to fall now.
“Planting has not yet started in some parts of the district, especially in areas like Benzi, Matara and Chiredzana, to name a few,’’ said Mr Gova.
“These areas never received any meaningful rains from December last year.
“In Zaka North, especially in Ward 1 of Chipinda Resettlement, only 30 percent of farming land is under crops, which are again in bad shape, while in Zaka West, less than 10 percent was planted.’’
Mr Gova said Zaka District was likely to experience severe food shortages owing to drought this year.
He said shifting to small grains, which are drought-tolerant, was the way to go for farmers in low-rainfall receiving areas such as Zaka.
“We are trying to advocate for a shift by our farmers to small grains such as millet, rapoko and sorghum as they mature fast and they are drought-tolerant compared to maize, but most of our people still insist on growing maize,’’ he said.
At the moment, more than 34 000 households have already raised alarm across Masvingo and require emergency food aid.
Online Reporter