Hopes of a good harvest high as more light rains are forecast

Precious Manomano Herald Reporter

THERE are higher expectations that the 2023-2024 summer cropping season will produce a meaningful harvest, as more light rains are forecast and the Government is finalising the national crop, livestock and fisheries assessment before February 10.

Crops are in good shape following the recent rains, bringing renewed hope of decent harvests. The El Nino phenomenon predicted by the Meteorological Services Department did contribute to a very late start to the cropping season but there was a month of heavy rain from the middle of December and although there has been almost a fortnight of dry weather, lights showers are falling across the country and the department expects more.

So far the outlook is generally positive for the production of all crops in all provinces.

In an interview, acting director for crop production, Agricultural Advisory and Rural Development Services in the Ministry of Lands, Agriculture, Fisheries, Water and Rural Development, Mr Leonard Munamati, said agriculture extension workers are finalising collecting data for an authoritative crop, livestock and fisheries assessment.

But he noted that crops and livestock are improving and the recent dry spell of two weeks enabled farmers to speed up the process of weeding and fertiliser applications.

“Currently we have received almost 90 percent of the information that is collected. By February 10, we should have the first draft of the information. Currently, the condition of the crop is still looking good because we had some previous rains so we still have some moisture.

“The rains which we received in January will be quite useful because they assisted in terms of our livestock. Remember we had challenges with livestock deaths in Matabeleland but after we received those rains the condition has changed.”

Grazing had improved and poverty deaths have decreased with the health of the livestock looking good.

Lands, Agriculture, Fisheries, Water and Rural Development Permanent Secretary Professor Obert Jiri said the results of the formal assessment would provide an early warning to decision-makers on the possible outcome of the present cropping season.

“The assessment aims to verify areas planted to different crops, crop stages and conditions during the season. It also assesses and verifies the availability, accessibility and use of major crop and livestock inputs by farmers,” he said.

Zimbabwe Commercial Farmers Union (ZCFU) president Dr Shadreck Makombe said the Government assessment was needed to ensure food security.

“Evaluation and monitoring of crops and livestock is a critical component towards achieving food security. This will help policymakers to come up with recommendations which will have an impact on the agricultural sector. This is a positive move. We are guaranteed food security in the sector,” he said.

Zimbabwe Indigenous Women Farmers Association Trust president Mrs Depinah Nkomo said the progress was well appreciated and urged farmers to cooperate well with extension workers who will be on the ground collecting data.

She said the progress shown so far by farmers signifies that a good harvest is upon the country.

“We appreciate this move. The government is doing well to gather information that is critical in improving national food security. Let’s co-operate well with extension workers so that good policies are made to support the sector,” she said.

A total area of 2 401 884ha has been planted for crops. Of this, 1 406 999ha was under maize compared to 1 466 022ha planted last year while 520 800ha was under traditional grains, 253 821ha under groundnuts, 110 000ha under tobacco and the rest under soyabean, sugarbeans, sweet potatoes, African peas, sunflower, round nuts and other crops.

Collection of information on actual area planted is still in progress.