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Precious Manomano Herald Reporter
FARMERS are still optimistic of a good 2022-23 summer cropping season despite more potential fertiliser leaching after the continuous rains the country has been receiving.
Farmers have stopped planting maize but have continued with traditional grains which they are currently concluding and are hopeful of a good harvest following the rains that are currently being received.
Zimbabwe Indigenous Women Farmers’ Association Trust president Mrs Depinah Nkomo said this is the best time to plant sweet potatoes, sugar beans and cassava, adding that farmers cannot continue planting maize because of time.
“Farmers with irrigation are the ones who can plant maize this time since the season has progressed. Farmers should diversify to traditional crops because of the high demand on the market and awareness being carried out on the importance of healthy foods. We are happy that we are receiving rainfall for our crops. We are optimistic of a good harvest,” she said.
Mrs Nkomo said the rainfall so far received is an indicator of a bumper harvest, adding that more rainfall is still needed although other farmers are complaining that they have received too much rainfall which may affect crops.
She also advised farmers to prioritise traditional crops like sugar beans and sweet potatoes.
Zimbabwe National Farmers’ Union vice president Mr Fidelis Gweshe said the rainfall received so far is above average, adding that if the country continues to receive such rainfall, there is a possibility of a bumper harvest.
“We have so far received average rainfall. It’s not excessive rainfall which implies that the situation is okay at the moment. Farmers with enough inputs are going to harvest more compared to the previous years. The rains are currently good. We wish to continue to receive rainfall this month so that we are geared to harvest more,” he said.
Mr Gweshe encouraged farmers to continue planting traditional grains.
In its weekly update, the Agricultural Advisory and Rural Development Services indicated that farmers have so far planted 1,6 million hectares of maize compared to 1,5 million hectares last year same period.
Statistics also show that 51 313ha were so far put under soyabeans compared to 44 845ha last year, while 246 972ha were put under sorghum compared to 243 254ha last year. About 166 633ha of pearl millet was so far planted compared to 144 275ha last year, 52 785ha was put under sunflower compared to 8 507ha, as that crop sees the most dramatic production growth, 116 454 was put under tobacco compared to 98 273ha last year and 183 276ha of cotton was put compared to 177 275ha planted last year.
The statistics also indicated that most parts of the country have received more than 250mm of rainfall since the start of the rainfall season on 1 October last year.
Nyanga has recorded the highest rainfall total of 940mm followed by Mukandi 893mm, Chisengu 749mm, Banket 637mm, Kadoma 635mm, Bikita 622mm and Macheke 618mm. Lower seasonal totals have been recorded in the south (Mwenezi, Chiredzi, Mberengwa, southern parts of Chivi and Zvishavane), northeast (Mudzi, Rushinga, UMP) and the west (Tsholotsho, Bulilima, Umguza).
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