Farmers pin hope on late-planted maize

Gabrielle Gede
FARMERS in Mutare District are pinning their hope on the late planted maize crop as the early crop has been ruled a write-off due to the prolonged dry spell experienced in January.

Mutare District agronomist Mr Prosper Chiturike said areas like Marange were the most affected, and a significant number of farmers in the area had diverted their hope to small grain crops such as sorghum, finger millet, pearl millet, cow peas, ground nuts and bambara nuts that can withstand harsh weather conditions.

He said forecasts of sporadic thunderstorms by the Meteorological Services Department last week had raised farmers’ hopes, but the rainfall received had not brought back to life the early maize crop. “It is too early to consider the season as a disaster, maybe on the maize crop, but only in traditional drier regions as we have other options that can result in a good harvest.

“We have other crops like sugar beans and other small grains that includes pearl millet, finger millet and sorghum,” said Mr Chiturike.

He said the maize crop in areas such as Odzi North, Vumba and Burma Valley was still in a fair state and farmers could expect to harvest enough to sustain themselves.