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Normal to above normal rains were forecast during the second half of the 2011/12 season.
Stakeholders attending this year’s national climate outlook expressed concern over region 3 which they said did not look good in terms of rainfall expected.
National Early Warning Unit representative Mrs Tambu Pasipanodya advised farmers in Mashonaland, North of Manicaland and Matabeleland North to plant long season varieties early while those in Masvingo, Matabeleland South and South of Midlands were urged to concentrate on small grains.
Participants at the function said already, people and livestock in region three were facing acute food shortages with livestock being moved to conservancies.
Some farmers were now buying supplementary feeds for their livestock.
Experts advised farmers in region 3 to practise intensive farming.
They said feeding livestock on supplementary feeds or moving them into conservancies was not the best solution to the problems as animals could contract zoonotic diseases.
Any disease or infection that is naturally transmissible from vertebrate animals to humans and vice-versa is classified as a zoonotic.
It was also suggested that irrigation facilities in region 3 be rehabilitated if people were going to produce crops.
The Civil Protection Unit said it would carry out awareness campaigns on floods, lightning and storms starting September 23 as the department was now aware of what would happen.
Meteorological Services Department director Dr Amos Makarau said the outlook was a guiding tool for decision-makers such as Agritex, Civil Protection Unit, policy makers and non-governmental organisations.
“The outlook will enable authorities to plan their operations and enable end users such as farmers to make informed decisions,” he said.
Online Reporter