Theseus Mauruki Shambare and Conrad Mupesa
FARMERS have been advised to look at December as the main planting window for the coming summer cropping season, provided effective rains have established adequate soil moisture, as Zimbabwe prepares for El Niño-induced lower rainfall.
Under a phased planting guide unveiled by the Government, farmers are encouraged to use October for land preparation and securing inputs, assess rainfall and soil moisture conditions in November, and plant in December when conditions are favourable.
Those who experience delayed planting into January are encouraged to switch to short-duration crops and varieties to reduce the risk of crop failure, while farmers have been cautioned against planting maize late under rain-fed conditions.
The strategy places emphasis on conserving soil moisture, adopting drought-tolerant crops, and using local rainfall patterns and agricultural extension advice to guide planting decisions.
Agriculture, Mechanisation and Water Resources Development Permanent Secretary Professor Obert Jiri said farmers should approach the season with careful planning rather than panic, emphasising that forecasts of below-normal rainfall do not necessarily mean crop failure or an absence of rain.
“An outlook is not a declaration that crops will fail or that rain will be absent everywhere. It is a call to prepare early and manage risk rather than abandon planting,” he said.
Prof Jiri said planting decisions should be guided by actual rainfall received in each locality, soil moisture levels, and short-range weather forecasts rather than seasonal projections alone.
Improved water and grazing availability by late September provided some relief for the livestock sector, provided farmers continue following technical advice on weather developments and animal health.
Prof Jiri cautioned against assuming that the anticipated El Niño will automatically produce outcomes similar to previous drought seasons.
“Historical precedents like the 1997-1998 season remind us that strong El Niños do not produce identical outcomes every time. Regional atmospheric circulation and moisture transport can alter trajectories,” he said.
Chief agricultural specialist in the Ministry of Agriculture Dr Hillary Mugiyo said soil management will be critical in helping farmers withstand prolonged dry spells and make the most of whatever rainfall they receive.
“Healthy soils absorb rainfall, hold moisture, carry crops through dry spells and resist erosion, whereas degraded soils shed water as runoff, lose nutrients, and suppress yields,” he said.
Dr Mugiyo urged farmers to maintain contour ridges and other soil-water conservation structures, practise Pfumvudza/Intwasa, retain soil cover, replenish organic matter, and rehabilitate degraded land.
“While we cannot control when or how much rain falls, we can directly influence how much of it our soils retain.”
Prof Jiri advised farmers in traditionally drier southern and western areas to consider drought-tolerant crops such as sorghum, pearl millet, and cowpeas, while those opting for maize should prioritise early-maturing varieties and realistic yield targets.
Mulching, timely weed control, conservation agriculture, and staggered planting will also help spread production risks instead of committing all resources to a single planting date.
Director of the Department of Soil Conservation Engineer Bezzel Chitsungo said the phased planting calendar is designed to ensure that farmers align their agricultural activities with prevailing soil moisture and protect investments in seed and fertiliser.
“Managing the vagaries of a challenging season requires robust infrastructure and strict adherence to phased planting timelines.
“Farmers must integrate physical soil-water management structures with a disciplined calendar to protect capital investments in seed and fertiliser,” he said.
Eng Chitsungo emphasised that farmers must “strictly avoid planting after isolated showers alone”.
Chief Director of Agricultural Development Advisory Services Mrs Medlinah Magwenzi said extension officers will play a critical role in translating seasonal forecasts into practical decisions at the household level.
“Farmers do not navigate these challenges alone. Local agricultural business advisory officers and extension networks provide vital guidance to bridge broad seasonal frameworks with grassroots realities,” she said.
The objective is to safeguard household food supplies, farmers’ labour, and investments through informed decisions and appropriate agronomic practices.
She urged farmers not to interpret isolated storms as the beginning of the agricultural season, stressing the importance of sustained rainfall and confirmed subsoil moisture before planting.
“Below-normal rainfall does not mean no rainfall. By maintaining a flexible strategy guided by soil moisture, reliable follow-up rains, sound crop choices and updated short-range forecasts, Zimbabwe’s farming communities can secure food supplies and navigate seasonal uncertainty with confidence,” she said.
Meanwhile, Mashonaland West has intensified preparations for the summer cropping season, with 101 000 hectares already prepared under Pfumvudza/Intwasa against a provincial target of 171 000 hectares.
The provincial programme was launched at Muchiedza Primary School in Makonde District yesterday, with Minister of State for Provincial Affairs and Devolution Marian Chombo calling on farmers to increase production and help safeguard national food security.
Pfumvudza promotes small, well-managed plots, mulching, timely planting, and efficient use of agricultural inputs to conserve moisture and improve yields under potentially unfavourable rainfall conditions.
Agricultural and Rural Development Advisory Services acting provincial director Mrs Evelyn Ndoro said the province is encouraged by progress towards its target but urged farmers to do more.
“This year, we are expecting less rainfall, so we need to double the Pfumvudza production we achieved last year. As a province, we need to reach 171 000 hectares, and we are currently at 101 000 hectares,” she said.
Mrs Ndoro said farmers are taking advantage of recent rains to dig planting basins, while those using mechanised methods are ripping their fields in preparation for planting.
She called on farmers to maintain the momentum so that they will be ready to plant once effective rains set in.
Minister Chombo said Mashonaland West, particularly Makonde District, has an important role to play in ensuring national food security.
“We no longer import maize as we used to in the past when we ran out of grain and had to buy from neighbouring countries. We have said no to that,” she said.
She challenged farmers to maximise the support provided through Government agricultural programmes, saying the province is expected to contribute significantly towards feeding the nation.
“All nine provinces are expecting to be fed by our province, so keep up the good work. This programme is targeted at you, communal farmers, because you are vital in feeding the nation. Do not underestimate your efforts on these plots; these projects will make you rise to greater heights,” she said.
Minister Chombo urged beneficiaries to contribute at least 10kg of maize or traditional grains to the country’s Strategic Grain Reserve, saying this will complement Government efforts to maintain adequate national grain stocks.
Farmers received input packs containing fertiliser, lime, pesticides, herbicides, maize seed, and traditional grain seed to support production during the coming season.
Beneficiary Mrs Beauty Zarima said the assistance enabled her to prepare for planting after struggling to secure seed.
“I did not have seed yet, but I thank His Excellency the President for availing it to me. Now, when it rains, I have nothing to wait for but to get into the field and feed my family,” she said.
