adminSenior Farming Reporter
MANICALAND continues presenting a picture in contrast with three districts receiving some rains which have brought the long-awaited relief to some farmers, but the relief was not widespread as those in drier regions continue singing the blues. Many areas stretching from the central west to the far north-west have recorded moderate rains which have transformed maize and tobacco into lush pastures and reinvigorated hopes of a summer harvest.
The moderate rains were concentrated in natural regions one, two and three – which covers larger parts of Makoni, Nyanga, Mutasa and Mutare (a smaller part) districts.
These regions are naturally expected to receive normal to above normal rains, however, the crop and livestock in these areas was at risk owing to a combination of erratic rains, current severe mid-season dry spell, overworked infertile soils and erratic application of fertilisers.
However, farmers in natural regions four and five are still struggling after very little or no rain was received.
In these regions – which cover the larger part of Mutare, Buhera, Chinaminani and Chipinge districts, rain has been sporadic and indiscriminate and many farmers have missed out on planting completely. Agritex officer for Manicaland, Mr Godfrey Mamhare, refused to celebrate the recent wet spell, saying the greater parts of Manicaland still desperately need rain.
“Moderate rain revived prospects in regions one, two and part of three.
“It was a sigh of relief to farmers in these regions, but the relief was not widespread as some areas are still at risk of suffering devastating crop losses.
The crop is wilting due to moisture stress in areas that have not received rain,” said Mr Mamhare.
Tobacco Industry Marketing Board chairperson, Mrs Monica Chinamasa, said most tobacco growers welcomed the rain.
“The crop has responded well to the rain. The crop has been rejuvenated and this will go a long way in improving its quality because the rain came at a critical stage. If it continues like this, chances of farmers salvaging a meaningful harvest are better,” said Mrs Chinamasa.
However, the Meteorological Department forecast for the next 10 days painted a gloomy picture for the entire province.
Met Dept head, Mr Tichaona Zinyemba, on Wednesday said the next 10 days point to a virtually dry period.
Mr Zinyemba predicted a dried picture on either side of that frontal system and much dryer behind it in the north of the province.
“Apart from the rain received this week, we are not anticipating any heavy rain in Manicaland. In the next 10 days, we do not expect any significant rains. It is virtually a dry period.
“Unless something happens, as you may never know, but so far we are not anticipating anything,” said the weather expert.
Most areas in Manicaland were this season characterised by limited and unreliable rainfall that was concentrated during a short rainy season with the remaining period tending to be relatively or absolutely dry.
Rains were late and irregular in large parts and at some point excessive to the extent of submerging the crop, thereby affecting production because of the sporadic dry spell at various periods during this current rainy season.
At most, these areas receive annual rainfall of 500m and high temperatures during the rainy season cause much of this rainfall to be lost through evaporation.
Besides being water deficient, dry lands of Manicaland which include the entirety of Buhera, Mutare, Chimanimani districts, the larger parts of Chipinge, Nyanga, Mutasa and Makoni districts — are synonymous with exceptionally high summer day temperatures, low humidity, high run off and soil erosion.
Online Reporter