malvernmugadzikwa
Online Reporter
RAINS that are currently being experienced in some parts of the country — including Harare — do not signify the start of the rainy season, Permanent Secretary in the Ministry of Lands, Agriculture, Fisheries, Water and Rural Development Professor Obert Jiri has said.
In a statement released on Tuesday morning, Prof Jiri urged farmers to use the rains for final land preparations.
“Many parts of the country have received substantial rains this week. The Meteorological Services Department (MSD) advises that this is not the start of the rainy season.
“We advise farmers to use these rains to speed up land preparation (holing for Pfumvudza/Intwasa and accelerating tillage for those practicing conventional farming).
“Farmers are discouraged from planting unless they have adequate irrigation,” said Prof Jiri.
The weather, he added, is expected to clear soon, helping wheat farmers to assess their crop.
“Unless a farmer has access to drying facilities, no harvesting is advisable until the moisture content is in the acceptable range.”
Bongani Ndlovu