adminWalter Mswazie Masvingo Correspondent
FARMERS in Masvingo have welcomed the coming of the rains saying they are optimistic of a good farming season. This comes in the wake of reports from Meteorological Department that the rains will continue falling until January, 6. Chiefs’ Council President, Chief Fortune Charumbira said while the food security situation in Masvingo called for intervention, he was happy with the way the rains were falling especially in drought prone areas.
“The rains have come at an opportune time. I am told most rivers in Gutu, Chivi and Bikita are now impassable due to flooding. We expect the water levels in Mtirikwi Dam to improve as rains continue to pound in the province.
“Most villagers in Masvingo have received inputs through the Presidential Input Scheme. We expect them to utilise the seeds and fertiliser wisely. We hope the water crisis that is faced by residents
in Masvingo will be over once water levels improve in Mutirikwi Dam, which is the main water source for the city and the Lowveld,” he said.
“The rains which are falling will go a long way in addressing food security challenges affecting Masvingo, especially in districts such as Chivi, Zaka and Mwenezi which are prone to drought. As we speak many villagers in a number of places including my area are in need of food. Government has chipped in with grain to help. I urge the farmers to take advantage of the rains and start planting,” he said.
A farmer in Chivi South Constituency, Killer Zivhu said he was expecting a bumper harvest from his three- hectare plot.
“I expect a bumper harvest from my plot given the falling of the rains. We have been waiting for this since the beginning of November and we are happy that the rain season has begun,” said Zivhu.
Zivhu who is also Masvingo Rural District Council chairperson said he was looking forward to fattening his cattle as he expected rejuvenation of pastures.
“I also have over 1000 cattle and was worried because the pastures and water sources were getting dry. The falling of the rains will give the pastures a new lease of life. This will also have a positive effect to
my budget as I will not worry about buying cattle feed,” he said
Casper Shumba, a commercial farmer in Bushmead area about 20 km east of Masvingo said he had been anxiously waiting for the rains adding that he was incurring a lot of expenses in paying for the pumping of water from his borehole.
“I do have borehole water at my plot which I use for irrigation but the water table is decreasing at a fast rate. However, with the falling of the rains, the situation is set to improve. The rains also help me in saving my electricity as I use power to pump water for irrigation purposes. I am now depending on the rains in place of irrigation,” he said.
Online Reporter