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Sydney Mubaiwa in Zaka
Crops here are wilting due to moisture stress as a result of erratic rains.
In separate interviews, farmers said they were worried about the state of crops in the fields since most of them planted at the onset of the rainy season.
“The situation in most fields is worrisome. If we don’t receive meaningful rains this week, our crops will be a total write-off. Already some crops are wilting because of moisture stress,” said Mr Mudzingwa Muringi of Chipinda Resettlement Scheme (Ward 1).
He said some farmers were planning to approach the Grain Marketing Board (GMB) to buy back the maize they delivered last year.
“The situation here is not all that good and farmers will be forced to go back to the Grain Marketing Board (GMB) to buy maize for consumption,” said Mr Muringi.
Zaka’s district crops and livestock officer Mr Kennedy Pedzisai said they were still assessing the situation in the district as the dry spell continues.
“We have been receiving erratic rains which the farmers used for planting, but now the plants need water. Agronomists are assessing the situation in the fields to see how best the farmers can be assisted,” he said.
However, the MSD has allayed drought fears this cropping season saying most parts of the country will experience normal to above normal rains due to the El-Nino phenomenon.
Responding to questions sent by The Herald yesterday, the MSD said while most of the country will receive normal rains, the distribution would be erratic.
“While most areas show mostly normal rainfall to date, the season has performed badly in terms of the rainfall patterns as some stations recorded normal rainfall in a space of a few days. For example, Chiredzi is reporting above normal rainfall, which was received a few days ago.
“One thing that is evident, however, is the fact that the rainfall distribution has been poor and could remain poor for the remainder of the season.
“We advise farmers with irrigation facilities to use them to boost agricultural productivity. Irrigation is a must for those with infrastructure and available water sources,” said the department.
The department also advised the farmers to follow its short and medium range forecasts that give more detail on the forecast to avoid disappointments.
According to MSD most areas countrywide are expected to receive between 16mm and 20mm in the next few days.
Online Reporter