adminSamuel Kadungure Farming Reporter
AGRITEX head for Manicaland, Mr Godfrey Mamhare, has expressed pessimism that the rains projected to start today (Friday) – after a month of intense dry period – will do much to revive food crops and improve harvests in the province. Manicaland last received meaningful rains mid-January and what followed was an dry spell which rendered the staple maize miserable as it wilted in the scorching heat.
Mr Mamhare’s comments follow predictions by the Meteorological Services Department on Monday of heavy rains starting today (Friday).
Met Department’s Head of Services, Mr Tich Zinyemba, said the rains would cover the greater part of the country.
“Indications are that there is a likelihood of the country experiencing widespread rains and thunderstorms starting from the south and then spreading northwards. It is expected that rainfall amounts of as much as 50mm are possible in 24 hours.
“It is advised that these storms may be accompanied by violent lightning, damaging winds and hail,” said Mr Zinyemba.
However, Mr Mamhare expressed strong fears that the rains will come a little bit late as the routine mid-season drought had already seen the cereal crops succumbing to the harsh arid conditions before reaching maturity.
The crop situation in the province is dire though the rains might still be beneficial in ecological Region One and Two as well as improve grazing pastures, water levels in reservoirs and land preparation for the winter crop.
The violent rains might wreck the tobacco crop as some farmers had not finished reaping.
“Why had they initially indicated that the season had ended? Anyway, should the rains come on Friday as predicted, only those farmers in Region One and Two will breathe a sigh of relief.
In Region Three, Four and Five, the rains can only help to improve veld pastures and water bodies for gardening purposes. Crops in these regions cannot be rejuvenated, but farmers can take advantage of the soil moisture to prepare their land for the winter crop,” said Mr Mamhare.
At least 30 percent of the maize crop in Manicaland is a complete write-off, with the magnitude set to increase if the current absolute dry period continues.
Mr Mamhare said the situation was dire in communal areas across Manicaland.
He said the situation may worsen if the dry spell continues – a situation he said may result in Manicaland failing to harvest enough to feed her population.
Manicaland had put 199 000 hectares under maize – but the crop suffered immensely owing to a combination of late, erratic rains, current severe mid-season dry spell, overworked infertile soils and erratic application of fertilisers.
He said Regions One and Two – cover larger parts of Makoni, Nyanga, Mutasa and Mutare (a smaller part) districts can still salvage a reasonable harvest if it rains now. These regions have received normal rains and the crop and livestock were still in good state.
However, natural regions four and five are 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 missed out on planting completely.
Mr Mamhare revealed that the Zimbabwe Vulnerability Assessment Committee (ZimVAC) will carry out its rural livelihoods assessment next week.
The province will have a true picture of the extent of drought after the second crop assessment.
Online Reporter