Online Reporter
Precious Manomano
Herald Correspondent
AS Zimbabwe gears for the critical summer cropping season, the Meteorological Services Department has forecast a delayed and erratic start to the rainy season, presenting initial challenges but offering a silver lining with expected improved rainfall from December onwards.
MSD Director Mrs Rebecca Manzou confirmed that farmers should prepare for dry spells throughout October and November.
“A delayed and erratic start is anticipated in our rainfall with initial dry spells in October and November,” she said, attributing these conditions to a negative Indian Ocean dipole and a neutral ENSO climate pattern.
The forecast includes normal to above-average temperatures for the first two months, which could increase risks of lightning strikes, strong winds and hailstorms.
Mrs Manzou warned that “water scarcity may give rise to water-borne diseases, urging communities to exercise caution.”
However, the outlook improves as the season progresses, with national rainfall conditions expected to enhance from December.
Regional variations will see southern and western regions — including Matabeleland South, Matabeleland North, Midlands, Bulawayo, and Masvingo — receiving above-normal to normal rainfall.
Meanwhile, northern provinces such as Mashonaland Central, Mashonaland East , and West, and Harare Metropolitan may experience normal to below-normal rainfall, with potential drying later in the season.
In response to these predictions, the Government has mobilised support through the Presidential Input Support Programme.
Lands, Agriculture, Fisheries, Water and Rural Development Permanent Secretary Professor Obert Jiri emphasised the importance of strategic preparation.
“Farmers need to prepare accordingly because the season will likely be good. Agro-matched input acquisition and land preparation must be on point to embrace the predicted rains.” Across farming communities, preparations are underway, particularly among participants of the Pfumvudza/Intwasa programme, which promotes sustainable farming practices tailored to local conditions. The Government has set an ambitious cereal production target of over 3,2 million tonnes from 2,5 million hectares to bolster national food and nutrition security.
